[go: up one dir, main page]

WO1995005746A1 - Plant for fluid jet cutting of products, especially food products - Google Patents

Plant for fluid jet cutting of products, especially food products Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1995005746A1
WO1995005746A1 PCT/DK1994/000322 DK9400322W WO9505746A1 WO 1995005746 A1 WO1995005746 A1 WO 1995005746A1 DK 9400322 W DK9400322 W DK 9400322W WO 9505746 A1 WO9505746 A1 WO 9505746A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tube
magnet
motor
fluid jet
nozzle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/DK1994/000322
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Leif Dalum
Kim Dalum
Sten KÄHLER
Jens Ulrich Nielsen
Lars Ulrich Nielsen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lumetech AS
Original Assignee
Lumetech AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lumetech AS filed Critical Lumetech AS
Publication of WO1995005746A1 publication Critical patent/WO1995005746A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26F—PERFORATING; PUNCHING; CUTTING-OUT; STAMPING-OUT; SEVERING BY MEANS OTHER THAN CUTTING
    • B26F3/00—Severing by means other than cutting; Apparatus therefor
    • B26F3/004—Severing by means other than cutting; Apparatus therefor by means of a fluid jet
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
    • A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
    • A22C25/00—Processing fish ; Curing of fish; Stunning of fish by electric current; Investigating fish by optical means
    • A22C25/18—Cutting fish into portions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
    • B23Q11/00—Accessories fitted to machine tools for keeping tools or parts of the machine in good working condition or for cooling work; Safety devices specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools
    • B23Q11/08—Protective coverings for parts of machine tools; Splash guards
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
    • B26D5/00—Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
    • B26D5/02—Means for moving the cutting member into its operative position for cutting

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a plant for fluid jet cutting especially of food products, comprising a conveyor for products which are to be cut, a nozzle for a cutting fluid jet, and a drive means for translational moving of the nozzle on a stand transversely of the travelling direction of the conveyor.
  • the object of the invention is to eliminate or at least reduce the problems described above.
  • the belt can be lubricated with agents that need not be approved for use together with e.g. food products.
  • the drive means according to the invention is further easy to control, thereby allowing the nozzle to be moved to exactly predetermined positions on its tube.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical section of the plant
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic horizontal section of the plant.
  • Two tubes 3, 3' are arranged above an endless belt conveyor 1 for products 2 which are to be cut with a jet, said tubes being attached to a stand S at a distance from each other in the travelling direction of the conveyor 1 (arrow A in Fig. 2), transversely of this direction, and extending in parallel with each other and with the plane of the conveyor 1.
  • the tubes 3, 3' have open ends but are interconnected on each side of the conveyor by means of casings 4, 4', one accommodating a rotary motor 5 and the other a deflecting roller 6.
  • the motor 5 is reversible and drives, via a transmission (not shown), a belt 7 which runs in the tubes 3, 3' and round the deflecting roller 6.
  • At least the tube 3 is made of stainless steel having good permeability to magnet field lines.
  • a first permanent magnet 8 whose outer circumference is in close vicinity of the inner circumference of the tube 3 and which in some suitable manner, for example by means of screws, is fixedly connected to the belt 7, thereby forming together with the belt 7 an endless loop so as to move together with the belt as the motor 5 is operated.
  • a second, annular permanent magnet 9 is positioned on the outside of the tube 3 and closely surrounds the tube. At its ends, this second magnet 9 is provided with slide bearings 10.
  • the magnets 8, 9 are magnetised so as to attract one another via the wall of the tube 3 such that moving of the magnet 8 in the tube 3 by means of the driving combination of motor 5, belt 7 and deflecting rol ⁇ ler 6 causes forced moving of the magnet 9 on the tube 3.
  • a fluid jet nozzle 11 is attached to the second, outer magnet 9 so as to move together with this.
  • the motor 5 is reversible (arrow B) and is driven to move the magnet 8 in the tube 3 back and forth (arrow C), and to stop/reverse when the magnets 8, 9 are positioned at either end of the tube 3.
  • the casings 4, 4' accommodate range detectors 12 connected in a control system 13.
  • the tubes 3, 3' and their con ⁇ nection by means of the casings 4, 4' are liquid-tight.
  • Fluid preferably water
  • the nozzle 11 may contain a deflector valve 16 according to the applicants' Swedish patent application 9103505-5.
  • the conduits 14, 15 can be made of flexible plastic or resilient steel tubes so as to with ⁇ stand frequent stroke movements performed by the outer magnet 9 and the nozzle 11 attached thereto.
  • the plant also comprises a control rod 17 fixed to the stand and extending in parallel with the tube 3, for moving the outer magnet 9 which is then fixedly connected to a sliding ring 18 mounted on the control rod 17.
  • the belt conveyor 1 is preferably arranged for a constant rate of motion.
  • a plurality of fluid jet arrangements of the type described above may be arranged at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor to perform any desired cutting pattern on the product(s) 2, thereby increasing the capacity of the plant.
  • the angle of inclination of the tubes 3, 3' and 17 with the belt 1 need not be right, as the one illustrated, but it may be in the range of e.g. 45-90°, according to the speed/de ⁇ sired inclination of the conveyor 1 in the cutting plane through the product 2.
  • the plant is further provided with a device for determining quality/quantity parameters of the product which is to be cut with a jet, for example meat, said parameters controlling the water jet arrangement(s) to produce any desired cut in the product(s) 2 by means of a computer.
  • a device for determining quality/quantity parameters of the product which is to be cut with a jet, for example meat, said parameters controlling the water jet arrangement(s) to produce any desired cut in the product(s) 2 by means of a computer.
  • a device may be of the type described in US 4,962,568. It comprises a video camera 19 positioned to perceive the product on the conveying belt 1, and a light source which is arranged to illuminate the food product with a light line, thereby producing a ghost line on the product. The video camera perceives this ghost line and transforms the information of the ghost line to electric signals representing the width, length and thickness dimensions of the product.
  • the signals are processed in a computer 20 in accordance with a pre ⁇ determined programme, said computer controlling the motor 5 via a
  • the technique according to US 4,631,413 can be used to control the jet arrangements for such cutting of the product that segments of any desired profile are obtained.
  • This technique is directed to fluorescence analysis of food products, such as fish and meat pro- ducts, for determining their content of fat, bone, cartilage and connective tissue, and may be used to cut away undesired/desired components from the product 2.
  • the above-mentioned video camera, light source and computer are included in the previously mentioned control system 13.
  • a person having ordinary skill in the art is competent to arrange the computer and the control system for producing any desired cutting pattern in the product.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)

Abstract

Arrangement for fluid jet cutting, especially of food products, comprising a nozzle (11) for a cutting fluid jet, and a drive means (5-9) for translational moving of the nozzle (11) on a stand. The drive means comprises a tube (3) included in the stand, a pair of magnets (8, 9), one (8) positioned in the tube (3) and the other (9) being annular and enclosing the tube (3), a motor (5) and a belt (7) or the like having a run positioned inside the tube (3) and fixedly connected to the one magnet (8) and arranged to move the last-mentioned magnet in the tube (3) in the longitudinal direction thereof, the tube (3) consisting of a material which is permeable to magnetic field lines, the one magnet (8) positioned in the tube being adapted to carry along, during operation of the motor (5), the other, annular magnet (9) to which the nozzle (11) is attached, the ends of the tube (3) being connected in a liquid-tight manner to two casings (4, 4'), one (4) accommodating the above-mentioned motor (5). The arrangement is easy to clean and permits lubrication of the drive means components, for example with agents which are not approved for food products. A plant for fluid jet cutting comprises the arrangement and a belt conveyor (1), preferably arranged for a constant rate of motion, the tube (3) or the tubes (3, 3') being fixedly arranged on the stand transversely of the travelling direction of the conveyor (1).

Description

PLANT FOR FLUID JET CUTTING OF PRODUCTS, ESPECIALLY FOOD
PRODUCTS
The present invention relates to a plant for fluid jet cutting especially of food products, comprising a conveyor for products which are to be cut, a nozzle for a cutting fluid jet, and a drive means for translational moving of the nozzle on a stand transversely of the travelling direction of the conveyor.
Such a plant is disclosed in US 4,962,568. One drawback thereof is associated with the fluid jet arrangement(s). This comprises a rail, which extends transversely of the travelling direction of the conveyor in the form of a conveying belt, and on which runs a carriage fitted with a spray nozzle, said nozzle pro¬ jecting from a slot formed in a casing for the arrange¬ ment. The carriage is driven by means of a piston-and- cylinder assembly. Such a design causes considerable dirtying owing to the water bouncing back from the conveying belt and entraining particles from products which are being cut or have been cut earlier. This dirty water penetrates through the slot in the casing which thus must be dismounted for cleaning of the arrangement. Further, there is a risk of leakage from the piston cylinders, which may soil the food product.
Moreover, the prior art fluid jet arrangement is fairly complicated and difficult to control exactly.
The object of the invention is to eliminate or at least reduce the problems described above.
This object is achieved by means of a plant and an arrangement having the characteristic features of the claims.
By using magnets when moving the nozzle and com- pletely enclosing at least the components moving the nozzle, i.e. the belt and one of the magnets, it is only necessary to clean the outer magnet and the outside of the tube, when required. Thus, the belt can be lubricated with agents that need not be approved for use together with e.g. food products. The drive means according to the invention is further easy to control, thereby allowing the nozzle to be moved to exactly predetermined positions on its tube.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical section of the plant, and Fig. 2 is a schematic horizontal section of the plant.
Two tubes 3, 3' are arranged above an endless belt conveyor 1 for products 2 which are to be cut with a jet, said tubes being attached to a stand S at a distance from each other in the travelling direction of the conveyor 1 (arrow A in Fig. 2), transversely of this direction, and extending in parallel with each other and with the plane of the conveyor 1. The tubes 3, 3' have open ends but are interconnected on each side of the conveyor by means of casings 4, 4', one accommodating a rotary motor 5 and the other a deflecting roller 6. The motor 5 is reversible and drives, via a transmission (not shown), a belt 7 which runs in the tubes 3, 3' and round the deflecting roller 6. At least the tube 3 is made of stainless steel having good permeability to magnet field lines. In the tube 3 there is arranged a first permanent magnet 8 whose outer circumference is in close vicinity of the inner circumference of the tube 3 and which in some suitable manner, for example by means of screws, is fixedly connected to the belt 7, thereby forming together with the belt 7 an endless loop so as to move together with the belt as the motor 5 is operated.
A second, annular permanent magnet 9 is positioned on the outside of the tube 3 and closely surrounds the tube. At its ends, this second magnet 9 is provided with slide bearings 10. The magnets 8, 9 are magnetised so as to attract one another via the wall of the tube 3 such that moving of the magnet 8 in the tube 3 by means of the driving combination of motor 5, belt 7 and deflecting rol¬ ler 6 causes forced moving of the magnet 9 on the tube 3.
A fluid jet nozzle 11 is attached to the second, outer magnet 9 so as to move together with this. As mentioned above, the motor 5 is reversible (arrow B) and is driven to move the magnet 8 in the tube 3 back and forth (arrow C), and to stop/reverse when the magnets 8, 9 are positioned at either end of the tube 3. At these ends, the casings 4, 4' accommodate range detectors 12 connected in a control system 13.
As will be apparent from that stated above and as il¬ lustrated in the drawings, the tubes 3, 3' and their con¬ nection by means of the casings 4, 4' are liquid-tight. Fluid, preferably water, is supplied as a lubricant via a conduit 14 to the gap between the second, outer magnet 9 and the tube 3, and pressurised cutting fluid, usually water, is supplied via a conduit 15 to the fluid jet nozzle 11. The nozzle 11 may contain a deflector valve 16 according to the applicants' Swedish patent application 9103505-5. The conduits 14, 15 can be made of flexible plastic or resilient steel tubes so as to with¬ stand frequent stroke movements performed by the outer magnet 9 and the nozzle 11 attached thereto.
Advantageously, the plant also comprises a control rod 17 fixed to the stand and extending in parallel with the tube 3, for moving the outer magnet 9 which is then fixedly connected to a sliding ring 18 mounted on the control rod 17.
The belt conveyor 1 is preferably arranged for a constant rate of motion.
A plurality of fluid jet arrangements of the type described above may be arranged at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor to perform any desired cutting pattern on the product(s) 2, thereby increasing the capacity of the plant. The angle of inclination of the tubes 3, 3' and 17 with the belt 1 need not be right, as the one illustrated, but it may be in the range of e.g. 45-90°, according to the speed/de¬ sired inclination of the conveyor 1 in the cutting plane through the product 2.
The plant is further provided with a device for determining quality/quantity parameters of the product which is to be cut with a jet, for example meat, said parameters controlling the water jet arrangement(s) to produce any desired cut in the product(s) 2 by means of a computer. Such a device may be of the type described in US 4,962,568. It comprises a video camera 19 positioned to perceive the product on the conveying belt 1, and a light source which is arranged to illuminate the food product with a light line, thereby producing a ghost line on the product. The video camera perceives this ghost line and transforms the information of the ghost line to electric signals representing the width, length and thickness dimensions of the product. The signals are processed in a computer 20 in accordance with a pre¬ determined programme, said computer controlling the motor 5 via a motor revolution counter for cutting motions of the nozzle 11 such that the product is cut to segments of any desired weight/volume/profile.
Alternatively or supplementing the above-mentioned ghost line analysis, the technique according to US 4,631,413 (for which the applicants have a licence) can be used to control the jet arrangements for such cutting of the product that segments of any desired profile are obtained. This technique is directed to fluorescence analysis of food products, such as fish and meat pro- ducts, for determining their content of fat, bone, cartilage and connective tissue, and may be used to cut away undesired/desired components from the product 2.
The above-mentioned video camera, light source and computer are included in the previously mentioned control system 13. A person having ordinary skill in the art is competent to arrange the computer and the control system for producing any desired cutting pattern in the product.

Claims

1. Arrangement for fluid jet cutting, especially of food products, comprising a nozzle (11) for a cutting fluid jet, and a drive means (5-9) for translational moving of the nozzle on a stand, c h a r a c t e r i s ¬ e d in that said drive means comprises a tube (3) in¬ cluded in said stand, a pair of magnets (8, 9), one (8) being disposed in said tube (3) and the other (9) being annular and enclosing said tube (3), a motor (5) and a cooperating belt (7) or the like having a run extending in said tube (3) and fixedly connected to said one magnet (8) and adapted to move said one magnet (8) in the tube (3) in the longitudinal direction thereof, said tube (3) con¬ sisting of a material which is permeable to magnetic field lines, said one magnet (8) positioned in the tube being adapted to carry along, during operation of the motor (5), the other, annular magnet (9), to which the nozzle (11) is attached, the ends of said tube (3) being connected in a liquid-tight manner to two casings (4, 4'), one (4) accom¬ modating said motor (5).
2. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i s e d in that the other casing (4' ) accommodates a deflecting roller (6) for said belt (7) or the like which together with the inner magnet (8) forms a closed loop, of which a second run is positioned in a second tube (3' ) which extends in parallel with said first tube (3) and whose ends are connected in a liquid-tight manner to the casings (4, 4'), said motor (5) being a reversible rotary motor.
3. Plant for fluid jet cutting, especially of food products, comprising an arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a belt conveyor (1) preferably arranged for a constant rate of motion, the tube (3) or tubes (3, 3') being fixedly arranged on the stand trans¬ versely of the travelling direction of said conveyor (1).
PCT/DK1994/000322 1993-08-27 1994-08-26 Plant for fluid jet cutting of products, especially food products Ceased WO1995005746A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9302780A SE9302780L (en) 1993-08-27 1993-08-27 Plant for liquid jet cutting of products, especially food products
SE9302780-3 1993-08-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1995005746A1 true WO1995005746A1 (en) 1995-03-02

Family

ID=20390909

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/DK1994/000322 Ceased WO1995005746A1 (en) 1993-08-27 1994-08-26 Plant for fluid jet cutting of products, especially food products

Country Status (2)

Country Link
SE (1) SE9302780L (en)
WO (1) WO1995005746A1 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2732922A1 (en) * 1995-04-11 1996-10-18 Fruidor Cutting fruit and vegetables
US6227087B1 (en) 1995-06-07 2001-05-08 The Pillsbury Company Liquid jet cutter for cutting a rolled dough product
EP1249320A1 (en) * 2001-04-13 2002-10-16 Bourgogne Hydro Apparatus for moving a carriage of a water jet cutter
WO2004106020A1 (en) * 2003-06-03 2004-12-09 Scanvaegt International A/S Apparatus and method for portion cutting of food articles
CN108582261A (en) * 2018-05-22 2018-09-28 徐州工程学院 A kind of carbon tetrachloride precipitation block cutter device
CN110227963A (en) * 2019-07-02 2019-09-13 优尼斯工业服务(徐州)有限公司 A kind of lathe volume bits device for machining

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3088355A (en) * 1960-08-31 1963-05-07 Beloit Iron Works Traversing cutting apparatus having magnetic follower means
US4620466A (en) * 1983-10-17 1986-11-04 Societe Nationale Industrielle Et Aerospatiale Cutting machine
US4748724A (en) * 1987-05-12 1988-06-07 The Laitram Corporation Support apparatus for use in video imaging and processing of transverse fish sections
US4962568A (en) * 1988-03-22 1990-10-16 Design Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for automatically cutting food products to predetermined weight or shape

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3088355A (en) * 1960-08-31 1963-05-07 Beloit Iron Works Traversing cutting apparatus having magnetic follower means
US4620466A (en) * 1983-10-17 1986-11-04 Societe Nationale Industrielle Et Aerospatiale Cutting machine
US4748724A (en) * 1987-05-12 1988-06-07 The Laitram Corporation Support apparatus for use in video imaging and processing of transverse fish sections
US4962568A (en) * 1988-03-22 1990-10-16 Design Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for automatically cutting food products to predetermined weight or shape

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2732922A1 (en) * 1995-04-11 1996-10-18 Fruidor Cutting fruit and vegetables
US6227087B1 (en) 1995-06-07 2001-05-08 The Pillsbury Company Liquid jet cutter for cutting a rolled dough product
EP1249320A1 (en) * 2001-04-13 2002-10-16 Bourgogne Hydro Apparatus for moving a carriage of a water jet cutter
FR2823463A1 (en) * 2001-04-13 2002-10-18 Bourgogne Hydro IMPROVED WATER JET CUTTING DEVICE
WO2004106020A1 (en) * 2003-06-03 2004-12-09 Scanvaegt International A/S Apparatus and method for portion cutting of food articles
CN108582261A (en) * 2018-05-22 2018-09-28 徐州工程学院 A kind of carbon tetrachloride precipitation block cutter device
CN110227963A (en) * 2019-07-02 2019-09-13 优尼斯工业服务(徐州)有限公司 A kind of lathe volume bits device for machining

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE9302780D0 (en) 1993-08-27
SE9302780L (en) 1995-02-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5162016A (en) Abrasive for a water jet cutting head
US5133687A (en) Water jet/abrasive jet cutting head
WO1995005746A1 (en) Plant for fluid jet cutting of products, especially food products
US11051522B2 (en) Cutting system for cutting food products
EP0560611A1 (en) In-duct cleaning apparatus
EP0248354A2 (en) Slicer
US5551910A (en) Arrangement and plant for fluid jet cutting of food products
US5367929A (en) Fluid jet cutting knife apparatus
KR20210108118A (en) marine debris collecting system for inaccessible shores
SE9000682L (en) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FISH CLEANING
US7000816B1 (en) Loading system for elongated strand of food product
CA1113527A (en) Shower fittings
MY117635A (en) Roll-up device
HUT59878A (en) Apparatus for controlling engine driving pump transporting lubricant
US2949034A (en) Carriage reciprocating mechanism
AU2020405625B2 (en) A meat processing system
US4768438A (en) Ink agitators
CN210987979U (en) Live fish slaughtering all-in-one machine
US2949000A (en) Apparatus for receiving linear material from extruding or similar machines
NO180562C (en) Apparatus for cutting frozen meat or fishing blocks or planks
SU614933A1 (en) Apparatus for surface-treatment of articles
RU1773825C (en) Device for continuous pouring of concrete
FI972177L (en) Continuous and variable-speed winding equipment for reinforced plastic products
ES2068153A2 (en) Vibrator apparatus, especially for gathering fruit from trees and the like
FI982426A0 (en) Cable sound tube and a method and apparatus for producing a cable guard tube

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): JP US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase