Method to operate a grinder during production

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method to grind a food-mass in a grinder wherein the food-mass is provided to the grinder via a hopper and transported by a feeder worm to a rotating processing worm which conveys the food-mass towards a cutting set which grinds the food-mass and wherein the feeder worm initially rotates in a first direction.

Description

[0001] Method to operate a grinder during production

[0002] The present invention relates to a method to grind a food-mass such as meat, at least partially meat, meat-replacement, vegetarian food, vegetables, cheese, butter or petfood in a grinder wherein the food-mass is provided to the grinder via a hopper and transported by a feeder worm to a rotating processing worm which conveys the food-mass towards a cutting set which grinds the food-mass and wherein the feeder worm initially rotates in a first direction.

[0003] Such grinders are known from the state of the art and are, for example, utilized to produce minced meat. However, there is a constant need to improve the operation of such grinders, for example in terms of operation time, retention of capacity and / or energy consumption, maintenance and / or quality of the resulting product

[0004] It was therefore the objective of the present invention to provide a method which does not comprise the deficiencies of the state of the art.

[0005] This is attained by a first method to grind frozen- and / or fresh food-mass in a grinder. This method is directed to automatically detect easy to process mass such as fresh food-mass from hard to process mass such as frozen food-mass by measuring the power consumption of the feeder worm. The food-mass is provided to the grinder via a hopper and transported by a motor driven rotating feeder worm to a motor driven rotating processing worm, which conveys the food-mass towards a cutting set which grinds the food-mass, wherein the feeder worm rotates, preferably at a constant speed, and wherein a control system controls the speed of rotation of the feeder worm and / or the processing worm, wherein, during production, the power consumption of the motor of the feeder worm is measured and compared to a power consumption set point and in case the power consumption of the motor of the feeder worm is lower than a power consumption set point, the speed of rotation of the processing worm is increased after a delay time and that in case the power consumption of the motor of the feeder worm is higher than a power consumption set point, the speed of rotation of the processing worm is decreased at least essentially without a delay time and / or in case a fresh food-mass is in the grinder and a frozen food-mass is enters the hopper, the speed of rotation of the processing worm is decreased at least essentially without a delay time and in case a frozen food-mass is in the grinder and a fresh food-mass is enters the hopper, the speed of rotation of the processing worm is increased with a delay time, preferably after the grinding of the frozen food-mass is terminated. The solution is also attained by a second method to grind hard to process mass such as frozen- food-mass in a grinder. This method is directed to optimum filling of the processing worm and accordingly optimized food product output of the grinder. The food-mass is provided to the grinder via a hopper and transported by a motor driven rotating feeder worm to a motor driven rotating processing worm, the processing worm preferably rotating at a constant speed and the processing worm conveying the food-mass towards a cutting set which grinds the foodmass and wherein a control system controls the speed of rotation of the feeder worm, wherein during production, the power consumption of the motor of the processing worm is measured and compared to a power consumption set point and in case the power consumption of the motor of the processing worm is lower than a power consumption set point, the speed of rotation of the feeder worm is increased after a delay time and that in case the power consumption of the motor of the processing worm is higher than a power consumption set point, the speed of rotation of the feeder worm is decreased after a delay time.

[0006] The present invention relates to a method to grind food-mass in a grinder. The food-mass can be meat, at least partially meat, meat-replacement, vegetarian food, cheese, butter, vegetables, pet food or the like. The food-mass can be fresh or frozen or a combination of fresh- and frozen food-mass. This grinder comprises a hopper which carries the food-mass to be ground. At the base of the hopper a feeder worm is provided which rotates around its middle axis. Additionally, a rotating processing worm is part of the grinder which conveys the foodmass towards a cutting set, which cuts the food-mass in pieces so that the resulting product is for example minced meat. The cutting set comprises at least a perforated disk and a rotating knife which is in most cases driven by the processing worm. Preferably, the grinder comprises a stationary, non-rotating pre-cutter.

[0007] The grinder comprises a control system which controls the speed of rotation of the feeder worm and / or the processing worm. The control system may have input means, for example a keyboard, e.g. to input information into the control system, particularly the power consumption set point of the feeder- and / or processing worm or to select a certain recipe. The control system may have storage means to store data, for example power consumption set points for the feeder- and / or processing worm, a delay time for the feeder- and / or processing worm and / or different levels of rotational speed for the for the feeder- and / or processing worm or recipes, which include among others power consumption set points for the feeder- and / or processing worm and / or additional stored data specified in this paragraph. The storage means may also store data of the speed of rotation of the feeder worm and / or the processing worm and / or the power consumption of one or both worms. The control system may be connected to an inter- and / or intranet for example to store and / or retrieve data, for example power consumption set points for the feeder- and / or processing worm or to transfer machine operation data to the cloud. The control system may exchange data with the control system of other grinders also connected to an intra- and / or internet. The control system may be a self-learning control system, that for example may automatically adapts power consumption set points for the feeder- and / or processing worm based on data acquired in the past and / or the delay time and / or the level of the speed of rotation.

[0008] The motor that drives the feeder worm and / or the processing worm is preferably an electro motor, preferably an electro motor with a transmitter that continuously or periodically provides data about the actual speed of rotation of the respective motor. The motor is for example a servo-motor. The motor can be controlled via a variable speed control such as a frequency drive. The motors of the feeder worm and the processing worm are preferably controlled individually. The speed of rotation of the feeder worm is preferably different from the speed of rotation of the processing worm. The feeder worm and the processing worm preferably rotate in the same direction.

[0009] The power consumption of the motor is preferably the electrical energy provided to the motor.

[0010] According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the speed of rotation of the feeder worm is preferably maintained at a constant rpm, preferably by the control system and preferably at a preset level. During production the power consumption of the motor of the feeder worm is measured, continuously or intermittently, and compared to a power consumption set point and in case the power consumption of the motor of the feeder worm is lower than a power consumption set point, the speed of rotation of the processing worm is increased after a delay time and that in case the power consumption of the motor of the feeder worm is higher than a power consumption set point, the speed of rotation of the processing worm is decreased at least essentially without a delay time. During the delay time, the power consumption of the processing worm preferably stays at a level below the power consumption set point.

[0011] According to another preferred or inventive embodiment of the present invention deals specifically with the change of frozen to fresh foodmass and vice versa. During operation of the grinder, the hopper can be filled with frozen food-mass after fresh food-mass has been processed and vice versa. In case a fresh food-mass is in the grinder and a frozen food-mass is enters the hopper, the speed of rotation of the processing worm is decreased at least essentially without a delay time and in case a frozen food-mass is in the grinder and a fresh food-mass is enters the hopper, the speed of rotation of the processing worm is increased with a delay time, preferably after the grinding of the frozen food-mass is terminated and only fresh food-mass is in the grinder.

[0012] The motor of the feeder worm and / or the processing worm preferably operate at preset speeds of rotation. The speeds are preferably different for the feeder worm and the processing worm. According to the two above described embodiments of the method, the speed of rotation the processing worm is altered between a high speed and a low speed.

[0013] The solution is also attained by a another method to grind frozen- and fresh food-mass in a grinder, wherein the food-mass is provided to the grinder via a hopper and transported by a motor driven rotating feeder worm to a motor driven rotating processing worm, the processing worm preferably rotating at a constant speed and the processing worm conveying the foodmass towards a cutting set which grinds the food-mass and wherein a control system controls the speed of rotation of the feeder worm and / or the processing worm, wherein during production, the power consumption of the motor of the processing worm is measured and compared to a power consumption set point and in case the power consumption of the motor of the processing worm is lower than a power consumption set point, the speed of rotation of the feeder worm is increased after a delay time and that in case the power consumption of the motor of the processing worm is higher than a power consumption set point, the speed of rotation of the feeder worm is decreased after a delay time. Preferably, the speed of rotation of the feeder worm is altered stepwise, more preferably with a delay time between two subsequent steps.

[0014] Preferably, during production under normal conditions, the feeder worm and the processing worm rotate in the same direction, each around their middle axis, respectively. This direction is the first direction of rotation of the feeder worm.

[0015] Preferably, the speed of rotation of the feeder worm and / or the processing worm is increased or decreased along a ramp.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the grinder, for example the hopper, comprises a sensor that measures at least one parameter of the food-mass and / or the parameter is inputted into the control unit of the grinder and the parameter is utilized to determine the rotation pattern of the feeder worm. This parameter can be the type of foodmass, its temperature, a mechanical parameter of the food-mass, such as tenderness, its fat content and / or the particle size of the resulting product. In case the level sensor detects low level of food-mass in the hopper and in case the feeder worm power consumption will be below set point then the processing worm speed will not be increased but will be maintained at the same speed until there is sufficient level of food-mass in the hopper.

[0017] The feeder worm is preferably arranged above the processing worm, preferably both at the base of the hopper. The center axis of both worms are preferably in one or two vertical planes wherein both worms are preferably arranged in parallel. Preferably, the feeder worm and the processing worm transport the food-mass in the same direction.

[0018] The center axis could also be positioned in two vertical planes which planes are angled from each other preferably at 90° wherein the food-mass is transported in an angled direction.

[0019] Due to the reduction of the speed of the rotational speed of the feeder worm, the food-mass volume between the feeder worm and the processing worm decompresses which can be detected by a sensor, for example a pressure sensor and / or the power consumption of the feeder worm and / or the processing worm. As soon as the density of the volume between the worms has reached a desired value, the speed of rotation of the feeder worm can be increased again.

[0020] The invention is now explained according to the Figures. These explanations do not limit the scope of protection and apply for all embodiments of the present invention likewise.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a grinder to execute the inventive method.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the inventive method.

[0023] Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the inventive method

[0024] Figure 1 shows a grinder on which the inventive method can be executed. This grinder comprises a hopper 5, which accommodates the food-mass to be processed, e.g. blocks of frozen meat. At the bottom of the hopper 5 a feeder worm 2 is provided, which is driven by a motor and rotates during processing in a first direction around its longitudinal axis. Additionally, here below the feeder worm 2, a processing worm 3 is provided, which conveys the food-mass towards a cutting set 4, but which also comprises means to compress the food-mass. The cutting set comprises at least a perforated plate and a knife, which is driven by the processing worm and rotates relative to the perforated plate. Due to the cooperation of the perforated plate and the knife, for example minced meat is produced. During normal process conditions the feeder worm and the processing worm transport the food-mass in the same direction, here from the right to the left. The grinder can process fresh or frozen food masses.

[0025] A first embodiment is directed to automatically detect easy to process food-mass such as fresh food-mass from hard to process food-mass such as frozen food-mass by measuring the power consumption of the feeder worm according to Figure 2, which shows speed of rotation of the processing worm PW and speed of rotation of the feeder worm FW over time, as well as the set point for the power consumption of the feeder worm FW and the actual power consumption of the feeder worm over time. Time progresses from the left to the right. After the machine starts operation, the speed of rotation of the feeder worm FW increases to a certain speed and this speed is maintained constant over time. The set point for the desired power consumption, is set to a first level (low level). It can be seen that the actual, measured power consumption of the feeder worm after start-up exceeds the low level set point, but subsequently falls below the low level set point. As soon as the actual power consumption falls below the low level set point, a timer is triggered and after a certain, set time delay has lapsed, the speed of rotation of the processing worm PW is increased from a low speed, for example 150 rpm, to a high speed, for example 240 rpm. The time delay is for example 5 -30 sec, preferably 7 - 23 sec. Alternatively or additionally, the set point for the power consumption of the feeder worm can be increased from a low set point, for example < 6 kW to a high level set point, for example > 12 kW, also after a delay time, which can, but must not be the same delay time as the same as the delay time for the increase of the speed of rotation of the processing worm. Further down the time line, the situation is depicted when the actual power consumption exceeds the set point for the power consumption. The speed of rotation of the processing worm is decreased from the high to the low level set point essentially without delay. Preferably, the set point for the power consumption of the feeder worm is also reduced from a high set point to a low set point.

[0026] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention directed to optimum filling of the processing worm and accordingly optimized product output of the grinder which Figure shows speed of rotation of the processing worm PW and speed of rotation of the feeder worm FW over time, as well as the set point for the power consumption of the feeder worm FW and the actual power consumption of the feeder worm over time. Time progresses from the left to the right. After the machine starts operation, the speed of rotation of the processing worm PW increases to a certain speed and this speed is maintained constant over time. In the present case, the set point of the power consumption of the processing worm PW is also maintained at a constant level. As soon as the actual power consumption of the processing worm PW exceeds a high level set point (upper dashed line) a delay time is triggered and after its laps the speed of the feeder worm is reduced by a certain, preferably pre-set amount. This reduction trigger again a delay time and after its laps the speed of rotation is again reduced, preferably by the same amount. This is executed / repeated until the actual power consumption of the processing worm is below the high level set point. It is also possible that the feeder worm speed is reduced to zero or even reverses for a set period of time and then restart. In case the actual power consumption of the processing worm is below the high level set point before the delay time has lapsed, no reduction of the speed of rotation of the feeder worm is executed. In the present. In the present case, there is also a low set point of the power consumption. As soon as the actual power consumption of the processing worm PW exceeds a low level set point (lower dashed line) a delay time is triggered and after its laps the speed of the feeder worm is increased by a certain, preferably pre-set amount. This reduction trigger again a delay time and after its laps the speed of rotation is again increased, preferably by the same amount. This is executed / repeated until the actual power consumption of the processing worm is above the low level. In case the actual power consumption of the processing worm is above the high level set point before the delay time has lapsed, no reduction of the speed of rotation of the feeder worm is executed.

[0027] Reference signs:

[0028] 1 Grinder

[0029] 2 feeder worm

[0030] 3 processing worm

[0031] 4 cutting set

[0032] 5 hopper

[0033] 6 volume between feeder worm and processing worm

[0034] PW processing worm

[0035] FW feeder worm

Claims

Patent claims:1 . Method to grind frozen- and / or fresh food-mass in a grinder (1 ), wherein the food-mass is provided to the grinder via a hopper (5) and transported by a motor driven rotating feeder worm (2) to a motor driven rotating processing worm (3), which conveys the food-mass towards a cutting set (4) which grinds the food-mass, wherein the feeder worm (2) rotates, preferably at a constant speed, and wherein a control system controls the speed of rotation of the feeder worm (2) and / or the processing worm (3), characterized in that, during production, the power consumption of the motor of the feeder worm (2) is measured and compared to a power consumption set point and in case the power consumption of the motor of the feeder worm (2) is lower than a power consumption set point, the speed of rotation of the processing worm (3) is increased after a delay time and that in case the power consumption of the motor of the feeder worm (2) is higher than a power consumption set point, the speed of rotation of the processing worm (3) is decreased at least essentially without a delay time and / or in case a fresh food-mass is in the grinder and a frozen food-mass is enters the hopper, the speed of rotation of the processing worm (3) is decreased at least essentially without a delay time and in case a frozen food-mass is in the grinder and a fresh food-mass is enters the hopper, the speed of rotation of the processing worm (3) is increased with a delay time, preferably after the grinding of the frozen food-mass is terminated.

2. Method to grind frozen- and / or fresh food-mass in a grinder (1 ), wherein the food-mass is provided to the grinder via a hopper (5) and transported by a motor driven rotating feeder worm (2) to a motor driven rotating processing worm (3), the processing worm (3) preferably rotating at a constant speed and the processing worm conveying the food-mass towards a cutting set (4) which grinds the food-mass and wherein a control system controls the speed of rotation of the feeder worm (2) and / or the processing worm (3), characterized in that, during production, the power consumption of the motor of the processing worm (3) is measured and compared to a power consumption set point and in case the power consumption of the motor of the processing worm (3) is lower than a power consumption set point, the speed of rotation of the feeder worm (2) is increased after a delay time and that in case the power consumption of the motor of the processing worm (3) is higher than a power consumption set point, the speed of rotation of the feeder worm (3) is decreased after a delay time.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in, that the speed of rotation of the feeder worm is increased or decreased stepwise.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the speed of rotation of the feeder worm or the processing worm is increased or decreased along a ramp.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the feeder worm (2) and the processing worm (3) transport the food-mass in the same direction.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the power consumption set point is part of recipe.

7. Method according to claim 4, characterized in, that the recipe can inputted into the control unit or downloaded from a data storage device.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the grinder (1 ) and / or the hopper comprises a sensor that measures at least one parameter of the food-mass to be processed.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the food-mass is at least partially meat.

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