Device for cutting dough

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a device for cutting dough. More in particular, to a device for cutting elongated or even endless dough pieces, that are transferred on a conveyor.

#2. Description of Related Art

#The invention will now be elucidated into more detail, with reference to the following figures. Herein:

#FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of relevant parts of a first embodiment;

#FIG. 1b shows a side view of the embodiment from FIG. 1a, in which the first arm, the first arm part, the second arm part, and the fulcrum are shown in different positions;

#FIG. 1a shows a device 1 for cutting dough, comprising a conveyor 2 for conveying an elongated or endless dough piece (not depicted) via a conveying means 24 in an essentially horizontal direction A. The device comprises a slide 3, arranged translatable in the essentially horizontal direction A′, A″ of conveyance A of the conveyor 2. The device has a cutting blade 4, extending B horizontally and essentially perpendicular to the direction A of conveyance of the conveyor, and coupled to the slide 3, translatable in an essentially vertical direction C. The device further comprises an arm 5 extending essentially vertically, with a first arm part 6 extending above a fulcrum 8, and a second arm part 7 extending below the fulcrum 8, wherein the first arm part 6 is coupled to the slide 3, and the second arm part 7 coupled to a drive 10 for rocking the arm 5 about the fulcrum 8. The drive 10 also serves for translating the cutting blade 4 in the essentially vertical direction C with respect to the slide 3, by means of rod 13, coupled to eccentric cam 12 (and free from fulcrum 8). In order to adjust the swing of the slide 3, the vertical position of the fulcrum 8 is adjustable over a height h, with respect to the coupling of the second part 7 of the arm and the drive 10. The height h may for instance be varied between 230 and 410 mm, which can be done automatically, by means of rotating spindle 11. The shaft 15 of the drive 10 is provided with counter-weights 14, to compensate for at least the horizontal forces occurring from the arm and the eccentric cam 12 and rod 13 with slide 3. In order to ease the use of the device, and to facilitate incorporation in a dough line, the device may comprise a controller 22, for controlling the first and/or second drive, the controller 22 configured for setting the drive at uninterrupted movement. FIG. 1b shows a side view of the same device.

#FIG. 2 shows with * shaped indications 160 the path of the cutting blade 4 (not visible) from the device from FIG. 1a, b. As can be seen in the figure, the interaction of the momentum and the eccentric cam and rod 12, 13 cause the blade to move along a trajectum that has essentially straight curve-parts D, D′ towards the conveyor 2. In particular when encountering the dough 170 over a thickness E, which may for instance be 3-5 centimeters, the curve is straight, so that the cutting blade travels in the direction of conveyance along with the dough 170 when cutting, in an exactly determined speed relative to the conveyor, which may in particular be the same speed.

#FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment 20 of the device according to the present invention.