Divided roller assembly for producing dough portions

Abstract

To provide a partitioning roller assembly for producing dough portions from a dough mass.SOLUTION: A partitioning roller assembly 4 comprises: a rotatable first partitioning roller 6 including separating edges 12 and 13; a rotatable second partitioning roller 7 including separating edges 15 and 16, where the first and / or second partitioning roller include a plurality of recesses 14 and 18 provided between two separating edges. The assembly 4 includes an applicator 36 for applying a release agent to a surface 23 of one recess 14 of the first partitioning roller 6, the applicator including a nozzle 37 producing a conical spray beam 38. When the first partitioning roller 6 is in a spraying position S, the nozzle has a first distance 42 measured in a spraying direction 39 from the first separating edge, the spraying direction being parallel to a conical spray beam axial line 40, and the first distance is less than a second distance 43 measured in the spray direction from the second separating edge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a split roller assembly that can be used to separate dough portions from a dough mass. [Background technology]

[0002] EP 3603401 A1 discloses an apparatus and a method for dividing a dough mass. The disclosed apparatus comprises a storage chamber for storing the dough mass and a pair of rotary cutters arranged at the outlet opening of the storage chamber. Each of these cutters comprises three blades rotatable around a rotation axis. The blades of the two cutters cooperate with each other, so that the dough portions can be separated from the dough mass by the rotary cutter. The disclosed apparatus further comprises a release agent supply system for applying a release agent to the blades. The release agent supply system comprises several nozzles arranged to spray the release agent. The nozzles are slidable parallel to the rotation axis of the cutter. A tilting movement of the nozzles is further mentioned. The disclosed apparatus is considered to be advantageous for the reduction of oil contamination of the entire apparatus. That is, as little oil as possible should arrive at places where oil is not required. For this purpose, a special nozzle structure is described, in which the size of the droplets of the sprayed oil must be adjustable according to the purpose. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The present invention aims to provide an improved split roller assembly. This aim is achieved by a split roller assembly having the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements are provided in the dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present invention discloses a split roller assembly arranged to produce dough portions from a dough mass, the split roller assembly comprising a first split roller having a number of separating edges and rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation, and a second split roller having a number of separating edges and rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation, the first split roller and / or the second split roller each having a number of recesses disposed between two respective separating edges. The split roller assembly further comprises a release agent applicator arranged to apply a release agent to a surface of one of the recesses of the first split roller. The release agent applicator comprises a nozzle arranged to generate a cone-shaped spray beam. When the first segmented roller is disposed in the spraying position, the nozzle has a first distance measured in the spraying direction from a first separating edge defining a depression, the spraying direction being oriented parallel to a conical spray beam axis of the conical spray beam, the first distance being less than a second distance measured in the spraying direction from a second separating edge defining a depression.When the first segmented roller is disposed in the spraying position, the nozzle further has a first lateral distance measured in a lateral direction from the first separating edge defining a depression, the lateral direction being oriented perpendicular to the spraying direction, the first lateral distance being less than a second lateral distance measured in a lateral direction from the second separating edge defining a depression.

[0005] Such an arrangement allows the nozzle to be positioned particularly close to the dividing rollers. The conical spray beam widens with increasing distance in the spray direction. Due to the greater lateral distance from the separating edge that is further from the nozzle in the spray direction, the wider conical spray beam makes it possible to avoid spraying the release agent over the further separating edge.

[0006] The ratio of the second distance measured in the spray direction to the first distance measured in the spray direction may, for example, be greater than 1.5, preferably greater than 2.5, particularly preferably greater than 3. The ratio of the second lateral distance measured in the lateral direction to the first lateral distance measured in the lateral direction may, for example, be greater than 1.25, preferably greater than 2, particularly preferably greater than 2.3.

[0007] Those skilled in the art will understand that a release agent applicator may be arranged to apply a release agent to a surface of one of the recesses of the second divided roller. The release agent applicator may include, for example, a second nozzle. All descriptions in the preceding and following sentences of the nozzle or the first divided roller may be equally applicable to the second nozzle or the second divided roller.

[0008] Advantageously, the split roller assembly may further comprise a scraping device comprising a scraper and a scraping drive arranged to move the scraper along the first and / or second split roller. By moving the scraper along the split rollers, dough residues undesirably attached to the rollers can be removed. In particular, the scraper may be movable along the split rollers in a scraping direction, which may be oriented parallel to the rotation axis of the split roller to be scraped. Another advantage may be shown in the removal of excess release agents, which are not discharged, for example, together with the produced dough portion. In this way, accumulation of release agents on the split roller assembly can be avoided.

[0009] It is conceivable that the scraping device comprises one scraper or several scrapers. For example, the scraper may be arranged to move along the first and second split rollers, in particular to remove dough residues at the two split rollers. In this case, it may be advantageously possible that the scraper can be driven by a scraping drive, preferably only by one scraping drive. It is conceivable that the scraper is arranged to move only along the first split roller, in particular to remove dough residues at the first split roller, or arranged to move only along the second split roller, in particular to remove dough residues at the second split roller. It may be advantageously possible that the scraping device comprises a first scraper arranged to move only along the first split roller and a second scraper arranged to move only along the second split roller. The first scraper and the second scraper may be driven by one common scraping drive. Similarly, the drive may include a first scraping drive that is arrangeable to drive the first scraper, i.e. to move the first scraper along the first segmented roller, and may include a second scraping drive that is arrangeable to drive the second scraper, i.e. to move the second scraper along the second segmented roller.

[0010] It is conceivable that the scraper is arranged to cooperate with one of the depressions, which makes it possible to remove the dough residues as completely as possible.

[0011] It is conceivable that the nozzle can move along the first segment roller, in particular parallel to the first axis of rotation. The segment roller assembly, in particular the release agent applicator, can have a nozzle drive that can be arranged to move the nozzle along the first segment roller, in particular parallel to the first axis of rotation. It is conceivable that the scraping drive is arranged to move the nozzle along the first segment roller, in particular parallel to the first axis of rotation. Here, the scraping drive can be the first scraping drive described above, which can be arranged to drive the first scraper, i.e. arranged to move the first scraper along the first segment roller. It is conceivable that the scraping drive can be the scraping drive similarly described above, which can be arranged to drive the first scraper and the second scraper simultaneously.

[0012] The nozzle and the second nozzle can move together along the first split roller, in particular parallel to the first axis of rotation. The nozzle drive can be arranged to move the nozzle along the first split roller, in particular parallel to the first axis of rotation, and the second nozzle along the second split roller, in particular parallel to the second axis of rotation. However, the nozzle and the second nozzle can be movable separately. It is conceivable that the split roller assembly, in particular the release agent applicator, has a second nozzle drive that can be arranged to move the second nozzle along the second split roller, in particular parallel to the second axis of rotation. Similarly to the nozzle, the second nozzle can be moved by the second scraping drive described above, which can be arranged to drive the second scraper, i.e. to move the second scraper along the second split roller. In addition, the second nozzle can be moved by a scraping drive, the scraping drive being arranged to drive the first scraper and the second scraper simultaneously.

[0013] Advantageously, the scraper can move in a sliding area of ​​the scraping drive and is longer than the first and / or second split roller in a direction parallel to the rotation axis. This allows the scraper to slide over at least one end face of one or two split rollers, which on the one hand allows the dough residues to be pushed over said end face as well and thus removed from the split rollers. On the other hand, such a sliding area allows the scraper to be placed in a stop position, which allows the split roller to pass by the scraper as it rotates. The end face of the split roller may be considered as a side of the split roller that is oriented approximately perpendicular to the rotation axis of the split roller. Particularly advantageously, the scraper can slide over two end faces of the first and / or second split roller. This allows the dough residues to be removed in two sliding directions of the scraper and allows the stop positions to be provided on both sides of the split roller. This allows for an acceleration of the scraping process, specifically eliminating the need to retract the scraper after or before scraping.

[0014] It is envisaged that the split roller assembly is arranged to apply the release agent to a surface of one of the recesses after moving the scraper along the recess. Due to the presence of the scraper, release agent residues can also be removed from the split roller, in particular from the surface of the recess, thereby allowing for regeneration of the release agent film. In particular, by periodically removing the release agent from the split roller, in particular from the surface of the recess, and reapplying it to the split roller, in particular to the surface of the recess, a reproducible release agent film can be achieved.

[0015] The present application further relates to a dough dividing device including a container and a dividing roller assembly of the type previously described.

[0016] The present application further relates to a method for applying a release agent to a split roller by means of a release agent applicator, the release agent applicator including a nozzle arranged to generate a conical spray beam, the split roller being mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation. The method includes pivoting the nozzle about a pivot axis by means of a pivot drive and, after pivoting the nozzle, sliding the nozzle along the split roller by means of the nozzle drive. Such a movement of the nozzle allows the nozzle to be positioned closer to the split roller that needs to be wetted with release agent, thereby reducing the portion of the release agent that flows out of the nozzle and does not reach the split roller. Due to the closer positioning, the conical spray beam generated by the nozzle may open to a smaller extent, while at the same time, due to the sliding and pivoting movements, the entire surface of the split roller that needs to be wetted can be wetted with release agent.

[0017] It is contemplated that the pivot axis and the rotation axis are oriented generally parallel to one another.

[0018] The method may further comprise sliding the nozzle before pivoting the nozzle. In particular, the sliding of the nozzle before pivoting the nozzle and the sliding of the nozzle after pivoting the nozzle may be performed in the same or opposite sliding directions. It may be particularly advantageous to slide the nozzle along the entire axial length of the split roller during the pre- and / or post-pivoting sliding. Moreover, it may be particularly advantageous to slide the nozzle before pivoting the nozzle and the sliding of the nozzle after pivoting the nozzle are performed in opposite sliding directions.

[0019] A method is disclosed for separating dough portions from a dough mass by a dough dividing device including a container, a first divided roller having several separating edges, and a second divided roller having several separating edges, each of which has a recess between two separating edges. The method can include rotating the first divided roller and the second divided roller to a storage position, in which the first separating edge of the first divided roller and the second separating edge of the second divided roller have a storage distance from each other, storing the dough mass portions in the two recesses of the first divided roller and the second divided roller facing the container, and rotating the first divided roller and the second divided roller to a waiting position, in which the first separating edge of the first divided roller and the second separating edge of the second divided roller have a waiting distance from each other. The method can further include reducing the rotation speed of the first divided roller and the second divided roller, and waiting for a waiting time. The method may further include increasing the rotation speed of the first and second divided rollers, and rotating the first and second divided rollers to a separation position, where a first separating edge of the first divided roller and a second separating edge of the second divided roller have a separation distance from each other. The storage distance may be greater than the waiting distance, and the waiting distance may be greater than the separation distance.

[0020] By rotating to the waiting position, the dough dividing device may first open a little without completely separating the dough portions from the dough mass. During the waiting time, the dough portions may start to detach from the dividing rollers. In particular, the waiting time can be used to wait for the dough mass to at least partially detach. The dough portions can then be completely separated by continuing to rotate to the separating position. In this way, the dough portions can first leave the area of ​​the dividing rollers and then fall further out of the dough dividing device, thereby allowing a cleaner fall. Furthermore, the risk of the dough portions getting torn by adhering to the laterally outward moving area of ​​the dividing rollers can be reduced.

[0021] Advantageously, the waiting time can be set, so that it can be adapted, for example, to different dough properties, which allow the dough mass to rapidly leave the dividing roller at different speeds. For example, the waiting time can be up to 10 seconds, preferably up to 5 seconds, particularly preferably 2 seconds.

[0022] It is conceivable that the first divided roller rotates at a first angle between the storage position and the waiting position, and the second divided roller rotates at a second angle between the storage position and the waiting position. It may be particularly advantageous that the first angle and the second angle are equal. This can simplify the control of the rotation. For example, the first angle may be 60° to 80°, and is preferably 70°.

[0023] Advantageously, the slowing down of the rotation speed of the first and second divided rollers comprises a slowing down of at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, particularly preferably at least 90%. Particularly advantageously, the slowing down of the rotation speed of the first and second divided rollers comprises a slowing down of 100%, in particular stopping the first and / or second divided rollers. Slowing down the rotation speed as much as possible is advantageous for the release of the dough mass.

[0024] It is also disclosed a dividing roller or a dividing roller assembly of the above type for use in a dough dividing device. The dividing roller may be arranged to divide the dough and may be mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation. The dividing roller may have several separating edges and may be provided with a depression between every two separating edges. The surface of the depression may have a first partial surface and a second partial surface which may have different surface properties and / or different shapes. Due to these different surface properties and / or different shapes, these partial surfaces may be optimized for their different functions.

[0025] The surface of the recess may have two or more partial surfaces, each of which may have surface properties different from the surface properties of one or some of the other partial surfaces, which may differ in roughness, stripes, coating materials and / or properties, adhesion tendency (especially anti-adhesion properties), oleophilic or oleophobic, lipophilic or oleophobic, hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties.

[0026] The first and second partial surfaces may be separated by a dividing line, preferably a virtual dividing line. The dividing line may for example be oriented parallel to the axis of rotation. This may be advantageous since the surface properties can be adapted to different rotational positions or movement requirements. It is further conceivable that the dividing line extends non-linearly, for example in a wavy manner. It is conceivable that the first partial surface is located, relative to the adjacent separating edge, on a side facing in the direction of rotation of the separating edge adjacent to the recess. This side facing in the direction of rotation of the adjacent separating edge always cooperates in the same way with the dough mass, making it possible to optimize the surface properties of the first partial surface with respect to such cooperation. Alternatively or additionally, the second partial surface can be located, relative to the adjacent separating edge, on a side facing in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the adjacent separating edge. This side facing in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the adjacent separating edge always cooperates in the same way with the dough mass, making it possible to optimize the surface properties of the second partial surface with respect to such cooperation.

[0027] The invention further relates to a dough dividing device comprising a container and at least one, preferably two, dividing roller assemblies of the type mentioned above.

[0028] The invention relates to an apparatus and a method of the above mentioned type, some exemplary embodiments of which are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a dough dividing device with dividing rollers according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing a divided roller positioned at another rotational position in FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a divided roller positioned at another rotational position in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the dough dividing device in FIGS. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a dough dividing device having dividing rollers according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 shows the dough dividing device in FIG. 5 in a schematic perspective view. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a dough dividing device having dividing rollers according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a modification of the dough dividing device in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 shows another variant of the dough dividing device in FIG. 7 in a schematic perspective view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] In FIG. 1 a dough dividing apparatus 1 is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view. The dough dividing apparatus 1 may comprise a container 2. The container 2 may be arranged to accommodate a dough mass 3. The dough dividing apparatus 1 may further comprise a dividing roller assembly 4. The dividing roller assembly 4 is capable of producing dough portions 5 (see FIG. 3) from the dough mass 3. The dough dividing apparatus 1, in particular the dividing roller assembly 4, may comprise a first dividing roller 6. Furthermore, the dough dividing apparatus 1, in particular the dividing roller assembly 4, may comprise a second dividing roller 7. The first dividing roller 6 may be or can be mounted rotatably about a first axis of rotation 8. The second dividing roller 7 may be or can be mounted rotatably about a second axis of rotation 9. The first dividing roller 6 may be rotatable about the first axis of rotation 8 in a first direction of rotation 10. The second dividing roller 7 may be rotatable about the second axis of rotation 9 in a second direction of rotation 11. The first rotational direction 10 and the second rotational direction 11 may be oriented oppositely.

[0031] Each of the divided rollers 6 and 7 may have several separating edges. A recess may be provided between every two separating edges. The first divided roller 6 may have a first separating edge 12. The first divided roller 6 may further have a second separating edge 13. A recess 14 may be provided between the first separating edge 12 of the first divided roller 6 and the second separating edge 13 of the first divided roller 6. The second divided roller 7 may have a first separating edge 15. The second divided roller 7 may have a second separating edge 16. Another recess 18 may be provided between the first separating edge 15 of the second divided roller 7 and the second separating edge 16 of the second divided roller 7.

[0032] In Fig. 1 the first divided roller 6 and the second divided roller 7 are shown in a retracted position A. In the retracted position A the first separating edge 12 of the first divided roller 6 and the second separating edge 16 of the second divided roller 7 may have a retracted distance 17 from each other. The retracted position A allows a part of the dough mass 3 to be retracted into the recesses 14, 18. The gap between the second separating edge 13 of the first divided roller 6 and the first separating edge 15 of the second divided roller 7 may in fact be very small. In Fig. 1 this gap is shown enlarged in order to more easily see the two separating edges.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows the dough dividing device 1 from the same perspective. However, the first and second divided rollers 6 and 7 shown are located in a rotated orientation with respect to FIG. 1. The arrangement of the first and second divided rollers 6, 7 shown in FIG. 2 is hereinafter referred to as the waiting position W. In the waiting position W, the first separating edge 12 of the first divided roller 6 and the second separating edge 16 of the second divided roller 7 may have a waiting distance 19 from each other. After the first and second divided rollers 6, 7 have been rotated from the storage position A to the waiting position W, the rotation speed of the divided rollers 6, 7 can be reduced. After this, a waiting time can be waited, during which the rotation speed of the first and second divided rollers 6, 7 can be kept reduced. This makes it possible to wait for the dough mass 3 to leave the recesses 14, 18. After waiting for the waiting time, the rotation speed of the first and second divided rollers 6, 7 can be increased again. Thereafter, the dividing rollers 6, 7 can be rotated to a separation position T, as shown in FIG.

[0034] At the separation position T, the first separating edge 12 of the first divided roller 6 and the second separating edge 16 of the second divided roller 7 may have a separation distance 20 from each other. The separation distance 20 may be very small, and is shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 3 for easier viewing. As seen in the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the storage distance 17 may be larger than the waiting distance 19. The waiting distance 19 may be larger than the separation distance 20. Note that, as seen in FIG. 3, the separation distance 20 may be small enough that the dough portion 15 is completely separated from the dough mass 3. By waiting in advance for the dough to leave the depressions 14, 18, it is possible to realize that the dough portion 5 can fall with higher reproducibility.

[0035] The waiting time can be set, for example, to take into account the density of different fabrics. For example, the waiting time may be up to 10 seconds, preferably up to 5 seconds, and particularly preferably 2 seconds. The first divided roller 6 can be rotated at a first angle 21 between the storage position A and the waiting position W. The second divided roller 7 can be rotated at a second angle 22 between the storage position A and the waiting position W. As shown in this embodiment, the magnitudes of the first angle 21 and the second angle 22 may be the same. The first angle may be 60° to 80°, and is preferably 70°. Reducing the rotation speed of the first divided roller 6 and the second divided roller 7 can include, for example, reducing it by 50% or more, preferably reducing it by 80% or more, and particularly preferably reducing it by 90% or more. Particularly advantageously, the rotation speed of the first divided roller 6 and the second divided roller 7 can be reduced by 100%, and in particular the divided rollers 6 and 7 can be stopped.

[0036] In the following, the depressions 14, 18 are described in more detail. Here, the following description should be considered as an example for all depressions. In FIG. 4, a perspective view of the dough dividing device 1 is shown. The dividing rollers 6, 7 shown are in a position where they continue to rotate, so that the depressions 18 can be better seen. The depressions 18 may have a surface 23. The surface 23 may have a first partial surface 24. The surface 23 may further have a second partial surface 25. As shown in different patterns in this embodiment, the first surface 24 and the second surface 25 may have different surface properties. The first partial surface 24 and the second partial surface 25 may be separated by an imaginary dividing line 26 shown as a dotted line in FIG. 4. As seen in the embodiment, the dividing line 26 may be oriented parallel to the second rotation axis 9.

[0037] In the following, the depressions 14, 18 are described in more detail. Here, the following description should be considered as an example for all depressions. In FIG. 4, a perspective view of the dough dividing device 1 is shown. The dividing rollers 6, 7 shown are in a position where they continue to rotate, so that the depressions 18 can be better seen. The depressions 18 may have a surface 23. The surface 23 may have a first partial surface 24. The surface 23 may further have a second partial surface 25. As shown in different patterns in this embodiment, the first surface 24 and the second surface 25 may have different surface properties. The first partial surface 24 and the second partial surface 25 may be separated by an imaginary dividing line 26 shown as a dotted line in FIG. 4. As seen in the embodiment, the dividing line 26 may be oriented parallel to the second rotation axis 9.

[0038] It can be seen that when the dividing rollers 6, 7 are oriented in the storage position A, those partial surfaces which are situated all the way on the side facing away from the corresponding directions of rotation 10, 11, i.e. the second partial surface 25, support the majority of the weight of the dough mass 3. For this reason, it can be advantageous for these partial surfaces to be set with different surface properties than the first partial surface.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment. The same reference numerals indicate the same structures. Compared with the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the split roller assembly 4 may include a scraping device 29. The scraping device 29 may include a scraper 30. The scraping device 29 may further include a scraping drive 31. The scraping drive 31 may be arranged to move the scraper 30 along the first split roller 6. As shown in this embodiment, the scraping device 29 may include a second scraper 30a. The scraping direction 120 may further include a second scraping drive 31a. The second scraping drive 31a may be arranged to move the second scraper 30a along the second split roller 7. The second scraper 30a with the second scraping drive 31a may be arranged to be similar to the scraper 30 with the scraping drive 31. In order to avoid repetition, in the following only the scraper 30 and the scraping drive 31 are described. However, all the descriptions also apply to the second scraper 30a or the second scraping drive 31a.

[0040] The scraper 30 may be arranged to cooperate with the recess 14 of the first split roller 6, i.e. the shape of the scraper 30 may be adapted to the shape of the recess 14. The scraper 30 may slide in a sliding area 32 (see FIG. 6) of the scraping drive 31. As shown in this embodiment, the sliding area 32 may be oriented parallel to the first rotation axis 8 and / or the second rotation axis 9 and may be in a longer sliding direction 33 than the first and / or second split rollers 6, 7. In particular, the sliding area 32 may be slidable over the end faces 34 or 35 of the first or second split roller 6, 7.

[0041] As shown in this embodiment, the split roller assembly 4 may include a release agent applicator 36. The release agent applicator 36 may include a nozzle 37. The release agent applicator may be positioned to apply release agent to one of the surfaces 23 of the recesses 14, 18. The nozzle 37 may be positioned to generate a conical spray beam 38. In particular, the nozzle 37 may be positioned to spray the release agent in a spray direction 39. The spray direction 39 may be considered to be a direction oriented parallel to the conical spray beam axis 40. A direction oriented perpendicular to the spray direction 39 is hereinafter referred to as a transverse direction 41.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows the split roller assembly positioned at a spraying position S, where the split rollers 6, 7 can be sprayed with a release agent. When the split rollers 6, 7 are positioned at the spraying position S, the nozzle 37 may have a first distance 42 measured in the spraying direction 39 from the first separating edge 12 of the first split roller 6. The nozzle 37 may have a second distance 43 measured in the spraying direction 39 from the second separating edge 13 of the first split roller 6. The first distance 42 may be smaller than the second distance 43. The nozzle may have a first lateral distance 44 measured in the lateral direction 41 from the first separating edge 12. The nozzle 37 may have a second lateral distance 45 from the second separating edge 13. The first lateral distance 44 may be smaller than the second lateral distance 45.

[0043] The release agent applicator 36 may further include a second nozzle 37a. All of the above descriptions regarding the nozzle 37 are also applicable to the second nozzle 37a.

[0044] The release agent applicator 36 may have a nozzle driver 46. The nozzle driver 46 may be arranged to move the nozzle 37 along the first segment roller 46. Similarly, the release agent applicator 36 may include a second nozzle driver 46a which may be arranged to move the second nozzle 37a along the second segment roller 7. All the nozzle drivers and scraper drivers may be screw drivers or cylinder drivers, in particular air cylinder drivers, or a combination thereof.

[0045] In Fig. 7 to Fig. 9, another embodiment of the dough dividing apparatus 1 is shown. The same reference numerals still refer to the same structures. In Fig. 7, a schematic cross-sectional view of the dough dividing apparatus 1 is shown. Similar to the embodiment described above with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, based on the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the dough dividing apparatus 1 may include a release agent application device 36. Similarly, similar to the embodiment described with reference to Fig. 5, the release agent application device 36 may include a nozzle 37 and a nozzle driving device 46.

[0046] Unlike the previously described embodiment, in this embodiment the nozzle 37 is pivotable. To this end, the release agent applicator 36 may include a pivot drive 47. The pivoting of the nozzle 37 may take place around a pivot axis 48, which may be oriented parallel to the first axis of rotation 8. As can be seen from FIG. 7, in this embodiment a second nozzle 37a may further be provided, which is implemented similarly to the nozzle 37. The nozzle 37 may alternately pivot around the pivot axis 48 and slide along the first divided roller 6 so as to wet the entire surface 23 of the recess 14 with release agent. Here, different movement sequences are conceivable, which are exemplarily shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 (for a clearer view, see the second divided roller 7). Fig. 8 illustrates a movement mode in which the nozzle 37, 37a is slid after one revolution and continues to slide in the same direction after the next revolution. Fig. 9 illustrates a movement mode in which the nozzle 37, 37a is slid along the entire axial length of the corresponding split roller 6, 7 before and after the revolution, where the sliding direction before and after the revolution are oriented in the opposite direction.

[0047] The embodiments described above, and in particular the combinations of features described herein, are to be understood as exemplary, and those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed features within the description of various embodiments are combinable.

Claims

1. A divided roller assembly (4) arranged to produce dough portions (5) from the dough mass (3), a first divided roller (6) having several separating edges (12, 13) and mounted rotatably about a first axis of rotation (8), and a second divided roller (7) having several separating edges (15, 16) and mounted rotatably about a second axis of rotation (9), the first divided roller (6) and / or the second divided roller (7) each having a number of recesses (14, 18) provided between two separating edges (12, 13, 15, 16), respectively; a release agent application device (36) arranged to apply a release agent to a surface (23) of one of the plurality of depressions (14) of the first segmented roller (6), the release agent application device including a nozzle (37) arranged to generate a conical spray beam (38), wherein when the first segmented roller (6) is arranged in a spray position (S), the nozzle (37) has a first distance (42) measured in a spray direction (39) from a first separating edge (12) defining the depression (14), the spray direction being oriented parallel to a conical spray beam axis (40) of the conical spray beam (38), the first distance being smaller than a second distance (43) measured in the spray direction (39) from the nozzle (37) to a second separating edge (13) defining the depression (14); When the first segmented roller (6) is positioned in the spraying position (S), the nozzle (37) has a first lateral distance (44) measured in a lateral direction (41) from the first separating edge (12) that defines the recess (14), the lateral direction being oriented perpendicular to the spraying direction (39), the first lateral distance being smaller than a second lateral distance (45) measured in the lateral direction (41) from the second separating edge (13) that defines the recess (14), the nozzle (37) Split roller assembly (4).

2. 2. The split roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of the second distance (43) measured in the spraying direction (39) to the first distance (42) measured in the spraying direction (39) is greater than 1.5, preferably greater than 2.5, particularly preferably greater than 3.

3. 2. The split roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the second lateral distance (45) measured in the lateral direction (41) to the first lateral distance (44) measured in the lateral direction (41) is greater than 1.25, preferably greater than 2, particularly preferably greater than 2.

3.

4. 2. The split roller assembly of claim 1, further comprising a scraping device (29) including a scraper (30, 30a) and a scraping drive (31, 31a) arranged to move the scraper (30, 30a) along the first split roller (6) and / or the second split roller (7).

5. The split roller assembly of claim 4, wherein the scraper (30, 30a) is positioned to cooperate with one of the plurality of recesses (14, 18).

6. 5. The split roller assembly according to claim 4, wherein the scraper (30, 30a) is movable in a sliding area (32) of the scraping drive (31, 31a) and is longer than the first split roller and / or the second split roller (6, 7) in a sliding direction (33) parallel to the rotation axis (8, 9).

7. 5. The split roller assembly of claim 4, wherein the scraper (30, 30a) is slidable over two opposite end faces (34, 35) of the first split roller and / or the second split roller (6, 7).

8. 5. The split roller assembly of claim 4, wherein the split roller assembly (4) is positioned to apply the release agent to the surface (23) of one of the plurality of recesses (14, 18) after moving the scraper (30, 30a) along the recess (14).

9. A dough dividing device comprising a container (2) and a dividing roller assembly (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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