Installation for processing food products, installation system and method for controlling an installation for processing food products

Abstract

The invention relates to an installation for processing food products, comprising at least one processing device and in particular a processing line having a plurality of processing devices connected one behind the other. The installation also comprises a remote control device which is positionable spatially separately from the at least one processing device, wherein the remote control device positioned spatially separately from the at least one processing device is designed to adjust a setting of the at least one processing device in response to a user input.

Description

[0001] Plant for processing food products, plant system and method for controlling a plant for processing food products

[0002] The invention relates to a plant for processing food products, in particular meat and / or cheese products, which comprises at least one processing device and in particular a processing line with several processing devices connected in series.

[0003] Such systems can, in particular, enable efficient, automated processing of food products and, for example, include a slicing device that can mechanically slice food products and form portions from the slices, each portion comprising one or more slices. In particular, so-called high-speed slicers can be used for this purpose, which can achieve outputs of up to 2,000 slices per minute.

[0004] While systems for processing food products generally comprise individual processing devices and can, for example, be designed as a slicing device of the type mentioned above, such systems can, however, in particular, have a processing line with several processing devices connected in series in order to be able to carry out successive processing steps at the individual processing devices and achieve the most complete processing possible. For example, systems or their processing lines can have a transport device connected to a slicing device, which is designed to receive portions produced by the slicing device and transport them to a packaging machine in the processing line, by which the provided portions can be automatically packaged.In this respect, such a system with several processing devices can make it possible to process food products provided at the slicing device into fully packaged portions, which can be immediately offered for sale.

[0005] In such mechanical food processing systems, the aim is generally to achieve the highest possible product throughput, so high-speed slicers can also be frequently used in the aforementioned processing lines. In order to be able to handle and package portions produced by the high-speed slicers at the speed specified by the high-speed slicers, transport systems can also be used that have buffer sections for buffering produced portions, for example, to compensate for a higher cycle rate of the slicing device than the cycle rate of the packaging machine.Such buffered portions can, for example, be brought to packaging stations provided during a loading break, during which a subsequent food product is loaded into the product feed after a food product has been completely sliced, so that ultimately seamless processing of the products can be achieved.

[0006] To deliver the portions to the packaging stations, the transport device can, for example, have a so-called inserter, which can be formed by a conveyor belt pointing in the direction of the packaging machine, or so-called picker robots can be provided, which are designed to pick up portions and deliver them to the packaging stations. Such an inserter or a picker robot must also be coordinated with the slicing device and the packaging machine in such a way that the portions can be delivered precisely to the designated packaging stations.

[0007] In particular, such systems with a processing line can have a relatively complex structure, and to achieve the desired product throughput, it is particularly necessary to precisely coordinate the operation of the individual processing devices to avoid processing errors or time losses. However, even with individual processing devices or devices used outside of a processing line, given the high product throughput requirements and the complexity of the processing devices themselves, settings of individual processing device parameters, such as the cutting speed and cutting force of a slicing device, may need to be precisely coordinated and / or changed during operation in order to achieve optimal processing results.The processing devices can therefore have respective control devices so that, for example, a slicing speed can be subsequently corrected on a control device of the slicing device if a lack of synchronization with the packaging machine is detected.

[0008] However, coordinating or adjusting processing equipment, as well as controlling a processing line or an individual processing equipment, can be undesirably complex in such systems, since adjusting a processing equipment setting always requires the associated control device to be operated. However, adjusting a setting of the slicing device on a processing line, for example, may require a corresponding adjustment on the packaging machine, necessitating switching between the various control devices. In addition, because the processing equipment is controlled by associated control devices, an operator on the processing line cannot, for example, directly check whether a setting change on the slicing device has an effect on the packaging machine.Therefore, precise adjustment of the processing line, especially to correct a detected processing error, can take a relatively long time.

[0009] In addition, adjusting the settings of such processing equipment must be performed in a production hall that is usually cooled to low temperatures, meaning that controlling a processing equipment and / or a processing line often takes place under unpleasant working conditions. Furthermore, in situations where a user of the equipment cannot correct a possible processing error themselves and assistance from external experts is required, such experts must travel to make adjustments to the processing equipment, which can involve considerable time and expense.

[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a plant for processing food products with at least one processing device, which offers a simplified control of the at least one processing device and a possibility for a flexible service for troubleshooting or adjustment of the at least one processing device by external experts or service providers.

[0011] This object is achieved by a system having the features of claim 1 .

[0012] The system comprises a remote control device that can be positioned spatially separate from the at least one processing device. The remote control device, which is positioned spatially separate from the processing line, is configured to change a setting of the at least one processing device in response to a user input. The remote control device can thus be configured, in particular, to change a setting of the at least one processing device in response to a user input if the remote control device is actually positioned spatially separate from the at least one processing device.The remote control device consequently enables remote control of the at least one processing device, so that in the system described herein it is not necessary to be in the immediate vicinity of the at least one processing device in order to adjust a setting on the at least one processing device.

[0013] As explained in more detail below, in some embodiments the system can in particular comprise a processing line with at least one slicing device with a product feed and at least one knife arranged in a cutting plane, wherein the product feed is designed to guide food products in one or more lanes into the cutting plane, and wherein the knife is designed to separate slices from the food products guided into the cutting plane in order to form portions, wherein a portion comprises one or more of the separated slices; a packaging machine, in particular a thermoforming packaging machine, which is designed to provide respective packaging stations for the portions and to package portions brought to the packaging stations;and a transport device which is designed to transport the portions from the slicing device to the packaging machine and to bring them to the packaging stations, and the remote control device positioned separately from the processing line can, in such embodiments, be designed to change a division of at least one processing device of the processing line in response to the user input.;

[0014] In such embodiments, the remote control device can thus enable remote control of at least one processing device among processing devices connected to one another or connected in series in a processing line. However, the remote control device can be configured, in particular, to control processing lines of such systems as a whole and to make changes to the settings of multiple processing devices and / or all processing devices of the processing line. This will also be explained in more detail below.

[0015] However, in some embodiments, the system may also comprise only one processing device and thus ultimately be formed by the one processing device (as well as the remote control device). For example, the system may therefore also be a slicing device operated independently of a processing line, which can be controlled by the remote control device. Furthermore, it may also be provided, for example, that a system comprising a single processing device is integrated into a processing line, although only the one processing device can be controlled via the system's remote control device, while a conventional control system can be provided for the other processing devices in the processing line.For example, it is conceivable that a remote-controlled slicing device is integrated into a processing line whose other processing devices originate from other manufacturers and therefore may not allow remote control.

[0016] Since the remote control device can be positioned spatially separate from the at least one processing device and in particular a processing line, the remote control device can be positioned in a different room than the at least one processing device, in order to be able to make settings on the at least one processing device from this room. For example, it can be provided that the at least one processing device is arranged in a production hall, whereas the remote control device can be arranged, for example, in a central control room, which can also be referred to as a control center, in order to be able to control the at least one processing device and / or the processing line from there.In particular, the remote control device can be arranged in a room that does not have to be cooled to the cold temperatures required for processing food products, so that a more pleasant working environment for controlling the at least one processing device can be created. The room from which the remote control of the at least one processing device takes place can also be arranged, for example, in such a way that the at least one processing device and / or a processing line can be observed from there, for example through a window. However, monitoring means arranged in the vicinity of the system or the at least one processing device can also be used to observe the at least one processing device, as explained in more detail below.

[0017] For example, it can be provided that the remote control device is arranged in a control room assigned to a respective production hall in order to be able to control a processing device or processing line arranged in the production hall. In particular, several remote control units of the remote control device, for example several computers, can be arranged in the control room, which are designed to control at least one respective processing device or at least one respective processing line in the production hall, so that the processing devices or processing lines arranged in the production hall can be controlled from a common location—the central control room.In addition, however, it can also be provided that the remote control device has a remote control unit, for example a computer, which is designed to change settings of different processing devices that are not connected to one another in a processing line and in particular processing devices of different processing lines, so that, for example, several processing lines that are arranged in a common production hall can be controlled by the remote control unit.

[0018] In principle, such control of various processing facilities and / or processing lines from a central location can enable the respective persons responsible for a specific processing facility or processing line to operate from a common space, which can, in particular, facilitate an exchange of information between the persons and a pooling of expertise with regard to the control of such complex processing facilities or processing lines. This can, in particular, improve the control of processing facilities or processing lines in a production hall as a whole, for example, by allowing problems that have already been solved at other processing facilities or processing lines to be resolved promptly when they arise at another processing facility or another processing line through the cooperation of the respective responsible person.In addition, deputization arrangements and, in principle, a division of labor among different persons entrusted with the control of processing facilities and / or processing lines are possible in a simple and flexible manner.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that the remote control device is designed to change settings of all processing devices arranged in an entire plant and / or all processing lines arranged in an entire plant or their processing devices. For example, a plant in which food products are processed can comprise several production halls, wherein one or more processing lines can be arranged in each of the production halls, and the remote control device can be designed to remotely change settings on processing lines arranged in one or more different production halls. Such control of processing lines arranged in different production halls from a central location can also enable the explained bundling of expertise and simplified control of the processing lines.

[0020] In addition, the remote control device or a remote control unit of the remote control device can, if appropriate, also be positioned spatially separate from the processing device or processing line to be controlled and, in particular, not within a factory complex in which the at least one processing device to be controlled is arranged. Such an arrangement of the remote control device can, in particular, enable control of the at least one processing device and, in particular, a processing line by an external service provider without the external service provider having to travel directly to the at least one processing device and operate a control device arranged there, in that the remote control device can be arranged spatially separate from the at least one processing device at the external service provider. For example, a customer orPurchasers of a processing device and / or a processing line can thereby easily request temporary control or fine-tuning of settings from a manufacturer of the processing device and / or the processing line or from another service provider in order to be able to draw on the expertise of the manufacturer or service provider and to achieve optimal settings for the at least one processing device and / or the processing line before control can be taken over again by the owner of the at least one processing device and / or the processing line itself.In particular, such a transfer of control to an external service provider can be provided for a so-called run-in of the at least one processing device or a processing line after its installation, so that the external service provider or manufacturer of the system can initially coordinate the processing devices of a processing line, in particular, after which the owner can begin processing the food and assume control. Furthermore, an external service provider can be enabled to check and adjust the settings of the at least one processing device, for example in the event of problems arising during processing, so that expertise that may not be available on-site can be used to resolve the problem.Furthermore, in the event of illness, for example, the services of an external service provider can be temporarily utilized to control the at least one processing device in order to bridge such a period. Since the remote control device can also be configured, in particular, to control various processing devices and / or processing lines, possibly also processing devices and / or processing lines belonging to different owners or customers of a manufacturer, the service provider's expertise in controlling such processing devices and / or processing lines can be increased, enabling the configuration of the processing devices and / or processing lines to be carried out more quickly, efficiently, and reliably.

[0021] In summary, such a remote control device thus enables more convenient and flexible control of at least one processing device and in particular of processing lines with multiple processing devices, for example by not having to adapt the settings of individual processing devices to control devices arranged directly on the processing devices and by not having to switch between different control devices in order to be able to coordinate the individual processing devices with one another.In addition, the changing of settings of the at least one processing device does not have to be carried out directly in a production hall in which the at least one processing device is arranged and which is usually cooled down to cold temperatures, so that in particular any lengthy fine-tuning of processing devices with each other or fine adjustments of individual processing devices can be carried out conveniently from a separate room and in particular a central control room.

[0022] As already mentioned, the remote control device can, in particular, comprise various remote control units designed to adjust settings of the at least one processing device. For example, one remote control unit of the remote control device can be arranged in a central control room and enable control of processing devices arranged in an associated production hall, whereas another remote control unit can be arranged in a central control room of a factory complex, from which settings of all processing devices and / or processing lines arranged in the factory can be adjusted. Alternatively or additionally, the remote control device can also comprise a remote control unit that is positioned spatially separate from the at least one processing device in order to enable control by an external service provider.

[0023] In principle, the remote control device, in particular as a remote control unit, can comprise, for example, a computer with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and / or a microcontroller and a connected monitor, wherein the user input can be entered, for example, via a keyboard and / or a mouse on the computer. Alternatively, a touchscreen operating device can also be provided, for example. In particular, the remote control device can comprise several such remote control units, so that respective tasks of the remote control device can be carried out on or by different remote control units. The components or remote control units of the remote control device can also be arranged in a common room, or the remote control device can be distributed across different rooms.As already explained, it can be provided, for example, that a remote control unit of the remote control device is arranged in a central control room for controlling processing lines in a production hall, a further remote control unit is arranged in a central control room for controlling processing lines arranged in a common plant and / or a further remote control unit is arranged spatially separate from the processing line or a plant in which the processing line is arranged, at an external service provider.

[0024] Further embodiments can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0025] In some embodiments, the at least one processing device can be positioned in a first room, in particular a production hall, and the remote control device can be positioned in a second room different from the first room, in particular a control room, wherein the remote control device positioned in the second room can be configured to change the setting of the at least one processing device positioned in the first room in response to the user input.

[0026] As already explained, the remote control device can thus be designed to control the at least one processing device and / or a processing line from a different room than the one in which the at least one processing device is located. In this respect, control does not have to be carried out from a cold production hall, but can be conveniently performed from a central control center or a central control room.

[0027] In some embodiments, the at least one processing device can be designed as a slicing device with a product feed and at least one knife arranged in a cutting plane, wherein the product feed can be designed to guide food products in one or more lanes into the cutting plane, and wherein the knife can be configured to separate slices from the food products guided into the cutting plane to form portions, wherein a portion can comprise one or more of the separated slices.

[0028] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the at least one processing device can be designed as a packaging machine, in particular a thermoforming packaging machine, which is designed to provide respective packaging locations for portions of food products and to package portions brought to the packaging locations.

[0029] In some embodiments, the at least one processing device can be designed as a transport device which is designed to transport portions from a slicing device to a packaging machine and to bring them to packaging locations provided by the packaging machine.

[0030] In some embodiments, the at least one processing device can also be designed as a pressing device for pressing and / or forming food products, in particular sliceable food products, meat products, and / or bacon. Such a pressing device is known, for example, from EP 3 760 047 A1, the content of which is incorporated into the present disclosure with regard to the basic design of such a pressing device. Another pressing device is described in the yet-to-be-published German patent number 10 2021 126 436, the content of which is also incorporated into the present disclosure with regard to the basic design of a pressing device for pressing and / or forming food products.

[0031] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the at least one processing device can be designed as a device for providing web-shaped interleaf material to a cutting area of ​​a slitting device, which has an unwinding device for removing a material web from a material web roll and an ejection device for dynamically, in particular cyclically, ejecting the material web into the cutting area. Such a device is generally known to the person skilled in the art and is described, for example, in DE 10 2019 106 369 A1, the content of which is incorporated into the present disclosure with regard to the design of such a device.

[0032] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the at least one processing device can be designed as a cheese divider, which is configured to divide a bar-shaped cheese product into several sub-products. Such a cheese divider is described, for example, in DE 10 2019 108 452 A1, the content of which is also incorporated into the present disclosure with regard to the basic design of a cheese divider.

[0033] In some embodiments, the at least one processing device can be designed as a device for providing a portion support on a transport device for transporting portions of food products to a packaging machine, which has a storage device in which a stack of portion supports can be stored, and a removal device designed to remove a respective upper portion support from the storage device and to provide it on the transport device in such a way that a portion can be placed on the provided portion support during transport by the transport device. Such devices are also generally known to the person skilled in the art and are described, for example, in the as yet unpublished European patent application 22 155 188.0, the content of which is also incorporated into the present disclosure.

[0034] In particular, the remote control device can thus be designed to change a setting of at least one of the aforementioned processing devices in response to a user input. As already explained, in some embodiments the system can comprise a single processing device, so that in some embodiments the system can be designed in particular as one of the aforementioned processing devices and can also comprise the remote control device but no further processing devices. However, it is equally possible for the system to comprise a plurality of processing devices, in particular a plurality of the aforementioned processing devices, and for the remote control device to be designed to control one or more of the plurality of processing devices of the system.A system comprising a plurality of processing devices may further comprise, in particular, a processing line in which the plurality of processing devices, in particular a selection of the aforementioned processing devices, may be connected in series.

[0035] In some embodiments, the remote control device and the at least one processing device can be connected to one another via a network. Such a network can, in particular, enable the required signal exchange between the remote control device and the at least one processing device, for example, by communicating current settings of the processing device to the remote control device and displaying them to an operator, for example on a display device of the remote control device, in order to then be able to adapt the settings of the processing device if necessary by transmitting a corresponding control command from the remote control device to the processing device. In particular, the remote control device can be connected to a processing line comprising several processing devices via a network.

[0036] In some embodiments, the system may have a radio module, and the control device may be configured to transmit a control command for changing the setting to the radio module via a wireless connection. In particular, the remote control device may be configured to transmit the control command to the radio module via a radio connection. For example, it may be provided that the remote control device is configured to communicate with the at least one processing device via a WLAN / WiFi connection in order to be able to remotely adjust settings on the at least one processing device or on multiple processing devices.Control via such a radio connection can in particular also enable control of the at least one processing device by a remote control device or remote control unit arranged spatially separate from the at least one processing device, for example by a remote control device arranged at an external service provider.

[0037] In some embodiments, the at least one processing device may comprise the radio module. However, it is also possible for the at least one processing device to be connectable to a radio module external to the at least one processing device in order to receive and implement a control command.

[0038] In some embodiments, the system may comprise at least one monitoring device that can be selectively arranged on the at least one processing device and / or a processing line of the system, and the control device may be designed to receive at least one monitoring signal from the monitoring device arranged on the at least one processing device.

[0039] For example, it may be provided to provide one or more cameras that can be selectively arranged on the at least one processing device or a processing line, wherein monitoring signals generated by the cameras, and in particular the image data generated by the cameras, can be transmitted to the remote control device. The image data can then be displayed on a display device, for example a monitor, of the remote control device in order to enable an operator of the remote control device, who is spatially separated from the at least one processing device and / or the processing line, to check the operation of the at least one processing device and / or the processing line. This can enable the operator to detect any processing errors and, if necessary, to intervene by adjusting the settings of one or more processing devices.In addition, the monitoring device can comprise sensors, such as temperature or pressure sensors, for example. Measurement values ​​determined by these sensors can be transmitted to the remote control device and, for example, also displayed on a playback device, so that the operator of the remote control device can check whether the measurement values ​​correspond to the respective target values. Furthermore, microphones can also be optionally arranged on the at least one processing device and / or the processing line in order to detect any incorrect settings based on noises, such as grinding noises.

[0040] In particular, the monitoring device can thus make it possible to obtain impressions and insights using monitoring methods in addition to typical operating data in order to be able to record states of the at least one processing device and / or consequences of an adjustment of settings without being directly present at the system.

[0041] While it can generally be provided for processing devices of such systems to be equipped with a certain sensor system, in the aforementioned embodiments, it can be provided that the monitoring device can only be arranged selectively on the at least one processing device and / or the processing line. The monitoring device can therefore be explicitly provided to enable remote control of the at least one processing device by means of the remote control device, but without fundamentally being attached to the at least one processing device and / or being required for the operation of the at least one processing device.Therefore, the installation of the monitoring device may not be necessary to enable the operation of the at least one processing device at all and, for example, to enable control via processing device control units arranged directly on the at least one processing device. Rather, the monitoring device may be formed, for example, by a monitoring set that can be optionally arranged on the at least one processing device and includes one or more monitoring means, which can be optionally mounted on the at least one processing device or in its surroundings to enable or support remote control.

[0042] For example, it can be provided that an owner of the at least one processing device and in particular of a processing line orders and / or rents such a monitoring set for a period in which control of the at least one processing device or the processing line by an external service provider is desired, for example for commissioning a processing line or during periods in which external control is required due to illness or for troubleshooting. By optionally arranging the monitoring device on the at least one processing device and / or the processing line, the service provider can then be enabled to monitor the operation of the at least one processing device and / or the processing line without having to be in the vicinity of the facility.As soon as conventional on-site control—or remote control from a central on-site control room—is required again, the monitoring device or the aforementioned monitoring set can be removed, so that the monitoring device only needs to be installed at times when external observation of the at least one processing device and / or the processing line is required. Therefore, an owner of the at least one processing device and / or the processing line does not necessarily have to purchase the monitoring device; rather, the arrangement and / or provision for a certain period of time can be provided, for example, as a service by an external service provider or the manufacturer of the system.

[0043] However, it can also be provided in principle that the monitoring device remains permanently arranged on the at least one processing device, for example to enable remote control from a room from which a production hall in which the at least one processing device is located is not visible. Furthermore, an owner of multiple processing devices and / or multiple processing lines can, for example, acquire a single monitoring device with, if necessary, multiple monitoring means in order to arrange these as needed and optionally on various processing devices and / or processing lines in a respective plant or production hall and to support remote control of the respective processing device and / or processing line.While the monitoring device or respective monitoring means of the monitoring device can also be mounted directly on the at least one processing device, the monitoring device can in principle also comprise monitoring means that can be optionally arranged in the environment of the at least one processing device without there being a mechanical connection between the at least one processing device and the monitoring means.For example, the monitoring device can comprise a camera which can be optionally set up in the vicinity of the at least one processing device, for example on a tripod, and can be connected to the remote control device in order to be able to observe the entire processing device or an entire processing line in an overview, whereas, however, it can also be provided to arrange cameras or sensors directly on the at least one processing device in order to be able to inspect the at least one processing device in detail.

[0044] In particular, the monitoring device can also be connected to the remote control device via a network and / or a radio connection, in particular a WLAN / WiFi connection.

[0045] In some embodiments, the monitoring device can comprise a camera, a microphone, an acceleration sensor, a temperature sensor, and / or a pressure sensor. For example, cameras can be used to monitor the operation of the at least one processing device and / or a processing line as a whole. When monitoring a processing line, the monitoring device can, for example, comprise a camera aimed at a slicing device, a transport device, and / or a packaging machine of the processing line. Furthermore, it can be provided, for example, to arrange a temperature sensor at workstations of a packaging machine, for example a forming station or a sealing station of a thermoforming packaging machine, in order to monitor whether a temperature appropriate for processing the respective packaging material is reached.

[0046] In some embodiments, the remote control device may comprise a display device configured to display information transmitted by the monitoring signal.

[0047] For example, such a display device can be a monitor connected to a computer, on which image data transmitted from a camera, for example, can be displayed, allowing an operator of the remote control device to evaluate the image data and monitor the operation of the at least one processing device. Furthermore, data or measured values ​​from a pressure or temperature sensor, for example, can be displayed on such a display device.

[0048] In some embodiments, the remote control device may be configured to control the monitoring device arranged on the system.

[0049] For example, the remote control device can be configured to change the orientation of a camera included in the monitoring device in order to selectively inspect various areas of a processing line and / or the at least one processing device and to detect any processing errors or incorrect settings. Furthermore, the remote control device can be configured to selectively activate or deactivate individual monitoring means of the monitoring device or a playback of monitoring signals from individual monitoring means, for example, to temporarily access acoustic signals recorded by a microphone or to select image data from a specific camera for playback directed at an area to be inspected or a processing device to be checked.

[0050] In some embodiments, the monitoring device may comprise at least one camera, and the remote control device may have a playback device, wherein the playback device may be configured to display image data received from the camera. For example, the playback device may be a monitor connected to a computer of the remote control device. However, the remote control device may also comprise a combined playback and input device, in particular a touchscreen, for example, of a tablet, on which the image data received from the camera can be displayed.

[0051] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to control the camera, wherein the remote control can be configured, in particular, to change the orientation of the camera and / or a zoom factor of the camera. As already explained, by changing the orientation of the camera, for example, a specific processing device of a processing line and / or a specific region of the at least one processing device can be specifically inspected. Changing a zoom factor can also, in particular, make it possible to specifically inspect a detail of the at least one processing device.For example, the remote control device for controlling the camera can have a joystick as a separate control unit, or the camera can be controlled by a computer or other remote control unit, via which the setting of the at least one processing device can also be changed.

[0052] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to automatically select a camera from a selection of several cameras of the monitoring device and to display its image data on the display device. For example, the remote control device can be configured to execute a CL (artificial intelligence, AI) that selects image data generated by a camera for display if movement or activity is detected in the image data. Furthermore, the CL can also be configured to automatically select a camera aimed at a processing device of a processing line for display if an incorrect setting on this processing device is suspected based on the image data analyzed by the CL, in order to alert an operator that the corresponding processing device needs to be checked.In principle, it can also be provided that the remote control device is designed to implement a control unit for controlling the at least one processing device and / or a processing line, so that, for example, a completely control unit-controlled system can be provided during basic operation and an operator of the at least one processing device and / or the processing line only has to monitor the operation in order to be able to intervene in the event of incorrect settings by the control unit. In particular, data on the settings and processing results of one or more processing devices or processing lines can be used to optimize or train the control unit.

[0053] In some embodiments, the system may have at least one coupling device for coupling the monitoring device. In particular, such a coupling device may be provided for mechanically coupling monitoring means of the monitoring device to the at least one processing device and / or a processing line, so that the monitoring device can be selectively docked to the at least one processing device and / or the processing line if remote monitoring of the system operation is desired.For example, the coupling device can comprise plug-in and / or twist locks in order to be able to couple individual monitoring means of the monitoring device to the at least one processing device, and the coupling device can in particular have a plurality of coupling elements in order to be able to arrange a plurality of monitoring means of the monitoring device, for example a plurality of cameras or a plurality of sensors, optionally on the at least one processing device. However, it is not necessarily required that all monitoring means of the monitoring device be coupled to the system via the coupling device and / or directly mechanically connected to the at least one processing device. Rather, even in embodiments with a coupling device, the monitoring device can comprise one or more monitoring means that are arranged only in the vicinity of the at least one processing device.

[0054] In some embodiments, the coupling device may also have an interface for coupling the monitoring device to the remote control device.

[0055] For example, the coupling device can have a network connection to the remote control device and / or a radio module for coupling to the remote control device, so that when the monitoring device is selectively used and the monitoring device is coupled to the coupling device, the remote control device can be directly connected to the monitoring device and can access monitoring signals transmitted by the monitoring device and / or control the monitoring device. In this respect, the coupling device with the interface on the system can be kept available, so to speak, for selectively connecting the monitoring device, so that, for example, a mobile monitoring set can be connected to the system as needed, and external monitoring of at least one processing device or a processing line can be enabled directly by connecting the monitoring set.The remote control device can also be designed to detect when a respective monitoring means or the monitoring device has been arranged on the coupling device in order to then access the monitoring device and monitoring signals transmitted by the monitoring device.

[0056] In some embodiments, the remote control device may be configured to write information transmitted by the monitoring device and / or settings of the monitoring device into a memory.

[0057] The remote control device can thus be configured to document information or settings transmitted by the monitoring device in the memory, for example, in order to subsequently determine the cause of errors in the operation of the at least one processing device. Furthermore, when the monitoring device is subsequently used, previously configured settings of the monitoring device can be directly accessed, for example, to correctly align a camera to a respective processing device to be checked and / or a specific area of ​​the at least one processing device, without having to manually adjust the desired alignment each time the processing device is checked.

[0058] In some embodiments, the monitoring device and / or the at least one processing device may have an identification device which is designed to identify an active monitoring means of the monitoring device and / or the at least one processing device in the event of monitoring by the monitoring device.

[0059] For example, such an identification device can have at least one indicator light arranged on the monitoring means and / or the at least one processing device, and the identification device can be designed to activate the indicator light when the monitoring means is active or when monitoring of the at least one processing device is taking place. Such a light signal can thus alert persons in the vicinity of the at least one processing device to the monitoring, for example, to prevent a person from being in the field of view of a camera monitoring the at least one processing device and thereby disrupting the monitoring.

[0060] In some embodiments, the remote control device can be connected to a monitoring means positioned in the vicinity of the at least one processing device, but not directly arranged on the at least one processing device, in particular a monitoring camera for monitoring a production hall, and can be designed to receive and / or reproduce a further monitoring signal from the monitoring means, in particular image data from the monitoring camera.

[0061] The remote control device can thus also be designed to access monitoring means that are not located directly on the system or explicitly intended for monitoring the at least one processing device and / or a processing line, but rather serve to monitor the system's surroundings. For example, surveillance cameras can be installed in a production hall to ensure the safety of people working there and to be able to intervene as quickly as possible in the event of an incident.Such surveillance cameras, which can be installed, for example, as 360° ceiling cameras, can also make it possible to obtain an overview of the operation of a processing device or processing line located in the production hall, so that image data provided by such surveillance cameras can also be used to monitor the at least one processing device or processing line. As an alternative to a surveillance camera, it can also be provided, for example, that data provided by a thermometer for measuring the temperature in a production hall can be transmitted to the remote control device in order to be able to adapt the at least one processing device to a potentially changing hall temperature.In some embodiments, such an adjustment depending on the hall temperature can also be carried out automatically, in particular by means of the remote control device, without user input being required.

[0062] In some embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to control the connected monitoring means. For example, the remote control device can be configured to control the orientation and / or a zoom factor of a monitoring camera in a production hall in which the at least one processing device is arranged, when the monitoring means is connected to the remote control device. As already explained, such monitoring means can serve, in particular, to obtain an overview of the operation of the at least one processing device or a processing line. However, individual areas of a processing line or a processing device can also be precisely inspected from above, for example by zooming in on a ceiling camera.In addition, the remote control device can be designed to write settings of the monitoring means and / or information transmitted by the monitoring means into the aforementioned memory, so that such settings or information can also be accessed during subsequent activation of the at least one processing device.

[0063] Furthermore, in some embodiments, a memory can be provided into which settings of the at least one processing device and / or a processing line can be written. In particular, in such embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to write settings of the at least one processing device into the memory. By storing the settings of the at least one processing device in such a memory, previous settings of the at least one processing device, and in particular settings of all processing devices of a processing line, can be accessed at any time, and the processing line can be configured entirely according to these settings, if necessary.For example, respective optimal settings of the at least one processing device or several processing devices can be stored as a function of a temperature in a production hall and the at least one processing device or the several processing devices can always be optimally adjusted as a function of a measured temperature in the production hall.

[0064] Furthermore, such documentation of settings can also make it possible to use these settings to control another processing device or processing line, for example by adopting settings from a similar processing line with identical processing devices when setting up a new processing line in order to start running in the processing line based on these settings, in particular also taking into account further empirical values, for example empirical values ​​with special products or packaging films.Although minor differences may exist between the two processing lines despite their similarity, such as slightly different distances at belt transitions between conveyor belts of the transport system, or the processing lines may operate at different production hall temperatures, meaning that the adopted settings for the subsequent processing line still need to be optimized, the run-in can thus begin with at least approximately correct settings. This run-in of new processing lines in particular can be simplified and accelerated by relying on documentation of the settings of other processing lines.Even with such an approach, it can also have a positive effect if the competence of the personnel can be bundled, at least temporarily, by allowing settings of at least one processing device to be made via the remote control device and, if necessary, a central control room.

[0065] In addition, documenting the settings of at least one processing device also makes it possible to subsequently analyze any processing errors and, for example, to trace whether and / or which processing device in a processing line was incorrectly set.

[0066] In some embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to receive information about a setting of at least one further processing device, in particular a further processing line. In particular, the remote control device can be configured to read the information from the aforementioned memory.

[0067] For example, such a memory can be connected to the remote control device via a network and, in particular, implemented in a cloud- or network-based manner, so that settings of different processing devices and / or processing lines can be exchanged via the cloud, and an operator of a particular processing device or processing line can access information concerning the settings of other, but particularly similar, processing devices or processing lines. In a sense, such a cloud-based solution can thus also create a pooling of expertise regarding the control of processing devices or processing lines, which the operators of the respective processing devices or processing lines can access.In particular, such cloud or network-based storage can be readable by an external service provider or manufacturer, so that the latter can access the settings of numerous processing devices or processing lines and take these into account when setting up a specific processing device or processing line for which external control is requested.

[0068] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the remote control device can be designed to adjust the at least one processing device, in particular a processing line, according to the received information. For example, the remote control device can read a set of settings of a further processing device or a further processing line from the memory and immediately adjust the processing device or processing line to be controlled according to these settings. As already explained, this can be done in particular before a new processing line is started up, by copying the settings of a similar processing line to a certain extent. To enable such copying of settings, an operator of the remote control device can, for example, select a respective processing line from a menu of the remote control device from which the settings are to be adopted.Such a menu can, for example, list all processing lines of a production hall, a plant, or possibly several plants of one or more customers of a system manufacturer, in order to enable, in particular, an internal exchange of information within the customer, but possibly also an exchange of information between different customers of the system manufacturer. In particular, it can also be provided that an external service provider, for example the manufacturer of the processing line itself, can access the settings of all processing lines controllable via the remote control device, and in particular, the settings of processing lines of different customers, in order to be able to offer each customer optimal service with regard to the external control of the processing line.In the same way, however, a transfer of settings of an individual processing device, such as a transfer of settings of one slicing device to another slicing device, can also be provided.

[0069] In some embodiments, control of the at least one processing device by the remote control device can be requested and / or released.

[0070] For example, it may be provided to request remote control by an external service provider when necessary and / or to release the at least one processing device or a processing line for such external remote control, whereas the external service provider cannot control the at least one processing device in a default setting - without request and / or release - but the control of the at least one processing device is reserved to the respective owner of the at least one processing device.Furthermore, such a request and / or release can also be provided internally to a certain extent, in that, in principle, control of the at least one processing device directly at a respective control device of the at least one processing device is still possible and can only be switched to remote control from a central control room or control station when necessary or upon a corresponding request.

[0071] In some embodiments, the remote control unit may comprise a stationary remote control unit configured to change the setting in response to user input. In particular, such a stationary remote control unit may be a computer, optionally with a monitor for displaying information, which is arranged in a room separate from the processing line and by means of which the processing line can be controlled. In some embodiments, the stationary remote control device and the at least one processing device may be located in separate rooms, but within a common factory complex.Alternatively, in some embodiments, the stationary remote control unit may be spatially separated from the at least one processing device and positioned outside a plant complex in which the at least one processing device is arranged.

[0072] For example, it can be provided that the stationary remote control unit enables remote control of the at least one processing device or a processing line from a central control room of a factory complex. Alternatively, however, completely external remote control, in particular by an external service provider, can also be enabled. Furthermore, it may also be possible, under certain circumstances, to control the processing line from a home office by positioning a stationary remote control unit at the residence of an employee responsible for controlling the at least one processing device or the processing line.

[0073] In addition, in some embodiments, the remote control device can have a first stationary remote control unit and a second stationary remote control unit, which are designed to change the setting of the at least one processing device in response to the user input and in particular settings of all processing devices of a processing line in response to respective user inputs, wherein the first stationary remote control unit and the at least one processing device and / or the processing line are positioned in separate rooms, but within a common work complex, and wherein the second stationary remote control unit is positioned spatially separate from the at least one processing device and / or the processing line and outside the work complex.In such embodiments, both central remote control within the plant complex and remote control external to the plant complex, in particular by an external service provider, can be enabled. In such embodiments, control by the remote control unit located outside the plant complex can also be requestable and / or releasable, so that an external service provider must be explicitly granted access to a respective processing device and / or processing line. In the absence of such a request and / or releasable, control can be reserved for the owner of the processing device and / or processing line.

[0074] In some embodiments, the remote control device may comprise a portable remote control unit configured to change the setting in response to the user input. The portable remote control unit may comprise a display device for displaying information and an input device for inputting the user input. In particular, the portable remote control unit may also comprise a combined display and input device, preferably a touchscreen.

[0075] Such a portable remote control unit can be designed in particular as a tablet or as a laptop and in particular make it possible to flexibly control the at least one processing device and / or a processing line with several processing devices connected in series from different locations. In particular, this can be achieved by the portable remote control unit being connectable to the at least one processing device via a network and / or a radio connection, in particular a WLAN / WiFi connection. Such a mobile remote control unit can in particular make it possible for an operator to move along the system in order to check the operation of the system and to make settings at any time, even of, for example, remote processing devices of a processing line, without having to move to a control device arranged directly at the respective processing device.For example, an operator positioned at the packaging machine can use the portable remote control unit to adjust settings of the slicing device to immediately check the extent to which these changes affect the operation of the packaging machine. Flexible remote control via a laptop, for example, even from a home office, can be enabled.

[0076] In this context, efficient cooperation between a mobile operator operating on the system and external support is also possible, particularly if the external person can see the mobile operator operating on the at least one processing device, for which purpose the aforementioned monitoring device and / or the external monitoring means can be used again.

[0077] In some embodiments, the system can have at least one processing device control unit arranged on the at least one processing device for controlling the at least one processing device. Therefore, even in the system described herein, conventional control devices can still be provided on the processing device or devices, for example, to enable settings of a slicing device to be changed directly on the slicing device. This can, for example, also enable a person positioned directly in the vicinity of the at least one processing device to intervene and change settings in the event of a malfunction.

[0078] In some embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to transmit a control command for changing a setting of the at least one processing device to the processing device control unit, and the processing device control unit can be configured to implement the control command and / or display information about the control command. For example, by displaying the control command on the processing device control unit, an operator at the at least one processing device can be notified that a setting of the at least one processing device should be changed, although the decision-making authority can remain with the operator of the processing device control unit.Alternatively, the remote control device can be designed directly to control the processing device control unit to implement the control command, so that the remote control device can change settings of the at least one processing device via the associated processing device control units and can be connected to the processing device control units for this purpose.

[0079] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to change a setting of the at least one processing device by bypassing the processing device control unit. In such embodiments, direct control of the at least one processing device by the remote control device can thus be provided, and a direct signal connection can exist between the remote control device and the at least one processing device.

[0080] In some embodiments, the system may comprise a processing line with at least the following processing devices: at least one slicing device with a product feed and at least one knife arranged in a cutting plane, wherein the product feed is designed to guide food products into the cutting plane in one or more lanes, and wherein the knife is designed to separate slices from the food products guided into the cutting plane to form portions, wherein a portion comprises one or more of the separated slices; a packaging machine, in particular a thermoforming packaging machine, which is designed to provide respective packaging stations for the portions and to package portions brought to the packaging stations;and a transport device which is designed to transport the portions from the slicing device to the packaging machine and to bring them to the packaging stations;

[0081] In such embodiments, the remote control device, which is positioned spatially separate from the processing device, can be configured to change a setting of at least one processing device of the processing line in response to the user input. In this respect, the remote control device can be designed, in particular, to control one or more processing devices of such a processing line.

[0082] In some embodiments, the remote control device, which is spatially separated from the processing line, can be configured to change the settings of at least two processing devices of the processing line. In particular, the remote control device can be configured to change the settings of all processing devices of the processing line in response to a corresponding user input. Therefore, in some embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to control the processing line.

[0083] In particular, settings of the processing devices and the coordination of settings of the processing devices with one another can thus be carried out conveniently on the remote control device and from a central location, without having to actuate a control device assigned to the respective processing device in order to change a setting of a respective processing device and without having to switch between such control devices, in particular control devices arranged directly on the individual processing devices.

[0084] In some embodiments, the processing line may also comprise upstream and / or downstream devices, such as product cooling, and / or further processing devices, for example a pressing device, and the remote control device may be configured to change the settings of such devices. In particular, in some embodiments, the processing line may comprise one or more of the additional processing devices already mentioned above, in particular a device for providing web-shaped interleaving sheet material to a cutting area of ​​the slicing device, a device for providing a portion base to the transport device, a pressing device, and / or a cheese divider. The remote control device may be configured to change the settings of one or more of these processing devices in response to respective user inputs.

[0085] A processing device designed as a packaging machine can in particular be designed as a thermoforming packaging machine and have a material storage device in which a material web, in particular a film and / or paper web, is wound into a roll. Furthermore, the packaging machine can have a removal device for removing the material web from the roll. In addition, a forming station can be provided to draw troughs into the provided material web, into which provided portions can be inserted. In order to be able to close such troughs, the packaging machine can have a sealing station at which the troughs can be closed by a fed-in upper material web, thus producing complete packages. The upper material web can also be formed in particular from a film and / or paper web.Furthermore, the packaging machine can be designed for multi-lane operation and / or a separation station can be provided at which the individual packages are separated from one another.

[0086] As an alternative to a thermoforming packaging machine, it is also possible for the portions to be placed on a provided material web without first forming troughs in the material web. In this respect, the packaging locations can represent defined positions on such a material web. However, the portions can again be sealed by a supplied upper material web at a sealing station, and packages produced in this way can be separated. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the packaging machine can be designed to provide packaging bases as so-called trays, into which the portions can be inserted, whereby the packaging bases can subsequently be sealed.

[0087] The invention further relates to a plant system comprising at least one first plant for processing food products, in particular meat and / or cheese products, in particular a first plant according to one of the embodiments explained above, and at least one second plant for processing food products, in particular meat and / or cheese products, in particular a second plant according to one of the embodiments explained above, wherein the first plant and the second plant comprise at least one respective processing device.In addition, the system comprises a remote control device that can be positioned spatially separately from the at least one processing device of the first system and spatially separately from the at least one processing device of the second system, wherein the remote control device that is positioned spatially separately from the processing devices is designed to change at least one setting of the at least one processing device of the first system and at least one setting of the at least one processing device of the second system in response to a respective user input.

[0088] In such a system, a remote control device is thus provided, by means of which the processing devices of at least two different systems and in particular at least two different processing lines can be controlled. In this respect, the remote control device can, for example, be designed to control all processing lines arranged in a respective production hall or in a factory, so that the processing lines can be controlled from a central control room or a central control station. In some embodiments, the processing device of the first systems and the processing line of the second system can therefore be spatially separated from one another and, for example, arranged in different production halls and / or different factories, although it is also possible for the two systems to be arranged in a common room, in particular in a common production hall.

[0089] As already explained in connection with the food processing plant, the plants of the plant system can, in particular, comprise a respective processing line with multiple processing devices. With such a plant configuration, the remote control device can therefore be configured to control the processing lines of both plants.

[0090] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the remote control device can be designed to control a plurality of spatially and / or locally separated processing devices and / or processing lines, so that, for example, an external service provider can control processing lines in different plants and / or processing lines of different customers via the remote control device as needed. Furthermore, the remote control device can in particular be the remote control device already explained above with reference to a system, although in this case the remote control device is shared by both systems of the system, so that settings on the processing devices and / or processing lines of both systems can be changed by means of a (single) remote control device or a (single) remote control unit, for example a computer.

[0091] In some embodiments, the processing devices of the systems, as already explained above, can be designed as a slicing device, a transport device, a packaging machine, a pressing device, a device for providing web-shaped interleaving material to a cutting area of ​​a slicing device, a cheese divider, and / or a device for providing a portion base to a transport device. In particular, the processing devices of the two systems can be designed similarly, so that the first system can comprise, for example, a first slicing device and the second system a second slicing device.

[0092] In some embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to communicate via a network with the at least one processing device of the first system and the at least one processing device of the second system. In particular, the remote control device can also be connected to the first system and the second system via a radio connection, in particular a WLAN / WiFi connection, in order to be able to change settings of the processing devices of the systems via such a radio connection and to control the processing lines.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first system and the second system can be located in a common production hall, in a common factory complex, or spatially separated from one another in different factory complexes. As already explained, the remote control device can thus be designed in particular to control processing lines or processing devices arranged in a common production hall, processing lines or processing devices arranged in a common factory complex, or processing lines or processing devices arranged in different factory complexes, wherein the processing lines or processing devices arranged in different factory complexes can also be assigned to the same owner or to different owners.

[0094] In some embodiments, the first system and the second system can have a respective local control device for controlling the at least one processing device, in particular for controlling a respective processing line, and the remote control device can be designed to transmit a control command for changing the setting to the local control device of the first system and / or the local control device of the second system, wherein the respective local control device can be designed to implement the control command and / or to display information about the control command.

[0095] The local control device can, in particular, be a processing device control unit as already mentioned above, although it can also be provided that the local control device is formed by a remote control device assigned to a respective system. Therefore, for example, a remote control device arranged at an external service provider can be designed to transmit a control command to a remote control device or remote control unit arranged in a central control room of a customer, wherein an operator of this local remote control device can then decide to implement the control command or select a different setting. Such display of control commands can, for example, also enable the external service provider to train personnel to control processing devices and / or a processing line at the customer.However, it can also be provided that the control device is designed to implement the received control command directly, so that in some embodiments, control of the at least one processing device by the remote control device can take place via the local control device.

[0096] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the remote control device can be designed to control the at least one processing device of the first system and / or the at least one processing device of the second system, in particular respective processing lines of the systems, bypassing the respective local control device. Furthermore, in some embodiments, control by the remote control device can be requestable and / or releasable. In such embodiments, direct control of the processing devices and / or processing lines can therefore be carried out by the remote control device, although such external control can optionally be releasable and / or releasable, so that external control is not provided for in a default setting and control can be reserved in the default setting for the owner of the at least one processing device or processing line.

[0097] In some embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to receive and / or reproduce a monitoring signal from a monitoring device optionally arranged on the first system and / or the second system. In such embodiments, it can thus be provided to optionally arrange a monitoring device on the first system and / or the second system, in particular on their processing devices or processing lines, and to transmit monitoring signals generated by the monitoring device to the remote control device in order to enable an operator of the remote control device to monitor a state of the processing device to be controlled.

[0098] As already explained, it can be provided, for example, that a monitoring device that can be optionally arranged on the processing devices comprises a camera, wherein the image data generated by the camera can be transmitted to the remote control device, so that an operator of the remote control device can monitor the operation of the at least one processing device and / or specifically inspect various processing devices of a processing line. In addition, microphones, temperature sensors, and / or pressure sensors can be optionally arranged on the processing lines to enable monitoring.

[0099] In some embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to control the monitoring device arranged on the processing line. In particular, the remote control device can be configured to control a camera optionally arranged on the processing line and, for example, to change its orientation and / or zoom factor. This can, in particular, enable an operator of the remote control device to specifically view certain areas of a processing device or processing line in order to detect any incorrect settings of the processing devices.

[0100] In some embodiments, the remote control device can be connected to a monitoring device positioned in the vicinity of the first system and / or the second system and can be designed to receive and / or reproduce a further monitoring signal from the monitoring device, in particular image data from a monitoring camera for monitoring a production hall. Even such further monitoring devices, which are thus not arranged directly on the processing lines but merely in the vicinity of the systems, can therefore be used to monitor the operation of the systems from the location where the remote control device is installed. For example, the monitoring device can be a monitoring camera arranged on the ceiling of a production hall, which is intended to monitor operations in the production hall as a whole.

[0101] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to control the connected monitoring device. In particular, it can be provided that the remote control device is configured to adjust an orientation and / or a zoom factor of a connected monitoring camera, for example, to be able to zoom in from a top view into a specific area of ​​the at least one processing device or a processing line.

[0102] In some embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to receive information about settings of the at least one processing device and / or a processing line of the first system and to adjust the at least one processing device and / or a processing line of the second system according to the received information. In particular, as already explained, this can be provided if a processing line of the second system corresponds to the type of a processing line of the first system and, in particular, has identical processing devices. The settings of the processing line of the first system can be transmitted, in particular, before the processing line of the second system is started up, so that the start-up of the processing line of the second system can already begin with approximately optimal settings.For this purpose, it can be provided, for example, that the remote control device accesses a cloud- or network-based storage device, or the settings of all processing lines in a production hall and / or in a factory complex can be stored in a central storage device to which the remote control device is connected, in order to be able to select the respective settings, for example by selecting a specific processing line, and transfer them to another processing line. In the same way, however, it can be provided to copy the settings of a single processing device, such as a slicing device used outside a processing line, and transfer them to a similar processing device.

[0103] In some embodiments, the remote control device can be configured to write information about settings of the at least one processing device of the first system and / or the at least one processing device of the second system into a memory. In this respect, settings made on the respective processing devices and / or processing lines can also be taken into account when setting up another processing device or processing line, and the settings made can be documented in order to subsequently analyze any errors in the operation of the system.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first system and the second system can comprise a respective processing line with at least the following processing devices: at least one slicing device with a product feed and at least one knife arranged in a cutting plane, wherein the product feed is designed to guide food products into the cutting plane in one or more lanes, and wherein the knife is designed to separate slices from the food products guided into the cutting plane to form portions, wherein a portion comprises one or more of the separated slices; a packaging machine, in particular a thermoforming packaging machine, which is designed to provide respective packaging stations for the portions and to package portions brought to the packaging stations;and a transport device which is designed to transport the portions from the slicing device to the packaging machine and to bring them to the packaging stations;

[0105] In such embodiments, the remote control device can be positioned spatially separate from the processing line of the first system and spatially separate from the processing line of the second system, and the remote control device positioned spatially separate from the processing lines can be configured to change at least one setting of at least one of the processing devices of the processing line of the first system and at least one setting of at least one of the processing devices of the processing line of the second system in response to a respective user input.

[0106] In some embodiments, the remote control device, which is spatially separated from the processing lines, can be configured to change the settings of at least two processing devices of the processing lines. In particular, the remote control device can be configured to change the settings of all processing devices of the processing lines and thus control the processing lines.

[0107] The invention further relates to a method for controlling a system for processing food products, in particular meat and / or cheese products, in particular a method for controlling a system according to one of the embodiments described herein. The system comprises at least one processing device.

[0108] In this method, at least one monitoring signal from a monitoring device optionally arranged on the at least one processing device and / or at least one monitoring signal from a monitoring means arranged in the vicinity of the at least one processing device, in particular a monitoring camera for monitoring a production hall, is transmitted to a remote control device spatially positioned separately from the at least one processing device, and at least one setting of the at least one processing device is changed by a user input on the remote control device spatially positioned separately from the processing line, taking the monitoring signal into account.

[0109] In this method, it is therefore initially provided to control at least one processing device, in particular a processing line with a plurality of processing devices, of a system of the type mentioned by means of a remote control device, so that it is not necessary to operate a control device arranged directly on the at least one processing device or individual control devices of processing devices of a processing line in order to be able to change settings on the at least one processing device and / or the processing line.However, in order to be able to achieve the most precise control possible while taking current conditions into account, it is further provided to connect the remote control device to a monitoring device that is optionally arranged on the at least one processing device, for example a camera that can be optionally arranged on the at least one processing device, or to use monitoring means that are already present in the vicinity of the at least one processing device and to connect these to the remote control device.

[0110] As already explained, it can be provided, for example, that the at least one processing device and / or a processing line can be optionally equipped with a monitoring set to enable an operator of the remote control device to check operation. The monitoring set can therefore be arranged on the at least one processing device and / or the processing line, in particular, at times when remote control is desired or necessary, for example to enable control by an external service provider. At times when conventional control is sufficient or when control is carried out from a point or room from which the at least one processing device and / or the processing line can be kept in view anyway, the monitoring set can optionally be removed again.This may also make it possible to rent such a monitoring set only for times when external control or external assistance with control is desired.

[0111] In some embodiments, settings of multiple processing devices, in particular all processing devices of a processing line, can be changed by a corresponding user input on the remote control device positioned spatially separate from the at least one processing device and / or the processing line. In particular, a processing line comprising multiple processing devices can thus be controlled by the remote control device.

[0112] In some embodiments, the monitoring device can be arranged on the at least one processing device in preparation for remote control, wherein the monitoring device can be removed from the at least one processing device again, in particular after the remote control has ended. In this respect, the monitoring device can optionally be arranged on the at least one processing device and, for example, attached to a coupling device provided for this purpose when remote control is desired, but in order to remove the monitoring device again afterwards and return to conventional operation and conventional control of the at least one processing device. In some embodiments, the monitoring device can be controlled by the remote control device positioned spatially separate from the at least one processing device.As already explained, it can be provided in particular to change an orientation and / or a zoom factor of a camera included in the monitoring device by means of the remote control device, for example by means of a joystick, in order to be able to specifically inspect certain areas of the at least one processing device and / or a processing line on the remote control device.

[0113] In some embodiments, an active monitoring means of the monitoring device and / or the at least one processing device can be identified in the event of monitoring by the monitoring device. For example, a light signal can be reproduced on an active monitoring means and / or on a monitored processing device to alert persons in the vicinity of the at least one processing device of the monitoring. This can, for example, prevent persons from being in the field of view of a camera included in the monitoring device while the camera is being used to monitor the at least one processing device.

[0114] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the monitoring means arranged in the vicinity of the at least one processing device can be controlled by the remote control device. In this respect, it can also be provided, for example, to use the remote control device to control a surveillance camera intended for monitoring a production hall and, for example, to use a ceiling camera to zoom in on a specific area of ​​a processing line and examine this area from above.

[0115] In some embodiments, the system may comprise a processing line with at least the following processing devices: at least one slicing device with a product feed and at least one knife arranged in a cutting plane, wherein the product feed is designed to guide food products into the cutting plane in one or more lanes, and wherein the knife is designed to separate slices from the food products guided into the cutting plane to form portions, wherein a portion comprises one or more of the separated slices; a packaging machine, in particular a thermoforming packaging machine, which is designed to provide respective packaging stations for the portions and to package portions brought to the packaging stations;and a transport device which is designed to transport the portions from the slicing device to the packaging machine and to bring them to the packaging stations;

[0116] In such embodiments, at least one setting of at least one processing device of the processing line can be changed by user input on the remote control device, which is spatially separated from the processing line, taking the monitoring signal into account. In particular, the remote control device can thus be designed to control a processing line with the aforementioned processing devices.

[0117] In some embodiments, the remote control device, which is spatially separated from the processing lines, can be configured to change the settings of at least two processing devices of the processing lines. In particular, the remote control device can be configured to change the settings of all processing devices of the processing lines and thus control the processing lines.

[0118] In some embodiments, information about settings of at least one processing device of another system can be received or retrieved at the remote control device spatially positioned separately from the at least one processing device, and the at least one setting can be changed according to the information. In particular, settings of a processing line of another system can be copied, and a processing line of the system as a whole can be set according to the settings of the other processing line. As already explained, such copying of settings of another processing line can take place, in particular, before the processing line is run into operation, in order to be able to begin the run-in with almost optimal settings.

[0119] In some embodiments, the at least one setting can be optimized based on the setting made according to the information. In particular, the settings of a processing line as a whole can be optimized based on the settings made according to the information. For example, it can be provided that a processing line of a system is initially adjusted according to the already optimized settings of a similar or equivalent processing line before running it in. Based on these settings, the specific processing line can then be run in and its settings optimized, thereby being able to take into account, for example, even small differences between the processing lines. However, such a procedure can also be provided for individual processing devices and / or devices operated outside of a processing line, or for systems that comprise only a single processing device.

[0120] The invention is explained below purely by way of example using embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0121] Shown are: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a plant for processing food products with a processing line comprising several processing devices, for the control of which a remote control device is provided,

[0122] Fig. 2A and 2B are further schematic representations of the system, wherein a monitoring device optionally arranged on the processing line is also shown, with several monitoring means which transmit respective monitoring signals to the remote control device, and

[0123] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a plant system with several plants for processing food products, whose processing lines can be controlled by a remote control device with several stationary remote control units.

[0124] Fig. 1 shows a plant 11 for processing food products 25, wherein the food products 25 can be, in particular, cheese and / or meat products. The plant 11 comprises a processing line 27 having a plurality of processing devices 29 for producing fully packaged portions 43 from bar-shaped food products 25, which portions comprise one or more slices 41 separated from the food product 25.

[0125] To enable this processing, the processing line 27 initially comprises a slicing device 31 having a product feed 33, by means of which the food product 25 shown can be moved into a cutting plane S in which a rotating knife 39 is arranged. For this purpose, the product feed 33 comprises in particular a gripper 35 guided in a guide 37, which holds the food product 25 at a rear product end and moves it into the cutting plane S. The knife 39, which can in particular be designed as a circular or sickle knife, is configured to cut slices 41 from the food product 25 moved into the cutting plane S, wherein portions 43 are formed from the cut slices 41, which portions comprise one or more, here by way of example three, slices 41.

[0126] As soon as a portion 43 has been completed and the intended number of slices 41 have been separated from the food product 25, the portion 43 is taken over by a transport device 61, which transports the portions 43 to a packaging machine 45. For this purpose, the transport device 61 can, for example, comprise one or more continuously circulating conveyor belts. To enable the portion 43 to be taken over by the transport device 61, the knife 39 can, in particular, be designed to perform one or more empty cuts during which no slice 41 is separated from the food product 25. For this purpose, the knife 39 can, for example, be briefly moved out of the cutting plane S or the food product 25 can be retracted by the gripper 35.

[0127] The packaging machine 45 is designed, for example, as a thermoforming packaging machine and comprises a forming station 51, by means of which troughs 53 are formed in a material web 49 pulled from a material web roll 47, in order to then provide the troughs 53 as packaging stations 52 such that the portions 43 can be brought by the transport device 61 to the packaging stations 52 or into the troughs 53. To enable this, the transport device 61 shown here has a feeder 63, which can in particular be an endlessly circulating conveyor belt facing the packaging machine 45, from which the portions 43 can slide into associated troughs 53.However, it is known to the person skilled in the art that transport devices of such systems 11 can alternatively or in addition to the inserter 63 also comprise a so-called picker robot, which is designed to pick up portions 43 fed on a conveyor belt from the conveyor belt and bring them to the packaging stations 52.

[0128] After a portion 43 has been placed into a respective trough 53, the trough 53 with the inserted portion 43 is guided from the packaging machine 45 to a sealing station 55, wherein the sealing station 55 is designed to close the packaging trough 53 using a top material web 57 pulled from a roll 59 and fed to the sealing station 55. In addition, the packaging machine 45 can have a separating device (not shown) to separate the closed troughs 53 and thereby produce individual food packages in which a respective portion 43 is packaged. The packaging machine 45 can further be designed for cyclic operation, wherein a movement of the material web 49 can occur after each cycle and the portions 43 can be brought to the provided packaging stations 52, in particular when the material web 49 is stationary or between successive movements of the material web 49.

[0129] The material web 49 and / or the upper material web 57 can in particular comprise a film and / or paper, wherein a multi-layer design of the material web 49 and the upper material web 57 is also possible, in which the individual layers can optionally be formed from different materials. In addition, the slicing device 31, the transport device 61 and / or the packaging machine 45 can be designed for multi-lane operation in that the product feed 33 of the slicing device 31 can, for example, be designed to guide two food products 25, three food products 25 or four food products 25 simultaneously into the cutting plane S, so that the knife 39 can simultaneously cut slices 41 from several supplied food products 25 and form portions 43 from the cut slices 41.The portions 43 can then be transported simultaneously in several tracks to the packaging machine 45, and the packaging machine 45 can, for example, be designed to provide a format of several packaging stations 52, in particular several troughs 53, for the supplied portions 43 in a respective cycle, which are to be brought to the packaging stations 52 during the cycle or before a subsequent movement of the material web 49. For example, a format can comprise nine packaging stations 52, which are arranged in three rows and three columns and can be filled in a single cycle of the packaging machine 45.In order to be able to compensate for a higher portion rate of the slicing device 31 compared to a cycle rate of the packaging machine 45, the transport device 61 can have buffer sections (not shown) on which excess portions 43 can be temporarily stored in order to be brought to packaging stations 52 provided by the packaging machine 45, for example during a loading pause during which a subsequent product is loaded into the product feed 33 of the slicing device 31.

[0130] As an alternative to a thermoforming packaging machine 45, it is also possible, for example, to deposit the portions 43 on a material web 49 into which no troughs 53 have been drawn, so that the packaging locations 52 in such embodiments can be defined, for example, by predetermined deposit locations on the material web 49. However, such packaging locations 52 can also be subsequently closed, in particular by an upper material web 57, in order to be able to produce closed packages. Furthermore, it can be provided that the packaging machine 45 is designed to provide respective packaging bottom parts to be closed, in particular so-called trays, wherein the transport device 61 can in particular have a picking robot in order to be able to insert the portions 43 into such packaging bottom parts. In addition, the packaging machine 45 can be designed to close the filled packaging bottom parts.In order to achieve the best possible processing results with such cyclical operation, it is necessary to precisely coordinate the processing devices 29 of the processing line 27 with one another so that the required number of portions 43 can always be provided at the intended time for transfer to the packaging machine 45 and packaged accordingly. The slicing device 31 and the packaging machine 45 therefore have a respective processing device control unit 1 1 1 and 1 13, respectively. Settings of the slicing device 31 can be adjusted via the processing device control unit 1 1 1, and settings of the packaging machine 45 can be adjusted via the processing device control unit 1 1 1 in order to achieve such coordination.A display device 119 is also schematically shown on the processing device control unit 111 of the slicing device 31, on which display device 119, for example, can be used to display the respective settings of the slicing device 31 to an operator and, if necessary, to receive control commands from the operator. The processing device control unit 113 can also, in principle, comprise such a display device, and a further processing device control unit (not shown here) can also be provided for controlling the transport device 61.

[0131] In conventional systems 11, which exclusively have the aforementioned processing device control units 111 and 113, the precise coordination of the settings of the processing devices 29 is usually undesirably complex, since, for example, a change in a setting of the packaging machine 45 may require a corresponding change in a setting of the slicing device 31 (and / or the transport device 61), which, however, must be carried out on the separate processing device control unit 111. An operator of the processing line 27 must therefore constantly move between the various processing device control units 111 and 113 in order to be able to adapt and coordinate the settings of the processing devices 29.In addition, the operator of the processing line 27 must also move, for example, between the processing device control unit 111 and the packaging machine 45 in order to be able to check whether an adjustment of a setting of the slicing device 31 leads to a desired effect on the packaging machine 45. Furthermore, such processing lines 27 for processing food products 25 must generally be operated in a production hall 69 cooled to a low temperature, so that controlling a conventional processing line 27 is not only complex but can also take place in an unpleasant working environment.

[0132] To address this problem, the system 11 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a remote control device 65, which can be positioned spatially separate from the processing line 27 and is configured to change a setting of at least one processing device 29 in response to a user input when the remote control device 65 is positioned spatially separate from the processing line 27. In particular, the remote control device 65 can be configured to control all processing devices 29 and therefore the processing line 27 as a whole.

[0133] The remote control device 65 can thus make it possible to control the processing line 27 from a second room 71 in which the processing line 27 arranged in a first room 67 is not located. For example, it can be provided to arrange the remote control device 65 in a central control room 73, whereas the processing line 27 to be controlled is arranged in a production hall 69, so that the processing line 27 can be controlled in particular from a room 71 which does not have to be cooled down to the temperature of the production hall 69 (see also Fig. 3). In order to enable communication with the remote control device 65 and to be able to link the remote control device 65 and the processing line 27 to one another in a network N, the remote control device shown in Fig.1 further comprises a radio module 77, wherein the remote control device 65 is configured to transmit a control command B for adapting a setting to the processing line 27 or a respective processing device 29 via a radio connection F to the radio module 77. In particular, the remote control device 65 can be configured to change settings of all processing devices 29, i.e., settings of the slicing device 31, the transport device 61, and the packaging machine 45, by transmitting a corresponding control command B. The control command B can be transmitted, in particular, as a result of a corresponding user input on the remote control device 65.

[0134] Furthermore, Fig. 1 illustrates that the remote control device 65 can in particular have a stationary remote control unit 103 and can also comprise a display device 87. For example, the stationary remote control unit 103 can be a computer and the display device 87 can be a monitor connected to the computer, wherein the stationary remote control unit 103 can be arranged, for example, in the already mentioned central control room 73 in order to be able to control the processing line 27 arranged in the production hall 69 from there. For example, the user input, in response to which the remote control device 65 changes a setting of at least one processing device 29, can be entered on a keyboard and / or a mouse of such a computer.Via the radio connection F, the remote control device 65 can also receive information I about settings of the processing line 27, wherein this information I can be reproduced in particular on the reproduction device 87 so that an operator of the remote control device 65 can always check the settings of the processing line 27.

[0135] In order to be able to further support the control of the processing line 27 by a remote control device 65 that is spatially separate from the processing line 27 and to enable remote control even from rooms from which the processing line 27 cannot be directly observed, the remote control device 65 is also designed to receive a monitoring signal R from a monitoring means 99 arranged in the vicinity of the processing line 27, in particular a monitoring camera 101 arranged on the ceiling of the production hall 69, and to play back image data transmitted, for example, by the monitoring camera 101 on the playback device 87.This may enable an operator of the remote control device 65 to check the operation of the processing line 27 and, if necessary, to make adjustments to settings of the processing devices 29 without the operator having to have the processing line 27 directly in view.

[0136] It is also shown that the remote control device 65 can be configured to send a control command B to the monitoring device 99 and thereby control the monitoring device 99 in order to specifically align the monitoring camera 101 with an area of ​​the processing line 27, for example by changing a zoom factor and / or an orientation of the monitoring camera 101, and to be able to inspect the area in detail. The monitoring device 99 can also be linked to the remote control device 65 in the network N for this purpose, and the remote control device 65 can be configured to transmit the control command B to the monitoring device 99 via a radio connection F, in particular a WLAN / WiFi connection.

[0137] In addition, the remote control device 65 can be configured to receive a monitoring signal R from another monitoring device 100 arranged in the vicinity of the processing line 27, which is configured as a thermometer 102 for measuring a temperature in the production hall 69 in which the processing line 27 is located. This can, in particular, enable an operator of the remote control device 65 to take into account the current temperature of the production hall 69 when adjusting the processing line 27.

[0138] Furthermore, the remote control device 65 can, alternatively or in addition to the stationary control unit 103, comprise a portable control unit 105, which is illustrated by way of example as a tablet. The portable control unit 105 can have a playback device 107 and an input device 109, so that an operator of the portable control unit 105 can enter control commands B for the processing line 27 at the input device 109 and check current settings of the processing line 27 at the playback device 107. In particular, the portable control unit 105 can have a combined input and playback device, which can in particular be designed as a touchscreen. The portable remote control unit 105 can also be linked to the processing line 27 via the network N and / or a radio connection F.

[0139] Such a portable control unit 105 can, in particular, enable an operator to move along the processing line 27 and monitor the operation of the processing line 27, while also being able to adjust settings of the respective processing devices 29 from any location. Therefore, the operator of the portable remote control unit 105 can, for example, check in the area of ​​the inserter 63 whether the portions 43 are being correctly transported to the packaging machine 45 and inserted into packaging troughs 53, but can also adjust a setting of the slicing device 31 from there if the insertion is not carried out correctly. Furthermore, the operator can check the effect of such an adjustment directly on the inserter 63. Furthermore, the system 11, as shown in Fig.1 shows a coupling device 89 connected to the processing line 27 with a plurality of coupling elements 91, to which respective monitoring means 81, 83 of a monitoring device 79 that can be optionally arranged on the processing line 27 can be attached (cf. Figs. 2A and 2B). Furthermore, the coupling device 89 has an interface 93, via which any monitoring means 81, 83 attached to the coupling device 89 can be directly linked to the remote control device 65, so that information that can be acquired by means of coupled monitoring means 81, 83 can be transmitted to the remote control device 65 and taken into account when controlling the processing line 27. In particular, the interface 93 in the embodiment shown is formed by the radio module 77, so that coupled monitoring means 81, 83 can be incorporated into the network N and transmit monitoring signals U to the remote control device 65.

[0140] As Fig. 2A illustrates, the monitoring device 79 can, in particular, have a plurality of cameras 81, which can be selectively coupled to the coupling device 89 and thus arranged on the processing line 27. The coupling device 89 thus forms, in a sense, a docking point for such a monitoring set with a plurality of cameras 81, which can be selectively arranged on the processing line 27 to support or enable remote control by the remote control device 65. However, the monitoring device 79 and, in particular, the cameras 81 are not required for the operation of the system 11 per se, but can merely be selectively arranged on the processing line 27 to support the remote control device 65.

[0141] Furthermore, the monitoring device 79 also includes, for example, a microphone 83 that can be optionally attached to the coupling device 89, for example, to detect any grinding noises from the knife 39 and transmit them to the remote control device 65. Furthermore, a temperature sensor 85 that can be optionally arranged at the sealing station 55 and a pressure sensor 86 that can be optionally arranged at the forming station 51 are provided in order to monitor a temperature at the sealing station 55 or a pressure developed at the forming station 51 and to transmit corresponding information to the remote control device 65.

[0142] Because the coupling device 89 has the interface 93, the remote control device 65 can directly access the cameras 81, the microphone 83, the temperature sensor 85, and the pressure sensor 86 after coupling the monitoring device 79. This can, for example, make it possible to display image data generated by a respective camera 81 on the display device 87, so that an operator of the remote control device 65 can specifically inspect and check a specific area of ​​the processing line 27, for example by selecting a respective camera 81.For example, in cases where it is suspected that the slicing process is not being carried out properly and a setting of the slicing device 31 needs to be adjusted, the operator can select the image data of the camera 81 aligned with the slicing device 31 for playback on the playback device 87 and examine the cutting of the slices 41 and the formation of portions 43.

[0143] While the remote control device 65 can receive the monitoring signal U from the monitoring device 79 and in particular image data from the cameras 81, a temperature measured by the temperature sensor 85, a pressure measured by the pressure sensor 86, or an audio signal recorded by the microphone 83 via the radio connection F and the network N, the remote control device 65 is also designed to transmit a control command B to the monitoring device 79 and thereby control the monitoring device 79. As illustrated in Fig. 2B, the remote control device 65 can in particular be designed to change a respective orientation of the cameras 81 and / or the microphone 83 in order to align the cameras 81 or the microphone 83 to different areas of the processing line 27 and to be able to specifically check these areas.It may also be provided to adjust a zoom factor of one or more cameras 81 by transmitting a corresponding control command B in order, for example, to be able to examine various details on the processing line 27.

[0144] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the monitoring device 79 can, alternatively or in addition to the monitoring means 81, 83 that can be optionally attached to the coupling device 89, have further monitoring means that can only be arranged in the vicinity of the processing line 27, but not mechanically connectable to the processing line 27. For example, it can be provided that the monitoring device 79 has a further camera that can be connected to the remote control device 65 via the network N and can be positioned in the vicinity of the processing device in such a way that the operation of the processing line 27 as a whole can be checked at a glance using image data generated by the camera.

[0145] 2A and 2B show that the monitoring device 79 has an identification device 129, which is arranged on the camera 81 aligned with the slicing device 81 and is designed to identify an active state of the camera 81. For example, the identification device 129 can be designed to generate a light signal when the camera 81 is switched on and is used to monitor the slicing device 31 in order to alert persons in the vicinity of the processing line 27 to the monitoring. The further monitoring means 81, 83 and 85 can also be appropriately identified upon activation, if appropriate. Furthermore, in some embodiments, such light signals can alternatively or additionally also be displayed on a respective monitored processing device 29 in order to indicate the monitoring of the relevant processing device 29.

[0146] Furthermore, the remote control device 65 has a memory 95 in which the information I received from the processing line 27 regarding settings of the processing line 27 and / or information received from the monitoring device 79 based on the monitoring signals U or settings of the monitoring device 79 can be stored. It can also be provided to store settings of the monitoring device 99 or the monitoring camera 101 or information received from the monitoring device 99 or the monitoring camera 101 in the memory 95. Such documentation can, in particular, make it possible to subsequently trace and analyze any errors in the processing of the food products 25.In addition, it can be provided to read out settings of an already installed processing line 27 from the memory 95 and to use them when setting up a further processing line 27, for example in order to be able to start running in the further processing line 27 with almost correct settings and to be able to optimize the settings based on the settings of the already installed processing line 27.

[0147] Fig. 3 further illustrates a possibility of a networked control of a plant system 115 with several plants 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23, each of which has a processing line 27 that can be controlled by a remote control device 65.

[0148] Fig. 3 schematically shows, first, a first factory complex W1, which comprises two production halls 69, wherein two processing lines 27 of systems 11 and 13 are arranged in one production hall 69 and a further processing line 27 of a system 15 is arranged in the other production hall 69. The processing lines 27 are connected to a local control device 117, which forms part of the remote control device 65, via a network N, wherein the local control devices 117 are arranged in respective central control rooms 73, from which the processing lines 27 arranged in the respective assigned production hall 69 and thus spatially separated from the control devices 117 can be controlled.The processing lines 27 are therefore located in a first room 67 of the respective production hall 69, whereas the local control devices 117 are positioned in a respective second room 71, the central control room 73. However, the local control devices 117 are designed to control the associated processing lines 27 and therefore enable remote control of the processing lines 27 from the central control rooms 73. Furthermore, interaction can take place between an operator of a local control device 117 and an operator located in the immediate vicinity of the associated processing line 27, wherein communication can take place, for example, via the aforementioned processing device control units 111 and / or 113.

[0149] Furthermore, the local control devices 117 are connected to a plant control device 123, which is arranged in a plant control room 121 of the plant complex W1. The plant control device 123, as part of the remote control device 65, can be configured to transmit a control command B to the local control devices 117, which can be displayed on the respective display devices of the local control device 117 or directly implemented to control the associated processing lines 27. Furthermore, it can be provided that the plant control device 123 is configured to control the processing lines 27 bypassing the respective local control devices 117.Such control of the processing lines 27 via a central plant control device 123 can in particular enable a bundling of expertise in the plant control room 121, for example by allowing several people responsible for controlling respective processing lines 27 to exchange information there in order to achieve the best possible control of the respective processing lines 27.

[0150] In addition, the plant control device is connected via the network N to an external remote control unit 125 that is spatially separate from the plant complex W1. The external remote control unit 125 can in turn be designed to control the processing lines 27 in the plant complex W1. Such a connection can, in particular, make it possible to transfer control of the processing lines 27 in the plant complex W1 at least temporarily to an external service provider, so that such an external service provider can, for example, take over the operation of the processing lines 27 in the plant complex W1 or, in the event of a possible staff absence due to illness, control of the processing lines 27.The external service provider can therefore control the processing lines 27 of the plant complex W1 by means of the external remote control unit 125, which is located separately from the processing lines 27 and outside the plant complex W1, without having to travel specifically to the plant complex W1.

[0151] To enable such remote control by an external service provider, it can be provided, in particular, to arrange the aforementioned monitoring device on the respective processing line 27 for a period during which the service provider assumes control of a processing line 27. The service provider can thus receive the monitoring signals U generated by the monitoring device 79 via the network N or the radio connection F and observe and check the operation of the processing line 27 on the external remote control unit 125 positioned spatially separate from the processing line 27 to be controlled.If necessary, the monitoring device 79 can therefore be removed again after the service provider has terminated control and the owner of the processing line has taken over control, who can observe the processing line 27, for example, from the production hall 69 or the control room 73, and / or the monitoring device 79 can be offered by the service provider as a flexibly deployable monitoring set and, for example, rented out.

[0152] In addition, it can be provided that control can be released and / or requested by the external remote control unit 125, for example from the plant control device 123, so that the external service provider cannot, in principle, have access to the processing lines 27, but such access must be explicitly granted.

[0153] Furthermore, the external remote control unit 125 is connected to a plant control device 123 of another plant complex W2, which also has two production halls 69, but with a total of four processing lines 27 of respective systems 17, 19, 21, and 23. The external remote control unit 125 can thus be designed, as part of the remote control device 65, to control processing lines 27 of different plant complexes W1 and W2. In this respect, a bundling of competence and expertise can take place at the external remote control unit 125, for example by taking into account settings of processing lines 27 from different plant complexes W1 and W2 and using them when setting up a respective processing line 27.

[0154] In addition, the external remote control unit 125 is connected via the network N to a manufacturer's remote control unit 127 as a further part of the remote control device 65. This can also enable a manufacturer of the processing lines 27 to take over control of the processing lines 27 if necessary and, for example, to provide support in clarifying an unusual problem in the operation of the processing lines 27. Since controlling the processing lines 27 via the manufacturer's remote control unit 127 enables remote control of the processing line 27, it is not necessary for the manufacturer to send its own service personnel to the processing lines 27. Instead, support in controlling the processing lines 27 can be provided at any time via the remote control device 65 or the manufacturer's remote control unit 127 and thus geographically separate from the processing line 27.For this purpose, it can also be provided in particular to arrange the monitoring device 79 on a processing line 27 to be temporarily controlled via the remote control device 65, so that, for example, a manufacturer operating the manufacturer's remote control unit 127 can obtain an overview of the respective processing line 27 to be controlled and can specifically investigate any problems that may arise by controlling the monitoring device.

[0155] While embodiments of systems 11 having a processing line 27 with multiple processing devices 29 have been explained with reference to the figures, such a remote control can in principle also be provided for systems 11 that comprise only a single processing device 29 and are designed, for example, as a slicing device 31 that is not integrated into a processing line 27 but is operated separately. Furthermore, such a remote control can also be provided for systems 11 that have a different selection of multiple processing devices 29 than the processing lines 27 of the systems 11 illustrated with reference to the figures. Processing devices 29 not shown in the figures, such as pressing devices or cheese dividers, can also be included in systems 11 within the scope of the present disclosure and / or integrated into processing lines 27 of such systems 11.

[0156]

[0157] 11 Appendix

[0158] 13 Appendix

[0159] 15 Appendix

[0160] 17 Appendix

[0161] 19 Appendix

[0162] 21 Appendix

[0163] 23 Appendix

[0164] 25 food product

[0165] 27 processing line

[0166] 29 Processing facility

[0167] 31 Cutting device

[0168] 33 Product feed

[0169] 35 grippers

[0170] 37 leadership

[0171] 39 knives

[0172] 41 disc

[0173] 43 servings

[0174] 45 packaging machine

[0175] 47 Material web roll

[0176] 49 Material web

[0177] 51 forming station

[0178] 52 packaging stations

[0179] 53 trough

[0180] 55 Sealing Station

[0181] 57 Upper material web

[0182] 59 roll

[0183] 61 Transport device

[0184] 63 inserts

[0185] 65 Remote control device

[0186] 67 first room

[0187] 69 Production Hall

[0188] 71 second room

[0189] 73 Control Room

[0190] 77 radio module

[0191] 79 Monitoring device

[0192] 81 Camera

[0193] 83 Microphone

[0194] 85 Temperature sensor

[0195] 86 Pressure sensor

[0196] 87 Playback device

[0197] 89 coupling device

[0198] 91 coupling element

[0199] 93 Interface 95 Memory

[0200] 97 radio module

[0201] 99 surveillance devices

[0202] 100 additional surveillance devices

[0203] 101 Surveillance Camera

[0204] 102 thermometers

[0205] 103 stationary remote control unit

[0206] 105 portable remote control unit

[0207] 107 Playback device

[0208] 109 Input device

[0209] 111 Processing device control unit

[0210] 113 Processing device control unit

[0211] 115 Plant system

[0212] 117 local control device

[0213] 119 Playback device

[0214] 121 Plant Control Room

[0215] 123 Plant control device

[0216] 125 external remote control unit

[0217] 127 Manufacturer remote control unit

[0218] 129 Marking device

[0219] B control command

[0220] F radio connection

[0221] I Information

[0222] N Network

[0223] R additional monitoring signal

[0224] S cutting plane

[0225] U monitoring signal

[0226] W1 first work complex

[0227] W2 second work complex

Claims

Claims Plant (1 1) for processing food products (25), in particular meat and / or cheese products, comprising at least one processing device (29), in particular a processing line (27) with several processing devices (29) connected in series, and a remote control device (65) that can be positioned spatially separately from the at least one processing device (29), wherein the remote control device (65) that is positioned spatially separately from the at least one processing device (29) is designed to change a setting of the at least one processing device (29) in response to a user input.System (11) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processing device (29) is positioned in a first room (67), in particular a production hall (69), and wherein the remote control device (65) is positionable in a second room (71) different from the first room (67), in particular a control room (73), wherein the remote control device (65) positioned in the second room (71) is designed to change the setting of the at least one processing device (29) positioned in the first room (67) in response to the user input.Plant (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one processing device (29) is designed as a slicing device (31) with a product feed (33) and at least one knife (39) arranged in a cutting plane (S), wherein the product feed (33) is designed to guide food products (25) in one or more tracks into the cutting plane (S), and wherein the knife (39) is designed to form. to separate slices (41) of portions (43) from the food products (25) guided into the cutting plane (S), wherein a portion (43) comprises one or more of the separated slices (41); a packaging machine (45), in particular a thermoforming packaging machine, which is designed to provide respective packaging stations (52) for portions (43) of food products (25) and to package portions (43) brought to the packaging stations (52); a transport device (61) which is designed to transport portions (43) from a slicing device (31) to a packaging machine (45) and to bring them to packaging stations (52) provided by the packaging machine (45); a pressing device for pressing and / or forming food products (25), in particular food products (25) to be sliced, meat products and / or bacon;a device for providing web-shaped interleaf material to a cutting area of ​​a slicing device (31), which has an unwinding device for removing a material web from a material web roll and an ejection device for dynamically, in particular cyclically, ejecting the material web into the cutting area; a cheese divider, which is designed to divide a bar-shaped cheese product into several partial products; or a device for providing a portion base to a transport device (61) for transporting portions (43) of food products (25) to a packaging machine (45), which has a storage device in which a stack of several portion bases can be stored, and a removal device, which is designed to remove a respective upper portion base from the; to be removed from the storage device and to make it available on the transport device (61) in such a way that a portion (43) can be placed on the provided portion support during transport by the transport device (61). System (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the remote control device (65) and the at least one processing device (29) are connected to one another via a network (N). System (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (11) has a radio module (77) and wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to transmit a control command (B) for changing the setting to the radio module (77) via a radio connection (F).System (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (11) has at least one monitoring device (79) that can be selectively arranged on the at least one processing device (29), wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to receive at least one monitoring signal (U) from the monitoring device (79) arranged on the at least one processing device (29). System (11) according to claim 6, wherein the monitoring device (79) comprises a camera (81), an acceleration sensor, a microphone (83), a temperature sensor (85), and / or a pressure sensor.

8. System (11) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the remote control device (65) has a display device (87), wherein the display device (87) is designed to display information transmitted by the monitoring signal (U).

9. System (11) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to control the monitoring device (79) arranged on the system (11).

10. System (11) according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the monitoring device (79) comprises at least one camera (81) and wherein the remote control device (65) has a display device (87), wherein the display device (87) is designed to display image data received from the camera (81).

11. System (11) according to claim 10, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to control the camera (81), in particular to change an orientation of the camera (81) and / or a zoom factor of the camera (81).

12. System (11) according to one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the system (11) has at least one coupling device (89) for coupling the monitoring device (79).

13. System (11) according to claim 12, wherein the coupling device (89) has an interface (93) for coupling the monitoring device (79) to the remote control device (65). System (11) according to one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to write information transmitted by the monitoring device (79) and / or settings of the monitoring device (79) into a memory (95). System (11) according to one of claims 6 to 14, wherein the monitoring device (79) and / or the at least one processing device (29) has an identification device (129) which is designed to identify an active monitoring means (81) of the monitoring device (79) and / or the at least one processing device (29) in the event of monitoring by the monitoring device (79).System (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the remote control device (65) is connectable to a monitoring means (99) positioned in the vicinity of the at least one processing device (29) but not directly arranged on the system (11), in particular a monitoring camera (101) for monitoring a production hall (69), and is designed to receive and / or reproduce a further monitoring signal (R) from the monitoring means (99), in particular image data from the monitoring camera (101). System (11) according to claim 16, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to control the connected monitoring means (99). System (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a memory (95) is provided, in which settings of the at least one processing device (29) can be written.

19. System (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to receive information about a setting of at least one processing device (29) of a second system (13).

20. System (11) according to claim 19, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to adjust the at least one processing device (29) according to the received information.

21. System (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein control of the at least one processing device (29) can be requested and / or released by the remote control device (65).

22. System (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the remote control device (65) comprises a stationary remote control unit (103, 117, 123, 125, 127) which is designed to change the setting in response to the user input.

23. System (11) according to claim 22, wherein the stationary remote control unit (117, 123) and the at least one processing device (29) are positioned in separate rooms (67, 71, 121), but within a common work complex (W1, W2); or wherein the stationary remote control unit (125, 127) is positioned spatially separate from the at least one processing device (29) and outside a work complex (W1, W2) in which the at least one processing device (29) is arranged; or wherein the remote control device (65) comprises a first stationary remote control unit (117, 123) and a second stationary remote Control unit (125, 127) which is designed to change the setting in response to the user command, wherein the first stationary remote control unit (117, 123) and the at least one processing device (29) are positioned in separate rooms (67, 71), but within a common work complex (W1), and wherein the second stationary remote control unit (125, 127) is positioned spatially separate from the at least one processing device (29) and outside the work complex (W1).System (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the remote control device (65) comprises a portable remote control unit (105) which is designed to change the setting in response to the user input, wherein the portable remote control unit (105) has a playback device (107) for playing back information and an input device (109) for entering the user input, in particular wherein the portable remote control unit (105) has a combined playback and input device, preferably a touchscreen. System (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (11) has at least one processing device control unit (111, 113) arranged on the at least one processing device (29) for controlling the at least one processing device (29).System (1 1 ) according to claim 25, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to send a control command (B) for changing a setting of the at least one processing device (29) to the processing device control unit (1 1 1 ,. 113), wherein the processing device control unit (1 1 1, 113) is designed to implement the control command (B) and / or to display information about the control command (B).

27. System (11) according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to change a setting of the at least one processing device (29) bypassing the processing device control unit (111, 113).

28. Plant (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plant comprises a processing line (27) with at least the following processing devices (29): at least one slicing device (31) with a product feed (33) and at least one knife (39) arranged in a cutting plane (S), wherein the product feed (33) is designed to guide food products (25) in one or more tracks into the cutting plane (S), and wherein the knife (39) is designed to separate slices (41) from the food products (25) guided into the cutting plane (S) to form portions (43), wherein a portion (43) comprises one or more of the separated slices (41); a packaging machine (45), in particular a thermoforming packaging machine, which is designed to provide respective packaging stations (52) for the portions (43) and to package portions (43) brought to the packaging stations (52);and a transport device (61) which is designed to transport the portions (43) from the slicing device (31) to the packaging machine (45) and to bring them to the packaging stations (52); wherein the remote control device (65), which is positioned spatially separately from the processing device (29), is configured to change a setting of at least one processing device (29) of the processing line (27) in response to the user input. System (11) according to claim 28, wherein the remote control device (65), which is positioned spatially separately from the processing line (27), is configured to change settings of at least two processing devices (29) of the processing line (27). System (115) comprising at least one first system (11) for processing food products (25), in particular meat and / or cheese products, in particular a first system (11) according to one of the preceding claims, and at least one second system (13) for processing food products (25), in particular meat and / or cheese products, in particular a second system (13) according to one of the preceding claims,wherein the first system (11) and the second system (13) comprise at least one respective processing device (29), and wherein the system system (115) comprises a remote control device (65) that can be positioned spatially separately from the at least one processing device (29) of the first system (11) and spatially separately from the at least one processing device (29) of the second system (13), wherein the remote control device (65) positioned spatially separately from the processing devices (29) is designed to change at least one setting of the at least one processing device (29) of the first system (11) and at least one setting of the at least one processing device (29) of the second system (13) in response to a respective user input. Plant system (115) according to claim 30, wherein the at least one processing device (29) of the first plant (11) and / or the at least one processing device (29) of the second plant (13) is designed as a slicing device (31) with a product feed (33) and at least one knife (39) arranged in a cutting plane (S), wherein the product feed (33) is designed to guide food products (25) in one or more tracks into the cutting plane (S), and wherein the knife (39) is designed to separate slices (41) from the food products (25) guided into the cutting plane (S) in order to form portions (43), wherein a portion (43) comprises one or more of the separated slices (41);a packaging machine (45), in particular a thermoforming packaging machine, which is designed to provide respective packaging stations (52) for portions (43) of food products (25) and to package portions (43) brought to the packaging stations (52); a transport device (61) which is designed to transport portions (43) from a slicing device (31) to a packaging machine (45) and to bring them to packaging stations (52) provided by the packaging machine (45); a pressing device for pressing and / or forming food products (25), in particular food products (25) to be sliced, meat products and / or bacon; a device for providing web-shaped interleaved sheet material at a cutting area of ​​a slicing device (31), which device has an unwinding device for removing a material web from a material web roll and an ejection device for; dynamic, in particular cyclical, ejection of the material web into the cutting area; a cheese divider which is designed to divide a bar-shaped cheese product into a plurality of partial products; or a device for providing a portion base on a transport device (61) for transporting portions (43) of food products (25) to a packaging machine (45), which has a storage device in which a plurality of portion bases are stored in a stack, and a removal device which is designed to remove a respective upper portion base from the storage device and to provide it on the transport device (61) in such a way that a portion (43) can be placed on the provided portion base during transport by the transport device (61).Plant system (115) according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to communicate via a network (N) with the at least one processing device (29) of the first plant (11) and the at least one processing device (29) of the second plant (13). Plant system (115) according to one of claims 30 to 32, wherein the first plant (11) and the second plant (13) are positioned in a common production hall (69), in a common factory complex (W1, W2) or spatially separate from one another in different factory complexes (W1, W2). Plant system (115) according to one of claims 30 to 33, wherein the first plant (11) and the second plant (13) have a respective local control device (117) for controlling the at least one processing device. device (29) and wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to transmit a control command (B) for changing the setting to the local control device (1 17) of the first system (1 1) and / or the local control device (117) of the second system (13), wherein the respective control device (1 17) is designed to implement the control command (B) and / or to display information about the control command (B).

35. Plant system (1 15) according to claim 34, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to control the at least one processing device (29) of the first plant (1 1) and / or the at least one processing device (29) of the second plant (13) bypassing the respective local control device (1 17).

36. Plant system (1 15) according to one of claims 30 to 35, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to receive and / or reproduce at least one monitoring signal (U) from a monitoring device (79) arranged optionally on the first plant (1 1) and / or the second plant (13).

37. Plant system (115) according to claim 36, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to control the monitoring device (79) arranged on the first plant (11) and / or the second plant (13).

38. Plant system (1 15) according to one of claims 30 to 37, wherein the remote control device (65) is connectable to a monitoring means (99) positioned in the vicinity of the first plant (1 1) and / or the second plant (13) and is designed to receive a further monitoring signal (R) from the monitoring means (99), in particular image data from a surveillance camera (101) for monitoring a production hall (69), to receive and / or reproduce.

39. Plant system (1 15) according to claim 38, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to control the connected monitoring means (99).

40. Plant system (1 15) according to one of claims 30 to 39, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to receive information about settings of the at least one processing device (29) of the first plant (11) and to set the at least one processing device (29) of the second plant (13) according to the received information.

41. Plant system (115) according to one of claims 30 to 40, wherein the remote control device (65) is designed to write information about settings of the at least one processing device (29) of the first plant (11) and / or the at least one processing device (29) of the second plant (11) into a memory (95).

42. Plant system (115) according to one of claims 33 to 41, wherein the first plant (11) and the second plant (13) comprise a respective processing line (27) with at least the following processing devices (29): at least one slicing device (31) with a product feed (33) and at least one knife (39) arranged in a cutting plane (S), wherein the product feed (33) is designed to guide food products (25) in one or more lanes into the cutting plane (S), and wherein the knife (39) is designed to form portions (43) slices (41) from the products fed into the cutting plane. ne (S) guided food products (25), wherein a portion (43) comprises one or more of the separated slices (41); a packaging machine (45), in particular a thermoforming packaging machine, which is designed to provide respective packaging stations (52) for the portions (43) and to package portions (43) brought to the packaging stations (52); and a transport device (61) which is designed to transport the portions (43) from the slicing device (31) to the packaging machine (45) and to bring them to the packaging stations (52); wherein the remote control device (65) can be positioned spatially separated from the processing line (27) of the first system (11) and spatially separated from the processing line (27) of the second system (13), and wherein the remote control device (65) positioned spatially separated from the processing lines (27) is designed toto change at least one setting of at least one of the processing devices (29) of the processing line (27) of the first system (11) and at least one setting of at least one of the processing devices (29) of the processing line (27) of the second system (13) in response to a respective user input. System system (115) according to claim 42, wherein the remote control device (65) positioned spatially separate from the processing lines (27) is designed to change settings of at least two processing devices (29) of the processing lines (27). A method for controlling a system (11) for processing food products (25), in particular meat and / or cheese products, in particular a system (11) according to one of claims 1 to 29, which comprises at least one processing device (29), in which at least one monitoring signal (U) of a monitoring device (79) optionally arranged on the at least one processing device (29) and / or at least one monitoring signal (R) of a monitoring means (99) arranged in the vicinity of the system (11), in particular a monitoring camera (101) for monitoring a production hall (69), is transmitted to a remote control device (65) spatially positioned separately from the at least one processing device (29), and at least one setting of the at least one processing device (29) is changed by a user input on the remote control device (65) spatially positioned separately from the at least one processing device (29), taking into account the at least one monitoring signal (U, R).Method according to claim 44, wherein the monitoring device (79) is arranged on the at least one processing device (29) in preparation for remote control, wherein the monitoring device (79) is removed from the at least one processing device (29) again, in particular after the remote control has ended. Method according to claim 44 or 45, wherein the monitoring device (79) is controlled by the remote control device (65) positioned spatially separately from the at least one processing device (29). Method according to one of claims 44 to 46, wherein an active monitoring means (81) of the monitoring device (79) and / or the at least one processing device (29) in the event of a. monitoring by the monitoring device (79). Method according to one of claims 44 to 47, wherein the monitoring means (99) arranged in the vicinity of the at least one processing device (29) is controlled by the remote control device (65). Method according to one of claims 44 to 48, wherein the system (11) comprises a processing line (27) with at least the following processing devices (29): at least one slicing device (31) with a product feed (33) and at least one knife (39) arranged in a cutting plane (S), wherein the product feed (33) is designed to guide food products (25) in one or more tracks into the cutting plane (S), and wherein the knife (39) is designed to separate slices (41) from the food products (25) guided into the cutting plane (S) in order to form portions (43), wherein a portion (43) comprises one or more of the separated slices (41);a packaging machine (45), in particular a thermoforming packaging machine, which is designed to provide respective packaging stations (52) for the portions (43) and to package portions (43) brought to the packaging stations (52); and a transport device (61) which is designed to transport the portions (43) from the slicing device (31) to the packaging machine (45) and to bring them to the packaging stations (52); wherein at least one setting of at least one processing device (29) of the processing line (27) is made by a user input on the clearing; remote control device (65) positioned separately from the processing line (27) is changed taking into account the at least one monitoring signal (U, R).

50. Method according to claim 49, wherein settings of a plurality of processing devices (29) are changed by a corresponding user input on the remote control device (65) positioned spatially separate from the processing line (27).

51. Method according to one of claims 44 to 50, wherein information about settings of at least one processing device of a further system (15) is received or retrieved at the remote control device (65) spatially positioned separately from the at least one processing device (29), wherein the at least one setting is changed according to the information.

52. The method according to claim 51, wherein the at least one setting is optimized based on the setting made according to the information.

Images