Cutting device, particularly for meat-roofing

Abstract

The invention relates to a cutting device (10), particularly for meat grinders, with an outer ring (20) having an inner circumference (21) and with a rotatably driven knife (30) that can be detachably arranged within the outer ring (20) and has one or more outer ends (35) with which it can interact with the inner circumference (21) of the outer ring (20). The invention further provides that the knife (30) has a groove (36) at each of its outer ends (35), that the outer ring (20) has a circumferential rib (22) on its inner circumference (21) which is formed integrally with the outer ring (20), and that the knife (30) is arranged in the outer ring (20) such that the circumferential rib (22) of the outer ring (20) engages in the groove (36) at the outer end (35).the outer ends (35) of the knife (30) are immersed, so that the knife (30) is rotatably held in the outer ring (20), that the outer ring (20) and / or the rib (22) has at least one recess (23), and that for mounting the knife (30) in the outer ring (20), the recess (23) on the outer ring (20) and / or the rib (22) is aligned with one or more of the outer ends (35) of the knife (30), and at least one flank (38) of the groove (36) on the outer end (35) of the knife (30) overcomes the rib (22) on the inner circumference (21) of the outer ring (20) (Fig. 1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cutting device of the type mentioned in the preamble, in particular for use in a meat grinder. Such cutting devices are used especially in the meat processing industry, but also in other areas of food preparation and in other industries.

[0002] During operation of the meat grinder, the material to be ground is pressed against the cutting unit, which in a meat grinder typically consists of at least two perforated discs and at least one knife, by means of a screw conveyor or other conveying device. Particularly when processing heavy or frozen material, high pressures can occur. The knives used for this purpose, often referred to as HD (Heavy Duty) knives, must withstand these stresses while exhibiting minimal wear.

[0003] To minimize wear on the blades of meat grinders, even under heavy use, so-called outer or spacer rings are employed, within which the blade operates. The outer ring absorbs and dissipates pressure from the blade, thus reducing wear. This has the advantage of requiring less frequent sharpening of the blades and also prevents unintentional ingestion of blade debris and wear particles into the food.

[0004] The knife is rotatably mounted in the outer ring, which is fixed in place.

[0005] There are several ways to keep the blade rotating within the outer ring. However, after a certain period, the blade must be removed from the cutting set for sharpening. If the blade and outer ring are accidentally or intentionally separated during this process, they must be reattached. Over time, the blade and its corresponding outer ring will have worn into each other. If the blade is then mounted on a different outer ring, damage can occur during operation of the meat grinder. For example, the blade could break. This necessitates an expensive replacement and results in unnecessary downtime for repairs.

[0006] One way to secure a blade to the outer ring is therefore by soldering. However, this is time-consuming and extremely cumbersome if the blade or the outer ring needs to be replaced.

[0007] German patent DE 20 2006 019 453 U1 describes a ring cutter for mounting in a spacer ring. To hold the cutter in the ring, threaded studs are provided, which can be inserted from the outside through the outer ring into a thread located in the cutter. This assembly is also quite complex. If the cutter and outer ring are to be separated, the threaded studs can be lost.

[0008] German patent DE 20 2015 007 092 U1 describes a knife with a spacer ring and a ring knife. The knife is held in the spacer ring by means of a bayonet fitting. There is a particular risk, especially during cleaning or sharpening, that the knife could detach from the spacer ring and then be mixed up.

[0009] German patent DE 20 2016 103 109 U1 also describes a heavy-duty knife with a spacer ring and a ring knife. Here, the ring knife has a circumferential groove, while the spacer ring has several projections that can engage in this groove. For assembly, the knife is inserted into the spacer ring and then twisted to prevent it from coming loose. However, since the knife is held rotatably in the ring, twisting it can accidentally disassemble it, leading to the problems already described.

[0010] To avoid the aforementioned disadvantages, DE 20 2013 103 989 U proposes providing an outer ring with an opening at one point. This opening can then be manually or mechanically bent open to insert the knife into the outer ring. Here, too, a rib engages in a groove on the knife. However, if a ring knife is used, which is advantageous under high loads because it is more stable than a knife without a ring, extremely high forces must be overcome on the outer ring to insert the ring knife. Depending on the size, this can be difficult or even impossible. Furthermore, the ring may deform during the bending process and then become unusable.

[0011] The object of the invention is therefore to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a cutting device in which a blade can be retained on an outer ring, which prevents accidental disassembly of the blade from the outer ring, and which enables easy assembly and disassembly of the blade and outer ring without the use of additional components. This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1, which are of particular importance as follows.

[0012] The blades each have a groove at their outer end, while the outer ring has a circumferential rib. The blade is positioned on the outer ring such that the circumferential rib of the outer ring engages in the grooves at the outer ends of the blades. This allows the blade to rotate freely on the outer ring. When the meat grinder is in operation, the blade rotates while the outer ring remains stationary in the grinder housing. The outer ring and / or the rib have at least one recess, while at least one of the blades includes a corresponding recess that can be brought into operative contact with the at least one recess. When the blade is mounted in the outer ring, the recesses and corresponding recesses are aligned with each other. The blade is then subjected to a force such that one flank of the groove at the outer end engages the rib on the inner circumference of the outer ring.The blade overcomes the rib and is thus held in the outer ring. To achieve this, the outer ring can also be heated so that it expands slightly. This secures the blade in the outer ring, preventing it from being lost but allowing it to be removed. To remove it from the outer ring, the blade must be realigned and subjected to sufficient force so that one flank of the blade overcomes the rib on the outer ring. Heating the outer ring can also be helpful here. It is particularly advantageous if the outer ring can be heated without being damaged or undergoing any structural changes. Alternatively, the blade can be cooled so that it contracts.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the counter-recess on the knife blade(s) is designed as a shallower flank. However, this flank is still high enough that it cannot overcome the rib on the inner circumference of the outer ring without considerable force, as it protrudes above it. In a preferred embodiment, this flank has a chamfer or other type of material removal that helps it overcome the rib more easily. Besides a chamfer, a rounded edge, a bevel, or a similar material removal feature may also be present. When the knife is then subjected to this force, the flank can overcome the rib, and the knife is securely held on the outer ring without being accidentally released. To simplify this process, as mentioned, the outer ring can be heated to cause it to expand, or the knife can be cooled.

[0014] Advantageously, the outer ring has a mounting side from which the knife can be installed. The rib on the mounting side can then have a material reduction, such as a chamfer, bevel, rounding, or similar feature, to facilitate the cutting edge over the rib. If the rib has a recess, additional material reduction can be provided in the area of ​​the recess. Naturally, it is also possible for the rib to have material reduction on both sides. The mounting side is preferably the front of the outer ring. To facilitate the installation of the knife in the outer ring, the knife wings can have different heights. The tallest knife wings are inserted into the outer ring first, and the shorter ones last, usually in the area of ​​the recesses in the rib. The number of knife wings and recesses depends on the specific application.It is also possible that the rib has no recesses, but that the recess is created by the reduced height of the knife wings. In this case, this reduced height acts as the recess. Alternatively, recesses can also be provided on the outer ring, the rib, and the knife wings.

[0015] When the blade is mounted on the outer ring, it is advantageously held securely and rotatably in place. It cannot be attached to or removed from the outer ring without tools. This prevents the blade from being accidentally removed during installation, cleaning, or sharpening, and then reattached to the wrong outer ring, potentially damaging it during operation of the meat grinder.

[0016] Depending on the application, the blade wings can be cross-shaped or star-shaped. Other designs are also possible. The cutting edges on the blade wings can be on one or both sides. Again, the chosen version depends on the application.

[0017] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the outer ring is a few hundredths of a millimeter higher than the cutting edges of the blade wings. This difference in width can range from a few hundredths of a millimeter to a tenth of a millimeter. This design allows the outer ring of the blade to be clamped between the two perforated discs during assembly of the complete cutting set, enabling the cutting motion to occur. This difference in height reduces the amount of scraping or scratching the blade against the adjacent perforated discs. The blade itself can move freely within the outer ring between the two perforated discs. This allows the outer ring to very effectively absorb the pressure that would otherwise act on the blade, thus reducing blade wear.

[0018] If the knife has a marking indicating which blades have the counter-recess, disassembly of the knife from the outer ring can be made easier, as it is then clear how the knife must be oriented in the outer ring for removal. If all blades have a counter-recess, a marking is unnecessary.

[0019] Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings. The invention is illustrated in three exemplary embodiments in the figures. They show: Fig. 1: a cutting device according to a first embodiment, in perspective from the front; Fig. 2: the cutting device made of Fig. 1 Front view, Fig. 3: the cutting device made of Figs. 1 and 2 Side view, Fig. 4: the cutting device made of Figs. 1 to 3In section, Fig. 5: a cutting device according to the invention in a second embodiment in front view, Fig. 6: the cutting device made of Fig. 5 In section, Fig. 7: the cutting device made of Figs. 5 and 6 In a further section, Fig. 8: the knife from the cutting device Figs. 5 to 7 in side view, Fig. 9: another cutting device according to the invention in front view, Fig. 10: the cutting device made of Fig. 9 , perspective from the front, Fig. 11 the cutting device made of Figs. 9 and 10 In section, Fig. 12: the knife from the cutting device Figs. 9 to 11 in side view.

[0020] In Figs. 1 to 4A knife 30 according to the invention is shown in an outer ring 20. The knife 30 is rotatably and driveably held in the outer ring 20. A radial central hub 34 with a bore 31 is provided on the knife 30, through which the drive of the knife 30 can be enabled. The knife 30 has four blades 32, which extend radially outwards from the vicinity of the hub 34 and each have a groove 36 at their outer ends 35, as shown. Fig. 8 The knife blades 32 are arranged in a cross shape. Each knife blade 32 has cutting edges 33 which, together with at least one perforated disc (not shown here), produce the cutting action of the meat grinder.

[0021] The outer ends 35 of the knife wings 32 each have a groove 36 into which a rib 22 on the inner circumference 21 of the outer ring 20 engages. This allows the knife 30 to be rotatably held in the outer ring 20. This is particularly evident in the sectional drawing in Fig. 4 clearly visible.

[0022] Fig. 5 shows two recesses 23 in the area of ​​the rib 22 on the inner circumference 21 of the outer ring 20. In the sectional drawing in Fig. 6 It can be seen that the two knife wings 32 interacting with these recesses 23 have counter-recesses 37. In addition, the rib 22 in this area is provided with a material removal 25, namely a chamfer, as Fig. 7The combination of recess 23, counter-recess 37, and material removal 25 allows for the assembly and disassembly of the knife 30 in the outer ring 20. For this to occur, the knife 30 must be correctly aligned in the outer ring 20, and the outer ring 20 must be heated so that it expands slightly. Then, by applying force to the knife 30, it can be inserted into the outer ring 20 from the mounting side 24. As the outer ring 20 cools, it contracts again, thus preventing the knife 30 from being accidentally removed.

[0023] Another embodiment of the cutting device according to the invention is shown in the Figs. 9 to 12 The rib 22 has several recesses 23 which interact with counter-recesses 37 at the outer ends 35 of the knife wings 32 to enable the assembly and disassembly of the knife 30 in the outer ring 20.

[0024] The knife 30 shown here has three blades 32, four of which have a counter-recess 37. Correspondingly, the rib 22 also has four recesses 23. The number of recesses 23 and counter-recesses 37 depends on the specific application and the number of blades 32.

[0025] When mounting the knife 30 in the outer ring 20, the two knife wings 32, which do not have a counter-recess 37, are first placed on the rib with their groove 36 at the outer end 35, such that the outer ends 35 of the knife wings 32 with their counter-recess 37 are arranged near the recesses 23 in the rib 22. When force is applied, one flank 38 of the outer ends 35 of the knife wings 32 then overcomes the rib 22 in the area of ​​the recesses 23. The rib 22 can also have a material removal feature in the area of ​​the recesses 23, such as a chamfer, a bevel, or the like, to facilitate the overcoming of the rib 22 by one flank 38. One flank 38 with the counter-recess 37 is in Fig. 12 recognizable. Furthermore, it is particularly evident from Figs. 9 and 11 It is evident that the knife wings 32 are of different lengths. This is a further advantage when assembling and disassembling the knife wing 32 on the outer ring 20.

[0026] The in the Figs. 9 to 12 The depicted knife 30 has six knife blades 32. However, the number of knife blades 32 is variable and depends on the specific application.

[0027] Finally, it should be noted that the embodiments presented here are merely exemplary realizations of the invention. The invention is not limited to these examples. Modifications and variations are possible. For instance, the knife can have more or fewer blades and more or fewer cutting edges. The design of the cutting edges can also vary. Furthermore, the groove on the outer ring can be interrupted or comprised of several sections. The precise design depends on the specific application. Reference symbol list:

[0028] 10 Cutting device 11 Cutting tool 20 Outer ring 21 Inner circumference of 20 22 Rib on 21 23 Recess on 20 or on 22 24 Mounting side of 20 25 Material removal on 22 30 Blade 31 Bore 32 Blade wing 33 Cutting edge 34 Hub 35 Outer end of 32 36 Groove 37 Recess 38 One flank of 36

Claims

1. Cutting device (10), in particular for meat grinders, with an outer ring (20) having an inner circumference (21) and with a rotatably driven knife (30) which can be detachably arranged within the outer ring (20) and which has one or more outer ends (35) with which it can interact with the inner circumference (21) of the outer ring (20), characterized by that the knife (30) has a groove (36) at its outer end (35) or at its outer ends (35), that the outer ring (20) has a circumferential rib (22) on its inner circumference (21), which is formed integrally with the outer ring (20), and that the knife (30) is arranged in the outer ring (20) such that the circumferential rib (22) of the outer ring (20) dips into the groove (36) at the outer end(s) (35) of the knife (30), so that the knife (30) is rotatably held in the outer ring (20), thatthe outer ring (20) and / or the rib (22) has at least one recess (23) and that, for mounting the knife (30) in the outer ring (20), the recess (23) on the outer ring (20) and / or the rib (22) is aligned with one or more of the outer ends (35) of the knife (30) and at least one flank (38) of the groove (36) at the outer end (35) of the knife (30) overcomes the rib (22) on the inner circumference (21) of the outer ring (20).

2. Cutting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that The knife (30) has a central hub (34) provided with a bore (31) for rotationally fixed bearing during a rotational movement in one direction of rotation and several knife wings (32) with cutting edges (33) arranged around the hub (34) and extending outwards from it, the outer ends (35) of which form the outer ends of the knife (30).

3. Cutting device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact thatat least one of the knife wings (32) at its outer end (35) includes at least one counter-recess (37) which can be brought into operative contact with the at least one recess (23).

4. Cutting device (10) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that The counter-projection (37) on the knife wings (32) is formed as a flatter flank (38), which still extends beyond the rib (22) on the inner circumference (21) of the outer ring (20).

5. Cutting device (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by the fact that the knife wings (32) are arranged in a cross or star shape.

6. Cutting device (10) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by the fact that the cutting edges (33) are formed on both sides of the knife wings (32).

7. Cutting device (10) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized by the fact that the outer ring (20) is a few 1 / 100 mm higher than the cutting edges (33) of the knife wings (32).

8. Cutting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that In the assembled state of the knife (30), it is held rotatably on the outer ring (20) by a positive locking connection, and the knife (30) cannot be inserted into and / or removed from the outer ring (20) without tools.

9. Cutting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that To mount the knife (30), the outer ring (20) is heated and thus enlarged, and then, by applying a force to the knife (30), it can be mounted in the outer ring (20).

10. Cutting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by the fact that the outer ring (20) has a mounting side (24) from which the knife (30) can be mounted in the outer ring (20).

11. Cutting device (10) according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the rib (22) on the mounting side (24) has a material removal (25) such as a chamfer, bevel, rounding or similar.

Images