Dynamic Product Holder for High-Throughput Food Slicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-performance slicers face inefficiencies due to 'empty runs' when product holders need to move back into their starting position between slicing processes, leading to reduced throughput and poor product guidance, especially with certain food types like ham, resulting in scrap cuts.
Innovation Solution
A control device for the product holder that moves from a waiting position to a working position behind or in the path of the product during slicing, integrated with the conveyor, allowing it to engage only when necessary, thus avoiding unnecessary movement and maintaining continuous product flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a product holder is used to guide and hold the product during slicing, then product guidance and cut quality are improved, but the product holder must move back to starting position between products causing empty runs and reduced throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The product holder is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be movable between a retracted position (clearing the path) and an engagement position (behind or in the path of the product). This dynamic adjustment enables the holder to be present only when needed for product guidance, eliminating empty runs while maintaining cut quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device activates the product holder to engage with the product at the precise moment when the product reaches the optimal position for holding. This preliminary and timed engagement ensures that the holder is in position before slicing begins, maintaining cut quality, but retracts immediately after to avoid interfering with the next product, thus maximizing throughput.
2Reliability
If a separate product holder is used for product guidance, then safe product holding is achieved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and movement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The product holder is integrated with the product conveyor to form a unified assembly. This merging of functions allows the holder to utilize the conveyor's existing movement and positioning capabilities, eliminating the need for completely separate holding mechanisms and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining reliable product guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The product holder is designed as a multi-functional component that can perform both product guidance and product holding functions. By integrating these functions into a single device that works in coordination with the conveyor system, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed while ensuring safe and reliable product handling throughout the slicing process.
Data Source
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AI summary
The device has a product infeed system (11) comprising a product conveyor (29) for continuously supplying food products (27). A product holder (40) is brought in intervention with a rear product end. The product holder and the conveyor form a unit or belong to a common unit. The product holder is integrated into the conveyor. Adjustable movement of the product holder takes place with a component transverse to a product feeding direction (P). A blank holder for holding and/or feeding the food products is provided between a leading end of the conveyor and a cutting plane (S). An independent claim is also included for a method for cutting food products.