Improved slicing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a slicing machine (10) used for cutting food products into a finger shape defined as long and thin; comprising a slicing chamber (20) including at least one pusher (21) having at least one pusher slide (22) positioned oppositely and connected to at least one linear shaft (52) which is movable along a horizontal axis (I) and driven by an electric motor (51) located in at least one drive compartment (50). Accordingly, its novelty is that, after the food product to be cut is placed in the slicing chamber (20), the machine comprises at least one fast return mechanism (60) driven by the electric motor (51) at the moment when at least one pin (30) comes into contact with at least one start switching element (40); wherein the fast return mechanism (60) comprises at least one rotary joint (61) performing a circular movement around a rotational axis (II), at least one sliding joint (62) connected to the rotary joint (61) and converting the circular motion into a movement along the horizontal axis (I), at least one fixed support (64) connected to the sliding joint (62) and fixed to the ground, and at least one connecting rod (65) transmitting the motion of the sliding joint (62) to the linear shaft (52).

Description

[0001] IMPROVED SLICING MACHINE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to a slicing machine used for cutting food products into a finger shape defined as long and thin; comprising a slicing chamber including at least one pusher having at least one pusher slide positioned oppositely and connected to at least one linear shaft which is movable along a horizontal axis and driven by an electric motor located in at least one drive compartment.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Food slicing machines are designed to ensure uniform and rapid slicing of food products, particularly for industrial and commercial use. These machines are generally used for slicing food items such as meat, cheese, vegetables, and fruits, and aim to accelerate mass production while preserving the quality of the food. Vegetable and fruit slicing machines are professional or industrial machines designed to cut fruits and vegetables into specific sizes, shapes, and thicknesses. These machines are commonly used in various food processing industries, restaurants, food production facilities, and catering services. Their purpose is to enhance functionality, slicing speed, and the presentation quality of the products.

[0006] Structures referred to as finger slicers are specialized slicing machines used to slice vegetables such as potatoes into specific dimensions and regular shapes. These machines are widely used in restaurants, fast-food chains, and industrial food processing facilities. In the prior art, slicing machines known as finger slicers are pneumatically driven. A common problem encountered in pneumatic systems is air leakage. The escape of compressed air within the system leads to energy loss. This causes the compressor to operate more, thereby reducing energy efficiency. Pneumatic drive systems often fall short in applications requiring precise control. The compression and expansion of air naturally cause delay and loss of accuracy. In automatic finger slicers, cutting operations that require fine adjustment cannot be performed at the desired level with pneumatic systems, and due to the lower sensitivity of speed-force control compared to other drive methods, sudden pressure fluctuations may occur, negatively affecting the consistency of the cutting process. Another method used in prior art finger slicers for motion transmission is the crank and connecting rod mechanism. In this system, the circular motion of the crank and connecting rod mechanism is transmitted to the shaft as linear motion. However, this structure has several disadvantages. Firstly, during high-speed operation of the shaft, swaying occurs, which adversely affects the accuracy of the slicing process and leads to inconsistencies in cutting. Additionally, a loss of precision occurs, making it difficult to achieve the desired performance, particularly for products requiring fine slicing.

[0007] As a result, all the abovementioned problems have made it necessary to make an improvement in the relevant technical field.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to a slicing machine designed to eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages and introduce new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0010] An object of the invention is to provide a slicing machine that is easy to use and has a long service life.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a slicing machine that ensures time saving.

[0012] To achieve all the objects mentioned above and those that will become apparent from the detailed description below, the present invention is a slicing machine used for cutting food products into a finger shape defined as long and thin; comprising a slicing chamber including at least one pusher having at least one pusher slide positioned oppositely and connected to at least one linear shaft which is movable along a horizontal axis and driven by an electric motor located in at least one drive compartment. Accordingly, the novelty is that, after the food product to be cut is placed in the slicing chamber, the machine comprises at least one fast return mechanism driven by the electric motor at the moment when at least one pin contacts at least one start switching element; the fast return mechanism comprises at least one rotary joint performing a circular movement around a rotational axis, at least one sliding joint connected to the rotary joint and converting the circular motion into movement along the horizontal axis, at least one fixed support connected to the sliding joint and fixed to the ground, and at least one connecting rod transmitting the motion of the sliding joint to the linear shaft. Thus, a slicing machine is obtained in which the forward speed is performed in a controlled manner, the return speed is increased to provide time savings, and the slicing quality is improved.

[0013] A feature of a possible embodiment of the invention is that the slicing chamber comprises at least one blade enabling the food product to be sliced in a finger shape. Thus, the pusher transfers the food product, which is the potato, to the blade for slicing.

[0014] A feature of a possible embodiment of the invention is that it comprises at least one bearing ensuring smooth transmission of the circular movement of the sliding joint around the rotational axis. Thus, the transmission of motion of the sliding joint, which rotates around the rotational axis, is carried out smoothly.

[0015] A feature of a possible embodiment of the invention is that the fast return mechanism comprises at least one limiting switching element providing controlled vertical movement after each rotation of the fast return mechanism. Thus, the fast return mechanism operates in a controlled manner.

[0016] A feature of a possible embodiment of the invention is that the pusher slide is connected in two units at the opposite ends of the pusher. Thus, the pusher transfers the potato linearly to the blade without any deviation.

[0017] A feature of a possible embodiment of the invention is that it comprises at least one linear bearing facilitating the motion transmission of the linear shaft. Thus, the transmission of movement during the linear shaft’s movement along the horizontal axis is facilitated.

[0018] A feature of a possible embodiment of the invention is that the fast return mechanism provides a controlled movement of the pusher toward the blade along the horizontal axis and a rapid return movement away from the blade. Thus, time savings are achieved.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 shows a representative perspective view of the slicing machine (10) of the invention.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In this detailed description, the subject of the invention is described utilizing examples only for clarifying the subject matter such that no limiting effect is created.

[0022] Figure 1 presents a representative perspective view of the slicing machine (10) of the invention. The slicing machine (10) is capable of slicing food products into a finger shape, which can be described as long and thin. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the slicing machine (10) slices potatoes into finger form. The slicing machine (10) prevents damage to the materials within the structure by transmitting linear motion in a controlled and deviation-free manner, thereby enabling the potato to be sliced in the desired form.

[0023] The slicing machine (10) of the invention comprises at least one slicing chamber (20). The slicing chamber (20) is the location where the food product is placed and then sliced into a finger shape. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the food product being sliced is a potato. The slicing chamber (20) comprises at least one pusher (21). The pusher (21) is the part against which the potato is placed, and it moves the potato along at least one horizontal axis (I). In order for the pusher (21) to perform a linear motion along the horizontal axis (I), it is connected to at least one pusher slide (22). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there are two pusher slides (22), positioned oppositely at both ends of the pusher (21). In this way, the pusher slide (22) moves the pusher (21) without any axial deviation, and the potato is transferred in a linear path to at least one blade (23). The blade (23) slices the potato into the desired finger shape. Since the pusher (21) moves in a controllable manner, potential damage to the blade (23) due to stress is minimized.

[0024] In the slicing machine (10) of the invention, after the potato to be sliced is placed in the slicing chamber (20), the chamber is covered with at least one cover (24) (not shown in the figures). During the closing movement, the cover (24) comes into contact with at least one pin (30). The pin (30), in turn, comes into contact with at least one start switching element (40). The start switching element (40) indicates that the potato has been placed in the slicing chamber (20) and is ready for the slicing process, and the slicing machine (10) starts operating.

[0025] With the engagement of the cover (24) with the pin (30) and subsequently its contact with the start switching element (40), at least one drive compartment (50) is activated. The drive compartment (50) comprises at least one electric motor (51). The electric motor (51) drives at least one fast return mechanism (60). The fast return mechanism (60) moves the pusher (21) along the horizontal axis (I) in order to cut the potato. By means of the fast return mechanism (60), the pusher (21) performs a forward movement along the horizontal axis (I) toward the blade (23) in a controlled manner, and then returns from the blade (23) with an increased speed. This fast return motion provides time savings.

[0026] The fast return mechanism (60) comprises at least one rotary joint (61). The rotary joint (61) is connected to the electric motor (51). With the actuation of the electric motor (51), the rotary joint (61) performs a circular movement around at least one rotational axis (II). The fast return mechanism (60) comprises at least one sliding joint (62) connected to the rotary joint (61). The sliding joint (62), along with the circular movement of the rotary joint (61), performs a partially circular movement around the rotational axis (II) and simultaneously transmits this circular movement to the horizontal axis (I). The sliding joint (62) comprises at least one bearing (63). The bearing (63) enables the sliding joint (62) to transmit the circular movement coming from the rotary joint (61) from the rotational axis (II) to the horizontal axis (I) smoothly. The fast return mechanism (60) comprises at least one fixed support (64). The fixed support (64) is fastened near the ground by a bolt and provides rigidity for the sliding joint (62) during motion transmission.

[0027] The slicing machine (10) of the invention comprises at least one limiting switching element (70). The limiting switching element (70) contacts the fast return mechanism (60) when a full rotation is completed. Upon contacting the limiting switching element (70), the fast return mechanism (60) stops its motion and waits for the signal coming from the start switching element (40) to begin a new full rotation. The sliding joint (62) in the fast return mechanism (60) is connected to at least one connecting rod (65). The connecting rod (65) transmits the horizontal axis (I) movement of the sliding joint (62) to at least one linear shaft (52). The linear shaft (52) is connected to at least one linear bearing (53). The linear bearing (53) prevents transmission problems that may occur during the transfer of the horizontal axis (I) movement received from the connecting rod (65) to the linear shaft (52).

[0028] The horizontal axis (I) movement of the linear shaft (52) in the slicing machine (10) of the invention is transmitted to the pusher slide (22) located in the slicing chamber (20). In this way, the motion required for finger slicing of the food product, which is the potato, is provided. The fast return mechanism (60) in the slicing machine (10) is fixed at four different points: the rotary joint (61), the fixed support (64), the sliding joint (62), and the connecting rod (65). Thus, oscillations that may occur during the circular movement of the fast return mechanism (60) or during the horizontal axis (I) movement of the pusher (21) for slicing the potato are prevented. The slicing machine (10) comprises at least one emergency stop button (80). The emergency stop button (80) provides a safety measure by quickly stopping the slicing machine (10) in the event of an adverse situation.

[0029] In line with all the above explanations, the operation of the invention is as follows: after the food product to be sliced, namely the potato, is placed in the slicing chamber (20), the cover (24) is closed. The cover (24) contacts a pin (30), and this pin (30) is connected to the start switching element (40). With the activation of the start switching element (40), the electric motor (51) located in the drive compartment (50) generates drive. In the embodiment of the invention, the fast return mechanism (60) comprises the rotary joint (61), the sliding joint (62), the fixed support (64), and the connecting rod (65). The electric motor (51) first drives the rotary joint (61), and the rotary joint (61) transmits its circular movement around the rotational axis (II) to the sliding joint (62). Thanks to the bearing (63) inside the sliding joint (62), the circular movement around the rotational axis (II) is transmitted smoothly. The fixed support (64) is fixed to the ground with a bolt and maintains the rigidity of the sliding joint (62). After each full rotation of the sliding joint (62), it contacts the limiting switching element (70), thereby providing a controlled movement mechanism. The sliding joint (62) transmits its motion to the connecting rod (65), and the connecting rod (65) transfers this motion to the linear shaft (52), enabling the linear shaft (52) to move along the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis (I) movement of the linear shaft (52) is transmitted to the pusher (21) via the two pusher slides (22) located in the slicing chamber (20). This movement of the pusher (21) causes the potato, which is placed on the surface in front of the pusher (21), to move toward the blade (23), resulting in the completion of the slicing process.

[0030] Therefore, a slicing machine (10) is obtained for use in the potato slicing process, which has high slicing quality, is suitable for use in kitchens and similar environments, has a long service life due to not requiring maintenance or repair, and provides time savings due to its short processing time.

[0031] The protection scope of the invention is specified in the appended claims and cannot be limited to the description made for illustrative purposes in this detailed description. Likewise, it is clear that a person skilled in the art can present similar embodiments in the light of the above descriptions without departing from the main theme of the invention. REFERENCE NUMBERS THAT GIVEN IN THE FIGURE

[0032] 10 Slicing Machine

[0033] 20 Slicing Chamber

[0034] 21 Pusher

[0035] 22 Pusher Slide

[0036] 23 Blade

[0037] 24 Cover

[0038] 30 Pin

[0039] 40 Start Switching Element

[0040] 50 Drive Compartment

[0041] 51 Electric Motor

[0042] 52 Linear Shaft

[0043] 53 Linear Bearing

[0044] 60 Fast Return Mechanism

[0045] 61 Rotary Joint

[0046] 62 Sliding Joint

[0047] 63 Bearing

[0048] 64 Fixed Support

[0049] 65 Connecting Rod

[0050] 70 Limiting Switching Element

[0051] 80 Emergency Stop Button

[0052] (I) Horizontal Axis

[0053] (II) Rotational Axis

Claims

CLAIMS1. A slicing machine (10) used for cutting food products into a finger shape defined as long and thin; comprising a slicing chamber (20) including at least one pusher (21) having at least one pusher slide (22) positioned oppositely and connected to at least one linear shaft (52) which is movable along a horizontal axis (I) and driven by an electric motor (51) located in at least one drive compartment (50), characterized by comprising at least one fast return mechanism (60) driven by the electric motor (51) at the moment when at least one pin (30) comes into contact with at least one start switching element (40) after the food product to be cut is placed in the slicing chamber (20); wherein the fast return mechanism (60) comprises at least one rotary joint (61) performing a circular motion around a rotational axis (II), at least one sliding joint (62) connected to the rotary joint (61) and converting the circular motion into a movement along the horizontal axis (I), at least one fixed support (64) connected to the sliding joint (62) and fixed to the ground, and at least one connecting rod (65) transmitting the motion of the sliding joint (62) to the linear shaft (52).

2. The slicing machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized by comprising at least one blade (23) in the slicing chamber (20), enabling the food product to be sliced in the finger shape.

3. The slicing machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized by comprising at least one bearing (63) ensuring smooth transmission of the circular movement of the sliding joint (62) around the rotational axis (II).

4. The slicing machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized by comprising at least one limiting switching element (70) providing controlled vertical movement after each rotation of the fast return mechanism (60).

5. The slicing machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that; the pusher slide (22) is connected in two units at the opposite ends of the pusher (21).

6. The slicing machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized by comprising at least one linear bearing (53) facilitating the motion transmission of the linear shaft (52).

7. The slicing machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized by comprising at least one cover (24) which is closed after the food product is placed in the slicing chamber (20) and is positioned to contact the pin (30).

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