Vertical Bread Slicer with Suspended Gripping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bread slicers face issues such as bread movement and deformation during cutting, and the need to recover cut bread from a different compartment, which are not adequately addressed by existing machines.
Innovation Solution
A bread slicing machine with a movable pusher equipped with hooking means to grasp and hold the bread, preventing it from resting on the cutting blade, and a clamping device to maintain the bread in a fixed position, allowing for precise slicing and efficient recovery of cut bread in the same compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the bread rests on the cutting blade during cutting, then the cutting process can proceed, but the bread moves relative to the cut slices and the crumb deforms
Solution Approach 1:
A pusher element is introduced as an intermediary between the bread and the cutting blade. The pusher holds the bread in a suspended position during cutting, preventing direct contact between the bread and the blade, thereby eliminating bread movement and crumb deformation while maintaining cutting continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher element is made movable along the cutting blade's cutting path, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to hold the bread at the optimal location during the cutting process, ensuring stable bread positioning without interfering with the cutting operation
2Manufacturing precision
If the bread is held in a suspended position during cutting, then bread movement and deformation are prevented, but additional gripping means are required
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor detects the presence of the bread and triggers the pusher element to move into position. This feedback mechanism automates the gripping action, eliminating the need for complex manual gripping mechanisms while ensuring the bread is reliably held in the suspended position during cutting
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher element is designed to automatically engage with the bread when detected by the sensor, and automatically release after cutting. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional gripping means operated by the user, simplifying the overall device complexity
3Area of stationary object
If the bread is cut in a vertical direction, then the machine occupies a small area, but the uncut portion rests on the cutting blade causing movement and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher element serves as a mediator that allows vertical cutting (maintaining compact machine footprint) while preventing the uncut bread portion from resting on the blade. By holding the bread in suspension, the pusher enables vertical cutting without the harmful contact that causes crumb deformation
4Ease of operation
If the cut bread is recovered from a different compartment, then the cutting and recovery processes are separated, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting compartment and bread recovery compartment are merged into a single integrated compartment. The pusher element facilitates both cutting and recovery operations within the same space, eliminating the need for separate compartments and transferring operations, thereby significantly improving operational efficiency while maintaining ease of operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The machine effectively prevents bread deformation and movement during cutting, ensuring that the bread is sliced without pressure on the cutting blade and allows for easy recovery of cut slices in the same compartment, improving operational efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
hooking means making it possible to grasp and hold the bread against the action of gravity
Implementation Method 2
the bread proximity detection system comprises a detector which is fixed to the pusher. This detector is designed to detect the proximity of the bread or the contact of the bread with the pusher
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a machine and to a method for cutting a loaf of bread (2) into slices, according to which a loaf of bread (2) is placed against a supporting surface (3) in a first compartment (1), and then is moved downwards towards a second compartment (5). During the movement, the loaf of bread (2) is cut into slices between the first and second compartment while the cut portion of the loaf of bread (2) is supported by a mobile support (4) moving at a speed substantially equal to the speed of movement of the loaf of bread (2) at least until the loaf has been completely cut. After the loaf of bread has been placed against said supporting surface (3), the machine grips the top end (9) of the loaf of bread (2) via hanging means (7) and said end (9) of the loaf of bread is held against gravity during the downward movement thereof while the slices are cut.