Gripper for products

Abstract

Product holder (1, 21, 81) in particular for goods (2) to be sliced ​​with a slicer, wherein the product holder (1, 21, 81) is provided with a plurality of claws (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a product holder, particularly for products to be sliced ​​with a slicer. Product holders for slicers serve to securely hold product sticks, i.e., food sticks, and to ensure precise movement when slicing these sticks with a cutting blade that is part of the slicer. The product holder grips the rear end of the product stick, the end furthest from the cutting blade, as firmly as possible, so that a stable connection exists during the slicing process. The product stick is thus only able to perform a feed and / or retraction movement defined by the product holder or the cutting blade.

[0002] Various product holders are known. Besides vacuum holders, mechanical product holders with claws are also known. These claws are generally made of round material that is at least partially conical and are mounted on a pivoting shaft. The claws are pivoted into the product to create a positive fit, thus holding the product rod. The pivoting radius of these known claws is relatively large, meaning that a comparatively large end or remnant of the product cannot be used due to the claws engaging within it. The pivoting radius is typically between twelve and twenty-four millimeters. This end piece, with a thickness between fourteen and twenty-six millimeters, cannot be processed, i.e., cut open, and therefore represents a production loss.Because the claws must not come into contact with the cutting blade, the product loss is always somewhat greater than the penetration depth of the claws, which is defined by the swivel radius.

[0003] Furthermore, rounded ends or sausage ends with the familiar sausage tip cannot usually be clamped. Therefore, these product sticks must first be trimmed to allow clamping. This represents an additional product loss.

[0004] Therefore, the invention is based on the objective of proposing a product holder that is able to securely hold the product when cutting it open, while still minimizing the size of the remaining end piece.

[0005] According to the invention, it has proven to be very advantageous if the device is equipped with a large number of claws.

[0006] By providing not just a few, but a large number of claws, the penetration depth of the individual claws can be reduced while still ensuring a secure hold.

[0007] It has proven to be very advantageous to have a plate that can conform to the product being cut.

[0008] The plate ensures a defined position between the product rod and the product holder in the longitudinal direction of the product rod.

[0009] It is also very advantageous in this context if the plate has at least one opening, whereby a central and / or several openings and / or recesses arranged at least partially around the outer contour of the plate may be provided.

[0010] A rounded section of the product stick or a sausage end can be inserted into a central opening, so that prior trimming is not necessary and product losses can be reduced.

[0011] According to the invention, it has also proven to be very advantageous if the claws are arranged to protrude through openings in the plate.

[0012] The claws protruding through the plate engage with the product rod. To remove the remaining product rod, the claws can open and retract into the plate.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is extremely advantageous if at least two claws aligned against each other are provided.

[0014] The product rod is clamped and held securely between opposing claws.

[0015] According to a further development of the invention, it is also very advantageous if the claws have a portion that is aligned at least approximately parallel to the plate, and this portion may have an angle of attack relative to the plate.

[0016] This design allows the claws to dig into and grip the product rod. The angle of attack can be selected depending on the product being processed. Small angles of attack offer the best penetration and holding properties. Angles of attack of less than 30° relative to the plate have proven particularly advantageous. For many products, angles of attack of less than 20° have proven especially beneficial, demonstrating optimal claw penetration and holding force between the product rod and the product holder. Furthermore, small angles of attack minimize the thickness of the end pieces.

[0017] It has proven to be very advantageous if the claws are tapered, ground or sharpened at their end facing the goods and / or if this end is contoured.

[0018] This allows the claws to penetrate the product rod very effectively. The claw tips can, for example, be pointed. Other shapes, such as flat or concave, are also possible.

[0019] According to a further development of the invention, it is also extremely advantageous if the claws are made of sheet metal, spring steel or another suitable material.

[0020] Besides metal claws, plastic ones are also conceivable. Different claws can be used depending on the strength and resistance of the product rod, not only in terms of material, but also in terms of shape and dimensions.

[0021] Furthermore, it has proven to be very advantageous if the claws are fixed at their end facing away from the goods.

[0022] The fixing not only ensures a defined position in the longitudinal direction, but also forms a pivot or stop point for the clamping movement in the transverse direction.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is also extremely advantageous if one or more cam plates are provided which are able to move the claws relative to each other, whereby the cam plate can be identical to the plate.

[0024] A suitably designed cam plate moves the ends of the claws facing the product rod towards or away from each other. To allow for defined movements of the free ends of the claws, it is conceivable that several interacting cam plates could be used. However, one cam plate is usually sufficient.

[0025] It is very advantageous if the backdrop plate is moved relative to the fixed end of the claws.

[0026] This creates the lateral movement.

[0027] It is extremely advantageous if the cam plate is designed in such a way that the free ends of the claws are moved towards each other when the cam plate is moved towards the fixed end of the claws.

[0028] It is conceivable that the claws retract into the cam plate during the reverse movement. It is also conceivable that the cam plate is shifted by the product rod, thus initiating the clamping action. This means that the movement of the cam plate towards the fixed end of the claws creates a clamping effect on the product rod. Moving the cam plate in the opposite direction releases the clamping action and frees the remaining portion of the product rod.

[0029] It is also very advantageous according to the invention if the cam plate is designed in such a way that the free ends of the claws are moved towards each other when the cam plate is moved away from the fixed end of the claws.

[0030] This is the reverse direction of movement. The guide plate can generally be designed more simply in this case. Moving the guide plate away from the fixed end of the claws clamps the product rod. Moving the guide plate in the opposite direction releases the clamp and frees the remaining portion of the product rod.

[0031] It is extremely advantageous if an actuator, preferably a pneumatic cylinder, is provided for moving the cam plate.

[0032] The actuator allows for very precise control of the clamping.

[0033] It is also very advantageous according to the invention if one or more sensors, in particular contact switches or the like, are provided.

[0034] Various data can be collected and monitored using sensors. For example, a temperature sensor could be placed on or inserted into the product bar. This would monitor the temperature of the goods being processed. A contact switch could, for instance, control the actuator. When the product bar touches the product holder, the contact switch activates the actuator and clamps the product bar.

[0035] According to a further development of the invention, it is also very advantageous if several claws are arranged at least approximately around the entire circumference of the plate.

[0036] This results in an all-around clamping force that is very robust. A multi-row clamping system, tailored to the end of the product rod, is also provided.

[0037] It has proven particularly advantageous if the claws enclose a rectangle, a circle, or the like.

[0038] Besides circles and rectangles or squares, ovals or spirals are also conceivable.

[0039] According to the invention, it is very advantageous if an ejector is provided which can be coupled with an actuator.

[0040] This allows product remnants to be removed from the product holder after a product rod has been cut, i.e., ejected. Such an ejector is usually centrally located. Other arrangements are conceivable, including combinations with multiple ejectors. It is also conceivable that the guide plate or stop plate itself serves as the ejector.

[0041] Furthermore, it has proven to be very advantageous if the plate is equipped with an actuator.

[0042] An actuator can be used, for example, to eject product residue from the plate.

[0043] According to the invention, it is also very advantageous if cam discs and / or deflection levers are provided which define the movement of the claws and / or the plate and / or the cam plate.

[0044] This creates a direct connection between several movements.

[0045] It is also very advantageous if the product holder essentially occupies the front surface of the product to be held.

[0046] The end face defines the entire surface available for clamping. The product holder can therefore come into contact with essentially the entire end face of the product being held. It is important, however, that the claw ends encompass as large an area of ​​the end face as possible, thus distributing and stabilizing the clamping force across the entire surface.

[0047] This ensures very good clamping and fixing.

[0048] According to the invention, it is particularly advantageous if the product holder is designed to be hygienic and easy to clean.

[0049] Hygiene is a crucial feature, especially when used in the food industry. Easy cleaning ensures this.

[0050] The invention is illustrated below using three exemplary embodiments.

[0051] This shows: Fig. 1 shows a product holder according to the invention in the open state, Fig. 2 shows the same product holder in the closed state, Fig. 3 shows a product holder according to the invention for product rods with a rounded end in the open state, Fig. 4 shows the same product holder in the closed state, Fig. 5 shows a diagram of this product holder, Fig. 6 shows a diagram of a product holder suitable for angular products in the open state, Fig. 7 shows a diagram of this product holder in the closed state, and Fig. 8 shows a representation of another product holder with a separate plate and guide track.

[0052] With 1 is in Fig. 1 A product holder for a product bar 2 of a slicer (not shown) is designated. The product holder 1 essentially consists of a holder body 3 to which claws 4 are attached. The claws 4 are arranged around the end face 5 of the body 3 facing the product bar 2. In the present embodiment, the end face 5 is square, so that in a longitudinal view, i.e., viewed from the end face of the holder body 3, the claws 4 form a square arrangement.

[0053] The claws 4 extend elongated from the holder body 3 and then bend inwards at their end 6, which points away from the body 3 and towards the product rod 2. A plate 7 is provided in the area of ​​the end 6 of the claws 4, against which the product rod 2 rests. In this embodiment, recesses 8 are provided in the plate 7 through which the claws 4 protrude. The recesses 8 are shaped such that the claws 4 move inwards, i.e., towards each other, when the plate 7 is moved towards the holder body 3. The plate 7 thus acts as a guide for fixing the position of the claws 4.

[0054] This movement causes the end pieces 6 of the claws 4 to grip the product rod 2 and fix it relative to the product holder. The end pieces 6 penetrate at least partially into the product rod 2. Additionally, the product rod 2 is clamped between opposing claws 4.

[0055] To improve the penetration of the end pieces 6 into the product rod 2, the ends can be tapered to a point, as in this embodiment, but other designs, such as chamfered, ground, concave and convex shapes, are also conceivable.

[0056] The claws (number 4) are flat here. However, other shapes are also conceivable.

[0057] Claws made of spring steel or stainless steel have proven particularly suitable. Other materials are conceivable. For example, claws made of plastic can also be used.

[0058] The end piece 6 of the claws 4 runs parallel to the plate 7 for at least a portion of its length. If the end piece 6 has an angle 9 relative to the plate 7, the end pieces 6 of the claws 4 penetrate the product rod 2 obliquely and pull it against the plate 7, thus ensuring even better fixation of the product rod 2 relative to the product holder 1. Angles 9 of less than 30° and especially less than 20° have proven particularly advantageous. Here, the products are clamped very securely, and the remaining end piece, which cannot be cut, is particularly small. Furthermore, it has been shown that the penetration of the claw ends 6 into the respective product is particularly effective.

[0059] The movement of the plate 7 towards the holder body 3 can be achieved either by the product rod 2 striking the plate 7. To prevent excessive movement of the plate 7, a movement stop 10 is provided in the holder body 3. Alternatively, an actuator, for example a pneumatic cylinder 11, could be provided to define and control the movement of the plate 7 relative to the holder body 3.

[0060] To release a product rod remnant 2 from the holding device 1, these are pulled apart or, if an actuator is provided, pushed apart. The claw ends 6 move outwards and release the connection. The plate 7 also moves, so that the claw ends 6 ultimately disappear into the plate 7.

[0061] The remaining product rod 2 is ejected.

[0062] In this context, it is also conceivable that an additional ejector, not shown here, is provided. This is, for example, arranged centrally in the plate 7 and is able to push through it in the direction of the product rod 2.

[0063] The two essential movement states of product holder 1 are in the Fig. 1 , open and Fig. 2 , closed, product bar 2 clamped, shown.

[0064] In the Fig. 3 und 4 is another embodiment of a product holder 21, wherein Fig. 3 the open position and Fig. 4 the closed position is shown.

[0065] Here, 23 claws 4 are fixed to a holder body. The end face 25 of the holder body 23 is round. Other shapes, such as oval, rectangular, or the like, are conceivable and are adapted to the respective product rods 2 to be processed.

[0066] The claws 4 in turn extend through a plate 27. The plate 27 is also round and has a recess 28 on its side facing the product rod 2, which is capable of receiving a rounded end of a product rod 2.

[0067] Despite the round end of the product rod 2, it rests against the plate 27 over as large an area as possible and is thus securely fixed.

[0068] It is also conceivable that the recess 28 is designed in such a way that a sausage end (not shown) can be received in the recess 28. It is also conceivable that a cutout is provided for this purpose, which extends through the plate 27.

[0069] In this embodiment, the claws 4 and the claw end pieces 6 move radially. A reduction in radius fixes and clamps the product rod 2.

[0070] In the Fig. 5, 6 and 7The two previously described embodiments are shown again as diagrams.

[0071] Fig. 8Figure 1 shows a third embodiment. Here, a holder body 83 is again provided, to which claws 4 are fixed. At the end of the claws 4 facing away from the holder body 83, a plate 87 is provided, through which the claws 4 project. Furthermore, a cam plate 88 is provided, which is positioned between the plate 87 and the holder body 83. The claws 4 also project through this cam plate 88. An actuator mounted in the holder body 83, here designed as a pneumatic cylinder 89, is able to move the cam plate 88 between the plate 87 and the holder body 83. If the cam plate 88 is moved towards the plate 87, the claw ends 6 move towards each other, the product holder 81 is closed, and the product rod 2 is clamped and fixed. In the opposite direction, the claw ends 6 move away from each other. The product holder 81 is opened.

[0072] To control this movement principle, which is reversed compared to the previous embodiments, a switching contact can be provided, which is actuated, for example, by the plate 87. When the product rod 2 abuts the plate 87, the clamping movement of the claws 4 is initiated. In this embodiment, a longitudinal movement component of the claws 4 along the product rod 2 is largely avoided. The movement is essentially linear.

[0073] Product holders 1, 21, and 81 are very easy to clean because they consist of only a few parts. This is particularly important in the food industry.

[0074] It is conceivable that several interacting backdrops are provided to define a special movement path of the claw ends 6.

[0075] Essential to the invention is that the product holder 1, 21, 81 engages as large an area as possible of the end face of the product to be held. The respective plate can be positioned against as large an area as possible of the end face and / or the claw ends 6 can engage as large an area as possible of the end face.

[0076] In this context, it is also conceivable that the respective plate only engages and rests against a small area of ​​the product's end face, while the claw ends 6 engage a significantly larger area. The product is still held securely. In extreme cases, direct contact between the plate and the end face is not even necessary, so that the product rod is fixed solely by the claws.

[0077] The foregoing embodiments represent exemplary configurations and are not to be considered exhaustive. Further combinations and configurations within the scope of protection are conceivable.

Claims

1. Product holder (1, 21, 81) especially for goods to be sliced ​​with a slicer (2), characterized by the fact that the product holder (1, 21, 81) is equipped with a multitude of claws (4).

2. Product holder according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that a plate (7, 27, 87) is provided which is able to conform to the goods (2) to be cut, wherein the plate (7, 27, 87) can have at least one opening (8), wherein in turn a central and / or several openings (8) and / or recesses (28) arranged at least partially circumferentially along the outer contour of the plate (7, 27, 87) can be provided.

3. Product holder according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the claws (4) are arranged to protrude through openings (8) through the plate (7, 27, 87).

4. Product holder according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that at least two claws (4) facing each other are provided.

5. Product holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the claws (4) have a portion that is aligned at least approximately parallel to the plate (7, 27), whereby this portion may have an angle of attack (9) relative to the plate (7, 27, 87).

6. Product holder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the claws (4) are tapered, ground or sharpened at their end (6) facing the goods (2) and / or that this end (6) is contoured.

7. Product holder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the claws (4) are made of sheet metal, spring steel or another suitable material.

8. Product holder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the claws (4) are fixed at their end facing away from the goods (2).

9. Product holder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatone or more cam plates (7, 27, 88) are provided which are able to move the claws (4) relative to each other, wherein the cam plate (7, 27) can be identical to the plate (7, 27).

10. Product holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the backdrop plate (7, 27, 88) is moved relative to the fixed end of the claws (4).

11. Product holder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the cam plate (7, 27) is designed such that the free ends (6) of the claws (4) are moved towards each other when the cam plate (7, 27) is moved towards the fixed end of the claws (4) or that the cam plate (88) is designed such that the free ends (6) of the claws (4) are moved towards each other when the cam plate (88) is moved away from the fixed end of the claws (4).

12. Product holder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatan actuator, preferably a pneumatic cylinder (89) for moving the cam plate (88) is provided.

13. Product holder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that one or more sensors, in particular contact switches or the like, are provided.

14. Product holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that several claws (4) are arranged at least approximately circumferentially around the plate (7, 27, 87), wherein the claws (4) can enclose a rectangle, a circle or the like.

15. Product holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that An ejector is provided which can be coupled with an actuator.

16. Product holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the plate (7, 27, 87) is equipped with an actuator.

17. Product holder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatCam discs and / or deflection levers are provided, which define the movement of the claws and / or the plate and / or the cam plate.

18. Product holder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the product holder (1, 21, 81) essentially covers the front surface of the product to be held and / or the product holder (1, 21, 81) is designed to be hygienic and easy to clean.

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