Patent Description:
Machines for cutting pasta exiting from a die are known for example from <CIT>. In these machines a chamber is provided for collecting pasta cut by a rotary cutting member, which cuts pasta coming from an overlying die. A belt conveyor is provided below the collection chamber, which discharges the pasta to the external of the cutting machine.

The <CIT> discloses a pasta cutting machine, in which the pasta cut by a rotary blade is received in an annular collection chamber and discharged therefrom onto a chute. Similar configurations are disclosed in <CIT>.

In order to prevent pasta from sticking to the walls of the collection chamber and/or on the discharge chute, a ventilation system is provided, which supplies air to the collection chamber and to the chute. These known systems have several drawbacks and limitations, given that they are not capable of carrying out their task optimally in the various parts of the cutting machine.

In particular, the conditions required for ventilation in the pasta collection chamber change depending on the type of pasta produced. The ventilation conditions affect the drop-conveying of the pasta on the underlying chute and can negatively affect the microclimate present in the container downstream of the chute.

It would therefore be beneficial to provide a cutting machine capable of fully or partly overcoming the drawbacks of conventional known systems.

According to the invention, disclosed herein is a pasta cutting machine, comprising a cutting unit having a motor-driven rotary shaft with a rotation axis, adapted to engage a rotary blade, and a chamber for collecting the pasta cut by the cutting unit. The collection chamber comprises a side wall surrounding the rotation axis of the rotary shaft of the cutting unit. The side wall is provided with openings for the through-flow of air. The collection chamber is open at the bottom to allow the cut pasta to drop from the collection chamber. Furthermore, the machine comprises a conveyor chute underlying the collection chamber, adapted to receive the pasta exiting from the collection chamber. The conveyor chute comprises a drop surface facing toward the collection chamber.

Advantageously, the cutting machine comprises: a first ventilation unit and a first channel adapted to convey a first air flow to the collection chamber through the openings of the side wall; and a second ventilation unit and a second channel for conveying a second air flow to the conveyor chute and form an air cushion along the drop surface of the chute.

This allows to control and modify two air flows facing toward the collection chamber and toward the chute, one independently from the other to optimize the operation of the machine, for example depending on the characteristics of the pasta to be produced.

In embodiments, the first ventilation unit and the second ventilation unit are controlled independently of each other, in the sense that different ventilation parameters can be set for the two units and in particular a different flow rate and/or speed of the fan, a different temperature, a different moisture, or other parameters.

In advantageous embodiments, the first ventilation unit comprises a first fan driven by a first motor. The first ventilation unit may also comprise a respective first air conditioning system.

Similarly, the second ventilation unit may comprise a second fan driven by a second motor. The second ventilation unit may comprise a second air conditioning system.

A control unit may be used to set, for example, two different air flow rates for the two fans and/or two different temperatures for the two air-conditioning systems, if present. Although it is particularly advantageous to provide two air-conditioning systems, in order to have greater operating flexibility, the possibility that the air-conditioning system be provided for only one of the two ventilation units cannot be ruled out.

Further advantageous features and embodiments of the cutting machine are described hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings, and in the attached claims, which are an integral part of the present description.

The invention will be clearer from the description and the attached drawings, which illustrate an embodiment provided by way of non-limiting example of the invention. More particularly, in the drawings:.

The attached figures show an embodiment of a cutting machine, indicated in its entirety with <NUM>. The cutting machine <NUM> comprises anchoring brackets <NUM>, with which it can be fixed to a wall or another bearing structure. A column <NUM>, which is oriented vertically in the operating configuration is fixed to the brackets <NUM>.

A slide <NUM>, which carries a head or operating unit <NUM>, is slidable along the vertical column <NUM>. The slide <NUM> is guided along guides <NUM> integral with the column <NUM> and preferably arranged outside thereof. Members for vertically moving the operating unit <NUM> according to the vertical double arrow f9 are arranged inside the column <NUM>. These members are described in greater detail below.

The operating unit <NUM> comprises a collection chamber <NUM>, for example of substantially annular shape, adapted to collect the pasta cut by a cutting unit <NUM>, coaxial to the annular chamber, upon exiting from a die, described in detail below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The cutting unit <NUM> comprises a rotary shaft <NUM> coaxial with the axis of symmetry of the collection chamber <NUM>. An interchangeable rotary blade, shown in some of the attached figures and indicated with <NUM>, can be associated with the rotary shaft <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary shaft <NUM> is driven in rotation by means of a belt <NUM> driven by an electric motor <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

As will be clarified with specific reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, during use the collection chamber <NUM> and the cutting unit <NUM> cooperate with a die which continuously supplies the pasta to be cut. An intermediate member, which may vary depending on the shape of pasta to be cut and with which a respective interchangeable rotary knife or blade <NUM> cooperates, depending on the shape of pasta to be produced, may be interposed between the die and the knife or blade <NUM> of the cutting unit <NUM>.

A conveyor device, comprising a conveyor chute <NUM> extending from an upper end to a lower end, is arranged beneath the collection chamber <NUM> for collecting the pasta cut by the cutting unit <NUM>. The conveyor chute <NUM> is configured to collect the cut pasta, which drops by gravity from the collection chamber <NUM>, and to convey it by gravity toward a downstream unit, generally indicated with <NUM>, for example a shaker. To this end, the collection chamber <NUM> is open at the bottom and the cutting unit <NUM> is supported coaxially to the collection chamber <NUM> by means of radial spokes which leave a sufficient gap for the cut pasta to drop toward the conveyor chute <NUM>, see in particular <FIG>. The cut pasta drops from the collection chamber <NUM> onto a drop surface, facing toward the collection chamber <NUM>, of the conveyor chute <NUM>.

The collection chamber <NUM> is surrounded by a side wall <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall <NUM> has a frusto-conical shape, tapered downwards, i.e., toward the conveyor chute <NUM>. The side wall <NUM> apertured, i.e., it is provided with a plurality of openings for the through-flow of air, with the aim of allowing a correct exit of the pasta from the die toward the open bottom of the collection chamber <NUM>. The openings are shown schematically and only partially in <FIG>, and indicated therein with 35A. It should be noted that the openings 35A are actually distributed uniformly over the entire surface of the frustoconical wall <NUM> laterally delimiting the collection chamber <NUM>.

The collection chamber <NUM> is arranged in a plenum <NUM>, part of a first channel for conveying a first air flow into the collection chamber <NUM> and toward the overlying die. Besides the plenum <NUM>, the first channel comprises a duct <NUM> which supplies air toward the plenum <NUM>.

In advantageous embodiments, first guide septa or diaphragms <NUM> are provided, in order to convey the air coming from the duct <NUM> in a substantially uniform manner in the entire plenum <NUM> and therefore around the entire side wall <NUM> and through it into the collection chamber <NUM>. The guide septa or diaphragms <NUM> split the air flow coming from the duct <NUM>, and more precisely from an air supply mouth at the end of the duct <NUM>, into several partial flows, directed around the collection chamber <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in particular in <FIG> and <FIG>, three guide septa or diaphragms <NUM> are provided, which split the air flow coming from the duct <NUM> into four partial flows, conveyed so as to impact the entire side wall <NUM> in a tendentially uniform and balanced manner.

The air is supplied to the duct <NUM> by a first ventilation unit, indicated in its entirety with <NUM>, and comprising a first fan <NUM>, supported, together with the duct <NUM> and the plenum <NUM> with the respective guide septa or diaphragms <NUM>, by the operating unit <NUM>. An electric motor for driving the first fan <NUM> is indicated with <NUM>.

A first air-conditioning system <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) is arranged in the duct <NUM> and it may comprise a heating unit for heating the air to the desired temperature. The heating unit may comprise electrical resistors, or a heat exchanger, in which a thermal transfer fluid circulates, or any other suitable system.

In some embodiments, it may be foreseen that the first air-conditioning system <NUM> further comprises other members, for example means for controlling and/or modifying the moisture content of the air supplied along the duct <NUM> to the plenum <NUM> and therefrom into the collection chamber <NUM>.

In advantageous embodiments, the machine <NUM> comprises a second ventilation unit <NUM>, adapted to generate an air stream or flow which facilitates the conveying of the pasta along the conveyor chute <NUM>. The second ventilation unit <NUM> comprises a second fan <NUM> driven by an electric motor <NUM>. A channel comprising a duct <NUM>, whose end part extends along the upper portion of the chute <NUM> is associated with the fan <NUM>. As shown in particular in the section of <FIG>, the end part of the duct <NUM> forms a plenum extending along the upper end of the chute and therein containing guide septa or diaphragms <NUM>, which are configured so as to convey an approximately uniform air flow over the entire width of the chute <NUM>. The septa <NUM> extend from an air supply mouth toward the upper edge of the conveyor chute <NUM>. In this manner, the pasta dropping on the chute <NUM> from the collection chamber <NUM> is impacted by an approximately uniform air flow irrespective of the transverse position in which it reaches the chute.

In advantageous embodiments, a second air-conditioning system <NUM> (<FIG>) is associated with the duct <NUM>. Similarly to the first air-conditioning system <NUM>, also the second air-conditioning system <NUM> may comprise a heating unit for heating the air to the desired temperature. The heating unit may comprise electrical resistors, or a heat exchanger, in which a thermal transfer fluid circulates, or any other suitable system. It may also be provided that the second air-conditioning system <NUM> further comprises other members, for example means for controlling and/or modifying the moisture content of the air supplied along the duct <NUM> to the chute <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a first operative position of the cutting machine <NUM> described heretofore, combined with a die <NUM>. The die <NUM> is provided with a plurality of holes <NUM>, in which inserts can be mounted to shape the pasta into the desired shape. The die <NUM> is mounted in a head <NUM>. The die and the head <NUM> are per se known and will not be described in detail.

In the example of use of <FIG>, a rotary knife or rotary blade <NUM> having a cutting edge substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis A-A of the rotary shaft <NUM> is used. The blade <NUM> cooperates directly with the lower surface of the die <NUM>. The position of the head or operating unit <NUM> of the cutting machine <NUM> is defined by the abutment of the upper surface of the operating unit <NUM>, overlying the collection chamber <NUM>, against the head <NUM> in which the die <NUM> is mounted.

The operative position of the operating unit <NUM> is reached by means of a threaded bar <NUM> extending longitudinally in the vertical column <NUM>, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. A motor for driving threaded bar <NUM> is indicated with <NUM>.

The threaded bar <NUM> engages a nut screw <NUM> integral with the slide <NUM>, so that the rotation of the threaded bar <NUM> in one direction or in the opposite direction causes a lifting or lowering movement of the slide <NUM> and therefore of the entire operating unit <NUM>, to move the latter to a lower non-operative position and to an upper operative or working position. As mentioned, in the configuration of <FIG> , in the operative position the operating unit <NUM> abuts against the head <NUM> carrying the die <NUM>. The nut screw <NUM> is integral with the slide <NUM> slidable along the guides <NUM> outside the column <NUM>. To this end, the column <NUM> has a longitudinal opening extending on one face of the column, through which a mechanical connection member passes which connects the nut screw <NUM> (inside the column) and the slide <NUM> (outside the column <NUM>).

In this position, pasta is extruded through the holes <NUM> and is cut by the blade <NUM> into individual pieces, which drop by gravity through the collection chamber <NUM> and therefrom onto the conveyor chute <NUM>, and then lastly transferred to the unit <NUM>.

The air flow supplied by the first ventilation unit, comprising the fan <NUM> and the plenum <NUM>, allows a regular exit of the cut pasta through the collection chamber <NUM> and dropping thereof toward the conveyor chute <NUM>.

The second air flow supplied by the second ventilation unit, comprising the fan <NUM> and the duct <NUM>, allows a regular conveying of the pasta along the chute <NUM> to the shaker or another unit <NUM>.

The use of two separate ventilation systems, allows to optimize the air flow conditions in the two sections of the cutting machine <NUM>, i.e., in the collection chamber <NUM> and along the chute <NUM>. The flow conditions can be adjusted in terms of different parameters, such as air flow rate and temperature. These parameters can be adjusted independently for the two flows. For example, this allows to use a higher flow rate and/or a higher temperature for the flow conveyed in the collection chamber <NUM>, and a lower flow rate and/or temperature for the flow blown along the chute <NUM>. The value of the flow parameters can be set and managed by means of a control unit <NUM> (<FIG>), which can be provided with appropriate user interfaces schematically indicated with <NUM>, for example a monitor and a keypad, a touch-screen, a mouse and/or other suitable devices.

In advantageous embodiments, a load sensor, which may have several functions, can be associated with the above-described mechanism for adjusting the operative position of the operating unit. For example, the load sensor can detect the reaching of the position in which the operating unit <NUM> abuts against the head <NUM> carrying the die <NUM>. Furthermore, the load sensor may be used to detect the generation of overloads on the operating unit <NUM>, which can be generated by malfunction events of the cutting machine <NUM>, for example by the accumulation of pasta not correctly dispensed through the die <NUM> or not correctly cut.

In advantageous embodiments, the load sensor may be a load cell associated with the threaded bar <NUM>. In particular, a load cell <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>) associated with a support, for example an axialbearing <NUM> of the threaded bar <NUM>, may be provided.

An encoder, preferably an absolute encoder, capable of detecting the absolute position of the slide <NUM>, for the purposes that will be clarified hereinafter with specific reference to <FIG>, may be associated with the lifting and lowering mechanism of the operating unit <NUM> with respect to the die. In advantageous embodiments, an encoder <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>), capable of directly detecting the position of the slide <NUM> with respect to the vertical column <NUM>, may be provided. The encoder <NUM> may be a wire encoder, with a wire anchored to the slide <NUM>, which provides very precise measurement data and which is at the same time cost-effective.

The encoder <NUM> and the load cell or other load sensor <NUM> may be interfaced with the control unit <NUM> (<FIG>). The control unit <NUM> is also interfaced with the motor <NUM> for driving the threaded bar <NUM>,.

As known, the cutting machine <NUM> may cooperate with accessories interposed between the die <NUM> and the cutting unit <NUM>, for example in order to cut the pasta at inclined angles with respect to the longitudinal extension of the pasta extruded by the die <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the cutting machine <NUM> cooperates with a die <NUM> by means of a cutting accessory <NUM> interposed between the collection chamber <NUM> and the die <NUM>. The cutting accessory <NUM> (also shown in the plan view of <FIG>, but omitted in the other figures) has a flat upper face 91A and a concave conical lower face 91B. A plurality of passages or holes <NUM> extend between the two faces 91A and 91B, and in the assembled configuration are aligned with the holes <NUM> of the die.

When the cutting accessory <NUM> is mounted on the cutting machine <NUM>, the concave conical surface 91B of the cutting accessory <NUM> faces toward the collection chamber <NUM> and basically completes it at the upper part, forming the ceiling thereof. The flat surface 91A, vice versa, faces toward the output surface of the die <NUM> and normally at a certain distance D therefrom.

During use, pasta strands or pipes extruded by the individual holes <NUM> of the die <NUM> enter into the holes <NUM> of the cutting accessory <NUM> from the side of the upper flat surface 91A and exit from such holes at the lower conical surface 91B. Here, a specially shaped cutting blade <NUM>, with a cutting edge lying on the lower conical surface 91A of the cutting accessory <NUM> cuts the pasta strands or pipes into individual pieces with ends inclined with respect to the axis of the holes <NUM> corresponding to the half-opening angle of the conical surface 91B, for example to produce pasta shapes of the so-called "penne" type or the like.

The air flow generated by the first ventilation unit and enters into the collection chamber <NUM> through the openings 35A of the frustoconical wall <NUM> and flows upwards through the holes <NUM> of the cutting accessory <NUM> and then impacts the volume between the flat upper surface 91A of the accessory cutting surface <NUM> and the output surface of the die <NUM>. This air flow ensures that the pasta strands or pipes do not stick to the surface of the holes <NUM> and that the pieces of cut pasta do not stick to each other and to the conical wall 91B of the cutting accessory <NUM>, or to the wall <NUM> of the collection chamber <NUM>.

Like in the operative conditions illustrated in <FIG>, also in the operation shown in <FIG> the air flow supplied by the first ventilation unit <NUM> can be adjusted, for example in terms of flow rate and/or temperature, independently with respect to the regulation of the air flow supplied by the second ventilation unit, which, like in the case described above, serves to facilitate the exit of the pasta along the chute <NUM> toward the shaker or another unit <NUM>.

As noted above, the operative position of <FIG> is such that the upper surface 91A of the cutting accessory <NUM> is at a distance D from the lower surface of the die <NUM>. In the mechanisms for moving the operating unit <NUM> along the column <NUM>, load sensors (load cell <NUM>) and position sensors (encoders <NUM>) serve to facilitate and automate the preliminary step for positioning the operating unit <NUM>, and in particular the upper surface 91A of he cutting accessory <NUM> fixed thereto, with respect to the die <NUM>.

The positioning method may be carried out as follows. In a first step, while the die is not yet dispensing pasta, the operating unit <NUM> can be raised (arrow f9) until the upper flat surface 91A of the cutting accessory <NUM> abuts against the lower surface of the die <NUM> or against a surface of the head <NUM>, to which the die <NUM> is fixed. This condition can be detected by means of the load cell <NUM>.

Supply of the pasta that fills the holes <NUM> of the die and gradually the holes <NUM> of the cutting accessory <NUM> can begin at this point. The blade <NUM> is driven in rotation. When the blade <NUM> begins to cut the pasta pipes or strands exiting from the lower ends of the holes <NUM>, the operating unit <NUM> can be gradually lowered by means of the motor <NUM>, until the upper surface 91A of the cutting accessory <NUM> is brought to the desired distance D from the lower surface of the die <NUM>. The final position can be determined with the aid of the encoder <NUM>. Should this not be an absolute encoder, but a relative encoder, it is sufficient that it determines the downward stroke of the operating unit <NUM>.

This allows to obtain an effective system for facilitating or even automating the positioning of the operating unit <NUM>, and a safety level that allows to stop the dispensing of the pasta through the die <NUM> in case of malfunctioning, avoiding dangerous overloads on the cutting machine <NUM> and on the members thereof.

Claim 1:
A cutting machine (<NUM>) for cutting pasta, comprising:
a cutting unit (<NUM>) having a motor-driven rotating shaft (<NUM>) with a rotation axis, adapted to engage a rotating blade (<NUM>);
a chamber (<NUM>) for collecting pasta cut by the cutting unit (<NUM>), comprising a side wall (<NUM>) surrounding the rotation axis of the rotating shaft (<NUM>) of the cutting unit (<NUM>); wherein the side wall is provided with openings (35A) for the passage of air; and wherein the collection chamber (<NUM>) is open at the bottom to allow the cut pasta to drop from the collection chamber (<NUM>);
a conveyor chute (<NUM>) underlying the collection chamber (<NUM>), adapted to receive the pasta exiting from the collection chamber (<NUM>), the conveyor chute (<NUM>) comprising a drop surface facing towards the collection chamber (<NUM>);
a first ventilation unit (<NUM>) and a first channel (<NUM>, <NUM>) adapted to convey a first air flow to the collection chamber (<NUM>) through the openings (35A) of the side wall (<NUM>); characterised in that the cutting machine further comprises
a second ventilation unit (<NUM>) and a second channel (<NUM>) adapted to convey a second air flow to the conveyor chute (<NUM>) and to form an air cushion along the drop surface of the chute.