Slicing food products

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for slicing food products using a slicing device comprising a working area with a cutting area and a transport area, wherein products to be sliced ​​are fed to the cutting area in a single or multiple lane and are sliced ​​at the end of the cutting area by means of a cutting blade moving in a cutting plane, in particular rotating and / or circumferentially, wherein the products to be sliced ​​are scanned at at least one scanning point with exactly one non-contact compact sensor arranged in the working area, and the operation of the slicing device is controlled depending on the outer contour of the products, wherein a part of the product contour is detected by means of the compact sensor and a part of the product contour that cannot be detected by means of the compact sensor is specified.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for cutting food products by means of a cutting device comprising a working area with a cutting area and a transport area, in which products to be cut are fed to the cutting area in a single or multiple lane and are cut at the end of the cutting area by means of a cutting blade moving in a cutting plane, in particular rotating and / or circumferentially.

[0002] Such slicing devices, also simply called slicers, are generally known. For example, they use planetary-like rotating circular blades or simply rotating sickle blades, operating at speeds of several hundred to several thousand revolutions per minute, to cut slices from food products at a constant cutting frequency. In practice, it is desirable in many applications for either the individual slices or portions formed from multiple slices to have a predetermined weight. Since the cutting frequency is constant, the weight of the individual slices is preferably influenced by varying their thickness.This is achieved by controlling the product feed: the further the product is advanced beyond the cutting plane between two successive cuts of the knife, the greater the thickness of the subsequently cut product slice. Slice thickness is only one parameter that determines the weight of the slice. The slice weight is determined by the slice volume and the average density of the slice, with the slice volume being derived from the slice thickness and the outer surface contour of the slice. The average density of the product can be determined from the total weight of the product, as determined by a scale before cutting, and from the total volume of the product, which is determined by the outer surface contour of the entire product.

[0003] If consistent weight product slices or portions of product slices are to be obtained, knowledge of the outer contour of the products to be sliced ​​is required. This contour is also referred to as the profile.

[0004] The relationships explained above, as well as so-called product scanners used to capture the outer contour of food products to be cut, are generally known to those skilled in the art. By way of example, reference is made to DE 196 04 254 A, WO 2000 / 062983 A, EP 2 644 337 A and DE 10 2009 036 682 A.

[0005] In practice, product scanners are typically separate machines, each integrated into a production line upstream of the slicer. The products pass through a tunnel-like scanning housing, where their outer contours are captured by scanning. The electrical, electronic, and optoelectronic components used for scanning are relatively exposed and unprotected within the scanning housing. This is possible because the surrounding housing allows the use of laser radiation with a higher protection class. Furthermore, the interior of the scanning housing does not require high-pressure or steam jet cleaning, meaning the electrical and electronic devices do not need to meet particularly stringent protection requirements.

[0006] The disadvantages of the product scanners used in practice so far are the high additional costs and the increased space requirements, since a product scanner designed as a separate machine requires a comparatively large amount of space and, in particular, significantly increases the length of a production plant.

[0007] Depending on the product, a longer transport and handling distance between a separate, upstream product scanner and the cutting area is also disadvantageous, as the product can be unintentionally altered in its external dimensions, i.e., its outer contour, on its way to the cutting area. This can occur, for example, due to mechanical influences or the effects of temperature.

[0008] Furthermore, a disadvantage of operating slicing devices is that it is either impossible or only possible with comparatively high technical effort to achieve optimal handling of the products being sliced, not only in terms of slicing results but also in terms of processing time within the slicer. Generally, it is desirable to have functional sequences within the slicer specifically tailored to individual parameters that vary from product to product, in order to make both the transport, including product feeding, and the actual slicing of the products within the slicer as efficient as possible, thereby achieving optimal slicing results and a high product throughput with reasonable effort.

[0009] The object of the invention is to create a simple, reliable, cost-effective and space-saving way to determine the outer contour or other parameters of food products to be sliced ​​that are optionally usable or absolutely necessary for the operation of the slicing device.

[0010] The solution to this problem is achieved in each case by the characteristics of the independent claims.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, it is provided that the products to be cut are scanned at at least one scanning point with exactly one non-contact compact sensor arranged in the working area, wherein the operation of the cutting device is controlled depending on the outer contour of the products, and wherein a part of the product contour is detected by means of the compact sensor and a part of the product contour that cannot be detected by means of the compact sensor is specified.

[0012] This method according to the invention is based, firstly, on the fact that the products to be cut are scanned within the cutting device using a compact sensor. This concept and its associated advantages are explained in more detail below. Secondly, the invention is based on the use of precisely such a compact sensor to scan the products to be cut. This reduces the effort required for product scanning to a minimum.

[0013] It was found that products with a relatively simple geometric cross-sectional shape, at least in part, do not need to be scanned from all sides to accurately determine their outer contour. It is sufficient to capture only a portion of the product's contour and fill the remaining gap in another way.

[0014] If, for example, it is known that a particular product, e.g., salami, has a circular cross-section, then it is sufficient to determine an arc of the outer contour using the single compact sensor and calculate the circle's radius and thus the cross-sectional area from this. The part of the product contour that cannot be detected, the part that is "in shadow," so to speak, is not needed for this purpose.

[0015] For other products, for example, which have an irregular top surface but where it can be assumed that there is an essentially cuboid or other known cross-section "product base" underneath, as can be the case with meatloaf, the entire product contour can be determined by capturing the contour of the product top surface using the compact sensor and additionally by applying the aforementioned knowledge about the basic shape of the product type in question.

[0016] In general, it can therefore be provided that the unmeasurable part of the product contour is defined based on a known or assumed product cross-section. Alternatively, the unmeasurable part of the product contour can be defined using parameters determined in advance in some way.

[0017] In general, specifying a part of the product contour that cannot be captured can be done by calculation or extrapolation.

[0018] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that at least one product parameter is determined by scanning – particularly for each individual product – and that the operation of at least one functional unit of the cutting device is carried out depending on the product parameter. The product parameter can be, for example, the product length or the product end. This aspect will be discussed in more detail below.

[0019] If the product type allows for specifying a portion of the product contour that cannot be detected by the compact sensor, then a scale downstream of the cutting blade, used to determine the slice or portion weight after slicing, can be omitted. A single compact sensor can therefore replace such a portion scale. In practice, such a scale is part of a control loop and is designed to provide feedback to the product feeder about the actual portion weight, so that the product feeder can be controlled accordingly and adjusted to a predetermined target weight. Particularly with geometrically simple products whose outer contour can be determined with sufficient accuracy using only a single compact sensor, as described above, a single compact sensor can make a scale downstream of the cutting blade superfluous.Alternatively, contour determination using the single compact sensor can be included in the aforementioned control loop to further improve the accuracy of weight-accurate cutting.

[0020] If no such scale is used, density values ​​specific to the product being sliced ​​can be used to calculate the weight of the slices or portions in another way, regardless of whether exactly one compact sensor or several compact sensors are used as a "scale substitute." For example, stored table values ​​for the product density can be used for the respective product type, or a density value of the previously sliced ​​product can be used if the produced slices or portions are weighed, but these weight values ​​are not used, for example, in a control loop to regulate the product feed.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the invention, it is provided that the products to be cut are scanned at at least one scanning point with at least one non-contact compact sensor arranged in the working area, wherein at least one product parameter is determined by the scanning and the operation of at least one functional unit of the cutting device is carried out depending on the product parameter.

[0022] The invention thus opens up a new field for obtaining product information within the cutting device, which can serve to improve the functional processes in handling the products, in particular with regard to optimizing the cutting results and increasing the working speed.

[0023] This concept is fundamentally independent of the number of compact sensors used in the cutting device. For some applications, a single compact sensor suffices. This is the case, for example, when the product length, the beginning, or the end of the product needs to be determined. Other applications, however, can use several compact sensors at a single scanning point, for example, to determine the product contour completely or at least a significant portion of it. This can be particularly relevant when the products have a highly irregular surface shape.Irregularly shaped products, for example, whose cross-sectional area is too small at the front of the product to yield usable slices—in other words, products with an irregularly shaped "nose"—require a so-called cutting control system. This system determines which of the first slices cut off must be discarded, i.e., from which slice onward further processing, such as portioning, can occur. Without information about the individual contour at the "nose," only a specific number of slices can be predetermined before any slices are processed. This relatively imprecise approach can be optimized if the outer contour of the products is known, at least at the aforementioned front section.The closer the front part of the product is to the cutting blade when its contour is detected, the lower the inaccuracies due to influences on the product during transport or handling in the slicer. Products with highly irregular shapes may require more than one compact sensor at a scanning point that detects the "product nose" for contour detection.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one compact sensor supports a scale located downstream of the cutting blade. In particular, this allows the standard deviation of the portion weights from a target weight to be minimized. For example, the at least one compact sensor can define an initial slice thickness, which is determined at least at the front of the product section based on the product contour as determined by the at least one compact sensor. Up to now, the initial slice thickness has been fixed in practice. The invention thus enables variable slice control, tailored to individual product characteristics, by means of the at least one compact sensor arranged in the working area of ​​the slicer.

[0025] In general, in an advantageous further development of this aspect of the invention, it can be provided that, regardless of the product parameter, predetermined or predeterminable control and / or regulation data and / or signals for the functional unit are changed, corrected and / or supplemented by means of the product parameter, in particular within the framework of a control and / or regulation loop.

[0026] An example of this concept is the aforementioned support for a control loop including a scale downstream of the cutting blade, which can specify data for controlling the product feed even without including product parameters determined by means of the at least one compact sensor, but which can be optimized with the help of the at least one compact sensor.

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the product start can be determined as a product parameter. In particular, the product feed can be controlled depending on the position of the product start within the product feed. Consequently, the at least one compact sensor can replace an otherwise required product start sensor, e.g., a light barrier. In particular, the determination of the product start, and thus the determination of the product's position within the product feed, takes place as long as a product holder of the product feed is still on its way back to a starting position.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the product end can be determined using at least one compact sensor. The product holder then only needs to be moved back as far as the length of the product to be cut requires.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the product length can be determined as a product parameter, whereby the product feed is controlled in particular as a function of the product length. The product length not only reveals the position of the product end if the position of the product beginning is known, and vice versa, but the product length can also be used, for example, as a form of "pre-detection" for planning the production process. For instance, an approximate value for the number of expected product slices or portions can be estimated in advance from the product length.

[0030] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a starting position of a product holder for the product feed is determined depending on the product length.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the invention, it can be provided that the product length is determined as a product parameter and that a transfer device, by means of which the products are transferred to the product feed, is controlled depending on the product length. In this respect, it is particularly possible to exploit the fact that, at least when the product type is known, the approximate product weight can be deduced from the product length.

[0032] A possible interaction with a scale located downstream of the cutting blade has already been explained above. In general, according to the invention, it can be provided that the product contour of at least one front section of the product is determined as a product parameter and taken into account when controlling the product feed depending on the slice or portion weights determined after slicing.

[0033] The inventive concept of this aspect of the invention, namely the determination of at least one product parameter by scanning with at least one compact sensor and the operation of at least one functional unit of the cutting device depending on this product parameter, can be combined with the other aspect of the invention. Preferably, it can therefore be provided that a part of the product contour is detected by means of the compact sensor and a part of the product contour that cannot be detected by means of the compact sensor is specified.

[0034] In general, all further developments of all invention aspects described herein can be combined with each other.

[0035] In particular, one or more compact sensors can be used multifunctionally in the slicer, serving both for product contour detection, especially for precise weight slicing, and for determining one or more product parameters to control the operation of one or more functional units of the slicer. For example, a compact sensor can report the product start and a value for the initial slice thickness to the slicer's control unit, as well as scan the product along its entire length to determine the product contour. This contour can then be used by the control unit or the slicer's product feeder to produce portions of precise weight.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, i.e., to increase the multifunctionality of the compact sensor, it can also be used to detect at least one contour belonging to a functional unit of the slicer, for example to check whether a product gripper or product holder is correctly aligned, whether a piece of product that would be ejected during normal operation is still attached to the product gripper or product holder, or whether the required side stops for the products are installed or whether existing side stops are set to the correct position.

[0037] One or more compact sensors can perform such diverse tasks and thus save on components, since according to the invention the at least one compact sensor can be arranged in the slicer and positioned there practically freely.

[0038] Another aspect of the invention relates to a device for slicing food products, in particular a high-performance slicer, with a working area comprising a cutting area and a transport area with a product feed, wherein the product feed supplies the products to be sliced ​​to the cutting area in a single or multiple lane, and at the end of the cutting area a cutting blade, in particular rotating and / or circumferential, moves in a cutting plane, with a non-contact scanning device comprising exactly one or more compact sensors arranged in the working area for scanning the products to be sliced ​​at at least one scanning point, and with a control device for controlling the operation of the slicing device. According to the invention, the slicing device is configured to carry out one of the slicing methods described herein.

[0039] Advantageous embodiments of a cutting device according to the invention are given below. These embodiments can also represent further developments of the cutting methods described herein. Conversely, all further developments of the cutting methods described herein can be implemented in a device and thus further develop the cutting device according to the invention.

[0040] Preferably, the products are scanned using at least one compact sensor in the product feed area.

[0041] In particular, it may be provided that the products are scanned by means of at least one compact sensor in the area of ​​a front product stop of the product feed, especially in the feed direction at a distance of about 5 to 20 mm from a stop plane of the product stop.

[0042] Furthermore, it may be provided that the products are scanned by means of at least one compact sensor in the feed direction at a distance of approximately 30 to 400 mm from the cutting plane.

[0043] Preferably, the products are scanned by means of at least one compact sensor in an area of ​​the transport area upstream of the product feed.

[0044] Furthermore, it may be provided that the products are scanned by means of at least one compact sensor in the area of ​​a transfer device, by means of which the products are transferred to the product feed.

[0045] In particular, the products are scanned by means of at least one compact sensor in the direction of transport in front of a swiveling product support of the transfer device.

[0046] According to the invention, it can further be provided that the products are scanned by means of at least one compact sensor in a product entry area of ​​the device, in particular in an entry plane defined by a support frame or a frame of the device immediately in front of or immediately behind an entry plane.

[0047] Preferably, control data is calculated using captured product contours, and the cutting device, in particular the product feed, is operated using the control data, especially for obtaining weight-constant product slices or portions of product slices.

[0048] The invention represents a fundamental departure from the previous approach, which involved using large and expensive product scanners in the form of separate machines for contour detection, positioned upstream of the slicing device. The invention leverages the fact that contour detection is possible with compact sensors that can be arranged within the working area of ​​the slicing device itself, i.e., inside the slicer. This overcomes the prevailing prejudice in the prior art that non-contact contour detection of food products to be sliced ​​is not possible under the conditions present in the transport and cutting areas of a high-speed food slicer, i.e., conditions characterized in particular by the presence of dirt, heat, and moisture.This is because cutting residue, dust, and flour can be present in the area of ​​a food slicer, and all components of a food slicer must be regularly cleaned with water or steam under high pressure and at high temperatures. Furthermore, if laser radiation is used for contour detection, it is important to ensure that safety regulations are followed and, in particular, that the eye safety of the operating personnel is guaranteed.

[0049] It was surprisingly found that, compared to the dimensions of a typical food slicer, very small, compact sensors can be provided that enable reliable contour detection with sufficiently high accuracy and can be robustly designed and arranged to withstand the adverse conditions for electrical or optoelectronic devices within the working area of ​​a food slicer.

[0050] Possible embodiments of the compact sensors used according to the invention, as well as advantageous properties of these compact sensors, are explained below and specified in the dependent claims.

[0051] Such a compact sensor can integrate a laser light source in a scanning plane and a camera within a single housing. This camera captures the image of a line generated on the product being scanned by the emitted radiation. These sensors can incorporate an integrated electronic system, eliminating the need for a separate controller. Furthermore, they can be insensitive to ambient light or stray light. Very high resolutions in the range of a few hundredths of a millimeter and very high data or signal output rates up to 6 kHz are also possible. The sensors can be equipped with an integrated Gigabit LAN port.

[0052] Such compact sensors therefore form virtually self-contained units that only need to be connected to a power supply and data acquisition system.

[0053] In one possible configuration, such a compact sensor has a width of approximately 300 mm, a maximum height of approximately 100 mm, and a thickness of approximately 40 mm. Such sensors are available, for example, from the company wenglorMEL GmbH.

[0054] The housing of these sensors can be improved to such an extent that the sensors meet high protection classes and are completely insensitive to dust as well as cleaning with water and steam under high pressure and at high temperatures.

[0055] Another advantage of such sensors is that they can be operated with laser radiation of a low protection class and are therefore harmless to the human eye.

[0056] These compact sensors can therefore be freely and openly positioned anywhere within the working area of ​​a food slicer. Due to their small size, the compact sensors require little space and can thus be variably positioned depending on the specific design of the slicer and the contour of the products to be scanned. Several compact sensors can be arranged independently within the slicer. The data from multiple sensors can be computationally aggregated for data analysis.

[0057] According to the invention, the compact sensors preferably operate using the so-called light sectioning method to detect a contour or profile. This measuring principle is generally known to those skilled in the art. Reference is also made to the patent literature mentioned at the outset regarding the prior art. However, other scanning principles, such as time-of-flight measurements, can also be used according to the invention. When using the light sectioning method, the generation of the continuous or interrupted lines on the products to be scanned can, in principle, be carried out in any way. For example, a line of light can be emitted using a line laser and, if necessary, suitable optics, such as a cylindrical lens. Alternatively, a single laser beam can be deflected periodically within a scanning angle range at a high sampling rate.

[0058] Preferably, the compact sensor is arranged in its own enclosed sensor housing, with the compact sensor defining a scanning area for the products within the working area of ​​the slicing device, which lies outside the sensor housing. While, according to previous practice—as already mentioned above—the products must pass through the scanner housing, the invention provides, so to speak, that the scanner is oriented according to the products and the manner in which they are handled in the slicer, and in particular their transport path through the slicer. Due to the compactness and the general insensitivity of the sensors according to the invention, such integration into the slicer is easily possible.

[0059] The sensor housing can be designed in such a way that it meets a national or international standardized protection class, according to which dust tightness, complete protection against contact and protection against water during high-pressure / steam jet cleaning are provided, in particular protection class IP6K9K or IP69 according to DIN 40 050 Part 9 or DIN EN 60529, or an equivalent protection class.

[0060] In particular, an encapsulated compact sensor or a compact sensor with an encapsulated sensor housing may be provided.

[0061] Preferably, the compact sensor comprises a transmitter for emitting scanning radiation into a scanning area and a receiver for receiving radiation from the scanning area, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are arranged in a common sensor housing of the compact sensor. In particular, the scanning area represents the volume of space in which the transmitting area of ​​the transmitter and the receiving area of ​​the receiver overlap.

[0062] Preferably, the compact sensor emits laser radiation and is designed to meet a national or international standardized laser safety class, according to which the laser radiation is harmless to the human eye, in particular laser safety class 1 or 2 according to DIN EN 60825-1, or an equivalent laser safety class.

[0063] In particular, the compact sensor is designed to emit scanning radiation in a scanning plane. This scanning radiation generates a line on the product being scanned, which can be detected by a receiver and evaluated with regard to its path to determine the product contour in the scanning plane, wherein the optical axis of the receiver is inclined relative to the scanning plane, i.e. the receiver "looks" at an angle to the scanning plane at the line generated on the product surface.

[0064] It is preferably provided that a scanning plane of the compact sensor runs at least substantially perpendicular to or at an angle of more than about 45° to a direction of movement of the products through the scanning plane.

[0065] Preferably, the compact sensor is designed as a laser scanner. The term "scanner" here refers both to sensors that emit a continuous or broken line, and to sensors that emit a point-shaped laser beam and deflect it periodically.

[0066] The compact sensor preferably operates using the light sectioning method. As already mentioned, this type of scanning principle for contour or profile recognition is generally known.

[0067] Preferably, the compact sensor is configured to generate a continuous or broken line on a product to be scanned using a light source, in particular a laser source, and to capture an image containing the line using a camera. For example, a photodiode or a CCD device can serve as the camera.

[0068] Preferably, the compact sensor is supported or held on a support frame or rack of the cutting device, which also supports the cutting area and the transport area of ​​the cutting device. Particularly due to its comparatively low weight, the compact sensor according to the invention can be positioned in virtually any way within the working area. Relatively lightweight and delicate brackets or suspensions for the compact sensor can be used. The compact sensor can, for example, also be attached to existing components of the cutting device.

[0069] The compact sensor can be positioned in or on the cutting area. It is also possible to position the compact sensor in the product feed area. In particular, the compact sensor can be positioned near a front product stop of the product feed. A possible distance of the compact sensor from a front stop plane of the product stop is, for example, approximately 5 to 20 mm. In one possible embodiment, the compact sensor is located – viewed in the product feed direction – at a distance of approximately 30 to 400 mm from the cutting plane.

[0070] A particular advantage of arranging one or more compact sensors in the product feed area, for example, near the aforementioned front product stop, is that the products can be scanned during the actual product feed in the cutting process, i.e., in a state where they are already interacting with the product holder and, in particular, have already been gripped at the rear end. In practice, the gripping process can change the position or orientation of a product compared to its previous position or orientation. Therefore, scanning before gripping might provide data regarding a position or orientation of the products that no longer exists when cut and is consequently inaccurate. Such an error can be avoided from the outset by scanning the product after it has already been gripped.The invention makes it possible to realize a concept that can be described, in a nutshell, as "circuit board = cutting edge".

[0071] When referring to the positioning or orientation of the compact sensor, this particularly includes the position or orientation of a scanning plane of the sensor.

[0072] As an alternative to the aforementioned options, the compact sensor can be located in an area of ​​the transport area upstream of the product feed.

[0073] The compact sensor can, for example, be positioned within a transfer unit that transfers products to the product feeder. The transfer unit can have a pivoting product support, with the compact sensor positioned in front of the pivoting product support when viewed in the direction of product transport.

[0074] In one embodiment, the compact sensor can be arranged in the area of ​​a transition between two conveyors of a transport section within the transport area. If the compact sensor is arranged below the transport section, for example, a gap between two successive belt conveyors can be used to scan the products from below.

[0075] Furthermore, it may be provided that the compact sensor is arranged in a product entry area of ​​the device, in particular in an entry plane defined by a support frame or a rack of the device, immediately in front of or immediately behind an entry plane.

[0076] Since the compact sensor can be freely positioned within the cutting device due to its small size, one embodiment allows for its placement outside of any contamination zone within the work area. This does not unnecessarily complicate cleaning of the cutting device. In particular, the compact sensor can be positioned at a distance from the product and / or the product feed.

[0077] Furthermore, according to the invention, different scanning positions for the compact sensor can be provided within the working area. This means, firstly, that the contour detection of the products in the cutting device can, in principle, take place at different scanning points. Examples of different scanning points have been given above. Secondly, and more importantly, it can also be provided that the different scanning positions belong to a common scanning point. This means that if the scanning position of the compact sensor is changed, the scanning point at which the contour detection of the products within the cutting device takes place is not changed, but only the position of the compact sensor itself can be changed at the scanning point. For example, the compact sensor can be moved slightly further forward or slightly further backward – viewed in the direction of product movement.Alternatively or additionally, the angular position of the compact sensor can be changed around the direction of movement. In this way, contour detection can be optimized, particularly depending on the type or nature of the respective products, by repositioning the compact sensor to optimize the geometric conditions of the scanning process. This also allows the scanning device according to the invention to react flexibly to modifications or retrofits of the cutting device that alter its structural characteristics.

[0078] Even in cases where the cutting device itself is not or only insignificantly modified or changed, and where at least essentially only a change of product type or product type takes place, such a change can be addressed quickly and reliably by a product-dependent adaptation or adjustment or a product-dependent conversion of the compact sensor.

[0079] The different scanning positions are so precisely defined that the compact sensor can only be placed in a single position and orientation. This eliminates the need for adjustment or relearning procedures when the compact sensor is repositioned.

[0080] In particular, the compact sensor may be adjustable and / or reconfigurable between the scanning positions. For example, the compact sensor can be pivoted or moved, and for this purpose, positive guides and end stops may be provided to ensure advantageously unambiguous positioning of the compact sensor.

[0081] According to a further embodiment of the invention, one or more compact sensors simultaneously cover several parallel product lanes of the cutting device. Thus, it is not necessary to provide a separate compact sensor for each product when operating the cutting device in multiple lanes. The number of compact sensors can therefore be less than the number of lanes, and it is possible, but not mandatory, for all lanes to be detected by a single compact sensor. It has been found that a sufficiently large scanning range can be provided for the compact sensor without compromising its positionability within the cutting device. Lane reference can then be achieved, for example, by filtering out the desired signal in an associated control unit.

[0082] According to a further embodiment of the invention, several compact sensors are arranged at a scanning point for joint contour detection. Thus, multiple compact sensors can be arranged at a single scanning point, cooperating in contour detection. Depending on the external shape of the products to be cut, a single compact sensor per scanning point may be sufficient to detect the product contour with sufficient accuracy for the respective invention. In other applications, it may be advantageous to use several compact sensors per scanning point. These can be arranged circumferentially around the direction of movement or transport of the products. For example, two compact sensors can be provided, each scanning the product obliquely from above.Alternatively, a single compact sensor can be provided above the products, supported by two compact sensors scanning from an angle below, which are arranged below the products.

[0083] If the compact sensors operate with scanning planes, it is possible, but not mandatory, according to the invention for all scanning planes of the compact sensors to lie in a single common plane. Rather, it is possible for the scanning planes to be slightly offset from one another in the transport direction of the products. This significantly simplifies the setup of a scanning point, as no complex adjustments of the compact sensors relative to each other are required. It has been found in connection with compact sensors operating according to the light section method that a spacing of the scanning lines on a product of only a few millimeters still enables reliable detection and evaluation of the scanning lines by the associated compact sensor. In other words, it has been found that the compact sensors do not interfere with each other.

[0084] The aforementioned example illustrates a possible general preferred concept of the invention, whereby the scanning of products at a scanning point can be carried out by at least two compact sensors with spatial offsets. Alternatively or additionally to a spatial offset, it is possible to perform a temporally offset scanning by having the compact sensors operate alternately rather than simultaneously. For example, pulsed operation of compact sensors operating according to the light section method can prevent the camera of one sensor from being disturbed by the scanning line generated on the product by the other sensor.

[0085] Furthermore, it can be provided that at a scanning point, the scanning is carried out by two compact sensors oriented in opposite directions. In this way, a spot or area on the outside of a product can be detected from different directions. This is particularly advantageous for products with highly irregular shapes, as areas that cannot be detected, for example due to undercuts or indentations, are prevented.

[0086] According to a further embodiment, the scanning device can be designed to perform one or more additional tasks. This can be achieved by detecting at least one contour belonging to at least one functional unit of the device using the compact sensor. The compact sensor can then be used, at least temporarily, to scan a functional unit of the device. If the compact sensor is located in the product feed area, for example, a product gripper or other type of product holder that engages the rear end of a product during feed can be scanned when it passes the scanning point of the compact sensor during product feed. This allows, for example, verification that the product gripper or holder is correctly aligned or that a piece of product residue that would normally be ejected is still attached to the gripper or holder.The product holder is located when it is moved back to its starting position in preparation for slicing a subsequent product and passes the scanning point again. A compact sensor could also be used, for example, to check whether the appropriate side stops are installed for the product parameters set on the slicer, or whether existing side stops are set to the correct position.

[0087] In general, the compact sensor can therefore, due to the fact that it is located inside the cutting device, also be used to monitor the proper configuration and operation of one or more functional units of the cutting device.

[0088] As mentioned at the beginning, contour detection using one or more compact sensors within the cutting device serves in particular to obtain weight-constant product slices or portions of product slices.

[0089] Against this background, a control device may be provided which is designed to calculate control data using detected product contours and to operate the device, in particular the product feed, using the control data.

[0090] Regarding the method according to the invention, the use of one or more compact sensors within the cutting device makes it possible to adapt the contour detection to processes that already occur during the handling of the products within the cutting device. For example, a possible cutting device can be operated in such a way that a product transferred to the product feed is securely gripped by a product gripper engaging at the rear end of the product by pressing the product against a product stop temporarily located in the feed path. Subsequently, the product is retracted by a specific, comparatively short distance by means of the product gripper, which is now correctly gripping as intended, whereupon the product stop is moved away to clear the feed path to the cutting plane.The product is then moved towards the cutting plane and through it using the product gripper. A potential problem in this process is that the product, pressed against the product stop, deforms during the gripping process and does not fully relax upon retraction. Depending on the product type, this can result in plastic deformation and thus a permanent deformation, altering the product's outer contour during gripping. This can lead to errors in controlling the product feed if the control system, based on an upstream scanning process, assumes an outer product contour that no longer exists after gripping due to inelastic deformation of the product's front section.

[0091] In such a case, the invention can avoid errors by detecting the product contour only when, and especially only shortly before, the product, which was previously compressed in the product feed due to a gripping process, has relaxed again. It is not a disadvantage if the product only partially relaxes and some residual deformation remains. For example, according to the invention, it is possible to arrange one or more compact sensors in the area of ​​the aforementioned product stop. Contour detection can therefore take place with or shortly after the start of the actual product feed and thus the actual cutting operation. The scanning of the product therefore only begins when the product is advanced towards the cutting plane by means of the product holder.

[0092] It has been found that in many applications, sufficient accuracy does not require that the cutting of a product only begin after the entire product has been scanned. Therefore, it is possible to scan a middle and / or rear section of the product only after the cutting process has already begun.

[0093] Such use of the scanning device according to the invention does not impair the operating speed of the cutting device. It has been found that the quality and, in particular, the accuracy of the contour detection is not affected when the product is scanned in two scanning phases with different feed rates during the scanning process. This occurs when, after a gripping operation, the product is first moved towards the cutting plane during a high-speed feed phase and then through the cutting plane during a cutting feed phase at a relatively slower feed rate. A front section of the product is then scanned at a relatively higher feed rate, followed by the remaining section at a relatively slower feed rate, using the compact sensor. Consequently, contour detection can also be performed with or without the compact sensor.shortly after the start of the actual product supply and thus the actual slicing operation.

[0094] As already mentioned at the outset, according to an embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that control data are calculated using detected product contours and that the cutting device, in particular the product feed, is operated using the control data, especially for the purpose of obtaining weight-constant product slices or portions of product slices.

[0095] One possible embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that one or more additional tasks are performed by means of the scanning device. For this purpose, it can be provided that at least one contour belonging to at least one functional unit of the device is detected by means of the compact sensor.

[0096] The present disclosure includes, among other things, the following items and embodiments: 1. A method for slicing food products using a slicing device (10) comprising a working area with a cutting area (11) and a transport area (13), wherein products (17) to be sliced ​​are fed to the cutting area (11) in a single or multiple lane and are sliced ​​at the end of the cutting area (11) by means of a cutting blade (21) moving in a cutting plane (19), in particular rotating and / or circumferentially, wherein the products (17) to be sliced ​​are scanned at at least one scanning point (A, B, C, D, E) with exactly one non-contact compact sensor (23) arranged in the working area (11, 13), and the operation of the slicing device (10) is controlled depending on the outer contour of the products (17), wherein a part (73) of the product contour is detected by means of the compact sensor (23) and a part (75) not detectable by means of the compact sensor (23) the product contour is defined. 2.Method according to embodiment 1, characterized in that the non-detectable part (75) of the product contour is specified based on a known or assumed product cross-section, and / or that the non-detectable part (75) of the product contour is calculated from a known or assumed product cross-section and the detectable part (73) of the product contour. 3. Method according to embodiment 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one product parameter is determined by scanning and the operation of at least one functional unit of the cutting device (10) is carried out depending on the product parameter. 4.Method for slicing food products using a slicing device (10) comprising a working area with a cutting area (11) and a transport area (13), wherein products (17) to be sliced ​​are fed to the cutting area (11) in a single or multiple lane and are sliced ​​at the end of the cutting area (11) by means of a cutting blade (21) moving in a cutting plane (19), in particular rotating and / or circumferentially, and wherein the products (17) to be sliced ​​are scanned at at least one scanning point (A, B, C, D, E) with at least one non-contact compact sensor (23) arranged in the working area (11, 13), wherein at least one product parameter is determined by the scanning and the operation of at least one functional unit of the slicing device (10) is carried out depending on the product parameter. 5.Method according to embodiment 4, characterized in that, independent of the product parameter, predetermined or predefinable control and / or regulation data and / or signals for the functional unit are modified, corrected, and / or supplemented by means of the product parameter, in particular within the framework of a control and / or regulation loop. 6. Method according to embodiment 4 or 5, characterized in that the product start (79) is determined as a product parameter, wherein, in particular, the product feed (15) is controlled depending on the position of the product start (79) in the product feed (15), and / or that the product length is determined as a product parameter, wherein, in particular, the product feed (15) is controlled depending on the product length, and, in particular, wherein an initial position of a product holder of the product feed (15) is determined depending on the product length. 7.A method according to one of embodiments 4 to 6, characterized in that the product length is determined as a product parameter and a transfer device (37), by means of which the products (17) are transferred to the product feed (15), is controlled depending on the product length, and / or that a front product contour (77) is determined as a product parameter, wherein in particular a cutting control is carried out depending on the front product contour (77), and / or that the product contour of at least one front section (77) of the product (17) is determined as a product parameter and is taken into account in a control of the product feed (15) depending on slice or portion weights determined after cutting. 8.A method according to one of embodiments 4 to 7, characterized in that the operation of the cutting device (10) is controlled depending on the outer contour of the products (17), wherein a part (73) of the product contour is detected by means of the compact sensor (23) and a part (75) of the product contour that cannot be detected by means of the compact sensor (23) is specified. 9. A method according to one of embodiments 1 to 8, characterized in that the products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in the area of ​​the product feed (15). 10.A method according to one of embodiments 1 to 9, characterized in that the products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in the area of ​​a front product stop (16) of the product feed (15), in particular in the feed direction at a distance of approximately 5 to 20 mm from a stop plane of the product stop (16), and / or that the products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in the feed direction at a distance of approximately 30 to 400 mm from the cutting plane (19). 11.A method according to one of embodiments 1 to 10, characterized in that the products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in an area of ​​the transport area (13) upstream of the product feed (15), and / or that the products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in the area of ​​a transfer device (37) by means of which the products (17) are transferred to the product feed (15), in particular wherein the products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in the transport direction in front of a pivotable product support (39) of the transfer device (37). 12.A method according to one of embodiments 1 to 11, characterized in that the products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in a product entry area (45) of the device, in particular in an entry plane (47) defined by a support frame or a rack (35) of the device immediately in front of or immediately behind it. 13. A method according to one of embodiments 1 to 12, characterized in that the compact sensor (23) is arranged in its own enclosed sensor housing (25) and defines a scanning area for the products (17) within the working area (11, 13) which is located outside the sensor housing (25), and / or that the compact sensor (23) is designed as a laser scanner, and / or that the compact sensor (23) operates according to the light sectioning method. 14.A method according to one of embodiments 1 to 13, characterized in that control data is calculated using detected product contours and the device, in particular the product feed (15), is operated using the control data, in particular for obtaining weight-constant product slices (53) or portions (55) of product slices (53). 15.Device (10) for slicing food products, in particular a high-performance slicer, with a working area comprising a cutting area (11) and a transport area (13) with a product feed (15), wherein the product feed (15) supplies products (17) to be sliced ​​to the cutting area (11) in a single or multiple lane and a cutting blade (21), in particular rotating and / or circumferential, moves in a cutting plane (19) at the end of the cutting area (11), a non-contact scanning device comprising exactly one or more compact sensors (23) arranged in the working area (11, 13) for scanning the products (17) to be sliced ​​at at least one scanning point (A, B, C, D, E), and a control device (51) for controlling the operation of the slicing device (10), wherein the slicing device (10) is configured to carry out a method according to one of embodiments 1 to 14.

[0097] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a food slicer according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows two views of a compact sensor used according to the invention, and Figs. 3 to 5 each show a schematic possible arrangement of a compact sensor used according to the invention.

[0098] According to Fig. 1 A food slicer 10 according to the invention has, in a manner known per se, a frame-like structure 35 with a plurality of supporting columns and struts as its supporting structure. The working area of ​​the slicer 10, located mostly within this supporting frame 35, comprises a front cutting area 11 and a transport area 13 with a product feed 15.

[0099] The cutting area 11 comprises a cutting head 22 supported on the frame 35, in which, in particular, a drive (not shown) for a cutting blade 21, designed here as a circular blade, is arranged. The cutting plane 19 defined by the cutting blade 21 is inclined at approximately 45° to the vertical. The axis of rotation 20 of the cutting blade 21 is indicated by a dashed line. During operation, the cutting blade 21 rotates about its own axis of rotation 20 and also rotates about a drive axis 24, indicated by a dashed line, with respect to which the cutting blade 21 is arranged eccentrically and thus rotates planetarily.

[0100] The product support comprises a support plane running perpendicular to the cutting plane 19 and thus also inclined at 45° to the vertical, along which food products 17 to be cut are fed to the cutting plane 19 with the help of a product holder 49 engaging at the rear end of the product.

[0101] A movable product stop 16 is provided in front of the cutting area 11 below the cutter head 22. As explained in the introduction, during a gripping operation, the respective product 17 is pressed against the product stop 16 by means of the product holder 49 to ensure reliable gripping of the product 17. When the actual product feed towards the cutting plane 19 then begins, the product stop 16 is moved out of the path of movement of the product 17 to clear the way to the cutting plane 19.

[0102] In the presentation of the Fig. 1 The product 17 rests on a pivotable product support 39 of the product feeder 15. The product support 39 belongs to a transfer device 37, which will be discussed in more detail below. The product support 39 can, for example, be designed as a free-running endless belt or have a sliding surface for the products 17.

[0103] In the raised position according to Fig. 1 The pivotable product support 39 together with a front conveyor 61, which may be, for example, a conveyor belt or a passive sliding support, forms a product support on which the product 17 rests during the feed.

[0104] A cutting edge 63 is attached to the front conveyor 61, with which the cutting knife 21 interacts when separating slices 53 from the products 17. On a portioning belt 65, portions 55 are formed from the separated slices 53, which are then transferred to another conveyor belt 67 and subsequently fed into a further processing stage, in particular the portions 55 are weighed. A scale 81 is integrated into the conveyor 67, but can also be arranged at a different location downstream of the cutting knife 21 and / or be provided as a separate unit not integrated into a conveyor.

[0105] A central control unit 51 is in Fig. 1 The control unit 51 is schematically represented and is connected, among other things, to the cutting head 22 and the product holder 49 of the product feeder 15. Furthermore, the control unit 51 communicates with the other functional units of the slicer 10, in particular with a scanning device described in more detail below. In this embodiment, the scanning device comprises exactly one compact sensor 23 positioned above the products 17, for which five different scanning points A, B, C, D, and E within the slicer 10 are indicated for illustrative purposes. Alternatively, several cooperating compact sensors 23, distributed circumferentially, can also be provided at one scanning point within the slicer 10.

[0106] The slicer 10 can be configured for single-lane operation or for multi-lane transport, feeding, and slicing of food products 17. For each lane, the product feeder 15 has a pivotable product support 39 and a product holder 49. In particular, the slicer 10 can be configured for fully lane-individual operation, in which the lanes can be operated completely independently of one another and share the common cutting blade 21.

[0107] The products 17 to be sliced ​​are placed manually or automatically in a loading area 69 onto a further conveyor 44, which can be considered part of the transport area 13 of the slicer 10. The loaded products 17 are then conveyed via a rear product entry area 45, which defines an entry level 47, to further conveyors 41, 43 of the transport area 13. The transport path formed by the conveyors 41, 43, 44, which can be continuous belt conveyors, rises slightly from back to front so that the products 17 are already at a certain height within the slicer 10 before reaching the transfer device 37. This results in a comparatively low loading height in the loading area 69, which particularly facilitates manual loading.

[0108] To achieve portions 55 with at least largely constant weight, the product feed in the product feeder 15 is based, among other things, on the cross-sectional areas of the products 17, which can be calculated from the outer product contour. The aforementioned non-contact scanning device is provided for detecting the product contour; this device comprises one or more compact sensors 23 at at least one scanning point within the slicer 10.

[0109] A possible scanning point A is located directly in front of the product stop 16 in the product feed 15, which is inclined to the vertical and thus perpendicular to the cutting plane 19. The compact sensor 23 is therefore arranged such that its scanning plane 33 is parallel to the cutting plane 19 and thus perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the product and therefore perpendicular to the product feed direction. If several compact sensors 23 are provided, they can be arranged such that their scanning planes 33 lie in a common plane. Alternatively, the scanning planes 33 of the compact sensors 23 can be offset from each other.

[0110] A single compact sensor 23 is so small that, compared to the dimensions of the slicer 10, it can be considered virtually point-like. The slicer 10, for example, has a length of approximately 2.70 m (excluding the loading area 69, i.e., up to the entry level 47), a height of approximately 2.50 m (up to the upper struts of the support frame 35), and a width of approximately 1 m. This means that even with the relatively compact design of the slicer, in which a large number of functional units are integrated in a relatively small space, there is still sufficient room for the optimal positioning of one or more compact sensors 23. As mentioned in the introduction, the compact sensors 23 can therefore be positioned largely freely and, due to their low weight, can be attached directly to existing functional units of the slicer 10 or to these functional units or to the support frame 35 via brackets with minimal mechanical effort.Furthermore, the compact sensors 23 each require only a power supply and a signal line for transmitting the captured contour data to the central control unit 51. In principle, wireless data transmission and battery or rechargeable battery operation of the compact sensors 23 are possible, which further simplifies their integration into the slicer 10.

[0111] Another possible scanning point B is located in front of the transfer device 37, which is in the case of the product support 39 being swung down, which is in Fig. 1 As indicated by dashed lines, the products 17 are transferred from the front conveyor 41 to the transport device that feeds the products 17 over the "rear" of the slicer 10. The scanning plane 33 of the compact sensor 23 is located in the area of ​​the transition between the conveyor 41 and the lowered product support 39. Consequently, the products 17 can be scanned while being transferred to the transfer device 37.

[0112] An alternative sampling point C is located in the area of ​​the transition between the two successive conveying units 41, 43 of the transport unit.

[0113] Another possible positioning option for one or more compact sensors 23 is shown at scanning point D. The scanning plane 33 of the single compact sensor 23 shown here is located directly behind the entry plane 47 of the slicer 10 and again in the transition area between two conveyors 43, 44. Scanning point E shows yet another positioning option. The compact sensor 23 is arranged directly in front of the product entry area 45. In particular, if several compact sensors 23 are to be arranged at this scanning point E, the conveyor path can be interrupted and, for example, include two consecutive conveyors in order to enable or improve scanning of the products 17 from below or from an oblique angle.

[0114] In Fig. 1 The compact sensor 23 is shown schematically at sampling points A, B, C, D and E, respectively. The enlarged view within the Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a side view on the left and a front view rotated by 90° on the right of a possible compact sensor 23 according to the invention, in order to illustrate how a compact sensor 23 designed according to this embodiment can be oriented in the slicer 10.

[0115] In this context, reference is also made to the Fig. 2 The compact sensor 23 comprises a sealed sensor housing 25, in which a laser source 29 as a transmitter and a camera 31 as a receiver are arranged. The laser source 29 emits scanning radiation in a scanning plane 33, which, as already mentioned, runs perpendicular to the longitudinal extent and thus perpendicular to the respective direction of movement of the products 17 in the slicer 10.

[0116] At a distance from the sensor housing 25 determined by the respective design of the compact sensor 23, a conical detection area 59 of the camera 31 with an optical axis 57, which runs inclined to the scanning plane 33, intersects the V-shaped scanning plane 33. This overlap area forms the scanning area of ​​the compact sensor 25.

[0117] As mentioned at the beginning, according to one possible embodiment, the compact sensor 23 can have a width b of about 300 mm, a smaller height h of about 60 mm, a larger height H of about 80 mm and a thickness d of about 40 mm.

[0118] In this embodiment, the scanning range begins at a distance of approximately 300 mm from the housing 25 of the compact sensor 23, measured along the scanning plane 33. The scanning range extends approximately 700 mm further, or about 1 m, from the sensor housing 25. The width of the working area is approximately 280 mm at the beginning, i.e., at a distance of about 300 mm, and approximately 830 mm at the end, i.e., at a distance of about 1000 mm. The average spatial resolution within the scanning range is between 45 and 200 µm, depending on the direction. The laser source can be operated with a red laser (wavelength 660 nm) or with a blue laser (wavelength 405 nm).

[0119] A single compact sensor 23 arranged at one of the scanning points A, B, C, D and E can, for example, serve exclusively to determine the outer contour of the products 17 so that, based on this product data, the product feed 15 can be controlled in such a way as to obtain portions 55 of precise weight. As explained in the introduction, a single compact sensor 23 may suffice if sufficiently well-known or geometrically simple products 17 are being cut.

[0120] For this purpose, the schematic representations in [reference to schematic diagrams] serve as an example. Figs. 3 and 4For a product 17 with a circular cross-section, it is only necessary to know that the product cross-section is circular everywhere along the product 17. From a partial contour 73 detectable by the compact sensor 23, the radius of the circular cross-section can be determined, and thus the cross-sectional area at the respective scanning point can be calculated. If the size of the cross-section changes, but not its shape—i.e., if the cross-section of the product 17 is circular everywhere, but may vary along the longitudinal extent of the product 17—this is not critical, since at each scanning point along the product 17, the cross-sectional area at that scanning point can be calculated from the detectable partial contour 73. Therefore, for the accuracy of the contour detection and thus the control of the product feed 15, it is not detrimental that the partial contour 75, which is, so to speak, "in shadow," is detected by the single compact sensor 23. Fig. 3which is indicated by a dashed line, cannot be captured.

[0121] Accordingly, it is the case with the in Fig. 4 In the application shown, it is harmless that the partial contour 75 of the product 17, shown again with dashed lines, cannot be detected by the single compact sensor 23 if the cross-sectional shape of the undetectable "base" of the product 17 is known. Even if it is only known that this base is cuboid, but its size is unknown, the height of the base can be deduced by evaluating the contour that takes the product support 83 into account. The width of the base can be determined from the interruption of the contour illuminated by the light source 29 ( Fig. 2 ) also on the product support 83 generated scanning light line between the detectable part 73 of the product contour and the detectable part of the scanning light line on the product support 83 can be determined.

[0122] Alternatively or additionally to product contour detection for achieving weight-accurate portions 55, either a single compact sensor 23 arranged at a scanning point in the slicer 10, or several compact sensors 23 arranged at a scanning point, can perform one or more additional tasks or take on additional functions, as already mentioned above. Some examples are shown Fig. 5 A compact sensor 23 can, for example, be used to determine the product beginning 79. Alternatively or additionally, the compact sensor 23 can determine the contour of a front product section 77 in order to ascertain when the cross-sectional area of ​​the product 17 reaches a size that results in usable product slices 53. This is purely an example. Fig. 5A cross-sectional area 71 is indicated by a dashed line. Based on this "pre-detection", the control device 51 knows that all product slices cut off up to the point where this cross-sectional area 71 is reached cannot be used and must be sorted out in a manner known per se, for example by operating the portioning belt 65 against the normal conveying direction in order to throw this unusable product offcut to the rear.

[0123] Such a slice control of the slicer 10 can therefore be optimized by individual product contour detection using one or more compact sensors 23 arranged in the slicer 10, since it is no longer necessary to rely on fixed values. Furthermore, by determining the product contour at the front product section 77, the thickness of the first usable product slice 53 can be specified in order to provide an initial value for the product feed 15 that is appropriate to the individual characteristics of the respective product 17. In this case, too, it is no longer necessary to rely on fixed values.

[0124] As already mentioned in the introduction, even the product contour determined by a single compact sensor 23 can enable control of the product feed 15, which delivers portions 55 with sufficient accuracy without the need for a scale downstream of the cutting blade 21. Alternatively, instead of replacing a scale, the product contour obtained by scanning can be used to support a control loop containing a downstream scale 81, enabling it to produce portions 55 with a portion weight within a specified tolerance much faster.

[0125] Furthermore, a single compact sensor 23 can be used to determine the product start, product end and / or product length in order to use this information for optimized operation of the product feed 15, avoiding unnecessary dead times in particular.

[0126] In general, according to the invention, one or more compact sensors 23 arranged within the slicer 10 can perform a variety of tasks and optimize certain operating processes of the slicer 10. The compact sensors 23, or at least one of the compact sensors 23, can either be provided exclusively for this purpose or perform one or more of these tasks in addition to contour detection, which serves to obtain weight-constant product slices or portions of product slices.

[0127] Possible relative arrangements of multiple compact sensors at a sampling point, not shown, are described below.

[0128] According to one variant, two compact sensors 23 are arranged above the products 17, each scanning the product 17 from an oblique angle of approximately 45°. The scanning planes 33 each run perpendicular to the direction of movement of the product 17. The scanning planes 33 overlap, so that the top of the product 17 is illuminated simultaneously from different directions and, in addition, the side edges of the product 17 can be at least substantially completely captured.

[0129] In an alternative arrangement, a compact sensor 23 is positioned approximately centrally above a product 17. Two further compact sensors 23 are located on both sides below the product 17 and each detect the product contour from an oblique angle below.

[0130] According to another possible arrangement, two compact sensors 23 are arranged one behind the other in the direction of movement of the products 17, oriented in opposite directions. Such an arrangement makes it possible to detect areas of products 17, particularly those with highly irregularly shaped surfaces, even on surface areas that would not be visible with a single sensor 23. Several such double arrangements of compact sensors 23 can be distributed around the circumference of the product 17. Reference symbol list

[0131] 10 Slicing device, slicer 11 Cutting area 13 Transport area 15 Product feed 16 Product stop 17 Product 19 Cutting plane 20 Rotary axis 21 Cutting blade 22 Cutting head 23 Compact sensor 24 Drive axis 25 Sensor housing 29 Transmitter, light source, laser 31 Receiver, camera 33 Scanning plane 35 Support frame or rack 37 Transfer device 39 Product support 41 Conveyor device 43 Conveyor device 44 Conveyor device 45 Product entry area 47 Entry plane 49 Product holder 51 Control device 53 Product disc 55 Portion 57 Optical axis 59 Detection area 61 Conveyor 63 Cutting edge 65 Portioning belt 67 Conveyor belt 69 Loading area 71 Cross-sectional area 73 Detectable part of the product contour 75 Non-detectable part of the product contour 77 Front product section 79 Product start 81 Scale 83 Product support A, B, C, D, E Scanning point

Claims

1. Method for slicing food products using a slicing device (10) comprising a working area with a cutting area (11) and a transport area (13), wherein: - products (17) to be sliced ​​are fed to the cutting area (11) in a single or multiple lane and are sliced ​​at the end of the cutting area (11) by means of a cutting blade (21) moving in a cutting plane (19), in particular rotating and / or circumferentially, and - the products (17) to be sliced ​​are scanned at at least one scanning point (A, B, C, D, E) with at least one non-contact compact sensor (23) arranged in the working area (11, 13), wherein at least one product parameter is determined by the scanning and the operation of at least one functional unit of the slicing device (10) is carried out depending on the product parameter.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized by thatControl and / or regulation data and / or signals for the functional unit, regardless of the product parameter, can be changed, corrected and / or supplemented by means of the product parameter, in particular within the framework of a control and / or regulation loop.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that as a product parameter the product start (79) is determined, wherein in particular the product feed (15) is controlled depending on the position of the product start (79) in the product feed (15).

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that The product length is determined as a product parameter, in particular the product feed (15) is controlled depending on the product length, in particular an initial position of a product holder of the product feed (15) is determined depending on the product length.

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that as a product parameter the product length is determined and a transfer device (37), by means of which the products (17) are transferred to the product feed (15), is controlled depending on the product length.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that as a product parameter a front product contour (77) is determined, wherein in particular a cutting control is carried out depending on the front product contour (77).

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that as a product parameter determines the product contour of at least one front section (77) of the product (17) and is taken into account when controlling the product feed (15) depending on slice or portion weights determined after cutting.

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that The operation of the cutting device (10) is controlled depending on the outer contour of the products (17), wherein a part (73) of the product contour is detected by means of the compact sensor (23) and a part (75) of the product contour that cannot be detected by means of the compact sensor (23) is specified.

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in the area of ​​the product feed (15).

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by thatthe products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in the area of ​​a front product stop (16) of the product feed (15), in particular in the feed direction at a distance of about 5 to 20mm from a stop plane of the product stop (16), and / or that the products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in the feed direction at a distance of about 30 to 400mm from the cutting plane (19).

11. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by thatthe products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in an area of ​​the transport area (13) upstream of the product feed (15), and / or that the products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in the area of ​​a transfer device (37) by means of which the products (17) are transferred to the product feed (15), in particular wherein the products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in the transport direction in front of a pivotable product support (39) of the transfer device (37).

12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the products (17) are scanned by means of the compact sensor (23) in a product entry area (45) of the device, in particular in an entry plane (47) defined by a support frame or a rack (35) of the device immediately in front of or immediately behind an entry plane (47).

13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the compact sensor (23) is arranged in its own enclosed sensor housing (25) and defines a scanning area for the products (17) within the working area (11, 13) which is located outside the sensor housing (25), and / or that the compact sensor (23) is designed as a laser scanner, and / or that the compact sensor (23) operates according to the light sectioning method.

14. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that Control data are calculated using the captured product contours and the device, in particular the product feed (15), is operated using the control data, in particular to obtain weight-constant product slices (53) or portions (55) of product slices (53).

15. Device (10) for slicing food products, in particular high-performance slicers, comprising: - a working area comprising a cutting area (11) and a transport area (13) with a product feed (15), wherein the product feed (15) supplies products (17) to be sliced ​​to the cutting area (11) in a single or multiple lane and at the end of the cutting area (11) a cutting blade (21), in particular rotating and / or circumferential, moves in a cutting plane (19), - a non-contact scanning device comprising exactly one or more compact sensors (23) arranged in the working area (11, 13) for scanning the products (17) to be sliced ​​at at least one scanning point (A, B, C, D, E), and - a control device (51) for controlling the operation of the slicing device (10), wherein the slicing device (10) is configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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