Device for slicing food products

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for cutting food products, in particular high-performance cutters, with a working area comprising a cutting area and a product-feeding transport area, wherein the product feed supplies the products to be cut to the cutting area in one or more lanes and, at the end of the cutting area, a cutting blade, in particular rotary and / or circumferential, moves in a cutting plane, and with a non-contact scanning device for detecting at least a part of the outer contour of the products to be cut, wherein the scanning device for contour detection comprises at least one compact sensor disposed in the working area.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for slicing food products, in particular a high-performance slicer, with a working area comprising a cutting area and a transport area with a product feed, wherein the product feed supplies products to be sliced ​​to the cutting area in a single or multiple lane and at the end of the cutting area a cutting blade, in particular rotating and / or circumferential, moves in a cutting plane.

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

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

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

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

[0006] The disadvantages of product scanners currently used in practice are the high additional costs and the increased space requirements, as a product scanner designed as a separate machine requires a comparatively large amount of space and, in particular, significantly increases the length of a production line. Devices for slicing food products, especially high-performance slicers, which have an integrated product scanner, are also known. DE 198 20 058 A1 serves as an example.

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

[0008] The object of the invention is to create a simple, reliable, cost-effective and space-saving way to determine the outer contour of food products to be cut.

[0009] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the cutting device comprises a non-contact scanning device for detecting at least a part of the outer contour of the products to be cut, wherein the scanning device for contour detection comprises at least one compact sensor arranged in the working area.

[0010] The invention represents a fundamental departure from the previous approach, which involved using large and expensive product scanners in the form of separate machines for contour detection, positioned upstream of the slicing device. The invention leverages the fact that contour detection is possible with compact sensors that can be arranged within the working area of ​​the slicing device itself, i.e., inside the slicer. This overcomes the prevailing prejudice in the prior art that non-contact contour detection of food products to be sliced ​​is not possible under the conditions present in the transport and cutting areas of a high-speed food slicer, i.e., conditions characterized in particular by the presence of dirt, heat, and moisture.This is because food slicers contain cutting residue, dust, and flour, and all components must be regularly cleaned with water or steam under high pressure and at high temperatures. Furthermore, when using laser radiation for contour detection, it is crucial to ensure compliance with safety regulations, particularly the eye safety of the operating personnel.

[0011] It was surprisingly found that, compared to the dimensions of a typical food slicer, very small, compact sensors can be provided that enable reliable contour detection with sufficiently high accuracy and can be robust enough to withstand the adverse conditions for electrical or optoelectronic devices within the working area of ​​a food slicer.

[0012] Possible embodiments of the compact sensors used according to the invention, as well as advantageous properties of these compact sensors, are explained below and specified in the dependent claims.

[0013] Such a compact sensor can integrate a laser light source in a scanning plane and a camera within a single housing. This camera captures the image of a line generated on the product being scanned by the emitted radiation. These sensors can incorporate an integrated electronic system, eliminating the need for a separate controller. Furthermore, they can be insensitive to ambient light or stray light. Very high resolutions in the range of a few hundredths of a millimeter and very high data or signal output rates up to 6 kHz are also possible. The sensors can be equipped with an integrated Gigabit LAN port.

[0014] Such compact sensors therefore form virtually self-contained units that only need to be connected to a power supply and data acquisition system.

[0015] In one possible configuration, such a compact sensor has a width of approximately 300 mm, a maximum height of approximately 100 mm, and a thickness of approximately 40 mm. Such sensors are available, for example, from the company wenglorMEL GmbH.

[0016] The housing of these sensors can be improved to such an extent that the sensors meet high protection classes and are completely insensitive to dust as well as cleaning with water and steam under high pressure and at high temperatures.

[0017] Another advantage of such sensors is that they can be operated with laser radiation of a low protection class and are therefore harmless to the human eye.

[0018] These compact sensors can therefore be freely and openly positioned anywhere within the working area of ​​a food slicer. Due to their small size, the compact sensors require little space and can thus be variably positioned depending on the specific design of the slicer and the contour of the products to be scanned. Several compact sensors can be arranged independently within the slicer.

[0019] The data collected from multiple sensors can be mathematically combined as part of the data analysis.

[0020] According to the invention, the compact sensors preferably operate using the so-called light sectioning method to detect a contour or profile. This measuring principle is generally known to those skilled in the art. Reference is also made to the patent literature mentioned at the outset regarding the prior art. However, in principle, other scanning principles, such as time-of-flight measurements, can also be used according to the invention. When using the light sectioning method, the generation of the continuous or interrupted lines on the products to be scanned can, in principle, be carried out in any way. For example, a line of light can be emitted using a line laser and, if necessary, suitable optics, such as a cylindrical lens. Alternatively, a single laser beam can be deflected periodically within a scanning angle range at a high sampling rate.

[0021] Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of at least one compact sensor arranged in the working area of ​​a cutting device of the type described herein, for performing one or more additional tasks by detecting at least one contour belonging to at least one functional unit of the device.

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described above and below and can also be seen from the drawing and the accompanying description as well as from the claims.

[0023] The compact sensor is arranged in its own enclosed sensor housing, with the compact sensor defining a scanning area for the products within the working area of ​​the slicing device, which lies outside the sensor housing. While, according to previous practice – as mentioned above – the products must pass through the scanner housing, the invention provides, so to speak, that the scanner aligns itself according to the products and the manner in which they are handled in the slicer, and in particular their transport path through the slicer. Due to the compactness and general insensitivity of the sensors according to the invention, such integration into the slicer is easily possible.

[0024] The sensor housing can be designed in such a way that it meets a national or international standardized protection class, according to which dust tightness, complete protection against contact and protection against water during high-pressure / steam jet cleaning are provided, in particular protection class IP6K9K or IP69 according to DIN 40 050 Part 9 or DIN EN 60529, or an equivalent protection class.

[0025] In particular, an encapsulated compact sensor or a compact sensor with an encapsulated sensor housing may be provided.

[0026] The compact sensor comprises a transmitter for emitting scanning radiation into a scanning area and a receiver for receiving radiation from the scanning area, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are arranged in a common sensor housing of the compact sensor. The scanning area, in particular, represents the volume of space in which the transmitting area of ​​the transmitter and the receiving area of ​​the receiver overlap.

[0027] Preferably, the compact sensor emits laser radiation and is designed to meet a national or international standardized laser safety class, according to which the laser radiation is harmless to the human eye, in particular laser safety class 1 or 2 according to DIN EN 60825-1, or an equivalent laser safety class.

[0028] In particular, the compact sensor is designed to emit scanning radiation in a scanning plane. This scanning radiation generates a line on the product being scanned, which can be detected by a receiver and evaluated with regard to its path to determine the product contour in the scanning plane, wherein the optical axis of the receiver is inclined relative to the scanning plane, i.e. the receiver "looks" at an angle to the scanning plane at the line generated on the product surface.

[0029] It is preferably provided that a scanning plane of the compact sensor runs at least substantially perpendicular to or at an angle of more than about 45° to a direction of movement of the products through the scanning plane.

[0030] Preferably, the compact sensor is designed as a laser scanner. The term "scanner" here refers both to sensors that emit a continuous or broken line, and to sensors that emit a point-shaped laser beam and deflect it periodically.

[0031] The compact sensor preferably operates using the light sectioning method. As already mentioned, this type of scanning principle for contour or profile recognition is generally known.

[0032] Preferably, the compact sensor is configured to generate a continuous or broken line on a product to be scanned using a light source, in particular a laser source, and to capture an image containing the line using a camera. For example, a photodiode or a CCD device can serve as the camera.

[0033] Preferably, the compact sensor is supported or held on a support frame or rack of the cutting device, which also supports the cutting area and the transport area of ​​the cutting device. Particularly due to its comparatively low weight, the compact sensor according to the invention can be positioned in virtually any way within the working area. Relatively lightweight and delicate brackets or suspensions for the compact sensor can be used. The compact sensor can, for example, also be attached to existing components of the cutting device.

[0034] When referring to the positioning or orientation of the compact sensor, this particularly includes the position or orientation of a scanning plane of the sensor.

[0035] According to the invention, the compact sensor is arranged in a region of the transport area upstream of the product feed, namely in the area of ​​a transfer device by means of which the products are transferred to the product feed. The transfer device has a pivotable product support, wherein the compact sensor – viewed in the transport direction of the products – is arranged in front of the pivotable product support.

[0036] In one embodiment, the compact sensor can be arranged in the area of ​​a transition between two conveyors of a transport section within the transport area. If the compact sensor is arranged below the transport section, for example, a gap between two successive belt conveyors can be used to scan the products from below.

[0037] Furthermore, it may be provided that the compact sensor is arranged in a product entry area of ​​the device, in particular in an entry plane defined by a support frame or a rack of the device, immediately in front of or immediately behind an entry plane.

[0038] Since the compact sensor can be freely positioned within the cutting device due to its small size, one embodiment allows it to be arranged outside of any contamination zone within the work area. This does not unnecessarily complicate cleaning of the cutting device. In particular, the compact sensor can be positioned at a distance from the product and / or the product feed.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the invention, different scanning positions for the compact sensor can be provided within the working area. This means, firstly, that the contour detection of the products in the cutting device can, in principle, take place at different scanning points. Examples of different scanning points have been given above. Secondly, and more importantly, it can also be provided that the different scanning positions belong to a common scanning point. This means that if the scanning position of the compact sensor is changed, the scanning point at which the contour detection of the products within the cutting device takes place is not changed, but only the position of the compact sensor at the scanning point can be changed. For example, the compact sensor can be moved slightly further forward or slightly further backward – viewed in the direction of product movement.Alternatively or additionally, the angular position of the compact sensor can be changed around the direction of movement. In this way, contour detection can be optimized, particularly depending on the type or nature of the respective products, by repositioning the compact sensor to optimize the geometric conditions of the scanning. This also allows the scanning device according to the invention to react flexibly to modifications or retrofits of the cutting device that alter its structural characteristics.

[0040] Even in cases where the cutting device itself is not or only insignificantly modified or changed, and where at least essentially only a change of product type or product type takes place, such a change can be addressed quickly and reliably by a product-dependent adaptation or adjustment or a product-dependent conversion of the compact sensor.

[0041] The different scanning positions are so precisely defined that the compact sensor can only be placed in a single position and orientation. This eliminates the need for adjustment or relearning procedures when the compact sensor is repositioned.

[0042] In particular, the compact sensor may be adjustable and / or reconfigurable between the scanning positions. For example, the compact sensor can be pivoted or moved, and for this purpose, positive guides and end stops may be provided to ensure advantageously unambiguous positioning of the compact sensor.

[0043] According to a further embodiment of the invention, one or more compact sensors simultaneously cover several parallel product lanes of the cutting device. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a separate compact sensor for each product when operating the cutting device in multiple lanes. The number of compact sensors can thus be less than the number of lanes, and it is possible, but not mandatory, for all lanes to be detected by a single compact sensor. It has been found that a sufficiently large scanning range can be provided for the compact sensor without compromising its positionability within the cutting device. Lane reference can then be achieved, for example, by filtering out the desired signal in an associated control unit.

[0044] According to a further embodiment of the invention, several compact sensors are arranged at a scanning point for joint contour detection. Thus, multiple compact sensors can be arranged at a single scanning point, cooperating in contour detection. Depending on the external shape of the products to be cut, a single compact sensor per scanning point may be sufficient to detect the product contour with sufficient accuracy for the respective invention. In other applications, it may be advantageous to use several compact sensors per scanning point. These can be arranged circumferentially around the direction of movement or transport of the products. For example, two compact sensors can be provided, each scanning the product obliquely from above.Alternatively, a single compact sensor can be provided above the products, supported by two compact sensors scanning from an angle below, which are arranged below the products.

[0045] If the compact sensors operate with scanning planes, it is possible, but not mandatory, according to the invention for all scanning planes of the compact sensors to lie in a single common plane. Rather, it is possible for the scanning planes to be slightly offset from one another in the transport direction of the products. This significantly simplifies the setup of a scanning point, as no complex adjustments of the compact sensors relative to each other are required. It has been found in connection with compact sensors operating according to the light section method that a spacing of the scanning lines on a product of only a few millimeters still enables reliable detection and evaluation of the scanning lines by the associated compact sensor. In other words, it has been found that the compact sensors do not interfere with each other.

[0046] The aforementioned example illustrates a possible general preferred concept of the invention, whereby the scanning of products at a scanning point can be carried out by at least two compact sensors with spatial offsets. Alternatively or additionally to a spatial offset, it is possible to perform a temporally offset scanning by having the compact sensors operate alternately rather than simultaneously. For example, pulsed operation of compact sensors operating according to the light section method can prevent the camera of one sensor from being disturbed by the scanning line generated on the product by the other sensor.

[0047] Furthermore, it can be provided that at a scanning point, the scanning is carried out by two compact sensors oriented in opposite directions. In this way, a spot or area on the outside of a product can be detected from different directions. This is particularly advantageous for products with highly irregular shapes, as areas that cannot be detected, for example due to undercuts or indentations, are prevented.

[0048] According to a further embodiment, the scanning device can be designed to perform one or more additional tasks. This can be achieved by detecting at least one contour belonging to at least one functional unit of the device using the compact sensor. The compact sensor can then be used, at least temporarily, to scan a functional unit of the device. If the compact sensor is located in the product feed area, for example, a product gripper or other type of product holder that engages the rear end of a product during feed can be scanned when it passes the scanning point of the compact sensor during product feed. This allows, for example, verification that the product gripper or holder is correctly aligned or that a piece of product residue that would normally be ejected is still attached to the gripper or holder.The product holder is located when it is moved back to its starting position in preparation for slicing a subsequent product and passes the scanning point again. A compact sensor could also be used, for example, to check whether the appropriate side stops are installed for the product parameters set on the slicer, or whether existing side stops are set to the correct position.

[0049] In general, the compact sensor can therefore, due to the fact that it is located inside the cutting device, also be used to monitor the proper configuration and operation of one or more functional units of the cutting device.

[0050] As mentioned at the beginning, contour detection using one or more compact sensors within the cutting device serves in particular to obtain weight-constant product slices or portions of product slices.

[0051] Against this background, a control device may be provided which is designed to calculate control data using detected product contours and to operate the device, in particular the product feed, using the control data.

[0052] Regarding the method according to the invention, the use of one or more compact sensors within the cutting device makes it possible to adapt the contour detection to processes that already occur during the handling of the products within the cutting device. For example, a possible cutting device can be operated in such a way that a product transferred to the product feed is securely gripped by a product gripper engaging at the rear end of the product by pressing the product against a product stop temporarily located in the feed path. Subsequently, the product is retracted by a specific, comparatively short distance by means of the product gripper, which is now correctly gripping as intended, whereupon the product stop is moved away to clear the feed path to the cutting plane.The product is then moved towards the cutting plane and through it using the product gripper. A potential problem in this process is that the product, pressed against the product stop, deforms during the gripping process and does not fully relax upon retraction. Depending on the product type, this can result in plastic deformation and thus a permanent deformation, altering the product's outer contour during gripping. This can lead to errors in controlling the product feed if the control system, based on an upstream scanning process, assumes an outer product contour that no longer exists after gripping due to inelastic deformation of the product's front section.

[0053] In such a case, the invention can avoid errors by detecting the product contour only when, and especially only shortly before, the product, which was previously compressed in the product feed due to a gripping process, has relaxed again. It is not a disadvantage if the product only partially relaxes and some residual deformation remains. For example, according to the invention, it is possible to arrange one or more compact sensors in the area of ​​the aforementioned product stop. Contour detection can therefore take place with or shortly after the start of the actual product feed and thus the actual cutting operation. The scanning of the product therefore only begins when the product is advanced towards the cutting plane by means of the product holder.

[0054] It has been found that in many applications, sufficient accuracy does not require that the cutting of a product only begin after the entire product has been scanned. Therefore, it is possible to scan a middle and / or rear section of the product only after the cutting process has already begun.

[0055] Such use of the scanning device according to the invention does not impair the operating speed of the cutting device. It has been found that the quality and, in particular, the accuracy of the contour detection is not affected when the product is scanned in two scanning phases with different feed rates during the scanning process. This occurs when, after a gripping operation, the product is first moved towards the cutting plane during a high-speed feed phase and then through the cutting plane during a cutting feed phase at a relatively slower feed rate. A front section of the product is then scanned at a relatively higher feed rate, followed by the remaining section at a relatively slower feed rate, using the compact sensor. Consequently, contour detection can also be performed with or without the compact sensor.shortly after the start of the actual product supply and thus the actual slicing operation.

[0056] As already mentioned at the outset, according to an embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that control data are calculated using detected product contours and that the cutting device, in particular the product feed, is operated using the control data, especially for the purpose of obtaining weight-constant product slices or portions of product slices.

[0057] One possible embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that one or more additional tasks are performed by means of the scanning device. For this purpose, it can be provided that at least one contour belonging to at least one functional unit of the device is detected by means of the compact sensor.

[0058] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a food slicer according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows two views of a compact sensor according to the invention, and Figs. 3 to 5 each show a schematic possible arrangement of several compact sensors according to the invention.

[0059] According to Fig. 1 A food slicer 10 according to the invention has, in a manner known per se, a frame-like structure 35 with a plurality of supporting columns and struts as its supporting structure. The working area of ​​the slicer 10, located mostly within this supporting frame 35, comprises a front cutting area 11 and a transport area 13 with a product feed 15.

[0060] The cutting area 11 comprises a cutting head 22 supported on the frame 35, in which, in particular, a drive (not shown) for a cutting blade 21, designed here as a circular blade, is arranged. The cutting plane 19 defined by the cutting blade 21 is inclined at approximately 45° to the vertical. The axis of rotation 20 of the cutting blade 21 is indicated by a dashed line. During operation, the cutting blade 21 rotates about its own axis of rotation 20 and also revolves about a drive axis 24, indicated by a dashed line, with respect to which the cutting blade 21 is arranged eccentrically and thus rotates planetarily.

[0061] The product support comprises a support plane running perpendicular to the cutting plane 19 and thus also inclined at 45° to the vertical, along which food products 17 to be cut are fed to the cutting plane 19 by means of a product holder 49 engaging at the rear end of the product.

[0062] A movable product stop 16 is provided in front of the cutting area 11 below the cutter head 22. As explained in the introduction, during a gripping operation, the respective product 17 is pressed against the product stop 16 by means of the product holder 49 to ensure reliable gripping of the product 17. When the actual product feed towards the cutting plane 19 then begins, the product stop 16 is moved out of the path of movement of the product 17 to clear the way to the cutting plane 19.

[0063] In the presentation of the Fig. 1 The product 17 rests on a pivotable product support 39 of the product feeder 15. The product support 39 belongs to a transfer device 37, which will be discussed in more detail below. The product support 39 can, for example, be designed as a free-running endless belt or have a sliding surface for the products 17.

[0064] In the raised position according to Fig. 1 The swiveling product support 39 together with a front conveyor 61, which may be, for example, a conveyor belt or a passive sliding support, forms a product support on which the product 17 rests during the feed.

[0065] A cutting edge 63 is attached to the front conveyor 61, with which the cutting knife 21 interacts when separating slices 53 from the products 17. On a portioning conveyor 65, portions 55 are formed from the separated slices 53, which are then transferred to another conveyor 67 and subsequently fed into a further processing stage, in particular the portions 55 are weighed. A scale can be integrated into the conveyor 67.

[0066] A central control unit 51 is in Fig. 1schematically depicted, which is connected, among other things, to the cutting head 22 and the product holder 49 of the product feeder 15. Furthermore, the control unit 51 communicates with the other functional units of the slicer 10, in particular with a scanning device described in more detail below, which comprises several compact sensors 23, for which four different scanning points A, B, C, D and E within the slicer 10 are indicated for illustrative purposes.

[0067] The slicer 10 can be configured for single-lane operation or for multi-lane transport, feeding, and slicing of food products 17. For each lane, the product feeder 15 has a pivotable product support 39 and a product holder 49. In particular, the slicer 10 can be configured for fully lane-individual operation, in which the lanes can be operated completely independently of one another and share the common cutting blade 21.

[0068] The products 17 to be sliced ​​are placed manually or automatically in a loading area 69 onto a further conveyor 44, which can be considered part of the transport area 13 of the slicer 10. The loaded products 17 are then conveyed via a rear product entry area 45, which defines an entry level 47, to further conveyors 41, 43 of the transport area 13. The transport path formed by the conveyors 41, 43, 44, which can be continuous belt conveyors, rises slightly from back to front so that the products 17 are already at a certain height within the slicer 10 before reaching the transfer device 37. This results in a comparatively low loading height in the loading area 69, which particularly facilitates manual loading.

[0069] To achieve portions 55 with at least largely constant weight, the product feed in the product feeder 15 is based, among other things, on the cross-sectional areas of the products 17, which can be calculated from the outer product contour. The aforementioned non-contact scanning device is provided for detecting the product contour; this device comprises an arrangement of compact sensors 23 at at least one scanning point within the slicer 10.

[0070] A possible scanning point A, not independently subjected to stress, is located directly in front of the product stop 16 in the product feed 15, which is inclined to the vertical and thus perpendicular to the cutting plane 19. The compact sensors 23 are therefore arranged such that their scanning planes 33 are parallel to the cutting plane 19 and thus perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the product and therefore perpendicular to the product feed direction. Here, the compact sensors 23 are arranged such that their scanning planes 33 lie in a common plane. Alternatively, the scanning planes 33 of the compact sensors 23 can be offset from one another.

[0071] The individual compact sensors 23 are so small that, compared to the dimensions of the slicer 10, they can be considered virtually point-like. The slicer 10, for example, has a length of approximately 2.70 m excluding the loading area 69, i.e., up to the entry level 47, a height of approximately 2.50 m to the upper struts of the support frame 35, and a width of approximately 1 m. This means that even with the relatively compact design of the slicer, in which a large number of functional units are integrated in a relatively small space, there is still sufficient room for optimal positioning of the small compact sensors 23. As mentioned in the introduction, the compact sensors 23 can therefore be positioned largely freely and, due to their low weight, can be attached directly to existing functional units of the slicer 10 or to these functional units or to the support frame 35 via brackets with minimal mechanical effort.Furthermore, the compact sensors 23 each require only a power supply and a signal line for transmitting the captured contour data to the central control unit 51. In principle, wireless data transmission and battery or rechargeable battery operation of the compact sensors 23 are possible, which further simplifies their integration into the slicer 10.

[0072] The scanning point B according to the invention is located in front of the transfer device 37, which is in the case of the product support 39 being swung downwards, which is in Fig. 1 As indicated by dashed lines, the products 17 are transferred from the front conveyor 41 to the transport device that feeds the products 17 over the "rear" of the slicer 10. The scanning planes 33 of the compact sensors 23 are located in the area of ​​the transition between the conveyor 41 and the lowered product support 39. Consequently, the products 17 can be scanned while being transferred to the transfer device 37.

[0073] A scanning point C that is not independently stressed is located in the area of ​​the transition between the two successive conveying devices 41, 43 of the transport device.

[0074] Another possible positioning option for the compact sensors 23, which is not independently claimed, is shown at sampling point D. The sampling planes 33 of the compact sensors 23 are located immediately behind the entry level 47 of the slicer 10 and again in the transition area between two conveyors 43, 44. Sampling point E shows yet another positioning option. The compact sensors 23 are arranged immediately in front of the product entry area 45. In this case, the conveyor path at this sampling point E can be interrupted if necessary and, for example, comprise two consecutive conveyors.

[0075] In Fig. 1The compact sensors 23 at the respective sampling points A, B, C, D and E are shown only schematically. The enlarged view within the Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a side view on the left and a front view rotated by 90° on the right of a possible compact sensor 23 according to the invention, in order to illustrate how the compact sensors 23 designed according to this embodiment can be oriented in the slicer 10.

[0076] In this context, reference is also made to the Fig. 2 The compact sensors 23 each comprise a sealed sensor housing 25, in which a laser source 29 as a transmitter and a camera 31 as a receiver are arranged. The laser source 29 emits scanning radiation in a scanning plane 33, which, as already mentioned, runs perpendicular to the longitudinal extent and thus perpendicular to the respective direction of movement of the products 17 in the slicer 10.

[0077] At a distance from the sensor housing 25 determined by the respective design of the compact sensor 23, a conical detection area 59 of the camera 31 intersects the V-shaped scanning plane 33 with an optical axis 57 that is inclined to the scanning plane 33. This overlap area forms the scanning area 27 (see figure). Fig. 5 ) of the compact sensor 25.

[0078] As mentioned at the beginning, according to one possible embodiment, the compact sensor 23 can have a width b of about 300 mm, a smaller height h of about 60 mm, a larger height H of about 80 mm and a thickness d of about 40 mm.

[0079] The aforementioned sampling range 27 (see Fig. 5In this embodiment, the scanning area begins at a distance of approximately 300 mm from the housing 25 of the compact sensor 23, measured along the scanning plane 33. The scanning area 27 ends after a further 700 mm, and thus only at a distance of approximately 1 m from the sensor housing 25. The width of the working area is approximately 280 mm at the beginning, i.e., at a distance of approximately 300 mm, and approximately 830 mm at the end, i.e., at a distance of approximately 1,000 mm. The average spatial resolution within the scanning area is between 45 and 200 µm, depending on the direction. The laser source can be operated with a red laser (wavelength 660 nm) or with a blue laser (wavelength 405 nm).

[0080] Possible relative arrangements of several compact sensors at one sampling point are shown purely as examples. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 .

[0081] According to Fig. 3Two compact sensors 23 are arranged above a product 17, each scanning the product 17 from an oblique angle of approximately 45°. The scanning planes 33 are each perpendicular to the direction of movement of the product 17 and thus lie in the plane of the drawing. Fig. 3 The scanning planes 33 overlap, so that the top of the product 17 can be illuminated simultaneously from different directions and the side flanks of the product 17 can be captured at least substantially completely.

[0082] An alternative arrangement shows Fig. 4 . A compact sensor 23 is positioned approximately centrally above the product 17. Two further compact sensors 23 are located on both sides below the product 17 and detect the product contour from a downward angle.

[0083] Fig. 5Figure 1 shows an example of an arrangement in which two compact sensors 23 are arranged one behind the other in the direction of movement of the product 17 and are oriented in opposite directions. Such an arrangement makes it possible to detect areas of products 17, particularly those with highly irregularly shaped surfaces, even on surface areas that would not be visible using a single sensor 23.

[0084] Several such double arrangements of compact sensors 23 can be distributed around the product 17 in the circumferential direction. Reference symbol list

[0085] 10 Slicing device, slicer 11 Cutting area 13 Transport area 15 Product feed 16 Product stop 17 Product 19 Cutting plane 20 Rotary axis 21 Cutting blade 22 Cutting head 23 Compact sensor 24 Drive axis 25 Sensor housing 27 Scanning area 29 Transmitter, light source, laser 31 Receiver, camera 33 Scanning plane 35 Support frame or rack 37 Transfer device 39 Product support 41 Conveyor device 43 Conveyor device 44 Conveyor device 45 Product entry area 47 Entry plane 49 Product holder 51 Control device 53 Product disc 55 Portion 57 Optical axis 59 Detection area 61 Conveyor 63 Cutting edge 65 Portioning belt 67 Conveyor belt 69 Loading area A Scanning point B Scanning point C Scanning point D Scanning point

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for slicing food products, in particular a high-performance slicer, having a working region which comprises a cutting region (11) and a transport region (13) having a product feed (15), wherein the product feed (15) supplies products (17) to be sliced to the cutting region (11) on one track or on multiple tracks and a cutting blade (21) moves, in particular in a rotating and / or revolving manner, in a cutting plane (19) at the end of the cutting region (11), wherein a transfer device (37) is provided by means of which the products (17) are transferred to the product feed (15) and which comprises a pivotable product support (39) which, in a downwardly pivoted state, takes over the products (17) to be sliced from a conveying device (41) of the transport region (13) and, in an upwardly pivoted state, forms a product support, on which the products (17) are disposed during the feed to the cutting region (11), together with a front conveyor (61), in particular a conveyor belt or a passive sliding support, and having a contactlessly working scanning device for detecting at least some of the outer contour of the products (17) to be sliced, wherein the scanning device comprises at least one compact sensor (23) which is arranged in the working region (11, 13) for contour detection and which is arranged in a separate self-contained sensor housing (25) and defines a scanning region (27) for the products (17), which is disposed outside the sensor housing (25), within the working region (11, 13); wherein the compact sensor (23) comprises a transmitter (29) for transmitting scanning radiation into the scanning region (27) and a receiver (31) for receiving radiation from the scanning region (27), with the transmitter (29) and the receiver (31) being arranged in the common sensor housing (25) of the compact sensor (23); and wherein the compact sensor (23) is configured to transmit scanning radiation in a scanning plane (33), characterized in that the compact sensor (23) is arranged in the region of the transfer device (37) by means of which the products (17) are transferred to the product feed (15), wherein the compact sensor (23) is arranged in front of the pivotable product support (39), viewed in a transport direction, and wherein the scanning plane (33) of the compact sensor (23) is disposed in the region of the transition between the conveying device (41), from which the product support (39) takes over the products (17) to be sliced in the downwardly pivoted state, and the downwardly pivoted product support (39).

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the sensor housing (25) is configured such that it satisfies a national or international standardized protection class in accordance with which dust-proofness, complete protection against contact and protection against water are provided during high-pressure cleaning / steam-jet cleaning, in particular protection class IP6K9K or IP69 in accordance with DIN 40 050, part 9, or DIN EN 60529, or an equivalent protection class.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the compact sensor (23) transmits laser radiation and is configured such that it satisfies a national or international standardized laser protection class in accordance with which the laser radiation is not dangerous to the human eye, in particular laser protection class 1 or 2 in accordance with DIN EN 60825-1, or an equivalent laser protection class.

4. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the scanning plane (33) of the compact sensor (23) extends at least substantially perpendicular to or at an angle of more than approximately 45° to a direction of movement of the products (17) through the scanning plane (33); and / or in that the compact sensor (23) is configured as a laser scanner; and / or in that the compact sensor (23) works in accordance with the light sectioning process; and / or in that the compact sensor (23) is configured to produce a line, by means of a light source (29), on a product (17) to be scanned and to record an image including the line by means of a camera (31).

5. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compact sensor (23) is supported or held at a support frame or a rack (35) of the apparatus by which the cutting region (11) and the transport region (13) are also supported; and / or in that the scanning plane (27) of the compact sensor (23) extends at least substantially in parallel with or at an angle of less than approximately 45° to the cutting plane (19).

6. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compact sensor (23) is arranged in the region of a transition between two conveying devices (41, 43) of the transport region (13), and / or in that the compact sensor (23) is arranged outside a contamination region of the working region (11, 13).

7. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that different scanning positions are predefined for the compact sensor (23) in the working region (11, 13), with in particular the scanning positions belonging to a common scanning point (A, B, C, D, E), in particular with the scanning positions differing from one another with respect to their position in the transport direction of the products (17) and / or with respect to their position around the transport direction; and / or in that the compact sensor (23) can be adjusted and / or can be converted between the scanning positions.

8. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of parallel product tracks of the apparatus are simultaneously covered by the at least one compact sensor (23).

9. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of compact sensors (23) for a joint contour detection are arranged at a scanning point (A, B, C, D, E); and / or in that the scanning takes place in a manner offset in space and / or in time by at least two compact sensors (23) at a scanning point (A, B, C, D, E); and / or in that the scanning takes place by two compact sensors (23) oriented oppositely with respect to one another at a scanning point (A, B, C, D, E).

10. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the scanning device is configured to carry out one or more additional tasks by detecting at least one contour belonging to at least one functional unit (49) of the apparatus by means of the compact sensor (23).

11. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control device (51) is provided which is configured to calculate control data using detected product contours and to operate the apparatus, in particular the product feed (15), using the control data, in particular for the acquisition of product slices (53) or portions (55) of product slices (53) of constant weight.

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