Cutting machine

Abstract: A machine for cutting a frozen foodstuff into pieces of a predetermined size which comprises a) a conveyor (10), b) means for advancing the conveyor, c) a circular cutting device (16) positioned above the conveyor (10) whose blade is parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor, d) a carrier (11) for the foodstuff fixed to the conveyor having a groove (12) aligned with the blade of the circular cutting device (16) when in the cutting position enabling the foodstuff (23) to be cut, and a cover (13) positioned at one side of the carrier (11) laterally of the groove (12), adapted to be moved from an open position upstream of the circular cutting device, to a closed position adjacent the circular cutting device and back to an open position downstream of the circular cutting device, the lower surface of the cover being capable of holding the foodstuff in a fixed position during cutting, and e) a pusher (20) adapted to push the foodstuff (23) on the carrier (11) when positioned upstream of the cutting device (16) transversely to the direction of motion of the conveyor (10) to a position where a predetermined amount of the foodstuff (23) lies beyond the groove (12) beneath the cover (13).

Description: The present invention relates to a machine and process for cutting a frozen foodstuff into pieces of a predetermined size. Such a machine is known from DE-U-9 005 796 which forms the base of the preamble of claim 1. The cutting of frozen foodstuffs involves severe problems because it is extremely difficult to hold the frozen foodstuffs in a fixed position during the cutting operation and, therefore, the cut pieces are not always of the desired size. We have now devised a machine whereby frozen foodstuffs may be cut much more accurately into pieces of a predetermined size. According to the present invention there is provided a machine for cutting a frozen foodstuff into pieces of a predetermined size which comprises a) a conveyor, b) means for advancing the conveyor, c) a circular cutting device positioned above the conveyor whose blade is parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor, d) a carrier for the foodstuff fixed to the conveyor having a groove aligned with the blade of the circular cutting device when in the cutting position enabling the foodstuff to be cut, and a cover positioned at one side of the carrier laterally of the groove, adapted to be moved from an open position upstream of the circular cutting device, to a closed position adjacent the circular cutting device and back to an open position downstream of the circular cutting device, the lower surface of the cover being capable of holding the foodstuff in a fixed position during cutting, and e) a pusher adapted to push the foodstuff on the carrier when positioned upstream of the cutting device transversely to the direction of motion of the conveyor to a position where a predetermined amount of the foodstuff lies beyond the groove beneath the cover. The machine of the present invention is suitable for cutting frozen fish, meat or vegetables, especially for individual quick frozen fish fillets. The conveyor is conveniently a chain conveyor. The circular cutting device may be a circular knife but is preferably a circular saw. Advantageously, there may be more than one circular cutting device arranged consecutively and more than one pusher adapted to push the foodstuff intermittently upstream of each cutting device so that, after each push, a predetermined amount lies beyond the groove in the carrier for cutting. This enables one portion of the frozen foodstuff to be cut into more than two pieces. The carrier is advantageously a pocket carrier. The cover is preferably hinged and is conveniently spring-loaded in an open position. The cover may be moved from the open to closed position by any suitable means, for example, a guide rail. The lower surface of the cover, while capable of holding the foodstuff in a fixed position during cutting, is preferably also adapted to allow the foodstuff to be pushed incrementally by the pusher to one or more new cutting positions so that the foodstuff can be cut into more than two pieces. For example, the lower surface of the cover may be provided with a plurality of resilient projections which are conveniently bristles and form a brush. Conveniently, there are a plurality of carriers fixed consecutively to the conveyor. Advantageously, an ultrasonic measuring device adapted to take information on the shape and size of the foodstuff as it is transported on the carrier and conveniently comprises a plurality of sensors, the number of sensors being proportional to the length of the foodstuff such as that described in our co-pending EP-A-0 429 711. A computer preprogrammed for the specific gravity and the desired weight of the foodstuff piece to be cut receives and processes the information from the ultrasonic measuring device and controls the movements of the pusher. This enables the foodstuff to be cut into pieces of a predetermined weight. The present invention also provides a process for cutting a foodstuff into pieces of a predetermined size which comprises the following steps: a) placing the foodstuff on a carrier fixed to a conveyor, upstream of a circular cutting device whose blade is parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor, the carrier having a groove aligned with the blade of the circular cutting device, b) covering one side of the carrier laterally of the groove with a cover, c) pushing the foodstuff on the carrier transversely to the direction of motion of the conveyor to a position where a predetermined amount of the foodstuff lies beyond the groove beneath the cover and is held in a fixed position by the lower surface of the cover, and d) transporting the foodstuff on the carrier fixed to the conveyor beneath the circular cutting device for cutting the foodstuff into pieces, and then uncovering the carrier downstream of the circular cutting device. The present invention will now be further illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 represents a sectional side view of the machine, Figure 2 represents a top plan view of the machine, and Figure 3 represents a perspective view of the pusher. Referring to the drawings, the machine comprises an endless chain conveyor belt 10 fixed to which is a pocket carrier 11 having a groove 12 with a cover 13 connected to the carrier by means of a spring-loaded hinge 14 the lower surface of the cover being provided with bristles 15. Downstream of the carrier 11 is a circular saw 16 with a blade 17 aligned with the groove 12 of the carrier and positioned above the carrier is a guide rail 18 which has a curved portion 19 upstream of the circular saw 16. A pusher 20 operated by a piston 21 which reciprocates on a track 22 in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 3 is positioned laterally to the carrier 11. An individual quick frozen fillet 23 having cut portions 24,25 and 26 is shown positioned in the carrier. In operation, a pocket carrier 11 with its cover 13 open and positioned upstream of the curved part 19 of the guide rail 18 is fed with an individual quick frozen fillet 23 in a way that its entirety lies laterally of the groove 12 on the side of the carrier facing the pusher 20. The carrier advances downstream on the chain conveyor and the curved part 19 of the guide rail 18 presses on the cover 13 which is lowered to cover the carrier. The carrier arrives at a position adjacent the pusher 20 whereupon the pusher, controlled by a computer (not shown) preprogrammed for the specific gravity and the desired weight to be cut and which has received and processed the information from an ultrasonic measuring device (not shown), while travelling synchronously with the carrier on the track 22 (to the right in Figures 2 and 3) advances laterally within the carrier to push the fillet 23 a predetermined distance beyond the groove 12. The pusher then retracts from the carrier and travels in the opposite direction on the track 22 (to the left in Figures 2 and 3). The carrier continues to advance beneath the circular saw 16 where the blade 17 passes through the groove 12 to cut the fillet 23 which is held firmly in position by the bristles 15. After passing beyond the circular saw, the carrier arrives at a position adjacent a further pusher 20 and then passes beneath a further circular saw where the procedure is repeated. When the appropriate number of cuts have been made, the carrier passes beneath a part of the guide rail 18 which is curved upwards causing the cover to be raised to the open position enabling the cut pieces of the fillet to be removed from the carrier. Figure 2 shows a fillet 23 with cut portions 24, 25 and 26 beyond the groove 12 and where the pusher 20 is about to push the fillet a further predetermined distance beyond the groove 12 for cutting.

Claims: A machine for cutting a frozen foodstuff into pieces of a predetermined size which comprises a) a conveyor (10), b) means for advancing the conveyor, c) a circular cutting device (16) positioned above the conveyor (10) whose blade (17) is parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor (10), d) a carrier (11) for the foodstuff fixed to the conveyor (10) having a groove (12) aligned with the blade (17) of the circular cutting device (16) when in the cutting position enabling the foodstuff to be cut, characterised by e) a cover (13) positioned at one side of the carrier (11) laterally of the groove (12), adapted to be moved from an open position upstream of the circular cutting device (16), to a closed position adjacent the circular cutting device (16) and back to an open position downstream of the circular cutting device (16), the lower surface of the cover (13) being capable of holding the foodstuff in a fixed position during cutting, and f) a pusher (20) adapted to push the foodstuff on the carrier (11) when positioned upstream of the cutting device (16) transversely to the direction of motion of the conveyor (10) to a position where a predetermined amount of the foodstuff lies beyond the groove (12) beneath the cover. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the circular cutting device is a circular saw (16). A machine according to claim 1 wherein there is more than one circular cutting device (16) arranged consecutively and more than one pusher (20) adapted to push the foodstuff intermittently upstream of each cutting device so that, after each push, a predetermined amount lies beyond the groove (12) in the carrier for cutting. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the carrier is a pocket carrier (11). A machine according to claim 1 wherein the cover (13) is hinged and is spring-loaded in an open position. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the cover (13) is moved from the open to closed position by means of a guide rail (18). A machine according to claim 1 wherein the lower surface of the cover (13) is provided with resilient projections (15). A machine according to claim 1 wherein the resilient projections are bristles (15). A machine according to claim 1 wherein a computer preprogrammed for the specific gravity and the desired weight of the foodstuff piece to be cut receives and processes the information from an ultrasonic measuring device and controls the movements of the pusher (20). A process for cutting a foodstuff into pieces of a predetermined size which comprises the following steps: a) placing the foodstuff on a carrier (11) fixed to a conveyor (10), upstream of a circular cutting device (16) whose blade (17) is parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor (10), the carrier (11) having a groove (12) aligned with the blade (17) of the circular cutting device (16), b) covering one side of the carrier (11) laterally of the groove (12) with a cover (13), c) pushing the foodstuff on the carrier (11) transversely to the direction of motion of the conveyor (10) to a position where a predetermined amount of the foodstuff lies beyond the groove (12) beneath the cover (13) and is held in a fixed position by the lower surface of the cover (13), and d) transporting the foodstuff on the carrier (11) fixed to the conveyor (10) beneath the circular cutting device (16) for cutting the foodstuff into pieces, and then uncovering the carrier (11) downstream of the circular cutting device (16).

Inventors: WADELL LARS GUSTAF ALBERT, WADELL, LARS GUSTAF ALBERT
Applicants: FRISCO FINDUS AG, FRISCO-FINDUS AG
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B26D1
IPC codes: B26D1, B26D7, B26D3