Method and system for the automated portioning of foodstuffs in the form of bulk material

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a separating device for the automated portioning of foodstuffs in the form of bulk material (4), in particular chopped lettuce, bacon, onion rings, gherkins, jalapenos or rocket, with a separating device (10), wherein, in a coarse separating unit (1), the bulk material (4) is introduced into the separation device (10) in a drum (11) that is open on one side and wherein the drum (11) is rotated so that a portion of the bulk material (4) is discharged from the drum (11), in particular onto a conveyor belt (5), via the opening (12) of the drum (11).

Description

[0001] Process and system for automated portioning of bulk food products

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for the automated portioning of foodstuffs in bulk form according to claim 1, a barrel for storing foodstuffs in bulk form according to the preamble of patent claim 9, a separating device for the automated portioning of foodstuffs in bulk form according to the preamble of patent claim 11 and a plant for preparing assembled foodstuffs according to patent claim 18.

[0003] A variety of methods and devices for portioning bulk goods are known from the prior art. Such devices are used to cut food into portions, for example, into slices of equal thickness and / or weight, or to supply food in bulk or piles in a defined quantity for further processing, or to provide it below a defined weight or in a defined quantity.

[0004] Such a system for portioning food is disclosed, for example, in CN 217615332 U. A drum-shaped centrifuge subjectes a food item to centrifugal force, and the food item is dispensed in portions from the drum through openings formed on the circumference of the drum. Furthermore, EP 3367349 A1, for example, discloses a device or method for automatically preparing food, in which individual food items are also dispensed in portions.

[0005] Other devices known from the state of the art are concerned with cutting, portioning and weighing dough portions or pasty masses.

[0006] A disadvantage of the devices known from the prior art, however, is that foodstuffs in bulk, i.e., in smaller, e.g., pre-cut portions, are very laborious and often manually portioned by personnel. Bulk foodstuffs often have undefined shapes and, if handled improperly, tend to stick together, resulting in different densities and volumes. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method with which bulk foodstuffs can be easily portioned without negatively affecting their properties.

[0007] This object is achieved by a method according to the characterizing features of patent claim 1. According to the invention, in a coarse singling unit, the bulk material, in particular the pre-cut lettuce, is introduced into the singling device in a barrel that is open on one side, wherein the barrel is rotated so that a portion of the bulk material is discharged from the barrel via the opening of the barrel, in particular onto a conveyor belt.

[0008] The advantage of the method according to the invention is that the bulk material, for example lettuce, bacon, onion rings or other small-sized foodstuffs, can be easily stored in the barrel and, when required, can be transported along the inner contour in the direction of the opening by rotating the barrel, so that they are selected, i.e. separated from one another, and then dispensed from the barrel.

[0009] In the context of the present invention, bulk goods are understood to mean, in particular, foodstuffs that are present in heaps and have an irregular structure. Such foodstuffs can be, for example, sliced ​​or pre-portioned lettuce, bacon, onion rings, pickles, jalapenos, arugula, or other foodstuffs that vary greatly in size, weight, and shape, whether sliced ​​or uncut.

[0010] In the context of the present invention, a barrel is understood to be a container that has a substantially cylindrical shape, so that the foodstuffs in bulk can be stored therein and, when the cylindrical barrel is rotated, can be separated or transported along the wall. The inner or outer contour of the barrel can also be bulbous or straight and is particularly preferably rotationally symmetrical.

[0011] To further improve the conveyance of the bulk material along the inner contour of the barrel, the barrel can be provided with a thread-shaped screw thread extending into the interior of the barrel. As the barrel rotates, the bulk material inside the barrel is conveyed along the screw thread toward the opening. The thread-shaped screw thread allows the bulk material to be portioned to be swirled more easily. The screw thread also allows the bulk material to be transported toward the opening, where it can be fed into the area surrounding the barrel for further processing in small portions or even individual pieces.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous if the barrel in the coarse separation unit is arranged so that it can be replaced without tools. This makes it possible to simply replace the barrel when the fill level of the bulk material in the barrel drops or when the barrel is completely empty. For example, the food can be stored in preparatory barrels and then simply loaded into the device along with the bulk material. This also prevents individual pieces of the bulk material from flying around uncontrollably within the device or portioning unit when being loaded into the device, which could lead to contamination or technical failure of the coarse separation unit.

[0013] Advantageously, it can be provided that the barrel is tilted during and / or before the rotation or is raised at the end remote from the opening in order to vary the quantity of bulk material emerging from the opening and / or to completely empty the barrel.

[0014] The object of the invention for portioning foodstuffs can also be achieved by a method according to claim 5. According to the invention, it is provided that the bulk material, in particular the portion of the bulk material discharged from the coarse separation unit according to a method according to the invention, is transported by a conveyor belt to a fine separation unit, wherein the fine separation unit has a rotating sorting rotor, wherein the sorting rotor has at least one wing which is arranged projecting from the sorting rotor and aligned parallel to the rotational axis of the sorting rotor, wherein the contour of the wing has a sorting recess at the end remote from the rotational axis of the sorting rotor, wherein the rotational axis of the sorting rotor is arranged above the conveyor belt perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt,so that the at least one wing rotates counter to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt in the region of the conveyor belt and bulk material not corresponding to the sorting recess is captured by the wing and thrown back counter to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, whereby bulk material corresponding to the sorting recess is conveyed on the conveyor belt through the sorting recess and is thus finely separated.

[0015] The sorting rotor accelerates the bulk material hitting it and, if necessary, throws it back against its conveying direction or the conveying direction of the conveyor belt. Since only bulk material that corresponds to and is aligned with the sorting opening passes through the sorting rotor, the fine separation unit portions the bulk material. The amount of sorted or portioned bulk material can be easily varied by changing the size of the sorting opening, for example, by attaching different vanes to the sorting rotor or by simply replacing the sorting rotor.

[0016] Optionally, it can also be provided that several sorting rotors are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction of the bulk material, whereby the sorting openings vary in size or arrangement and in this way the bulk material is sorted several times, loosened and finely separated into smaller portions.

[0017] The present object of portioning bulk material can also be achieved according to the invention by a method according to claim 6. According to the invention, it is provided that the bulk material, in particular the portion of the bulk material discharged from the coarse separation unit according to a method according to the invention or in particular the portion of the bulk material finely separated according to a method according to the invention, is delivered to a weighing unit, in particular by the conveyor belt, wherein the weighing unit has at least one flap which can be displaced or pivoted in the direction of gravity to block the path of the bulk material into a closed position, so that bulk material falls onto the flap in the closed position of the flap, wherein the flap comprises a measuring unit with which the weight of the bulk material striking the flap is determined, wherein upon reaching a predetermined weight of the bulk material on the flap,the flap is adjusted and a portion of the balanced bulk material with a specified weight is dispensed from the flap of the weighing unit onto a food product to be assembled or a conveyor belt.

[0018] The weighing unit makes it easy to weigh bulk material in large portions and thus feed portions with a specified weight for further processing or, for example, add them to pre-assembled food.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, a flap is understood to mean a flap that is pivotably mounted on a pivot axis, or also sliders that are pushed into the path of the bulk material. In order to be able to weigh several different portions of the bulk material, it is advantageous that the weighing unit has at least two flaps that are arranged one behind the other in the direction of gravity and can be moved or pivoted separately from one another into the path of the bulk material, blocking it in a closed position, so that bulk material falls onto the flaps when the flaps are in the closed position. At least one of the flaps, in particular each flap, comprises a measuring unit with which the weight of the bulk material impacting the flaps is determined. The lowest flap in the direction of gravity is closed first, so that the bulk material accumulates on it first.When a predetermined weight of the bulk material is reached on the closed flap, the second flap is closed and thus a second portion of the bulk material is collected on the second flap, wherein, if necessary, the first flap is adjusted and a portion of the balanced bulk material with a predetermined weight is dispensed onto a food product to be assembled or a conveyor belt, and wherein, when the second flap is adjusted, a further defined portion of the balanced bulk material can be dispensed onto the same or another food product or the conveyor belt or onto the first flap below which has been closed again.

[0020] In order to be able to provide different portions of foodstuffs in bulk form, it can be provided that the weighing unit has a plurality of flaps, wherein at least one of the flaps, in particular each flap, comprises a measuring unit, wherein the flaps are each adjusted to a closed position such that defined positions come to rest on the respective flaps and a number of defined portions of the bulk material corresponding to the flaps can be dispensed from the weighing unit. By having a plurality of flaps, it is possible to weigh out portions of the bulk material of different sizes and weights and dispense them from the device or to provide such portions.

[0021] A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a barrel for storing foodstuffs in bulk form, which barrel can be easily used in a method according to the invention or a separating device according to the invention. This object is achieved with a barrel according to the characterizing features of claim 9. According to the invention, the barrel has a hollow cylindrical shape and the upper cover surface of the barrel is designed to be open as an opening, wherein the barrel has a thread-shaped screw flight on its inner contour projecting into the interior of the barrel, wherein the screw flight extends along the inner contour of the barrel, in particular from the bottom to the opening, in such a way that a portion of a bulk material stored inside the barrel can be conveyed along the screw flight in the direction of the opening when the barrel rotates in the cylinder axis.

[0022] The barrel according to the invention makes it possible to store different or identical bulk goods in different barrels, which can then be introduced into the separating device or made available for the method according to the invention as needed. In the context of the present invention, a barrel is understood to be any cylindrical hollow body suitable for storing a bulk food product within its interior. A barrel according to the invention can have a straight, cylindrical, or other rotationally symmetrical shape, but can also be bulbous or have a contour that varies across its outer circumference.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the barrel, the pitch and / or contour of the screw thread can be constant or varied along the length of the barrel. This allows the screw thread to be easily adapted to the properties of the food to be portioned, allowing the pitch or contour of the screw thread to be constant or varied along the length of the barrel depending on the food. Furthermore, it is possible to provide different barrels for different foods and to install or replace the respective barrels in the separating device for the foods that currently need to be portioned.

[0024] A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a separating device with which foodstuffs present as bulk goods can be easily portioned and delivered in defined quantities, for example for further processing or to prepared, in particular assembled, foodstuffs.

[0025] This object is achieved in a singling device according to the preamble of patent claim 11 with the characterizing features. According to the invention, the singling device comprises a coarse singling unit in which a barrel open on one side, in particular a barrel according to the invention, is arranged for storing the bulk material, wherein the barrel can be rotated by means of a drive so that a portion of the bulk material can be discharged from the barrel through the opening of the barrel, in particular onto a conveyor belt. The singling device according to the invention makes it particularly easy to process foodstuffs to be portioned in bulk and to separate them, for example jalapeno or lettuce pieces that stick together, from one another and thus provide predetermined portions and portion sizes.Furthermore, the bulk material is loosened in the rotating drum, and portions of the bulk material are separated and then transported toward the drum opening. These portions can then be dispensed through the opening in portions. This allows for particularly gentle handling, especially for large, yet lightweight foods such as pre-cut lettuce, pickles, bacon, onions, arugula, and the like, and allows for defined portions to be provided without compromising the shape or quality of the food.

[0026] Advantageously, the singling device can be provided with an inclination device with which the inclination of the barrel can be varied and / or the barrel can be lifted remote from the opening, wherein the cylinder axis of the barrel is arranged, in particular, at an inclination to the horizontal plane of the singling device. In order to be able to further vary the quantity of bulk material dispensed from the barrel, the inclination angle of the barrel within the singling device can be changed by means of the inclination device. Thus, for example, if the barrel with its opening is tilted further downwards, the portion size of the dispensed bulk material can be increased or the barrel can be completely emptied.

[0027] In order to easily install the barrel containing the bulk material in the separating device or to remove empty barrels from the separating device, the invention can provide for the barrel to be arranged in the coarse separating unit in an exchangeable manner by means of holding or plug-in mechanisms, in particular without the use of tools. Due to the removable design of the barrel in the separating device, prepared portions or bulk material present in the barrels can be easily introduced into the device without, for example, lettuce or other foodstuffs swirling or bouncing around during filling into the device getting into parts of the device, where they could cause damage.In this way, different barrels can be prepared, which are stored, for example, in a refrigerator and contain different foods, which can then be introduced into the device by exchanging the barrels as needed and thus variably portioned in the device.

[0028] In order to be able to loosen individual parts of the bulk material better and to provide particularly finely separated portions, it is provided that the separating device has a fine separating unit to which the bulk material, in particular from a coarse separating unit, can be transported by a conveyor belt, wherein the fine separating unit has a sorting rotor that can be driven in rotation, wherein the sorting rotor has at least one wing that is arranged protruding from the sorting rotor and aligned parallel to the rotational axis of the sorting rotor, wherein the contour of the wing has a sorting recess at the end remote from the rotational axis of the sorting rotor, wherein the rotational axis of the sorting rotor is arranged above the conveyor belt so as to be normal to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt,so that the at least one wing is rotatable in the region of the conveyor belt counter to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt and bulk material not corresponding to the sorting recess can be grasped by the wing and thrown back counter to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, whereby bulk material corresponding to the sorting recess can be conveyed on the conveyor belt through the sorting recess and thus finely separated.

[0029] The sorting rotor applies force to the food that arrives, lifting it or throwing it back against the direction of the conveyor belt. This separates, for example, sticky jalapeno pieces, chopped lettuce, etc. Furthermore, food portions corresponding to the sorting recess, i.e., food portions that are the size of the sorting recess, are not touched by the sorting rotor and can thus pass through the fine separation device. The portions dispensed and loosened in this way can be adjusted in quantity or size, for example, by providing different wings with different sorting recesses that are attached to the sorting rotor, or by replacing the entire sorting rotor with different sorting recesses.

[0030] A further device according to the invention for portioning foodstuffs in bulk form can be provided in that the separating device has a weighing unit to which the bulk material, in particular the portion of the bulk material discharged from the coarse separating unit or in particular the finely separated portion of the bulk material from the fine separating unit, can be delivered to the weighing unit, in particular by the conveyor belt, wherein the weighing unit has at least one flap which can be displaced or pivoted into a closed position in the direction of gravity, blocking the path of the bulk material, so that bulk material falls onto the flap in the closed position of the flap, wherein the flap comprises a measuring unit with which the weight of the bulk material striking the flap can be determined,When a predetermined weight of the bulk material is reached on the flap, the flap is adjustable and a portion of the balanced bulk material with a predetermined weight can be dispensed from the flap of the weighing unit onto a food product to be assembled or onto a conveyor belt.

[0031] It is advantageous that the weighing unit has at least two flaps which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of gravity and are arranged separately from one another in the path of the bulk material, blocking it in a closed position so that bulk material falls onto the flaps in the closed position of the flaps, wherein the flaps each comprise a measuring unit with which the weight of the bulk material striking the flaps can be determined, wherein the singling device has a control unit which is designed and programmed such that the lowest first flap in the direction of gravity is closed first, so that the bulk material accumulates on it first, wherein when a predetermined weight of the bulk material on the closed flap is reached, the second flap is closed and thus a second portion of the bulk material is collected on the second flap,Wherein, if required, the first flap is adjusted and a portion of the balanced bulk material with a predetermined weight is dispensed onto a food product to be assembled or onto a conveyor belt, and where, when the second flap is adjusted, a further defined portion of the balanced bulk material can be dispensed onto the same or another food product or onto the conveyor belt.

[0032] A further advantageous embodiment for weighing or portioning different quantities of bulk material can be provided by the weighing unit having a plurality of flaps, each flap comprising a measuring unit. The flaps can each be adjusted to a closed position by the control unit such that defined positions of bulk material can be placed on the respective flaps, and a number of defined portions of the bulk material corresponding to the flaps can be dispensed from the weighing unit or the flaps located below it in the direction of gravity can be opened. In this way, a wide variety of portions and / or different combinations of portioned food products can be dispensed.

[0033] A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a system for preparing assembled foods. Such foods could, for example, be foods in which different ingredients are combined with one another to produce a finished dish prepared piece by piece with a wide variety of ingredients. This is achieved with a system according to the invention as claimed in patent claim 18. According to the invention, it is provided that a system for preparing assembled foods has a separating device according to the invention. By means of the separating device, lettuce, jalapenos, bacon, onion rings or other foods in bulk can be pre-portioned and easily added to the food or dish prepared in the system in defined sizes and weights.

[0034] In order to equip the system with a wide variety of modules or to be able to easily change the sequence of the processing stations, the separation unit can be designed in a modular manner and can be removed from the system and / or replaced.

[0035] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings:

[0036] The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawings using particularly advantageous but non-limiting embodiments and is described by way of example with reference to the drawings:

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a singling device according to the invention, Figs. 2 and 3 show views of a barrel according to the invention, Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the singling device in an isometric view, Fig. 5 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the singling device according to the invention, Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a sorting rotor according to Fig. 5, Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of an exemplary sorting rotor, Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of the functioning of the second embodiment of the singling device, which is designed as a fine singling unit, Figs. 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the singling device according to the invention in an isometric view, Figs. 11 to 19 schematically show different functional states of the third embodiment of the singling device, Fig.Fig. 20 shows a fourth embodiment of the separating device with three separating units in an isometric view, Fig. 20 shows a side view of the embodiment according to Fig. 21, and Fig. 22 shows an isometric view of a plant according to the invention for preparing assembled foods.

[0038] Coarse separation device

[0039] Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the singulating device 10 according to the invention. The singulating device 10 is designed as a coarse singulating unit 1. In the coarse singulating unit 1, foodstuffs present as bulk material 4, such as sliced ​​lettuce, bacon, onion rings, pickles, jalapenos, or arugula, are automatically dispensed in portions from the singulating device 10 or coarse singulating unit 1. For this purpose, a barrel 11 is arranged in the coarse singulating unit 1. In this embodiment, the barrel 11 is cylindrical and has a base 17. The base 17 is closed so that foodstuffs or the bulk material 4 placed in the barrel 11 can be stored. Opposite the base 17, an opening 12 is arranged instead of the lid of the barrel 11, through which opening the foodstuffs or the bulk material 4 can be dispensed from the barrel 11.The coarse separation unit 1 further comprises a drive 16, with which the barrel 11 can be set in rotation along its cylinder axis. A screw thread 14 is arranged in the inner contour 13 of the barrel 11, extending in a thread-like manner from the bottom 17 to the opening 12. The screw thread 14 protrudes from the inner contour 13 of the barrel 11 toward its center and, similar to a thread, forms a conveyor screw inside the barrel 11.

[0040] If the barrel 11 is rotated by the drive 16, the food or bulk material 4 contained therein is partially moved by friction and centrifugal forces on the inner contour 13 of the barrel 11, and portions of the bulk material 4 are transported towards the opening 12. For example, heaped bulk material 4 that has accumulated in the area of ​​the bottom 17 of the barrel 11 can be loosened and transported in small portions towards the opening 12 and discharged via this for further processing or from the coarse separation unit 1.

[0041] Instead of the screw flight 14, it would also be possible, for example, for the inner contour 13 of the barrel 11 to have a high adhesion coefficient and for the rough separation to be enabled via the speed of the drive 16 or the speed of the barrel 11, wherein in particular the cylinder axis or the longitudinal axis of the barrel 11 can be inclined, for example in the direction of the opening 12. Fig. 2 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the barrel 11 according to the invention. The screw flight 14 of the barrel 11 extends over the inner circumference 3 of the barrel 11 in the direction of the center or the longitudinal axis or cylinder axis of the barrel 11.

[0042] The screw flight 14 can optionally, as shown in Fig. 2, extend over a small, radial part towards the center, so that the portions of the bulk material 4 are influenced via the radial extension of the screw flight 14 towards the center. For example, several barrels 11 can be kept ready, which have differently designed screw flights 14 and are used depending on the requirements of the food. As shown in Fig. 1, the screw flight 14 can optionally also have a gradient that varies from the bottom 17 to the opening 12. Likewise, the gradient can also be uniform from the bottom 17 to the opening 12 of the barrel 11, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the singulating device 10 or coarse singulating unit 1 according to the invention, as well as of the illustrated barrel 11 according to the invention, shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the barrel 11 can be arranged interchangeably in the coarse singulating unit 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the barrel 11 has a driving recess 18 in the area of ​​the base 17, into which a drive rotor 19 of the coarse singulating unit 1 (Fig. 4) is inserted when assembled. If the drive 16 is then activated, the barrel 11 is rotated via the drive rotor 19, which engages in the driving recess 18, and the dispensing or portioning process is thus started.

[0044] In an optional embodiment of the singulating device 10 according to the invention with a coarse singulating unit 1, the latter comprises an inclination device 15, by means of which the barrel 11 can be tilted with respect to its longitudinal or cylindrical axis. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the barrel 11 is tilted along its longitudinal axis by means of the inclination device 15 via a pivot axis 151, thus changing the position of the barrel 11 with respect to the horizontal plane of the singulating device 10.

[0045] Optionally, the inclination device 15 can also be arranged, for example, at the end of the barrel 11 or in the area of ​​the drive 16 and the inclination of the barrel 11 can be changed, for example, via the bottom 17 via pneumatic, hydraulic units or cables or other elements, as described, for example also a pivot axis 151.

[0046] In the preferred embodiment of the separating device shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4

[0047] 10 with coarse separation unit 1, the drive rotor 19 has a rod-shaped form, which engages in the area of ​​the bottom 17 of the barrel 11 in the driving recess 18. The driving recess 18 is groove-shaped over the area of ​​the bottom 17 of the barrel

[0048] 11, wherein the drive recess 18 widens slightly in the region of the circumference, so that the driving recess 18 tapers conically from the region of the circumference towards the center of the base 17, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0049] In the area of ​​the base 17, as shown in Fig. 3, a safety cover 11 1 can optionally be arranged, which covers part of the driving recess 18. The safety cover 11 1 covers a part of the driving recess located in the direction of rotation of the drum 11. If the rod-shaped drive rotor 19 is set in rotation when the drum 1 1 is inserted, it engages in the area of ​​the driving recess 18 delimited by the safety cover 11 1. By locking or engaging the drive rotor 19 in the driving recess 18 and the safety cover 11 1, the drum 1 1 is prevented from falling out, even if the coarse separation unit 1 is tilted. The barrel 11 can also be disassembled in this way without tools, for example by a user or operator slightly turning the barrel 11 against the direction of rotation and then pulling it out of the coarse separation unit 1.When the barrel 11 is pulled out, the drive rotor 19 is then guided out of the driving recess 18 and the barrel 11 is thus separated from the coarse separation unit 1 without tools.

[0050] In optional, not-shown embodiments, the barrel 11 can also be separated and removed from the coarse separation unit 1 or the separation device 10 in other ways known from the prior art. For example, a bayonet lock, screw lock, or a snap or clamping mechanism can be provided to connect the barrel 11 to the coarse separation unit 1 or the drive 16 of the coarse separation unit 1.

[0051] In the following, the portioning process using the first embodiment of the singulating device 10 with coarse singulating unit 1 is described by way of example with reference to Figures 1 to 4: The optional previously described configurations of the embodiments of the coarse singulating unit 1 can offer advantageous functional improvements.

[0052] The foodstuff present as bulk material 4, for example, sliced ​​lettuce, which is filled into the barrel 11, is introduced with the barrel into the separating device 10 or coarse separating unit 1. After the barrel 11 has been introduced, the drive 16 is then started and the drive rotor 19 engages, as previously described, in the driving recess 18 of the barrel 11 in the region of the bottom 17. If the barrel 11 is driven along its axis of rotation, the bulk material 4 contained in the barrel 11 is then conveyed through the screw flight 14 towards the opening 12 of the barrel 11. When the bulk material 4 then reaches the opening 12 of the barrel 11, the screw flight 14 ends and parts of the bulk material 4, which were conveyed forward via the screw flight 14 into the area of ​​the opening 12, fall out of the barrel 11 or the coarse separation unit 1.For example, salad cut in the barrel 11 via the coarse separation unit 1 can be dispensed via the opening 12 and, for example, can be discharged onto a conveyor belt or a food item located underneath, i.e., underneath the opening 12.

[0053] The portion size of the bulk material 4 to be dispensed can then be changed via the rotation speed of the barrel 1 1 and the design of the screw flight 14, whereby, as previously described, the size and design of the screw flight 14 can optionally be adapted to the respective bulk material 4.

[0054] Furthermore, as previously described, the barrel 11 of the coarse separation unit 1 can be arranged on the coarse separation unit 1 in a tool-free manner. This makes it possible to provide several barrels 11 containing different foodstuffs, which are stored, for example, in a cold room or refrigerator, and then, as required, the respective barrel 11 is mounted in or inserted into the coarse separation unit 1.

[0055] Optionally, several differently designed barrels 11 can be provided in order to increase the variability for different bulk materials 4.

[0056] Optionally, in addition to the embodiments of the barrel 11 shown in Figs. 1 to 3, it can also have a smooth outer contour, or the outer contour of the barrel 11 can be not purely cylindrical, but rather bulbous or have other shapes. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the screw thread 14 can, for example, be pressed into the material of the barrel 11 or machined into it, thereby saving weight.

[0057] Optionally, in an embodiment of the barrel 11 not shown, the barrel 11 or the screw thread 14 of the barrel 11 can also extend into the center of the barrel 11 and be designed, for example, similar to a snail shell.

[0058] The configurations of the barrel 11 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 are not intended to be limiting, but can optionally be replaced with other containers known from the prior art. Thus, the barrel 11 could vary in radius or wall thickness along its longitudinal axis and have different lengths, diameters, or contours.

[0059] 1 and 4, the inclination device 15 optionally improves the function of the coarse singulation unit 1 by allowing the inclination of the barrel 11 to be changed. For example, the inclination of the longitudinal axis of the barrel 11 with respect to the horizontal plane of the singulation device 10 can be changed so that the opening 12 points gradually further downwards in the direction of gravity and thus, for example, depending on the fill level of the bulk material 4 in the barrel 11, the inclination is increased or reduced. In this way, it can advantageously be ensured that the bulk material 4 is dispensed from the barrel 11 particularly effectively and completely and that, during operation, the quantity of bulk material is also influenced and changed via the inclination of the inclination device 15 or of the barrel 11.

[0060] Fine separation unit

[0061] Fig. 5 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the singulating device 10 according to the invention. In the second embodiment, the singulating device 10 has a fine singulating unit 2. The fine singulating unit 2 has a conveyor belt 5 that extends horizontally in the region of the fine singulating unit 2. The foodstuff present as bulk material 4, for example sliced ​​lettuce, sliced ​​bacon, sliced ​​or whole onion rings, sliced ​​or whole pickles, sliced ​​or whole jalapenos, or sliced ​​or whole arugula, is transported on the conveyor belt 5 and fed to the fine singulating unit, i.e., the automated portioning unit. The fine singulating unit 2 has a sorting rotor 20, on which, in this embodiment, four vanes 21 are arranged (Fig. 6).The rotational axis 22 of the sorting rotor 20 is arranged above the conveyor belt 5 at a short distance from it, so that the wings 21 of the sorting rotor 20 are as flush as possible with the conveyor belt 5, but just do not touch it. The rotational axis 22 of the sorting rotor 20 is arranged perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 5 (shown by the arrow in Fig. 5). The fine separation unit 2 comprises a fine separation drive 25, with which the sorting rotor 20 is driven in rotation. The sorting rotor 20 is rotated counter to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 5. In the area of ​​the sorting rotor 20 close to the conveyor belt 5, it is therefore rotated counter to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 5, so that the wings 21 pass the conveyor belt 5 at a short distance counter to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 5. A sorting recess 23 is formed in each of the wings 21 of the sorting rotor 20.The outer contour 27 of the wings 21 is recessed or cut in a certain distance in the direction of the rotation axis 22 of the sorting rotor 20 by the sorting recesses 23 (Fig. 7).

[0062] Fig. 8 schematically shows an embodiment of the method according to the invention for sorting foodstuffs in bulk form, comprising a fine separation unit 2. Bulk material 4 is fed via the conveyor belt 5 to the separation device 10, which in the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 is designed as a fine separation unit 2. In the fine separation unit 2, the sorting rotor 20 is arranged in the direction of gravity above the conveyor belt 5 in the transport path of the bulk material 4, so that the wings 21, when rotating along the illustrated direction of rotation, counter to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 5, pass the conveyor belt 5 at a short distance. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the wings 21 each have a sorting recess 23, which is arranged in the region of the outer contour 27 of the respective wing 21.If bulk material 4 is fed to the fine separation unit 2 and transported in the area of ​​the sorting rotor 20, bulk material 4 that corresponds to the sorting recess 23 in size and orientation is transported past the sorting rotor 20 or the wings 21 through the sorting recess 23 and passes the fine separation unit 2. However, if the orientation or size of the bulk material 4 does not correspond to the sorting recess 23, it is gripped by the sorting rotor 20 or its wings 21, as shown in Fig. 8, and thrown back against the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 5. This means that only bulk material parts 4 that correspond to the sorting recess 23 can pass through the fine separation unit 2, and in this way, for example, connected salad parts or bulk material 4 that does not correspond to the specifications are thrown back and separated from one another, for example by the application of force.Once the bulk material 4 has passed the sorting rotor 20, it is selected and portioned and can be delivered via the conveyor belt 5 for further processing or via the conveyor belt 5 directly to a prepared dish, for example.

[0063] In an embodiment not shown, a plurality of sorting rotors 20 can also be provided, arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 5, which can, for example, successively carry out different portioning or sorting processes for the bulk material 4 fed to the fine singulation unit 2 via decreasingly small sorting recesses 23. For example, the width x of the sorting recess 23 or its depth y (Fig. 7) of the sorting recess 23 can vary from sorting rotor 20 to sorting rotor 20, and thus different sizes and portions of bulk material 4 can be discharged from the fine singulation unit 2 or the singulation device 10.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the sorting rotor 20 can be arranged interchangeably on the fine separation unit 2, for example, via a plug-in axle or other designs known from the prior art. Thus, several sorting rotors 20 can be provided for each fine separation unit 2, while their sorting recess 23 varies in size and shape. Thus, the portion size can be changed by replacing the sorting rotor 20, or different food items can be portioned with the same fine separation unit 2 by replacing the sorting rotor 20.

[0065] Optionally, in an embodiment of the fine separation unit 2 (not shown), the respective vanes 21 can be attached to the sorting rotor 20 or arranged detachably, so that the vanes 21 can be exchanged as needed. For example, several vanes 21 with different configurations, shapes, or sorting openings 23 can be used, which can then be exchanged as needed.

[0066] Weighing unit

[0067] 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the singulating device 10 according to the invention in two different functional states. In this embodiment, the singulating device 10 has a weighing unit 3. The weighing unit 3 has two flaps 31 a, 31 b, which are arranged one above the other in the direction of gravity in the weighing unit 3. The two flaps 31 a, 31 b can each be adjusted independently of one another into the path of the bulk material 4 via an adjustment device (not shown), so that they optionally block the path of the bulk material 4. In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, the flaps 31 a, 31 b are displaced linearly horizontally in the weighing unit 3 or the singulating device 10. The uppermost second flap 31 b, which is arranged above the first flap 31 a, has a measuring unit 33 with which the weight of the bulk material 4 striking the second flap 31 b can be determined.

[0068] When bulk material 4 is introduced into the weighing unit 3, the second flap 31 b is placed in the path of the bulk material 4, i.e., pushed into the fall path of the bulk material 4 in the direction of gravity. The bulk material 4 impacting the second flap 31 b is then determined by the measuring unit 33, and the weight or quantity of the bulk material lying on the second flap 31 b is determined. When the bulk material 4 on the second flap 31 b reaches a previously defined weight, the adjustment mechanism of the second flap 31 b is actuated, for example, by a control unit, and the flap 31 b moves out of the path of the bulk material. Thus, the supply of the bulk material 4 into the weighing unit 3 can be stopped, for example by stopping the conveyor belt 5, and the portion of bulk material 4 lying on the second flap 31 b can be stripped off the second flap 31 b, for example by scrapers 35.The portioned bulk material 4 stripped from the second flap 31b can, for example, fall onto the closed first flap 31a or be discharged directly from the weighing unit 3. If the portioned bulk material 4 falls onto the first flap 31a, it can, for example, be held ready, the second flap 31b can be closed again, and a second portion of bulk material 4 can be collected again on the second flap 31b.

[0069] The size or weight of the bulk material 4 accumulated on the first or second flap 31 a, 31 b can be changed as desired by the control unit in optional embodiments, so that for each adjustment movement of the flaps 31 a, 31 b different portions of bulk material 4 are collected or discharged as required.

[0070] 11 to 19 show schematically, in a very simplified manner, different functional states or functional sequences of the singulating device 10 according to the invention with a weighing unit 3. The flow diagrams shown in Figs. 11 to 19 show a weighing unit 3 with three flaps 31a, 31b, 31c, which are arranged one above the other in the direction of gravity. If bulk material 4 is transported to the weighing unit 3, for example via a conveyor belt 5, the bulk material 4 falls onto the third, uppermost, closed flap 31c (Fig. 13) and is weighed there. When a predefined quantity of bulk material 4 is reached, the third flap 31c is opened (Fig. 14) and the portion thus weighed falls onto the second, middle flap 31b. If the uppermost flap 31c is then closed again, further bulk material 4 is conveyed to the weighing unit 3 via the conveyor belt 5.The now accumulating bulk material 4 is collected again in the third, i.e., uppermost flap 31c, and its weight is determined. In the meantime, as shown, for example, in Fig. 16, the middle, second flap 31b can be opened, and the already portioned bulk material is scraped off the second flap 31b by the scraper 35 when the second flap 31b is opened and applied to the first, lowermost flap 31a. Once the portion of bulk material 4 on the third flap 31c has again reached a predefined weight, this flap is moved out of the path of the bulk material 4, and the bulk material from flap 31c is released onto the second, middle flap 31b, which has now been closed again (Fig. 18). When the uppermost, third flap 31c is then closed again, a portion of bulk material 4 once again accumulates on the third flap 31b.Thus, using a single sensor connected to the third flap 31c, three portions of the same or different weights can be weighed. If the need for balanced bulk material portions is then reported, for example via the control unit, these portions can be delivered one after the other or combined together to a conveyor belt 5 arranged, for example, below the weighing unit 3, or to a food item or dish located below the weighing unit 3. This ensures, in a cost-effective manner, that a wide variety of portions of balanced bulk material 4 can be provided and fed for further processing.

[0071] Optionally, it can be provided that instead of the three flaps 31 a, 31 b, 31 c of the embodiments of Figs. 11 to 19 or two flaps 31 a, 31 b of Figs. 9 and 10, only one flap 31 or a plurality of flaps 31 n are present.

[0072] It is also possible for multiple flaps 31 to have weight sensors or measuring units 33, allowing different portions to be weighed or measured on different flaps 31 depending on the position of the flaps 31. For example, it is also possible for the first flap 31a of Figs. 9 and 10 or Figs. 11 to 19 to be closed first, allowing bulk material located thereon to accumulate and be measured by a measuring unit 33 connected to the first flap 31a. Once the bulk material 4 on the lowest flap 31a has reached the desired size or weight, the second flap 31b above it is closed, and bulk material 4 is again accumulated on it, which is again measured by a measuring unit 33. For example, a plurality of flaps 31a,...,31 n of a device are equipped with a number of n flaps and then, as required, the balanced portions are delivered to bulk material 4 in a short time or at defined intervals.

[0073] Optionally, as shown in Fig. 11, the conveyor belt 5 can be monitored with a sensor 39. For example, the sensor 39 can be used to count or estimate the bulk material 4 transported on the conveyor belt 5, in order to optionally adjust the speed of the conveyor belt 5. Optionally, the control of the flaps 31 can also be adjusted using the measured values ​​of the sensor 39, or their opening or closing time can be adjusted to the quantity of bulk material 4 transported on the conveyor belt 5.

[0074] Optionally, embodiments of the weighing unit 3 can therefore have a plurality of measuring units 33, each of which is connected to a flap 31, or can also have flaps 31 that are not connected to any measuring unit 33, as long as at least one flap 31 is equipped with or connected to a measuring unit 33.

[0075] Optionally to the embodiments of the weighing unit 3 shown in Figs. 9 to 19, the flaps 31 can also be designed by pivotable flaps 31 instead of a linear movement, which, for example, are only pivoted into the path of the bulk material 4 and thus block the path of the bulk material 4 if necessary.

[0076] Combined designs

[0077] In an optional, fourth embodiment of the singulating device 10 according to the invention, said device comprises a combination of embodiments 1 to 19. Thus, as shown, for example, in Figs. 20 and 21, the singulating device 10 can have a coarse singulating unit 1, a fine singulating unit 2, and a weighing unit 3, which are arranged serially one behind the other. As shown in Figs. 20 and 21, for example, the singulating device 10 can have a coarse singulating unit 1, in which bulk material 4 is stored in a barrel 11 and, upon rotation, as described for Figs. 1 to 4, is dispensed through the opening 12 of the barrel 11. The coarsely portioned bulk material 4 then falls through the opening 12, for example, via a hopper 6, onto a conveyor belt 5 located below in the direction of gravity, and is transported via said conveyor belt to the fine singulating unit 2.For example, portions of the bulk material 4 delivered via the coarse separation unit 1 can be delivered to the fine separation unit 2. In the fine separation unit 2, the portion of the bulk material 4 transported thereto is then further finely separated, as described in Figs. 5 to 8, and transported further via the conveyor belt 5. At the end of the conveyor belt 5, for example, a weighing unit 3 can then be arranged, into which the finely separated bulk material 4 transported by the fine separation unit 2 is introduced. In the weighing unit 3, defined portions of the bulk material 4 can then be weighed, as described for Figs. 9 to 19, and delivered to a dish or a container 7, for example, located below the weighing unit 3.It is thus possible to feed foodstuffs present as bulk material 4, for example sliced ​​lettuce, bacon, onion rings, pickles, jalapenos or arugula, which are sliced ​​or partly whole, to an automated processing via the coarse separation unit 1, the fine separation unit 2 and the weighing unit 3 and thus to provide portions of bulk material 4 in an automated manner.

[0078] In alternative embodiments of the singling device 10, it can also be provided that the coarse singling unit 1, the fine singling unit 2 and / or the weighing unit 3 are each arranged in different combinations in form and order.

[0079] In optional embodiments of the embodiment of the singulation device 10 shown in Figs. 20 and 21, for example, only individual stations, coarse singulation unit 1, fine singulation unit 2, and / or weighing unit 3, can be arranged. For example, the coarse singulation unit 1 and the fine singulation unit 2 can be combined, or the coarse singulation unit 1 can be combined with the weighing unit 3, or the fine singulation unit 2 can be combined only with the weighing unit 3. Thus, different combinations of the weighing unit 3, the coarse singulation unit 1, and / or the fine singulation unit 2 are encompassed by the inventive concept of the singulation device 10.

[0080] The various, previously described optional or alternative embodiments of the singulating device 10, the coarse singulating unit 1, the fine singulating unit 2, and the weighing unit 3 can also be arranged in combination with one another, or the individual units can be arranged multiple times in one singulating device 10. The singulating device 10 according to the invention can, for example, be arranged as a unit of a system for preparing assembled foodstuffs, as shown in Fig. 22. The system has a plurality of units 100 arranged serially one behind the other along, for example, a conveyor belt 101. Thus, a foodstuff can be produced in the system and, for example, processed step by step at each unit 100 until a finished dish or assembled or assembled foodstuff is then discharged from the conveyor belt 101 at the end of the system.For example, one of the middle modules 100 can be designed as a separating device 10 in which bulk material 4 such as pre-cut salad or chopped onions is portioned and delivered to the food.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment of the system for preparing assembled foods, the individual stations can be designed in a modular manner, with the system comprising at least one separating device 10 according to the invention, which is arranged in one of the modules 100 (Fig. 22). These modules 100 can, for example, have the same width and be designed to be removable or interchangeable within the system.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for the automated portioning of foodstuffs in bulk (4), in particular sliced ​​lettuce, bacon, onion rings, pickles, jalapenos or arugula, with a separating device (10), - wherein in a coarse separation unit (1) the bulk material (4) is introduced into the separation device (10) in a barrel (11) open on one side, - wherein the barrel (11) is rotated so that a portion of the bulk material (4) is discharged from the barrel (11), in particular onto a conveyor belt (5), via the opening (12) of the barrel (11).

2. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the barrel (11) has on its inner contour (13) a thread-shaped screw flight (14) projecting into the interior of the barrel (11), wherein the bulk material (4) in the interior of the barrel (11) is conveyed along the screw flight (14) in the direction of the opening (12) when the barrel (11) rotates.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the barrel (11) is arranged in the coarse separation unit (1) in an exchangeable manner, in particular without tools.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the barrel (11) is tilted during and / or before the rotation or is raised at the end remote from the opening (12) in order to vary the quantity of bulk material (4) emerging from the opening (12) and / or to completely empty the barrel (11).

5. Method for the automated portioning of foodstuffs in bulk (4), in particular sliced ​​lettuce, bacon, onion rings, pickles, jalapenos or arugula, with a separating device (10), - wherein the bulk material (4), in particular the portion of the bulk material (4) discharged from the coarse separation unit (1) according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 4, is transported by a conveyor belt (5) to a fine separation unit (2), wherein the fine separation unit (2) has a rotating sorting rotor (20), wherein the sorting rotor (20) has at least one wing (21) which projects from the sorting rotor (20) parallel to the rotation axis (22) of the sorting rotor (20) is arranged in alignment, wherein the contour of the wing (21) has a sorting recess (23) at the end remote from the axis of rotation (22) of the sorting rotor (20), wherein the axis of rotation (22) of the sorting rotor (20) is arranged above the conveyor belt (5) perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt (5) such that the at least one wing (21) rotates counter to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt (5) in the region of the conveyor belt (5) and bulk material which does not correspond to the sorting recess (23) is grasped by the wing (21) and is thrown back counter to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt (5), wherein bulk material (4) corresponding to the sorting recess (23) is conveyed on the conveyor belt (5) through the sorting recess (23) and is thus finely separated.

6. Method for the automated portioning of foodstuffs in bulk (4), in particular sliced ​​lettuce, bacon, onion rings, pickles, jalapenos or arugula, with a separating device (10), - wherein the bulk material, in particular the portion of the bulk material (4) discharged from the coarse separation unit (1) according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 4 or in particular the portion of the bulk material (4) finely separated according to a method according to claim 5, is delivered to a weighing unit (3), in particular by the conveyor belt (5), wherein the weighing unit (3) has at least one flap (31) which can be displaced or pivoted into a closed position in the direction of gravity, blocking the path of the bulk material (4), so that the bulk material (4) falls onto the flap (31) in the closed position of the flap (31), wherein the flap (31) comprises a measuring unit (33) with which the weight of the bulk material (4) striking the flap (31) is determined, wherein upon reaching a predetermined weight of the bulk material (4) on the flap (31),the flap (31) is adjusted and a portion of the balanced bulk material (4) with a predetermined weight is discharged from the flap (31) from the weighing unit (3) onto a food product to be assembled or a conveyor belt.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the weighing unit (3) has at least two flaps (31 a, 31 b) which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of gravity and which can be moved or pivoted separately from one another into the path of the bulk material (4), blocking it in a closed position, so that bulk material (4) falls onto the flaps (31 a, 31 b) in the closed position of the flaps (31 a, 31 b), wherein at least one of the flaps (31 a, 31 b), in particular each flap (31 a, 31 b), comprises a measuring unit (33) with which the weight of the bulk material (4) striking the flaps (31 a, 31 b) is determined, wherein the lowest first flap (31 a) in the direction of gravity is closed first, so that the bulk material (4) collects on it first, wherein when a predetermined weight of the bulk material (4) on the closed flap (31 a) is reached, the second flap (31 b) is closed and in this way a second portion of the bulk material is collected on the second flap (31 ), wherein, as required, the first flap (31 a) is adjusted and a portion of the balanced bulk material (4) with a predetermined weight is dispensed onto a food item to be assembled or a conveyor belt, and wherein when the second flap (31 b) is adjusted, a further defined portion of the balanced bulk material (4) can be dispensed onto the same or another food item or the conveyor belt or onto the first flap (31 a) below which is closed again.

8. Method according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the weighing unit (3) has a plurality of flaps (31 a, 31 b, 31c), wherein at least one of the flaps (31 a, 31 b, 31c), in particular each flap (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) in each case, comprises a measuring unit (33), wherein the flaps (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) are each adjusted to a closed position such that defined positions come to lie on the respective flaps (31 a, 31 b, 31c) and a number of defined portions of the bulk material (5) corresponding to the flaps (31 a, 31 b, 31c) can be discharged from the weighing unit (3).

9. Barrel (11) for storing foodstuffs in bulk form (4), in particular sliced ​​lettuce, bacon, onion rings, pickles, jalapenos or arugula, in particular for use in a method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the barrel (11) has a hollow cylindrical shape and the upper cover surface of the barrel (11) is open as an opening (12), wherein the barrel (11) has on its inner contour (13) a thread-shaped screw thread (14) projecting into the interior of the barrel (11), wherein the screw thread (14) extends along the inner contour (13) of the barrel (11), in particular from the bottom to the opening (12), such that a portion of a bulk material (4) stored inside the barrel (11) when the barrel (11) rotates in the cylinder axis along the screw thread (14) in can be conveyed in the direction of the opening (12).

10. Barrel (11) according to claim 9, characterized in that the pitch and / or the contour of the screw thread (14) is constant or varies over the length of the barrel (11).

11. Separating device (10) for the automated portioning of foodstuffs in the form of bulk material (4), in particular sliced ​​lettuce, bacon, onion rings, pickles, jalapenos or arugula, in particular using a method according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the separating device (10) comprises a coarse separating unit (1) in which a barrel (11) open on one side, in particular a barrel (11) according to claim 9 or 10, is arranged for storing the bulk material (4), wherein the barrel (1) can be rotated by means of a drive so that a portion of the bulk material (4) can be discharged from the barrel (11) via the opening (12) of the barrel (11), in particular onto a conveyor belt (5).

12. Separating device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the separating device (10) has an inclination device (15) with which the inclination of the barrel (11) can be changed and / or the barrel (11) can be lifted at the point remote from the opening (12), wherein the cylinder axis of the barrel (11) is arranged in particular in an inclined orientation to the horizontal plane of the separating device (10).

13. Separation device (10) according to claim 1 1 or 12, characterized in that the barrel (1 1) is arranged in the coarse separation unit (1) in an exchangeable manner by means of holding or plug-in mechanisms, in particular without tools.

14. Separating device (10), in particular according to one of claims 11 to 13, for the automated portioning of foodstuffs in bulk (4), in particular sliced ​​lettuce, bacon, onion rings, pickles, jalapenos or arugula, in particular according to a method of claims 1 to 8, - wherein the singling device (10) has a fine singling unit (2) to which the bulk material, in particular from a coarse singling unit (1), can be transported by a conveyor belt (5), wherein the fine singling unit (2) has a sorting rotor (20) that can be driven in rotation, wherein the sorting rotor (20) has at least one wing (21) that is arranged projecting from the sorting rotor (20) and aligned parallel to the rotational axis (22) of the sorting rotor (20), wherein the contour of the wing (21) has a sorting recess (23) at the end remote from the rotational axis (22) of the sorting rotor (20), wherein the rotational axis (22) of the sorting rotor (20) is arranged above the conveyor belt (5) perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt (5) such that the at least one wing (21) is arranged counter to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt (5) in the region of the conveyor belt (5) rotatable and not Bulk material corresponding to the sorting recess (23) can be grasped by the wing (21) and thrown back against the conveying direction of the conveyor belt (5), wherein bulk material (4) corresponding to the sorting recess (23) can be conveyed on the conveyor belt (5) through the sorting recess (23) and thus finely separated.

15. Separating device (10), in particular according to one of claims 11 to 14, for the automated portioning of foodstuffs present as bulk material (4), in particular sliced ​​lettuce, bacon, onion rings, pickles, jalapenos or arugula, in particular according to a method of claims 1 to 8, wherein the separating device (10) has a weighing unit (3) to which the bulk material, in particular the portion of the bulk material (4) discharged from the coarse separating unit (1) or in particular the finely separated portion of the bulk material (4) from the fine separating unit (2), can be delivered to the weighing unit (3), in particular by the conveyor belt (5), wherein the weighing unit (3) has at least one flap (31) which can be displaced or pivoted into a closed position in the direction of gravity, blocking the path of the bulk material (4), so that the bulk material (4) in the closed position of the flap (31) falls onto the flap (31 ),wherein the flap (31) comprises a measuring unit (33) with which the weight of the bulk material (4) striking the flap (31) can be determined, wherein upon reaching a predetermined weight of the bulk material (4) on the flap (31), the flap (31) is adjustable and a portion of the balanced bulk material (4) with a predetermined weight can be dispensed from the flap (31) from the weighing unit (3) onto a food product to be assembled or onto a conveyor belt.

16. Separating device (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that the weighing unit (3) has at least two flaps (31 a, 31 b) which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of gravity and are arranged separately from one another in the path of the bulk material (4), blocking it in a closed position so that bulk material (4) falls onto the flaps (31 a, 31 b) in the closed position of the flaps (31 a, 31 b), wherein the flaps (31 a, 31 b) each comprise a measuring unit (33) with which the weight of the bulk material (4) striking the flaps can be determined, wherein the separating device (10) has a control unit which is designed and programmed such that the lowest first flap (31 a) in the direction of gravity is closed first, so that the bulk material (4) accumulates on it first, wherein upon reaching a predetermined weight of the bulk material (4) on the closed Flap (31 a) the second flap (31 b) is closed and in this way a second portion of the bulk material is collected on the second flap (31 ), wherein, if necessary, the first flap (31 a) is adjusted and a portion of the balanced bulk material (4) with a predetermined weight is dispensed onto a food product to be assembled or a conveyor belt and wherein, when the second flap (31 b) is adjusted, a further defined portion of the balanced bulk material (4) can be dispensed onto the same or another food product or the conveyor belt.

17. Separating device (10) according to one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that the weighing unit (3) has a plurality of flaps (31 a, 31 b, 31 c), wherein the flaps (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) each comprise a measuring unit (33), wherein the flaps (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) can each be adjusted into a closed position by the control unit such that defined positions of bulk material (5) can come to rest on the respective flaps (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) and a number of defined portions of the bulk material (5) corresponding to the flaps (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) can be discharged from the weighing unit (3) or the flaps (31 a, 31 b) located underneath in the direction of gravity can be applied.

18. Plant for preparing assembled food products, characterized in that the plant comprises a separating device (10) according to one of claims 11 to 17.

19. System according to claim 18, characterized in that the separating unit (10) is modular and can be removed from the system and / or replaced.

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