Cracker / separate cup unit and egg breaking machine including the same

Abstract

To provide a cracker / separate cup unit having a cup unit which inclines a separate cup downward and can fall a product liquid egg to an egg receiving tray of a normal product, without providing a guide mechanism on the outer periphery arranged outside a separate cup.SOLUTION: A cracker / separate cup unit 14_i includes: a support 1100 mounted on an egg breaking machine 1; a yoke cup C3 which is mounted on the support 1100 and houses an egg yolk; a white cup C4 which is arranged below the yoke cup and houses an egg white; and an attitude holding / releasing mechanism 70 having a mechanism for holding the origin attitudes of the yoke cup and the white cup, and a mechanism for releasing the holding forward and falling the liquid egg.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cracker separating cup unit and an egg cracking machine equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] The egg cracking machine includes a plurality of crackers and separate cups, a chain conveyor that rotates around the plurality of crackers and separate cups in a plan view, an egg yolk receiving section, an egg white receiving section, an egg shell receiving section, and a drive section for the chain conveyor. The crackers, separate cups, and chain conveyor are exposed. The egg cracking machine needs to be cleaned periodically. Generally, high-pressure spray cleaning, foam cleaning, and air drying are performed. US Patent No. 5,399,663 discloses an egg cracking machine equipped with a liquid egg receptacle. US Patent No. 5,399,663 discloses a drive and egg cracking mechanism (cracker and separating cup) for the egg cracking machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6636270 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 2995523 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an egg is cracked by an egg cracking machine and separated into yolk and white, there is a possibility that some of the egg yolk or shell may be mixed into the egg white. In this case, the guide mechanism automatically tilts the separator cup downward while moving the separator cup, allowing the normal egg white to fall into the tray for normal eggs (automatic mechanism drop). On the other hand, the operator operates a manual lever to tilt the separator cup downward, allowing the defective egg white to fall into the tray for defective eggs (manual operation drop).

[0005] This guide mechanism maintains the position of the separation cup and functions to separate eggs according to their properties. To perform this function, the guide mechanism is placed on the outer periphery of the separation cup. This means that the outer periphery of the egg cracking machine becomes larger, and the installation area becomes wider, so there is a demand for space saving.

[0006] In addition, the guide mechanism needs to have a shape and rigidity that allows it to be in constant contact with the separate cup in order to regulate the movement of the separate cup, and the machining of the metal material is complicated and difficult due to the straight and curved shapes. Therefore, there is a demand for an easier manufacturing method for the guide mechanism.

[0007] In addition, the liquid egg product (egg yolk and egg white) is transferred to the egg receiver below by tilting the separate cup while being regulated by a guide mechanism. At this time, the liquid egg product comes into contact with the guide that supports the position of the separate cup. There is a concern that this contact may result in a decrease in the quality of the liquid egg product. Liquid egg that adheres to this guide needs to be washed off after the egg cracking operation is completed. For this reason, there is a demand for a method to avoid unnecessary contact between the liquid egg product and the guide.

[0008] In addition, if the movement of the cup unit becomes poor and the separate cup comes off the guide, there is an increased possibility that the separate cup will get caught in the mounting portion of the guide. Therefore, there is a demand for a method to prevent the separate cup from getting caught in the guide.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a cracker / separate cup unit having a cup unit that can tilt the separate cup downward to drop product eggs into a normal egg receiving tray without providing an outer guide mechanism positioned outside the separate cup (the direction away from the egg-breaking machine main body is called the "outside" and the direction toward the egg-breaking machine main body is called the "inside"), and an egg-breaking machine equipped with the same. The object of the present invention is to provide a cracker / separate cup unit that eliminates the outer circumferential guide mechanism positioned outside the separate cup and has a cup unit that can be held at an inclination in stages and is removable, and an egg cracking machine equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The cracker separate cup unit (14_i) is A support (1100) attached to the egg cracking machine (1); A yoke cup (C3) for containing an egg yolk attached to the support (1100); A white cup (C4) is disposed below the yoke cup and contains egg white; a mechanism for releasing the attitude of the yoke cup (C3) and the white cup (C4) from their original attitudes and a mechanism for releasing the yoke cup (C3) and the white cup (C4) forward to allow the liquid egg (egg yolk and egg white) to fall; Equipped with. The attitude maintenance releasing mechanism (70) may be disposed closer to the egg breaking machine than the positions of the yoke cup and the white cup.

[0011] The attitude retention release mechanism (70) is A mechanism connected to the support (1100) (having a mounting portion (71) and a frame (72) having an L-shaped cross section attached to the mounting portion (71) via a fixing portion (72a)), A holding lever (73) connected to the mechanism, passing through the opening (1100a) of the support (1100) and extending rearward (toward the inside of the egg cracking machine); The holding lever (73) may further include a hook (731) that is provided to the holding lever (73) and engages with a part (frame pole 7043) of a first frame (1014) that supports the yoke cup (C3) and the white cup (C4). The mounting portion (71) and the frame (72) may be integral with each other or may be formed as separate bodies.

[0012] The attitude retention release mechanism (70) is a vertical rotation lever (75) that is attached to the rear of the holding lever (73) (inside the egg cracking machine) and whose vertical movement is restricted (fixed) by the fixed portion (73a) and that is supported by a rotation shaft (75a) and that changes its position in the vertical direction or its angle in the vertical direction based on the holding lever (73) or the extension lever (74); A manual lever (76) connected to the vertical rotation lever (75), passing through the opening (1100a) and extending forward (outside the egg cracking machine); The device may include:

[0013] The attitude retention release mechanism (70) is The holding lever (73) or the extension lever (74) may have one or more positioning portion recesses (741a, 741b, 741c) at the rear thereof, and the vertical rotation lever (75) may have an engagement protrusion (75b) that engages with the positioning portion recesses (741a, 741b, 741c). The positioning recesses (741a, 741b, 741c) are formed in the rear plate portion (741), The vertical rotation lever (75) has a U-shaped cross section so as to sandwich the rear plate portion (741), and may have an operation bar (751) protruding rearward.

[0014] The posture retention release mechanism (70) or the egg cracking machine is An operating unit (78, 79) may be provided for operating the lower rotating lever (75) so as to abut against the operating bar (751) and change its position in the vertical direction or change its angle in the vertical direction while being supported by a rotating shaft (75a) based on the holding lever (73) or the extension lever (74).

[0015] The posture retention release mechanism (70) or the egg cracking machine is The operation bar (751) may be provided with a normal position return portion (80) that returns the operation bar (751) to the normal position while moving it when the operation bar (751) is in the upward inclined position and / or the downward inclined position.

[0016] The attitude retention release mechanism includes: a tilting mechanism (2000) that moves the position of the white cup (C4) upward and tilts the yoke cup (C3) and the white cup (C4) backward at least once (to a normal position, a first backward tilt position, etc.); a release mechanism (4000) connected to the tilt mechanism (2000) for releasing the yoke cup (C3) and the white cup (C4) forward to allow liquid eggs (egg yolk and egg white) to fall; The device may include:

[0017] The cracker / separate cup unit (14_i) is The cracker unit may include a cracker egg receiving portion (C1) that is expandable and contractable so as to open in the width direction, an upper egg holding lever (C2) that holds down an egg placed on the cracker egg receiving portion (C1) from above, and a cutter (C11) that crushes egg shells from below the cracker egg receiving portion (C1). A cracker unit may be attached to the support (1100).

[0018] The first tilt mechanism (2000) comprises: An attachment portion (2030) connected to the support (1100); a frame (2020) having an L-shaped cross section that is rotatably attached to the mounting portion (2030) via a first fixed shaft (2031) and a first spring (2032); A long hole (2021) provided in the frame (2020) having an L-shaped cross section, the long hole (2021) having recesses (2021a, 2021b, 2021c) for regulating a plurality of holding positions corresponding to a normal position and at least one rearward inclined position; A post (2025) attached to the support (1100) and arranged to engage with the recesses (2021a, 2021b, 2021c) of the slot (2021); The device may include:

[0019] The first tilt mechanism (2000) is a first guide member (2500) for lifting the white cup (C4) from below and positioning it at a first rearward inclination position; A first drive mechanism (eg, a cylinder, a rotating member, etc.) that rotates the first guide member (2500) about a fixed shaft at one end of the first guide member (2500) may be provided. The first tilt mechanism (2000) is a second guide member (2510) that lifts the white cup (C4) lifted to the first rearward inclination position by the first guide member (2500) from below and positions the white cup (C4) at a second rearward inclination position; A second drive mechanism (eg, a cylinder, a rotating member, etc.) that rotates the second guide member (2510) about a fixed shaft at one end of the second guide member (2510) may be provided.

[0020] The first release mechanism (4000) comprises: A holding lever (2023) connected to the L-shaped cross-section frame (2020) and extending rearward through the opening (1100a) of the support (1100); The holding lever (2023) may include a hook (4042) that engages with a part (1043) of a first frame (1014) that supports the yoke cup (C3) and the white cup (C4). The holding lever (2023) may be rotatably connected to the L-shaped cross-section frame (2020) via a second fixed shaft (2041a) and a second spring (2041b), and may be configured to rotate about the second fixed shaft (2041a) in a planar view direction by a predetermined guide operation.

[0021] The second tilt mechanism (2100) is An attachment portion (2130) connected to the support (1100); a frame (2140) having a U-shaped cross section that is rotatably attached to the mounting portion (2130) via a fourth fixed shaft (2110); a through-lever (2125) connected to one side of the frame (2140) having a U-shaped cross section and passing through the long hole (2121) of the support (1100); a fourth spring (2126) for generating a tension force between an end (2125a) of the penetrating lever (2125) on the side of the support (1100) and a position (1125) at a constant interval in the width direction of the support (1100); The oblong hole (2121) may have recesses (2121a, 2121b, 2121c) for regulating a plurality of holding positions corresponding to a normal position and at least one rearward inclined position, the recesses being formed in the oblong hole (2121). The fourth spring (2126) suppresses vibration when the through lever (2125) engages with the recesses (2121a, 2121b, 2121c), and prevents the through lever (2125) from inadvertently moving to another recess.

[0022] The second tilt mechanism (2100) is a first guide member (2500) for lifting the white cup (C4) from below and positioning it at a first rearward inclination position; A first drive mechanism (eg, a cylinder, a rotating member, etc.) that rotates the first guide member (2500) about a fixed shaft at one end of the first guide member (2500) may be provided. The second tilt mechanism (2100) is a second guide member (2510) that lifts the white cup (C4) lifted to the first rearward inclination position by the first guide member (2500) from below and positions the white cup (C4) at a second rearward inclination position; A second drive mechanism (eg, a cylinder, a rotating member, etc.) that rotates the second guide member (2510) about a fixed shaft at one end of the second guide member (2510) may be provided.

[0023] In the first and second tilting mechanisms (2000, 2100), the first guide member (2500) and the second guide member (2510) may have the following configuration. The first guide member (2500) and the second guide member (2510) may be arranged at the same height in the horizontal position, the rotating longitudinal length of the second guide member (2510) may be longer than that of the first guide member (2500), and when rotated upward around their respective rotation axes, the upper tip (the tip furthest from the rotation axis) of the second guide member (2510) may be configured to be higher than the upper tip (the tip furthest from the rotation axis) of the first guide member (2500). The second guide member (2510) is disposed at a higher height than the first guide member (2500), and the length of the second guide member (2510) in the rotating longitudinal direction may be the same as or longer than that of the first guide member (2500). The first guide member (2500) may be longer. The first guide member (2500) and the second guide member (2510) are disposed below the lower end of the white cup (C4) in its normal position during transport.

[0024] The second release mechanism (4100) comprises: A holding lever (2023) connected to the U-shaped cross-section frame (2140) and extending backward through the opening (1100a) of the support (1100); The holding lever (2023) may be provided with a hook (4142) that engages with a part (frame pole 1043) of a first frame (1014) that supports the yoke cup (C3) and the white cup (C4). The holding lever (2023) may be rotatably connected to the U-shaped cross-section frame (2140) via a second fixed shaft (2041a) and a first spring (2041b), and may be configured to rotate about the second fixed shaft (2041a) in a planar view direction by a predetermined guide operation.

[0025] The cracker / separate cup unit (14_i) is A frame (1014) that supports the yoke cup (C3) and the white cup (C4); a frame pole (1043) that engages with the hook (4042, 4142) and is provided on the frame (1014); A rotating shaft lever (1044) provided below the frame (1014); The device may include: The pivot lever (1044) may have a damping member (1045) to inhibit movement.

[0026] The mounting portion (2030, 2130) is The rotary shaft lever (1044) may include a holder (2302) that rotatably engages with the engagement pole (1044a) of the rotary shaft lever (1044). The holder (2302) may have a receiving portion (2302d) that is extended from the tip of the mounting portion (2030, 2130) so as to engage with the engagement pole (1044a). The holder (2302) is and a holding means (2302c) for rotatably holding the engagement pole (1044a) of the rotating shaft lever (1044) via a third fixed shaft (2302a) and a third spring (2302b) and preventing removal. The mounting portion (2030, 2130) or the holder (2302) is A stopping portion (2305) that abuts against the braking portion (1045) and stops the rotation of the rotating shaft lever (1044) may be provided. The cup unit (yoke cup, white cup) is connected by the holder (2302) and the holding lever (2023). When dropped, the pole (1043) comes off from the hook (4042, 4142) of the holding lever (2023). The cup unit can be detached by removing the rotating shaft lever (1044) from the holder (2302).

[0027] (effect) (1) A mechanism for maintaining the posture of each cup by changing the position or angle in multiple stages is provided on the mounting side (inside) of each cup, making it possible to eliminate the need for a guide mechanism on the outer periphery of the cup. (2) Each category is equipped with an actuator that changes the position or inclination angle of each cup depending on the characteristics of the eggs. (3) It is possible to damp the cup (release the attitude holding mechanism to release the liquid egg) at different positions according to the type of cup position or inclination angle. (4) By operating the operating bar or manual bar without tilting the cup, dumping according to the characteristics of the eggs is possible.

[0028] The egg cracking machine (1) is A main body (11), a chain conveying section (12) provided inside the main body (11) and rotating in a plan view; a chain driving unit (13) provided above the chain conveying unit (12) and configured to drive the chain conveying unit (12); a plurality of cracker / separate cup units (14_i, i=1, 2, 3, . . . n) detachably provided on the chain conveying section (12); and a transfer mechanism (10) for placing an egg on the cracker / separate cup unit (14_i) (the cracker / egg receiving portion C1 and the upper egg holding lever C2).

[0029] The egg cracking machine (1) comprises: a cleaning immersion section (15) provided on the main body (11) for storing cleaning liquid and allowing the cracker / separate cup unit (14_i) (and the chain conveying section (12)) to be at least immersed in the cleaning liquid; The device may include: The cleaning submerged portion (15) may have a peripheral side wall (151) and a bottom portion (152). The bottom portion (152) may be formed with an egg yolk receiving portion (1522) for receiving egg yolk and an egg white receiving portion (1521) for receiving egg white, which are separated in the cracker / separate cup unit (14_i). The peripheral side wall (151) may be made up of a plurality of side walls. The peripheral side wall (151) may be provided with one or more transparent windows (151a) (viewholes). The main body (11) may be provided with a roof portion (16) that covers an upper portion of the cleaning immersion portion (15). The roof portion (16) may be provided with transparent windows (163a, 163b: observation windows). The roof portion (16) may be composed of divided roof portions (161a, 162b, 162a, 162b) divided arbitrarily in the vertical and / or horizontal directions. The first and second divided roof portions (161, 162) in two upper and lower stages may be configured to be movable up and down, and a space may be provided for visually checking the inside and for replacing the cracker / separate cup unit (14_i). The main body (11) may be provided therein with an air drying nozzle for spraying air toward the cracker / separate cup unit (14_i), and a cleaning water spray nozzle (which may also serve as a rinsing water spray nozzle) for spraying foam cleaning water toward the cracker / separate cup unit (14_i).

[0030] The transfer mechanism section (10) may include an egg carrier (29) that receives eggs sent from the first conveying section (41), and an egg carrier tilting mechanism that intermittently tilts the egg carrier (29) toward the cracker (14_i_a) (to transfer the eggs) in conjunction with the movement of the cracker / separate cup unit (14_i). The egg carrier tilting mechanism may include a transmission system (20) that transmits a driving force from a chain drive unit (13) that rotates the cracker / separate cup unit (14_i), a cam mechanism (26) that converts the continuous rotation from the transmission system (20) into intermittent motion, and a tilting bar (27) that moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the cam mechanism (26) to tilt the egg carrier (29) and send the eggs to the cracker / egg receiving portion (C1). A plurality of the egg carriers (29) are attached to an endless carrier conveyor (not shown), and the carrier conveyor may perform an intermittent operation in which the carrier conveyor accelerates from a stopped state at a speed of zero in synchronization with the moving direction and speed of the cracker and separate cup unit (14_i), and then decelerates to a stopped state at a speed of zero, the intermittent operation being repeated every time the first transport section advances by one row. At this time, the egg carrier tilting mechanism may tilt the egg carrier (29) in a state in which the speed of the egg carrier (29) is synchronized with the speed of the cracker and separate cup unit (14_i) to send eggs to the cracker and separate cup unit (14_i), and then return from the tilted state to a horizontal state in preparation for receiving eggs in the following row. The peripheral side wall (151) has a connection part (1511) connected to the egg-washing conveying part (40), and the connection part (1511) has an opening (1511a), in which a first conveying part (41) having a flip-up structure of the egg-washing conveying part (40) may be disposed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1A] 1 shows a front view of an example of the configuration of an egg cracking machine 1. [Figure 1B] 1 is a side view of an example of the configuration of an egg cracking machine 1. FIG. [Figure 2A] 1 shows a plan view of an egg cracking machine 1. [Figure 2B] A plan view of the bottom 152 is shown. [Diagram 3] The liquid level relationship during immersion is shown. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a transfer mechanism. [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an intermittent drive unit. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a transmission system to a first conveying section. [Figure 4D] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining the transfer from the first transport section to the egg carrier. [Figure 4E] A diagram illustrating the transfer from the egg carrier to the cracker is shown. [Figure 5A]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the cracker separate cup unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the cracker separate cup unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a cracker separate cup unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a cracker separate cup unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a cracker separate cup unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a cracker separate cup unit according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Fig. 1A shows a front view of the structure of the egg cracking machine 1, Fig. 1B shows a side view, and Fig. 2A shows a plan view. Fig. 2B shows a plan view of the bottom. The egg cracking machine 1 comprises a main body 11 and first to fourth legs 111, 112, 113 that support the main body 11. Also, a chain conveying part 12 that rotates in a plan view is provided inside the main body 11. In this embodiment, the chain conveying part 12 has a pair of upper and lower chains 121, 122. The chain driving unit 13 that drives the chain conveying unit 12 is provided above the chain conveying unit 12. The chain driving unit 13 includes a motor 131, a reducer (gear box) 132, a first sprocket 133, a second sprocket 135, a transmission chain 134, an encoder 137, a rotating shaft 136, a third sprocket 138, and a fourth sprocket 139. The rotational force of the motor 131 is adjusted in speed by the reducer 132 and transmitted from a first sprocket 133 to a second sprocket 135 via a transmission chain 134. The second sprocket 135 is connected to a rotating shaft 136, and the number of rotations is detected by an encoder 137. The rotating shaft 136 extends downward and is connected to a third sprocket 138 and a fourth sprocket 139. The third sprocket 138 meshes with the chain 121, and the fourth sprocket 139 meshes with the chain 122, transmitting the rotational force to the chains 121 and 122. The chains 121 and 122 also mesh with the driven rotating shaft, and rotate along the slat structure. A plurality of cracker / separate cup units 14_1, 14_2, 14_n are detachably provided on the chain conveying section 12 (chains 121, 122). The transfer mechanism 10 is a mechanism for placing eggs transferred from the egg washing device by a conveyer onto the cracker / separate cup unit 14_i.

[0033] The egg cracking machine 1 is connected to an egg washing conveying section 40 that conveys eggs from its upstream side. The egg washing conveying section 40 includes a first conveying section 41 with a flip-up structure, and a second conveying section 42 connected to the first conveying section 41. The second conveying section 42 receives eggs sent from the conveying section of the egg washing device, and conveys them to the first conveying section 41 side. The first conveying section 41 is rotated by a driving force from a transmission system 20, which will be described later. The second conveying section 42 may be rotated by a driving force from a rotation drive section separate from the first conveying section 41.

[0034] The cracker / separate cup unit 14_i includes, for example, a cracker / egg receiving portion C1, an egg upper holding lever C2, a cutter C11, an egg yolk cup C3, and a liquid egg (white) cup C4 (see Figs. 3 and 4A). The tilt mechanism and release mechanism will be described later.

[0035] 4A to 4E, the transfer mechanism 10 will be described. The transfer mechanism 10 includes an egg carrier 29 that receives eggs sent from the first transport unit 41, and an egg carrier tilt mechanism that intermittently tilts the egg carrier 29 toward the cracker side (transfers the eggs) in conjunction with the movement of the cracker / separate cup unit 14_i. The egg carrier tilting mechanism comprises a transmission system 20 that transmits the driving force from the chain drive unit 13 which rotates the cracker / separate cup unit (14_i), a cam mechanism 26 that converts the continuous rotation from the transmission system 20 into intermittent motion, and a tilting bar 27 that moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the cam mechanism 26.

[0036] The transmission system 20 includes a fifth sprocket 21 provided on the rotating shaft 136, a sixth sprocket 22 via a chain 22a that meshes with the fifth sprocket 21, and a gear box 23 that transmits the rotational force of the sixth sprocket 22. The gear box 23 includes a first rotating shaft 23a and a second rotating shaft 23b. The first rotating shaft 23a transmits the rotational force to the intermittent drive unit 24. The rotational force of the second rotating shaft 23b is transmitted to the gear box 28 via the chain 23c. The rotational force of the gear box 28 is provided as a rotational force to the sprocket 415 of the first conveying section 41 via the chain 28a. Intermittent drive unit 24 includes a first sprocket 241 eccentrically connected to first rotating shaft 23a, a chain 24a that meshes with first sprocket 241, second, third, fourth and fifth sprockets 242, 243, 244 and 245 that mesh with chain 24a, and first and second bevel gears 251 and 252 connected to fifth sprocket 245. Since first sprocket 241 rotates eccentrically, intermittent drive unit 24 rotates intermittently. The rotational force is transmitted to the cam mechanism 26 via the first and second bevel gears 251, 252, and the tilting bar 27 moves up and down in tandem, tilting the egg carrier 29 and sending the eggs to the cracker egg receiving section C1. At this time, a sprocket that drives a carrier conveyor to which multiple egg carriers 29 are attached is attached coaxially with the cam mechanism 26, and the carrier conveyor also operates intermittently.

[0037] The egg cracking machine 1 is provided with a cleaning immersion section 15 capable of storing cleaning liquid. Washing immersion section 15 has a peripheral side wall 151 and a bottom 152. Bottom section 152 is formed with an egg yolk receiving section 1522 for receiving the egg yolk and an egg white receiving section 1521 for receiving the egg white, which are separated by cracker / separate cup unit 14_i. A partition wall 1523 is formed to separate egg yolk receiving section 1522 from egg white receiving section 1521. Egg yolk receiving section 1522 is provided with a discharge port 1522a. Egg white receiving section 1521 is provided with a discharge port 1521a. The bottom portion 152 is provided with a partition wall 1524 in the center of the bottom portion, and each of the outlets 152a, 152b, 152c, and 152d of the bottom portion 152.

[0038] The peripheral side wall 151 is composed of a plurality of side walls. The peripheral side wall 151 is provided with a transparent window 151a. The peripheral side wall 151 has a connection part 1511 connected to the egg washing conveying section 40 (first conveying section 41). The peripheral side wall 151 may have a shooter connection part 151b connected to a shooter that discharges egg shells. The connecting portion 1511 has an opening 1511a, and the first conveying portion 41 having a flip-up structure is disposed in the opening 1511a. When the first conveying portion 41 is flipped up, the flip-up state is maintained by a hydraulic damper or the like. After being flipped up, a detachable member such as a plate portion is attached to the opening 1511a during cleaning, which will be described later.

[0039] The main body 11 is provided with a roof section 16 that covers the upper part of the cleaning immersion section 15. The roof section 16 is provided with transparent windows 163a, 163b (observation windows). The roof section 16 is divided into first and second divided roof sections 161a, 162a in two upper and lower stages, and third and fourth divided roof sections 161b, 162b in two upper and lower stages. The third and fourth divided roof sections 161b, 162b are configured to be movable up and down (see FIG. 1B). Space is provided for visually checking the inside and for replacing the cracker / separate cup unit 14_i. The first and second divided roof sections 161a, 162a are also configured to be movable up and down. Each divided roof section may be provided with an opening / closing mechanism, a gas spring, or the like that can support the weight of the roof section and stop it when opened upward.

[0040] When cleaning, cleaning liquid is poured into the cleaning immersion section 15. Figure 3 shows the relationship between the liquid levels during immersion. The cracker / separate cup unit 14_i, the chain conveyor section 12 (121, 122), the mounting members, the transfer mechanism section 10, etc. are immersed at the first liquid level L1. The cracker / separate cup unit 14_i, the chain 122, the transfer mechanism section 10, etc. are immersed at the second liquid level L2. At the first liquid level L1, the chain conveyor section 12 is rotated while being washed. The attachment members at the attachment portion between the cracker / separate cup unit and the chain conveyor section 12 can also be easily washed. Open all the drainage ports, drain the cleaning liquid, collect rinsing water, and rinse while rotating the chain conveyor section 12. Rinsing may be repeated several times.

[0041] (Cracker Separate Cup Unit: Example 1) The cracker separate cup unit of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. The cracker / separate cup unit 14_i has, as its main frame, a support 1100 attached to a unit support part 301 on the egg cracking machine 1 side via a pair of upper and lower roller guides 301a. A cracker unit having a cracker egg receiving portion C1, an egg upper holding lever C2, and a cutter C11 is attached to the upper portion of the support 1100. The specific attachment is the same as in the conventional case. A cup unit having a yoke cup C3 for containing egg yolk and a white cup C4 disposed below the yoke cup C3 is attached below the support 1100.

[0042] The cracker / separate cup unit 14_i of the first embodiment includes a tilting mechanism 2000 and a release mechanism 4000. The tilt mechanism 2000 is a mechanism that moves the position of the white cup (C4) upward and tilts the yoke cup C3 and the white cup C4 backward (to a normal position, a first backward tilt position, a second backward tilt position, etc.). The release mechanism 4000 is connected to the tilt mechanism 2000, and releases the yoke cup C3 and the white cup C4 forward to allow the liquid egg to fall. In this embodiment, for example, the normal position is the state when an egg is cracked, the egg yolk is received in the yoke cup C3, and the egg white is received in the white cup C4 (liquid egg separation state). The first rear inclined position is the state when the egg yolk is mixed with the egg white (also called "mixed egg") or when good liquid egg products are transported. The second rear inclined position is the state when defective liquid eggs that cannot be made into inedible products are transported. In the normal position, the opening edge of the white cup C4 may be horizontal or may be inclined forward at an angle of 1 to 4 degrees. The first backward inclination (for example, 4 to 6 degrees) is smaller than the second backward inclination (for example, 7 to 15 degrees).

[0043] The support 1100 has a freely rotating roller 1110 above it, and is attached to a pair of upper and lower chains 121, 122 having rollers 1111, 1112 in rotational contact with a pair of upper and lower roller chain guides 301a. The first tilting mechanism 2000 includes an attachment portion 2030 that is connected from below the support 1100 toward a direction (outward) away from the egg cracking machine 1. The attachment portion 2030 may include a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and an inclined surface. A frame 2020 with an L-shaped cross section is connected to the mounting portion 2030 so as to cover one side surface and the open top surface of the mounting portion 2030. The frame 2020 with an L-shaped cross section is rotatably attached to one side surface or both side surfaces of the mounting portion 2030 via a first fixed shaft 2031 and a first spring 2032.

[0044] The frame 1014 supports the yoke cup C3 and the white cup C4. The frame 1014 is provided with a frame pole 1043 that is disposed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the frame at a position between the yoke cup C3 and the white cup C4. The frame pole 1043 engages with a hook 4042, which will be described later. These are always in an engaged state except during a dropping operation. A rotary shaft lever 1044 is provided below the frame 1014. The rotary shaft lever 1044 is provided with a brake portion 1045 that restricts the movement in the rotational direction so that it does not go beyond a predetermined position.

[0045] The mounting portion 2030 is provided with a holder 2302 that rotatably engages with a pair of engagement poles 1044a of the rotary shaft lever 1044. The holder 2302 is provided toward the outer tip end of the bottom surface of the mounting portion 2030. The holder 2302 has a receiving portion 2302d that extends from the tip of the mounting portion 2030 so as to engage with the engagement poles 1044a. The holder 2302 is provided with a holding means 2302c that rotatably holds the engaging poles 1044a of the rotating shaft lever 1044 via a third fixed shaft 2302a and a third spring 2302b and prevents the engaging poles 1044a from being removed. The receiving portion 2302d and the holding means 2302c rotatably hold the pair of engaging poles 1044a of the rotating shaft lever 1044. The mounting portion 2030 is provided with a stopping portion 2305 that comes into contact with the braking portion 1045 to stop the rotation of the rotating shaft lever 1044 (see FIG. 5B(d)). The braking portion 1045 comes into contact with the stopping portion 2305, thereby preventing the rotating shaft lever 1044 from rotating rearward more than necessary.

[0046] A long hole 2021 is provided on the top surface of a frame 2020 having an L-shaped cross section. The long hole 2021 is formed with recesses 2021a, 2021b, and 2021c for regulating a plurality of holding positions corresponding to a normal position, a first backward tilt position, and a second backward tilt position. The support posts 2025 are attached to the support 1100. The support posts 2025 are disposed so as to engage with the recesses 2021a, 2021b, and 2021c of the slot 2021, respectively. The first spring 2032 suppresses vibration when the support 2025 engages with each of the recesses 2021a, 2021b, and 2021c, and prevents the support 2025 from inadvertently moving to another recess.

[0047] Refer to FIG. 5B(e). First, in the (a) normal position, the support 2025 is in the recess 2021a. In the (b) first backward inclined position, the first drive mechanism (not shown) rotates the first guide member 2500 about a fixed shaft at one end of the first guide member 2500, so that the first guide member 2500 lifts the white cup (C4) from below and positions it at the first backward inclined position. At this time, the support 2025 moves to the recess 2021b and is held by the first spring 2032 so as not to move. In addition, in the (c) second backward inclined position, the second drive mechanism (not shown) rotates the second guide member 2510 about a fixed shaft at one end of the second guide member 2510, so that the second guide member 2510 lifts the white cup (C4) from below and positions it at the second backward inclined position. At this time, the support 2025 moves to the recess 2021c and is held by the first spring 2032 so as not to move.

[0048] 5B shows the holding positions of the support 2025 and the inclinations of the yoke cup C3 and the white cup C4 in (a) the normal position, (b) the first backward inclined position, and (c) the second backward inclined position. The height of the first backward inclined position is lower than the height of the second backward inclined position. For example, the yoke cup C3 and the white cup C4 can be displaced to the normal position (origin posture) for a normal egg, to the first backward inclined position for a first abnormal egg, and to the second backward inclined position for a second abnormal egg.

[0049] In FIG. 5B(e), the first guide member 2500 and the second guide member 2510 are disposed below the lower end of the white cup C4 in the normal position in the transported state. The first guide member 2500 and the second guide member 2510 are disposed at the same height in the horizontal position. The length of the rotating longitudinal direction of the second guide member 2510 is longer than that of the first guide member 2500. When rotated upward around the respective rotation shafts 2501 and 2511, the upper end 2513 of the second guide member 2510 is higher than the height of the upper end 2503 of the first guide member 2500. The second guide member 2510 may have a recess 2515 formed on the upper surface so as not to interfere with the white cup adjacent to the white cup C4 for tilting purposes. The second guide member 2510 may be longer than the first guide member 2500, and may have a larger rotation angle. In another embodiment, the height position of the second guide member 2510 is arranged higher than the height position of the first guide member 2500, and the length of the rotating longitudinal direction of the second guide member 2510 may be the same as or longer than that of the first guide member 2500. The first guide member 2500 may be longer. The second guide member 2510 is not limited to a configuration that lifts the white cup from the first rearward inclined position to the second rearward inclined position, but may be configured to lift the white cup from the normal position to the second rearward inclined position. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0050] 5A and 5B(d), at a predetermined egg receiver position, the yoke cup C3 and the white cup C4 are tilted forward to allow the egg yolk and egg white to fall. The rotating shaft lever 1044 can be removed from the holder (2302, 2302c, 2302d) by rotating the holding means 2302 against the spring force of the third spring 2302b. In other words, the yoke cup C3 and the white cup C4 can be removed from the mounting portion 2030 together with the support body 1014, making it easier to clean them.

[0051] The first release mechanism 4000 includes a holding lever 2023. The holding lever 2023 is connected to a frame 2020 having an L-shaped cross section. The holding lever 2023 passes through an opening 1100a of the support 1100 and extends rearward. An end 2023a of the holding lever 2023 extends toward the unit support portion 301. The holding lever 2023 is rotatably connected via a second fixed shaft 2041a and a second spring 2041b to the top surface of the L-shaped cross-section frame 2020. The holding lever 2023 has a hook 4042 formed at its tip end for engaging with the frame pole 1043. The stopper 4145 is a stopper that regulates the engagement position, and the second spring 2041b functions so that the holding lever 2023 presses the stopping portion 4145 against the stopping portion 4145. The end portion 2023a of the holding lever 2023 is operated by a guide portion (broken line) of the unit support portion 301, and swings about the second fixed shaft 2041a in the plan view direction. It moves away from the stopping portion 4145, and the frame pole 1043 comes off the hook 4042 (see FIG. 5B(d)).

[0052] (Embodiment 2) The cracker separating cup unit of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6A and 6B. The same reference numerals as those in Figures 5A and 5B have the same functional configurations, and the description will be omitted or simplified. The main difference from the first embodiment is the tilting mechanism 2100.

[0053] The second tilting mechanism 2100 includes an attachment portion 2130 that is connected from below the support 1100 toward a direction (outward) away from the egg cracking machine 1. The attachment portion 2130 may include a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and an inclined surface. A frame 2140 having a U-shaped cross section is connected to the mounting portion 2130 so as to cover both side surfaces and the open top surface. The frame 2140 having a U-shaped cross section is attached to both side surfaces of the mounting portion 2130 via a fourth fixed shaft 2110 so as to be rotatable. The holding lever 2023 is connected to the top surface of a frame 2140 having a U-shaped cross section. Other configurations of the holding lever 2023 (hook 4142, stopper 4145) are the same as those in the first embodiment. The holder 2302 is also the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0054] The through lever 2125 is connected to one side of a frame 2140 having a U-shaped cross section. The through lever 2125 passes through a long hole 2121 formed in the support 1100. A fourth spring 2126 is provided to generate a pulling force between an end 2125a of the penetrating lever 2125 on the support 1100 side and a position 1125 at a regular interval in the width direction of the support 1100 (see FIGS. 6B(a) to (c)). The long hole 2121 is formed with recesses 2121a, 2121b, and 2121c for regulating a plurality of holding positions corresponding to a normal position, a first backward inclined position, and a second backward inclined position. The fourth spring 2126 suppresses vibration when the penetrating lever 2125 engages with the recesses 2121a, 2121b, and 2121c, and prevents the penetrating lever 2125 from inadvertently moving to other recesses.

[0055] The first guide member 2500 and the second guide member 2510 are the same as those in the first embodiment. FIG. 6(e) shows the same configuration and operation. (a) In the normal position, the through lever 2125 is in the recess 2121a. (b) When changing to the first backward tilt position, the first drive mechanism (not shown) rotates the first guide member 2500 about a fixed shaft at one end of the first guide member 2500, so that the first guide member 2500 lifts the white cup (C4) from below and positions it at the first backward tilt position. At this time, the through lever 2125 moves to the recess 2121b and is held so as not to move by the fourth spring 2126. Also, (c) when changing to the second backward tilt position, the second drive mechanism (not shown) rotates the second guide member 2510 about a fixed shaft at one end of the second guide member 2510, so that the second guide member 2510 lifts the white cup (C4) from below and positions it at the second backward tilt position. At this time, the through lever 2125 moves to the recess 2121c and is held by the fourth spring 2126 so as not to move.

[0056] Fig. 6B shows the holding positions of the piercing lever 2125 and the inclinations of the yoke cup C3 and the white cup C4 in (a) the normal position, (b) the first backward tilt position, and (c) the second backward tilt position. For example, the yoke cup C3 and the white cup C4 can be displaced to the normal position (origin posture) for a normal egg, to the first backward tilt position for a first abnormal egg, and to the second backward tilt position for a second abnormal egg. Fig. 6B(d) shows a mechanism for tilting the yoke cup C3 and the white cup C4 forward to drop the egg yolk and egg white, which is similar to embodiment 1.

[0057] (Embodiment 3) The cracker and separate cup unit of the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7A and 7B. The same reference numerals as those in Figures 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B have the same functional configurations, and the description will be omitted or simplified. The main difference from the first and second embodiments is the attitude retention release mechanism 70.

[0058] The cracker / separate cup unit 14_i includes a support 1100 attached to the egg cracking machine 1, a yoke cup C3 for accommodating egg yolk, and a white cup C4 for accommodating egg white, which are attached to the support 1100. The attitude retention release mechanism 70 also includes a mechanism for retaining the original attitude of the yoke cup C3 and the white cup C4, and a mechanism for releasing them forward to allow the liquid egg (egg yolk and egg white) to fall.

[0059] The posture retention release mechanism 70 comprises an attachment part 71 connected to the support body 1100, an L-shaped cross-section frame 72 attached to the attachment part 71 via a fixed part 72a, and a retention lever 73 connected to the L-shaped cross-section frame 72, which passes through an opening 1100a of the support body 1100 and extends rearward (inside the egg cracking machine). The holding lever 73 is provided with a hook 731 which engages with a frame pole 7043 of the first frame 1014 which supports the yoke cup C and the white cup C4. The holding lever 73 has a fixed portion 73a as a rotation axis and is rotatable against the direction urged by the spring 73b. The holding lever 73 is connected to a frame 72 having an L-shaped cross section, and is configured to rotate against the direction urged by the spring 73b around the fixed portion 73a as an axis in a planar view direction with a specified guide operation. This rotation disengages the frame pole 7043 of the first frame 1014 from the hook 731. When biased by the spring 73b, the holding lever 73 is stopped by abutting against the stop portion 72c (see FIG. 7B(e)).

[0060] The posture retention release mechanism 70 is attached to the rear of the holding lever 73 (inside the egg cracking machine) and is equipped with an up and down rotation lever 75 which can be moved up and down while supported by a rotating shaft 75a and whose position or angle can be changed up and down based on the holding lever 73 or the extension lever 74, whose vertical movement is restricted (fixed) by a fixed part 73a. The manual lever 76 is connected to the vertical rotation lever 75, and extends forward (outside the egg cracking machine) through the opening 1100a. The holding lever 73 and the extension lever 74 may be integral with each other, or may be fixed separately. The manual lever 76 is linked to the vertical rotation lever 75 to change its position in the vertical direction or change its angle in the vertical direction.

[0061] A rear plate portion 741 provided behind the extension lever 74 has a positioning portion recess 741a in the normal position, a positioning portion recess 741b in the downward inclined position, and a positioning portion recess 741c in the upward inclined position (see the three-stage movement in FIG. 7A(c)). The vertical rotation lever 75 has an engaging protrusion 75b that engages with each of the positioning portion recesses (741a, 741b, 741c). The vertical rotation lever 75 has a U-shaped cross section so as to sandwich the rear plate portion 741, and has an operation bar 751 that protrudes rearward (see the plan view in FIG. 7A(b)).

[0062] The posture retention release mechanism 70 or the egg cracking machine 1 is equipped with operating units 78, 79 which abut against the operating bar 751 and operate the up-down rotation lever 75 so as to change the angle in the vertical direction while being supported by the rotation shaft 75a, based on the extension lever 74. The downward tilt operating portion 78 is configured to move from top to bottom, pushing the operating bar 751 downward and moving the engaging protrusion 75b from the positioning portion recess 741a in the normal position to the positioning portion recess 741 in the downward tilt position to engage it (see downward tilt position in Figure 7B (b)). The upward tilt operating part 79 is configured to move from the bottom to the top, pushing the operating bar 751 upward, and moving the engagement protrusion 75b from the positioning part recess 741a in the normal position to the positioning part recess 741c in the upward tilt position to engage it (see upward tilt position in Figure 7B (c)). For example, the operation bar 751 and the up / down rotation lever 75 can be displaced to the normal position (origin position) for a normal egg, to the downward inclined position for a first abnormal egg, and to the upward inclined position for a second abnormal egg.

[0063] The same positioning operation as described above can be performed by the operator by vertically operating the manual lever 76. A device for vertically operating the manual lever 76 can also be installed. For example, when the cracker / separate cup unit 14_i is moving at a low speed or is stopped, the operator can manually operate the manual lever 76 vertically.

[0064] The attitude retention release mechanism 70 or the egg cracking machine 1 is provided with a normal position return section 80 that returns the cracker / separate cup unit 14_i to its normal position while moving it when the operation bar 751 is in the upward inclined position and / or the downward inclined position. The normal position return section 80 has an entrance where the operation bar 751 in the upward or downward tilt position can be inserted, an intermediate section that gradually narrows from the entrance until it reaches the normal position, and an exit corresponding to the normal position. The operation bar 751 inserted from the entrance moves to the normal position while abutting against the intermediate section, and exits from the exit (see FIG. 7B(d)). This allows the operation bar 751 to be easily and automatically returned to the normal position while being moved.

[0065] (Another embodiment) (1) The main body 11 may be provided therein with an air drying nozzle for spraying air toward the cracker / separate cup unit (14_i), and a cleaning water spray nozzle (which may also serve as a rinsing water spray nozzle) for spraying foam cleaning water toward the cracker / separate cup unit (14_i). (2) The main body 11 and the cleaning immersion section 15 are not limited to an octagon in plan view, but may be a rectangle with rounded corners, an oval, a square, or the like. (3) The transfer mechanism 10 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-262334 may be adopted. The configuration of the transmission system 20 and the configuration of the intermittent drive 24 are not limited to the above embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Egg breaking machine 70 Posture hold release mechanism 1100 Support 2000 Tilt mechanism 4000 release mechanism 14_i Cracker separate cup unit

Claims

1. A support attached to the egg cracking machine; and a yolk cup attached to the support and containing the egg yolk; A white cup is disposed below the yoke cup and contains egg white; A mechanism for holding the yoke cup and the white cup in their original positions and a mechanism for releasing the positions forward to allow the liquid egg to fall; A cracker and separate cup unit.

2. The attitude retention release mechanism includes: a holding lever connected to a mechanism connected to the support and extending rearward through an opening in the support; 2. The cracker and separate cup unit according to claim 1, further comprising a hook provided on the holding lever for engaging with a portion of a first frame supporting the yoke cup and the white cup.

3. The attitude retention release mechanism includes: a vertical rotation lever that is attached to the rear of the holding lever and changes its position in the vertical direction or changes its angle in the vertical direction while being supported by a rotation shaft based on the holding lever whose movement in the vertical direction is restricted by the fixed portion; 3. The cracker separating cup unit according to claim 2, further comprising: a manual lever connected to the up-down rotating lever and extending forward through the opening.

4. The attitude retention release mechanism includes: a tilting mechanism that moves the position of the white cup upward and tilts the yoke cup and the white cup backward at least once; a release mechanism connected to the tilt mechanism and configured to release the yoke cup and the white cup forward; 2. The cracker and separate cup unit of claim 1, comprising:

5. The first tilt mechanism includes: A mounting portion connected to the support body; A frame rotatably attached to the mounting portion; a slot provided in the frame, the slot having a recess for regulating a plurality of holding positions corresponding to a normal position and at least one rearward inclined position; a post attached to the support and arranged to engage a recess in the slot; A first guide member that lifts the white cup from below and positions it at a first rearward inclination position; The cracker and separate cup unit of claim 4, comprising:

6. The second tilt mechanism includes: A mounting portion connected to the support body; A frame rotatably attached to the mounting portion; a through-lever connected to one side surface of the frame and passing through a long hole of the support; a spring for generating a tension force between an end of the through lever on the support side and a position at a constant interval in the width direction of the support; a recess formed in the long hole for regulating a plurality of holding positions corresponding to a normal position and at least one rearward inclined position; A first guide member that lifts the white cup from below and positions it at a first rearward inclination position; The cracker and separate cup unit of claim 4, comprising:

7. The first release mechanism includes: A holding lever connected to the frame and extending rearward through an opening in the support; 5. The cracker and separate cup unit according to claim 4, further comprising a hook provided on the holding lever for engaging with a portion of a frame supporting the yoke cup and the white cup.

8. The cracker and separate cup unit includes: a frame supporting the yoke cup and the white cup; a frame pole that engages with the hook and is provided on the frame; A rotating shaft lever provided below the frame; Equipped with The rotating shaft lever has a damping portion that suppresses the movement, The mounting portion is 2. The cracker separating cup unit according to claim 1, further comprising a holder for rotatably engaging an engagement pole of the rotary shaft lever.

9. The holder is 9. The cracker separating cup unit according to claim 8, further comprising a restraining means for rotatably restraining the engaging pawl of the rotating shaft lever and preventing it from being removed.

10. The mounting portion or the holder is The removable cup unit according to claim 8 , further comprising a stopper portion that comes into contact with the stopper portion to stop the rotation of the rotating shaft lever.

11. An egg cracking machine comprising a cracker separating cup unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images