DE102009040351A1 - Slicing machine with partially sunk cutting blade - Google Patents

Abstract

A slicing machine (10) for cutting slices from, in particular, strand-shaped material to be sliced, preferably food, with a machine housing (11), with a cutting device which comprises a flat circular knife (12) rotatably mounted in the machine housing with a rotating circular cutting blade, and with an am The knife protection ring (13) attached to the machine housing, which covers the cutting edge of the rotating cutting blade over an azimuthal partial area of the outer circumference of the circular knife, is characterized in that the machine housing has a plate-shaped section (14) in the lower area of the cutting device, in which a recess (14 ') ) is cut out for receiving a segment of the rotating circular knife, in which the rotating cutting blade engages in such a way that it is surrounded by the plate-shaped section of the machine housing over an azimuthal portion of the outer circumference of the circular knife. On the one hand, this enables a more compact design of the machine by reducing its overall height, but the cutting result, which essentially depends on the diameter of the circular knife used, is not impaired and, on the other hand, a better possibility of cleaning the dirty area below the circular knife is created.

Description

The invention relates to a disc cutting machine for cutting slices of particular stranded cutting material, preferably food, with a machine housing, with a cutting device comprising a rotatably mounted in the machine housing, flat circular knife with circumferential circular cutting blade, and with a fixed to the machine housing knife guard ring, the Covering the cutting edge of the rotating cutting blade over an azimuthal portion of the outer circumference of the circular blade.

Such disk cutting machines are known, for example from the DE 44 18 351 C1 or from the EP 0 700 760 B1 ,

The material to be cut, in particular in automatically operated slicing machines for rope-shaped foods, such as sausages, ham, salmon, etc., is moved by means of a feed device on a feed surface against the cutting device, usually in the direction perpendicular to the cutting plane, in which usually one or more rotating blades circling to cut off slices of conveyed material.

In the field of household cutting machines, there are models in which the cutting device is completely embedded in the machine housing.

On the other hand, in professional slicing machines, such as those used to slice meat, sausage and cheese in food processing establishments or restaurants, the circular knives are always freestanding and freewheeling. The cutting blades of these circular knives are ground extremely sharp and would pose a danger to the operator without special protective measures. Therefore, it has long been common practice to provide industrial disc cutting machine with a fixedly attached to the base plate of the machine housing blade guard ring over a - more than 180 ° comprehensive azimuthal portion of the outer circumference of the circular blade C-shaped or U -shaped and thereby protects operators from accidental contact with the cutting blade and any cuts.

Due to the use of such a knife guard ring, which always covers the uppermost portion of the outer periphery of the circular blade, but inevitably arises for geometrical reasons, a relatively high construction of professional slicing machine. In order to keep the machine height as low as possible, the cutting device is usually designed so that the circular blade is arranged at a small distance above the base plate of the machine housing. However, a convenient access to the dirt area directly below the circular blade is severely hampered and it is extremely difficult to keep this area permanently clean, which would of course be very desirable especially when cutting food for hygienic reasons.

Object of the present invention is in contrast to improve a generic disc cutting machine of the type described above cost and with the simplest possible technical means to the extent that on the one hand a more compact design of the machine by reducing the height is made possible, but the cutting result, which is essentially from Diameter of the circular blade used depends, should not be affected, and on the other hand, a better way of cleaning the dirt area is created below the circular blade.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in a surprisingly simple and effective manner in that the machine housing has a plate-shaped section in the lower region of the cutting device, in which a recess for receiving a segment of the rotating circular blade is recessed, in which engages the rotating cutting blade in that it is surrounded by an azimuthal portion of the outer circumference of the circular blade of the plate-shaped portion of the machine housing.

By providing a trough for receiving a segment of the rotating circular blade is the same diameter of the circular blade, which now engages the recess and partially sunk in it, the height of the disc cutting machine correspondingly lower, the trough acts as a kind of extended blade protection ring. Since the lower part of the circular blade is not used in professional slicing machines anyway for cutting, therefore, results in a significantly reduced height while maintaining cutting quality.

In addition, in this way a much better lateral access and also an azimuthal cleaning area for revolving on the circular blade cleaning tabs opened. Overall, therefore, can be much easier and more thorough cleaning the disc cutting machine due to the present invention.

Another advantage of the proposed inventive measures is that a carriage for feeding the Schneideguts directly can be guided over the surface of the base plate of the machine housing, whereby a considerably smaller gap of the order of only about 2-3 mm remains, which practically eliminates the risk of crushing the fingers of operators when cleaning or servicing the machine.

The cutting device of the slicing machine according to the invention can be inclined relative to the vertical ("oblique cutter") or designed as a vertical cutter. It is also possible to provide turning devices for positioning, conveying devices for transport and depositing devices for depositing, packaging or further processing the cut-off slices of the cutting material.

For technical reasons, in the disc cutting machine according to the invention, the trough in planes which run perpendicular to the circular blade plane and perpendicular to the plane of the plate-shaped section, have a substantially rectangular or a round, in particular an oval cross-section.

In a first class of embodiments of the invention, the machine housing is formed as a casting and the trough formed in the plate-shaped portion by using a corresponding mold. This one-piece construction in casting requires the lowest production cost for the preparation of the invention prescribed trough.

Alternatively, in another class of embodiments, the trough may be milled into the plate-shaped portion of the machine housing. Again, the trough is again made in one piece with the base plate. However, in these embodiments, the possibility of a simple adaptation of the housing blanks used for the production of equipment of the desired disc cutting machine with circular blade of different diameters.

Finally, a third class of embodiments is characterized in that the trough is formed as a separate insert part, which is fastened in a recess of the plate-shaped section on the machine housing. These 2-part embodiments represent the most elegant solution, in which although the largest production costs are incurred in comparison, but also the highest flexibility in the geometric design is given.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the disc cutting machine according to the invention, in which a part of the trough is designed as a drainage channel or drainage surface for discharging liquid reaching into the trough, to allow easy cleaning of the machine. In particular, in slicing machines, which are designed as vertical cutters, such a drainage area with drainage slope for draining the trough is of great use. The drainage channel or the drainage surface may extend to the engine tower or to a storage surface for cut slices.

Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the disc cutting machine according to the invention is characterized in that an insert segment is provided for insertion into the trough, which surrounds the protruding into the trough segment of the rotating circular cutting blade. This insert segment effectively continues the rounding of the trough and serves to cover circular knives with smaller diameters. In a planned installation of circular knives of different diameters (or different knife thicknesses) in slicing machines according to the invention thus still each the same machine housing can be used with prepared well. Compared to the variant with maximum diameter, which then of course no insert segment needed, the construction variants with smaller circular blades by using appropriate insert segments for geometric compensation of actually too deep well manufacturing technology easily adaptable.

In preferred developments of this embodiment, the insert segment is waterproof, in particular joint-free inserted into the trough, which can be achieved by suitable geometric design of insert segment and trough. As a result, contamination in this particularly critical area can be avoided or at least minimized, which is very important, especially for the processing of food for hygienic reasons.

A variant of these developments is characterized in that a non-adhesive sealant is arranged between the insert segment and the trough, which compensates for smaller manufacturing inaccuracies in the joint area, creates an optimum joint geometry and is easily removable or replaceable if necessary.

In an alternative variant, a, in particular detachable, preferably heat-dissipatable adhesive is arranged between the insert segment and the trough. Even so, it is easy to produce a sufficient freedom of joints, in particular watertightness, the insert segment still remains easily removed, such as for cleaning or replacement with another insert segment.

For reasons of hygiene, interchangeable insert segments can be provided in preferred embodiments of the embodiment described above.

Particularly favorable embodiments in which the insert segment having at least one of the cutting blade facing coating of high strength and with good sliding properties, preferably a coating of a plastic material such as Teflon ^®, Delrin ^®, or POM, or is entirely composed of such a material. Thus, a protection of the cutting edges of the circular blade is ensured, for example, in case of accidental dropping in the course of assembly work or exchange or cleaning of the blade unit.

Advantageously, it is also possible to provide a set of several insert segments of different sizes, of which, depending on the diameter of the circular blade used, the cutting device is installed in the machine housing which best covers the part of the circular cutting blade protruding into the depression.

In a particularly well-proven in practice variant, at least in the cutting plane defined by the circular blade radius and center of curvature of the blade guard ring equal to the radius and center of curvature of the trough and / or as radius and center of curvature of the insert segment.

Also preferred are developments of the embodiment described above, in which the insert segment covers the cutting blade outside the trough over a further azimuthal portion and thus secures against inadvertent contact.

The knife guard ring may be constructed in several parts in embodiments of the invention, with developments are preferred in which a partial segment of the blade guard ring forms the insert segment.

Also included in the scope of the present invention is an insert segment for a disc cutting machine designed in the manner described above according to the invention, which, after being inserted into the recess of the disc cutting machine, surrounds the segment of the circulating circular cutting blade projecting into the recess.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures of the drawing, which shows details essential to the invention, and from the claims. The individual features may be implemented individually for themselves or for a plurality of combinations in variants of the invention.

In the schematic drawing embodiments of the invention are shown, which are explained in more detail in the following description.

Show it:

1a a schematic horizontal view from the side of an embodiment of the disc cutting machine according to the invention with insert segment for insertion into the trough;

1b a schematic plan view from above the disc cutting machine after 1a ;

1c a schematic horizontal view from the front of the disc cutting machine after 1a ;

2a a horizontal view from the side of another embodiment of the disc cutting machine according to the invention, in which a part of the trough is formed as a drainage surface for discharging liquid reaching into the trough;

2 B a schematic plan view from above the disc cutting machine after 2a ; and

2c a schematic horizontal view from the front of the disc cutting machine after 2a ,

In the 1a to 2c are schematically from the side, from the front or from above each embodiments of a preferably automatic disc cutting machine 10 ; 20 shown. This has a machine housing 11 ; 21 and a cutting device, which in the machine housing 11 ; 21 rotating, flat circular knife 12 ; 22 with circumferential circular cutting blade, as well as one on the machine housing 11 ; 21 attached knife guard ring 13 ; 23 , the cutting edge of the rotating cutting blade over an azimuthal portion of the outer periphery of the circular blade 12 ; 22 covers.

In the embodiments of the disc cutting machine according to the invention shown in the drawing 10 ; 20 indicates the machine housing 11 ; 21 According to the invention, in each case a plate-shaped section 14 . 24 at the bottom of the cutting device, in which a trough 14 '; 24 ' for receiving a segment of the rotating circular knife 12 ; 22 is recessed, in which the circumferential cutting blade engages such that it extends over an azimuthal portion of the outer circumference of the circular blade 12 ; 22 from the plate-shaped section 14 ; 24 of the machine housing 11 ; 21 is surrounded.

The cross section of the trough 14 '; 24 ' is usually i. W. U-shaped or C-shaped and be either round or oval or - as in the 1c and 2c shown embodiments - have a rectangular shape. In this case, the machine housing 11 ; 21 formed as a casting and the trough 14 '; 24 ' in the plate-shaped section 14 ; 24 be formed by using a corresponding mold. The hollow 14 '; 24 ' but also in the plate-shaped section 14 ; 24 of the machine housing 11 ; 21 milled or alternatively be formed as a separate insert part, which in a recess of the plate-shaped portion 14 ; 24 on the machine housing 11 ; 21 is attached.

In the in the 1a to 1c illustrated embodiment is an insert segment 15 for insertion into the trough 14 ' provided, which in the hollow 14 ' projecting segment of the circumferential circular cutting blade surrounds. The insert segment 15 should be as joint-free, especially waterproof in the trough 14 ' be inserted. Between insert segment 15 and trough 14 ' may be arranged a non-adhesive sealant or an adhesive which in particular should be solvable, preferably heat dissolvable to allow easy and complete removal.

The slicing machine 20 in the 2a to 2c shown embodiment is characterized in that a part of the trough 24 ' as drainage area 24 '' for discharging into the trough 24 ' formed liquid is formed.

In addition to the embodiments shown in the figures of the drawing, many other geometric and mechanical embodiments of the disc cutting machine according to the invention and the invention prescribed trough for receiving a segment of the rotating circular blade are also possible.

Likewise, the insert segment proposed in embodiments of the invention may be geometrically designed in different ways in such a way that it surrounds the segment of the circulating circular cutting blade protruding into the recess after being inserted into the recess of the slicing machine.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 4418351 C1 [0002]
• EP 0700760 B1 [0002]

Claims (15)

Slicing machine ( 10 ; 20 ) for cutting off slices of, in particular, strand-like cutting material, preferably food, with a machine housing ( 11 ; 21 ), with a cutting device, the one in the machine housing ( 11 ; 21 ) rotatably mounted, flat circular knife ( 12 ; 22 ) with circumferential circular cutting blade, as well as with one on the machine housing ( 11 ; 21 ) attached knife guard ring ( 13 ; 23 ), the cutting edge of the rotating cutting blade over an azimuthal portion of the outer periphery of the circular blade ( 12 ; 22 ), characterized in that the machine housing ( 11 ; 21 ) a plate-shaped section ( 14 ; 24 ) in the lower region of the cutting device, in which a trough ( 14 '; 24 ' ) for receiving a segment of the rotating circular blade ( 12 ; 22 ), in which the circumferential cutting blade engages such that it extends over an azimuthal portion of the outer circumference of the circular blade ( 12 ; 22 ) from the plate-shaped section ( 14 ; 24 ) of the machine housing ( 11 ; 21 ) is surrounded. Slicing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the trough ( 14 '; 24 ' ) in planes perpendicular to the circular knife plane and perpendicular to the plane of the plate-shaped section ( 14 ; 24 ), has a substantially rectangular or a round, in particular an oval cross-section. Slicing machine according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the machine housing ( 11 ; 21 ) formed as a casting and the trough ( 14 '; 24 ' ) in the plate-shaped section ( 14 ; 24 ) is formed by using a corresponding mold. Slicing machine according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the trough ( 14 '; 24 ' ) in the plate-shaped section ( 14 ; 24 ) of the machine housing ( 11 ; 21 ) is milled. Slicing machine according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the trough ( 14 '; 24 ' ) is formed as a separate insert part that in a recess of the plate-shaped portion ( 14 ; 24 ) on the machine housing ( 11 ; 21 ) is attached. Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a part of the trough ( 24 ' ) as a drainage channel or drainage surface ( 24 '' ) for discharging into the trough ( 24 ' ) formed liquid is formed. Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an insert segment ( 15 ) for insertion into the trough ( 14 ' ) is provided, which in the trough ( 14 ' ) projecting segment of the circumferential circular cutting blade surrounds. Slicing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the insert segment ( 15 ) joint-free, in particular waterproof in the trough ( 14 ' ) is inserted. Slicing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that between insert segment ( 15 ) and trough ( 14 ' ) A non-adhesive sealant is arranged. Slicing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that between insert segment ( 15 ) and trough ( 14 ' ), in particular a releasable, preferably heat-dissolvable adhesive is arranged. Slicing machine according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the insert segment ( 15 ) at least one of the cutting blade facing coating of high strength and with good sliding properties, preferably a coating of a plastic such as Teflon ^® , Delrin ^® or POM, has, or is constructed entirely of such a material. Slicing machine according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that a set of several insert segments ( 15 ) of different sizes, of which depending on the diameter of the circular blade used ( 12 ) of the cutting device that in the machine housing ( 11 ) is installed, which in the hollow ( 14 ' ) projecting part of the circular cutting blade best covers. Slicing machine according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that at least in the by the circular blade ( 12 ) defined cutting plane radius and center of curvature of the blade guard ring ( 13 ) are the same size as the radius and center of the curvature of the trough ( 14 ' ) and / or like radius and center of curvature of the insert segment ( 15 ). Slicing machine according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the insert segment ( 15 ) the cutting blade outside the trough ( 14 ' ) covering a further azimuthal portion. Insert segment ( 15 ) for a slicing machine ( 10 ) according to one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the insert segment ( 15 ) is designed so that it after insertion into the hollow ( 14 ' ) of the slicing machine ( 10 ) into the hollow ( 14 ' ) projecting segment of the circumferential circular cutting blade surrounds.

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