Food division device and food division system

Abstract

To provide a device capable of dividing sheet-like food such as grooved rice crackers along the groove efficiently.SOLUTION: A food division device 10 is a device for dividing a workpiece W that is sheet-like food, the device comprising a suction unit 2 that temporarily sucks the workpiece W and a workpiece hold unit 5 provided adjacent to the suction unit 2, and the workpiece hold unit 5 performs a stop action to stop movement in a suction direction when the workpiece W is sucked by the suction unit 2. An actuator that moves linearly in the suction direction can be used as the workpiece hold unit 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a food dividing device and a food dividing system, and more particularly to a device that can efficiently divide thin plate-shaped foods such as rice crackers. [Background technology]

[0002] Senbei are usually manufactured and offered in roughly circular or roughly rectangular shapes. However, they are also offered in irregular or regular shapes, such as when they are used as products made from so-called defective products manufactured in unintended shapes, or as products intentionally made smaller for ease of eating. In terms of labor and work efficiency, there are inevitably limits to the manual work of breaking senbei, especially when mass-producing. Therefore, a method of breaking senbei using a machine is convenient, and such technical proposals have been made in the past.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1, cited below, discloses a method for producing irregularly shaped rice crackers and a continuous dividing device in which a concentrated impact force is applied to the center of the surface of solidified rice crackers to divide them into multiple pieces, which are then seasoned. This technology also applies a concentrated impact force to effectively divide the rice crackers by causing a pin, such as a rotating drum, to collide with the center of the rice crackers being transported by a conveyor or the like. Patent Document 2 also discloses a rice cracker cracker consisting of a container body with an opening on the top surface and a rotatable pressure plate, located on the surface opposite the opening and equipped with a push rod for breaking the rice crackers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 11-313614 A: "Method for manufacturing irregularly shaped rice crackers and continuous rice cracker dividing device" [Patent Document 2] JP 2002-315558 A "Rice cracker" Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As mentioned above, there have been devices for cracking rice crackers for a long time, but these devices are all for cracking pre-made rice crackers, which are usually roughly square or roughly circular. The cracking direction is random, resulting in irregularly shaped rice cracker pieces, and therefore cracked rice crackers of irregular size and shape are obtained.

[0006] On the other hand, there are rice crackers with grooves that guide the dividing point, which are a form that makes it easier to obtain cracked rice crackers that are more or less consistent in size and shape. This type of rice cracker can be divided along the grooves to obtain cracker pieces that are close to a consistent size and shape. However, while such grooved rice crackers are naturally divided by hand when the end consumer divides them, there are limitations to how much manual work can be done when intentionally producing cracked rice crackers. A device that can efficiently divide grooved rice crackers is needed.

[0007] Therefore, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a device that can efficiently divide grooved rice crackers along the grooves, taking into account the state of the prior art. Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device that can efficiently divide not only rice crackers but also thin grooved foods along the grooves.

[0008] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a device that can divide food even if it is thin and has no grooves, with less impact than the conventional method, which causes a large impact on the object when dividing it, and can divide it better than the conventional method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The inventors of the present application have conducted research into the above-mentioned problems. For example, regardless of the overall shape of the rice cracker, such as whether it is roughly circular or roughly rectangular, if a cross-shaped groove formed by two perpendicular line segments is provided and force is applied to split the rice cracker along the groove in an attempt to split it into four quarters at once, the force will also be applied to areas other than the intended groove, resulting in the cracking into unintended irregular shapes. Furthermore, if the rice cracker to be split is placed on a table and force is applied by pressing down from above, force will also be applied to areas other than the groove, increasing the probability of it breaking into pieces. Therefore, it is necessary to find a method that can be reproducibly split along the cross-shaped groove.

[0010] After extensive research, the inventors conceived an apparatus that performs the following steps: that is, an apparatus that has an adsorption unit that adsorbs and levitates the object to be divided from above at its center and supports it, and a mechanism that applies force symmetrically to a groove in one direction, that is, parallel to the groove, using actuators that face each other while the object to be divided is in a levitated state, and a mechanism that applies a similar force to the other groove that is perpendicular to the groove. In this way, by using an apparatus that applies force in two stages, the inventors discovered that the intended division can be achieved along the groove due to the effect of stress concentration.

[0011] As a result of further investigation and consideration, it was confirmed that a system that does not use an actuator or a system with a simpler configuration is also possible, and based on the results of these investigations and considerations, the present invention was completed. That is, the invention claimed in this application, or at least the invention disclosed therein, as a means for solving the above problems is as follows.

[0012] [1] A food dividing device for dividing a workpiece that is a thin plate-shaped food product, comprising an adsorption section that temporarily adsorbs the workpiece, and a workpiece holding section that is provided adjacent to the adsorption section, wherein the workpiece holding section has a restraining effect of restraining movement in the adsorption direction when the workpiece is adsorbed to the adsorption section. [2] A food dividing device for dividing a workpiece which is a thin plate-shaped food product, comprising an adsorption section which temporarily adsorbs the workpiece, and a workpiece holding section which is provided to perform the restraining action described below at at least one pair of point-symmetric positions about the adsorption section, wherein the workpiece holding section performs the restraining action of restraining movement in the adsorption direction when the workpiece is adsorbed to the adsorption section. [3] The food dividing device according to [2], characterized in that the suction portion and the workpiece holding portion are integrally formed. [4] The food dividing device according to [3], characterized in that the workpiece holding portion is formed with a step so that its end face is in a position retreated from the suction surface of the suction portion. [5] The food dividing device according to [3], characterized in that the workpiece holding portion is made up of a plurality of workpiece holding portion parts surrounding the suction portion. [6] The food dividing device according to [3], characterized in that the workpiece holding portion is a single piece surrounding the suction portion.

[0013] [7] The food dividing device according to any one of [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], and [6], characterized in that the suction part has a rigidity sufficient to prevent deformation or retreat when the workpiece is suctioned. [8] The food dividing device according to [2], characterized in that the suction part and the workpiece holding part are separate bodies. [9] The food dividing device according to [8], characterized in that a work holding part set is formed by two of the work holding parts facing each other across the suction part, and more than one set of such work holding parts is provided.

[10] The food dividing device according to [9], characterized in that the two sets of workpiece holding parts are arranged perpendicular to each other.

[11] The food dividing device according to [9], characterized in that two or more sets of workpiece holding parts are provided, and a step is provided at the end face position between at least two of the sets.

[12] The food dividing device according to [8], characterized in that the suction portion is formed so that its suction surface deforms, shrinks, or retreats when the workpiece is suctioned.

[0014]

[13] The food dividing device according to any one of [1], [2], [8], [9],

[10] ,

[11] , and

[12] , characterized in that the workpiece holding portion is an extendable actuator.

[14] A food dividing device as described in any one of [1], [2], [8], [9],

[10] ,

[11] , and

[12] , characterized in that the workpiece holding portion is an extendable actuator, the workpiece holding portions constituting the workpiece holding portion set are driven up and down synchronously, and each workpiece holding portion set is driven up and down independently.

[15] The food dividing device according to any one of [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [8], [9],

[10] ,

[11] , and

[12] , characterized in that the workpiece is provided with a groove that is subjected to the dividing action of the food dividing device.

[16] The food dividing device according to [7], characterized in that the workpiece is provided with a groove that receives the dividing action of the food dividing device.

[17] The food dividing device according to

[13] , characterized in that the workpiece is provided with a groove that receives the dividing action of the food dividing device.

[18] The food dividing device according to

[14] , characterized in that the workpiece is provided with a groove that receives the dividing action of the food dividing device.

[0015]

[19] A food portioning system comprising a food portioning device according to any one of [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [8], [9],

[10] ,

[11] , and

[12] , and a drive device for moving the food portioning device.

[20] A food portioning system comprising the food portioning device according to [7] and a drive device for moving the food portioning device.

[21] A food portioning system comprising the food portioning device according to

[13] and a drive device for moving the food portioning device.

[22] A food portioning system comprising the food portioning device according to

[14] and a drive device for moving the food portioning device.

[23] The food dividing system according to

[19] , comprising a conveying path for continuously conveying workpieces to be divided, an imaging means for imaging the workpieces on the conveying path, and an image processing device for calculating the position of the imaged workpiece on the conveying path and its rotation angle on a plane based on the image obtained by the imaging means, characterized in that the drive device drives the position of the food dividing device based on the information obtained by the image processing device.

[24] A food dividing system according to any one of

[20] ,

[21] , and

[22] , comprising a conveying path for continuously conveying work to be divided, an imaging means for imaging the work on the conveying path, and an image processing device for calculating the position of the imaged work on the conveying path and the rotation angle on a plane based on the image obtained by the imaging means, characterized in that the drive device drives the position of the food dividing device based on the information obtained by the image processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The food dividing device and food dividing system of the present invention are configured as described above, and therefore can efficiently divide grooved rice crackers with straight or cross-shaped grooves along the grooves. Furthermore, not only rice crackers but also thin foods with such grooves can be efficiently divided along the grooves.

[0017] Furthermore, if the food is thin and does not have grooves, the food dividing device or food dividing system of the present invention can divide it using a method different from conventional methods. In other words, instead of the conventional method of applying concentrated impact force, the food is levitated and uses stress concentration, which reduces the impact on the food and allows for better division than conventional methods. This is useful in cases where forming irregularly shaped food pieces is not a problem. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective explanatory view conceptually showing the basic structure and operation of the food dividing device of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view conceptually showing another basic configuration and operation of the food dividing device of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective explanatory view conceptually showing the basic structure of a food dividing device of the present invention in which elements are integrally formed; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the food dividing device of the present invention shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 4-2] 5 is a side view illustrating conceptually the operation of the food dividing device of the present invention shown in FIG. 4.

[0023] FIG. [Figure 4-3] 10 is a side view explanatory diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the food dividing device of the present invention, which has a step that allows the suction part to be positioned further back than the work pressing part. [Figure 5] 1 is a plan view explanatory diagram conceptually showing an example of the configuration of the food dividing device of the present invention in which the work holding portion is made up of multiple parts. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are explanatory plan and side views conceptually showing the configuration of a food dividing device of the present invention in which elements are formed separately. [Figure 6-2] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating conceptually the operation of the food dividing device of the present invention shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are explanatory plan and side views conceptually showing the configuration of a food dividing device of the present invention having two or more workpiece holding part sets. [Figure 7-2] FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating conceptually the operation of the food dividing device of the present invention shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 7-3] FIG. 7-3 is a plan view illustrating the shape of the workpiece to be divided in FIG. 7-2. [Figure 7-4] 10 is an explanatory diagram of the flexibility that the suction part of the food dividing device of the present invention should have. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a side view explanatory diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the food dividing device of the present invention in which a step is provided at the end face position between the work holding part assemblies. [Figure 9] 1 is a side view explanatory diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a food dividing device of the present invention using an actuator in the work holding section. FIG. [Figure 9-2]FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating conceptually the operation of the food dividing device of the present invention shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a conceptual example of the structure of a workpiece; [Figure 11] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the basic configuration of a food portioning system of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the basic configuration of a continuous processing type food portioning system of the present invention. [Figure 12-2] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing the operation of the food portioning system of the present invention shown in FIG. 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective explanatory diagram conceptually showing the basic configuration and operation of the food dividing device of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1(a), the food dividing device 10 is a device for dividing a workpiece W, which is a thin plate-like food, and comprises an adsorption section 2 that temporarily adsorbs the workpiece W, such as rice crackers, and a workpiece holding section 5 provided adjacent to the adsorption section 2. The main function of the workpiece holding section 5 is to prevent the workpiece W from moving in the adsorption direction when it is adsorbed to the adsorption section 2.

[0020] In the food dividing device 10 configured as above, the workpiece W is temporarily adsorbed to the adsorption unit 2 and fixed in position, as shown in (b) of the figure, but at the same time, the workpiece W is prevented from moving in the adsorption direction by the workpiece holder 5 adjacent to the adsorption unit 2 (restraint action). As a result, a bending moment acts between the workpiece W and the workpiece holder 5, generating internal stress, and the workpiece W is divided at the points where this stress is concentrated, as shown in (b) of the figure.

[0021] Specifically, the suction unit 2 can be a suction pad having a flat surface that suctions one side of the thin workpiece W. There are no particular restrictions on the material, but the surface structure of the suction surface should be an appropriate structure that can sufficiently perform suction on the workpiece W. In addition, the components that allow the suction pad to perform suction, such as a vacuum pressure generator, an ON / OFF switch such as a solenoid valve, and a vacuum source or compressed air source, are also appropriately configured.

[0022] The configuration conceptually shown in FIG. 1 differs from the configurations shown in FIG. 2 and subsequent figures in that only one workpiece holder 5 is shown. Here, it is shown that the number of workpiece holders installed in the device of the present invention is not limited, and that even one is acceptable. In this case, the result of dividing the workpiece W may not be clean. However, the intent is to claim the very principle of the present invention, which is to divide the workpiece W by utilizing the stress generated inside the workpiece W due to the suction and stopping effects.

[0023] 2 is a perspective explanatory diagram conceptually showing another basic configuration and operation of the food dividing device of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this food dividing device 210 is a device for dividing a workpiece W, which is a thin plate-like food such as rice crackers, and comprises an adsorption unit 22 that temporarily adsorbs the workpiece W, and workpiece holders 25, 25' that are provided to perform a stopping action at at least one pair of point-symmetric positions about the adsorption unit 22. The main function of the workpiece holders 25, 25' is to stop the movement of the workpiece W in the adsorption direction when it is adsorbed to the adsorption unit 22.

[0024] In the food dividing device 210 configured as described above, the workpiece W is temporarily adsorbed to the adsorption section 22 and fixed in position, but at the same time, the workpiece W is prevented from moving in the adsorption direction by workpiece holders that are adjacent to the adsorption section 22 and are provided to perform a restraining action at at least one pair of point-symmetric positions (restraint action). As a result, a bending moment acts on the workpiece W between the workpiece holders 25, 25', generating internal stress, and the workpiece W is divided at the points where this stress is concentrated.

[0025] In Figure 2, the workpiece holding portions are shown as <workpiece holding portions 25, 25'>, i.e., a configuration in which they are provided at a pair of point-symmetric positions with respect to the suction portion 22, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which multiple pairs of workpiece holding portions, such as two pairs, are provided is also possible.

[0026] Figure 3 is a perspective view conceptually illustrating the basic configuration of a food dividing device of the present invention in which elements are integrally formed. (c) in the figure shows food dividing device 310c, and (d) shows food dividing device 310d. As shown in these figures, in addition to the configuration described using Figures 1 and 2, the food dividing device 310c and other devices are characterized by the integral formation of suction units 32c and workpiece holders 35c. (c) in the figure shows a configuration in which both the suction unit and workpiece holder have circular planar shapes, while (d) in the figure shows a configuration in which the suction unit is circular and the workpiece holder has a rectangular planar shape. However, these are merely conceptual diagrams and do not limit the specific configuration.

[0027] Although they are formed integrally, it goes without saying that the suction portion 32c etc. and the workpiece holding portion 35c etc. of each component are formed to perform their respective functions independently, i.e., the former to perform the suction function for the workpiece W, and the latter to perform the restraining function for the workpiece W. Being formed integrally simplifies maintenance, movement, and use.

[0028] Figure 4 is a side view explanatory diagram conceptually showing an example of the configuration of the food dividing device of the present invention shown in Figure 3. As shown in the figure, this food dividing device 410 is characterized by the configuration in which each element is integrally formed as explained in Figure 3, i.e., the suction part 42 and the workpiece holding part 45 are integrally formed, and in addition, the end surface 45f of the workpiece holding part 45 is formed with a step so that it is located in a position receding from the suction surface 42e of the suction part 42.

[0029] Figure 4-2 is a side view explanatory diagram conceptually showing the operation of the food dividing device of the present invention shown in Figure 4. When the food dividing device 410 is used as shown in the figure, the workpiece W is subjected to the suction action of the suction part 42, and its central part Wc is sucked and abuts against the suction surface 42e, where its movement in the suction direction stops ((e) in the figure).

[0030] On the other hand, the peripheral portion Wp of the workpiece W that does not directly contact the suction surface 42e continues to move upward due to inertial force even after the moment of contact with the central portion Wc, and finally comes into contact with the end face 45f of the workpiece holder that is in the retreated position due to the step d, and is stopped by this action, causing its movement to stop. As a result, a bending moment acts between the workpiece W and the workpiece holder 45, generating internal stress and causing the workpiece W to separate ((f) in the figure).

[0031] Furthermore, the step d required for such action to occur until the workpiece W is divided, the size and physical properties of the suction portion 42, the physical properties of the workpiece holding portion 45, etc. can be appropriately designed to perform the appropriate action in accordance with the size and physical properties of the workpiece W to be divided.

[0032] Incidentally, even in a food dividing device in which the suction part and the workpiece holding part are integrally formed, it is of course possible to have a structure different from that shown in Fig. 4. In other words, the structure is formed without a step that would cause the end face of the workpiece holding part to be in a retracted position relative to the suction surface of the suction part. As an example of such a structure, an example will be shown in which a step is provided that would cause the suction part to be in a retracted position, as opposed to the structure shown in Fig. 4.

[0033] 4-3 is a side view explanatory diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a food dividing device of the present invention, which has a step that allows the suction part to be retracted from the workpiece holding part. As shown in the figure, in this food dividing device 410B, the suction surface part 42Be of the suction part 42B retracts from the end face 45Bf of the workpiece holding part 45B while holding the workpiece W, so that the peripheral part Wp of the workpiece W hits and is held down by the end face 45Bf of the workpiece holding part 45B, and the workpiece W is divided into mountain folds.

[0034] Figure 5 is a plan view explanatory diagram conceptually showing an example of the configuration of a food dividing device of the present invention in which the workpiece holding portion is made up of multiple parts. In the figure, (g) shows a food dividing device 510g, and (h) shows a food dividing device 510h. As shown in these figures, the food dividing device 510g, etc., has the same configuration as described using Figure 3, in that the suction portion 52g, etc. and the workpiece holding portion 55g, etc. are integrally formed, and in addition, the workpiece holding portion 55g, etc. is made up of multiple workpiece holding portion parts 55g1, 55g2, etc., surrounding the suction portion 52g, etc.

[0035] In the example shown in (g) of the figure, the annular workpiece holder 55g surrounding the suction portion 52g is composed of four parts: workpiece holder parts 55g1, 55g2, 55g3, and 55g4, all of the same size and arc shape. Meanwhile, in the example shown in (h), the rectangular frame-shaped workpiece holder 55h surrounding the suction portion 52h is composed of two sets of opposing workpiece holder parts 55h1 and 55h3, all of the same size and square shape, and opposing workpiece holder parts 55h2 and 55h4, all of a different size and shape. The present invention is not limited to these two examples, and the number, shape, and combination of parts can be designed as appropriate.

[0036] That is, in the food dividing device 510g, etc., the suction part 52g, etc. and the workpiece holding part 55g, etc. are integrally formed, but the workpiece holding part 55g, etc. is composed of multiple parts, and each part 55g1, 55g2, etc. can have a different function or action, or the parts can be combined to have some function or action. For example, a step as shown in Figure 4 above can be provided between the parts, or each part can be made of a different material, etc.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, it is also within the scope of the present invention to configure the workpiece holding portion 35c and the like as an integrated part surrounding the suction portion 32c and the like.

[0038] In addition, in the food dividing device 310c of the present invention, in which the suction portion 32c etc. and the workpiece holding portion 35c etc. shown in Figures 3, 4, 4-2, and 5 are integrally formed, the suction portion 32c etc. can be configured to have a rigidity sufficient to prevent deformation or retreat when the workpiece W is adsorbed.

[0039] This configuration suppresses the absorption (damping) of force when the workpiece W is adsorbed to the adsorption portion 32c, etc. and comes into contact with the adsorption surface, and suppresses the reduction of stress generated inside the workpiece W when it is subjected to the restraining action of the workpiece holding portion 35c, etc., thereby allowing the workpiece W to be divided smoothly.

[0040] In particular, in the case of a food dividing device 310c, etc., in which the suction part 32c, etc. and the workpiece holding part 35c, etc. are integrally formed as shown in Figures 3, 4, 4-2, and 5, the suction part 32c, etc. do not easily deform or retreat, but act as if they are bracing against the workpiece W, which makes the stopping action of the workpiece holding part 35c, etc. more effective and results in a better dividing action. Note that, even in the food dividing devices 10 and 210 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the suction part 2, etc. may be configured to have enough rigidity to prevent deformation or retreat when the workpiece W is adsorbed.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a plan view ((j) in the figure) and a side view ((k) in the figure) conceptually illustrating the configuration of a food dividing device of the present invention in which the elements are formed separately. As shown in the figure, the food dividing device 610 of the present invention, which is a device for dividing a workpiece W, is mainly composed of an adsorption unit 62 that temporarily adsorbs the workpiece W, and workpiece holders 65, 65' that are provided separately from the adsorption unit 62 and are provided to perform a stopping action at at least one pair of point-symmetric positions about the adsorption unit 62. In addition, the workpiece holders 65, 65' are configured to perform a stopping action to stop movement of the workpiece W in the adsorption direction when it is adsorbed to the adsorption unit 62.

[0042] In the food dividing device 610 configured as described above, the workpiece W is temporarily adsorbed to the adsorption unit 62 and fixed in position, but at the same time, the workpiece W is prevented from moving in the adsorption direction by workpiece holders 65, 65', which are adjacent to but separate from the adsorption unit 62 and are provided to perform a stopping action at at least one pair of point-symmetric positions (stopping action). As a result, a bending moment acts between the workpiece W and the workpiece holder 45, generating internal stress, and the workpiece W is divided at the points where this stress is concentrated.

[0043] As shown in Figure 6, the food dividing device 610 has a workpiece holding unit set 63 formed by two workpiece holding units 65, 65' facing each other across the suction unit 62, and the device can be configured with one or more sets of workpiece holding unit sets 63. This figure shows an example of only one set, but an example of two or more sets is shown in Figure 7 below.

[0044] As shown in the figure, the suction portion 62 of the food dividing device 610 can have a flexible or elastic structure that allows deformation, contraction, or retreat when the workpiece W is adsorbed onto the adsorption surface portion 62e. In the figure, a stretchable bellows structure made of a specified material is shown that contracts when the workpiece W is adsorbed and extends at other times, but the structure is not limited to this and may be any structure that deforms, contracts, or retreats when adsorbed, such as using an elastic or flexible material.

[0045] With this configuration, in the food dividing device 610, when the central portion Wc of the workpiece W is adsorbed onto the adsorption surface 62e of the adsorption unit 62, the adsorption unit 62 deforms, shrinks, or retreats, causing the linear movement of the workpiece W in the adsorption direction to continue rearward beyond the position of the adsorption surface 62e before adsorption. As a result, the peripheral portion Wp of the workpiece W also advances beyond the position of the adsorption surface 62e toward the workpiece holders 65, 65' installed separately adjacent to the adsorption unit 62, and is subjected to the stopping action thereof. As a result, a bending moment acts between the workpiece W and the workpiece holders 65, 65', generating internal stress and dividing the workpiece W.

[0046] When a workpiece W with one or more straight grooves is processed using the food dividing device 610 shown in Figure 6, it can be divided along one groove, i.e., divided into two pieces, and the workpiece W can be divided into two pieces. This can be achieved by the workpiece holding parts 65, 65' that make up the workpiece holding part set 63 being arranged in point-symmetrical positions and facing positions with respect to the suction part 62, and each stopping action works simultaneously.

[0047] Since the workpiece holding unit 63 and the workpiece holding units 65, 65' are separate from the suction unit 62, they can be configured to be movable independently of the suction unit 62, or alternatively, they can be configured to perform a restraining action in a fixed state without being driven independently. The former case will be described later with reference to Fig. 9 etc.

[0048] The operation of the food dividing device of the present invention shown in Figure 6 will be explained again with reference to the conceptual side view explanatory diagram of Figure 6-2. As shown in the figure, in this food dividing device 610, the suction surface 62e of the suction part 62 retracts from the end faces of the workpiece holders 65, 65 while holding the workpiece W, so that the peripheral part Wp of the workpiece W hits and is held down against the end faces of the workpiece holders 65, 65', and the workpiece W is divided into mountain folds.

[0049] Figure 7 is a plan view ((m) in the figure) and a side view ((n) in the figure) conceptually showing the configuration of a food dividing device of the present invention having two or more work holding unit assemblies. As shown in the figure, in addition to the configuration explained using Figure 6, this food dividing device 710 has a characteristic configuration in which two work holding unit assemblies 73A, 73B are arranged orthogonally. Work holding unit 73A consists of work holding units 75A, 75A' that face each other with the suction unit 72 in between, while work holding unit 73B that is orthogonal to work holding unit 73A consists of work holding units 75B, 75B' that face each other with the suction unit 72 in between.

[0050] In addition, the suction portion 72 of the food dividing device 710 has a structure that is flexible or elastic enough to deform, shrink, or retreat when the workpiece W is adsorbed, and the figure shows an example of an expandable bellows structure.

[0051] The operation of the food dividing device 710 having such a configuration will now be described. Fig. 7-2 is a side view explanatory diagram conceptually showing the operation of the food dividing device of the present invention shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7-3 is a plan view explanatory diagram showing the shape of the workpiece to be divided in Fig. 7-2. Fig. 7-2 (I) shows the state in which the device 710 is positioned above a grooved workpiece Ws, with the former Sa of the two orthogonal grooves Sa and Sb aligned in the direction from the front to the back of the device 710.

[0052] As shown in (II) in the figure, the workpiece Ws is adsorbed by the adsorption action of the adsorption portion 72, but at this time, the adsorption portion 72 contracts (retreats) upward, so that a force pulling the adsorbed workpiece Ws further upward acts, and a bending moment acts between the workpiece holding portions 75A, 75A' that make up the workpiece holding portion assembly 73A, and the workpiece Ws is divided into two along the groove Sa due to the generated stress.

[0053] Next, as shown in (III) in the figure, as the suction part 72 further contracts (retreats) upward, a force pulling the suctioned workpiece Ws further upward acts, and a bending moment acts between the workpiece holders 75B, 75B' that make up the workpiece holder assembly 73B, generating stress that divides the workpiece Ws into two along the groove Sb. As a result, the workpiece Ws is divided into four parts.

[0054] In the operation example shown in FIG. 7-2, the food dividing device 710 descends from directly above the workpiece Ws and approaches the workpiece Ws ((I) → (II) in the figure). Then, the suction unit 72 suctions the center of the workpiece Ws and simultaneously contracts (retracts) upward, thereby performing the first division into two by the workpiece holders 75A, 75A' that make up the workpiece holder assembly 73A ((II) in the figure). After that, the workpiece holders 75A, 75A' retract ((III) in the figure), and the workpiece holders 75B, 75B' that make up the workpiece holder assembly 73B perform the second division into two by the workpiece holders 75B, 75B' ((III) in the figure). The present invention is not limited to these individual operations and their flow, but is shown as one of the most suitable operation examples.

[0055] As explained using Figures 6, 7, etc., the suction portion 62, etc. can be structured with a degree of flexibility or elasticity that causes deformation, shrinkage, or retreat when the workpiece W is adsorbed to the suction surface portion 62e, etc., but the results of a study into the appropriate degree of flexibility (elasticity) will be explained. Figure 7-4 is an explanatory diagram of the flexibility that the suction unit of the food dividing device of the present invention should have. The suction unit X2 (hereinafter referred to as "suction pad X2" in the explanation based on this figure) of the food dividing device X10 suctions and holds the workpiece W because the suction force of the vacuum generates an elastic force in the suction pad X2 in the expansion and contraction direction. That is, the state changes from the state just before suction shown in (i) in the figure to the state (ii) where the suction force shrinks by the expansion margin d and the workpiece W is adsorbed.

[0056] The vacuum suction force Fv is expressed as follows using the vacuum pressure ΔP and the area where the suction pad X2 contacts the workpiece W, i.e., the pressure-receiving area A: Fv=ΔP×A On the other hand, the elastic force Fe associated with the expansion and contraction of the suction pad X2 is expressed as follows using a spring constant k [N / m] and an expansion / contraction margin x: Here, the spring constant k indicates the flexibility required of the suction pad X2. Fe=k×x

[0057] When the workpiece W is attracted as shown in (ii), the suction force Fv due to the vacuum and the elastic force Fe associated with the expansion and contraction of the suction pad are balanced. Fv=Fe ∴ ΔP×A=k×x Then, the flexibility k required for the suction pad X2 is as follows: k=ΔP×A / x

[0058] Therefore, the flexibility k [N / m] that the suction pad X2 should have can be calculated from the vacuum pressure ΔP, the pressure-receiving area A, and the expansion / contraction margin x, and the food dividing device of the present invention can be designed based on this calculation.

[0059] Hereinafter, we will mainly describe a configuration in which two workpiece clamping unit assemblies are provided, i.e., a total of four workpiece clamping units are provided, allowing the workpiece to be divided into four, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the number of workpiece clamping unit assemblies provided in the food dividing device of the present invention is n, the workpiece can be divided into 2n pieces, i.e., 2n divisions are possible. For example, if three workpiece clamping unit assemblies are arranged, the workpiece can be divided into six pieces. Although this depends on how the grooves are formed in the workpiece, it is generally desirable to arrange the workpiece clamping unit assemblies at equal intervals. For example, in the case of three sets, the intervals are 60°.

[0060] 8 is a side view explanatory diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a food dividing device of the present invention in which a step is provided at the end face position between workpiece holding part assemblies. As shown in the figure, this food dividing device 810 has two or more workpiece holding part assemblies, such as workpiece holding part assemblies 83A and 83B, and can be configured so that a step D is provided at the end face position between at least two of these assemblies (in the example shown, the two workpiece holding part assemblies 83A and 83B).

[0061] In the two workpiece holding portion assemblies 83A and 83B shown in the figure, the former is positioned at a more retracted position (upper position) and the latter at a more advanced position (lower position) due to a step D provided at the end face position. As a result, as the workpiece sucked by the suction portion 82 moves upward, it is first subjected to the stopping action of the workpiece holding portion 83B and is divided, then subjected to the stopping action of the workpiece holding portion 83A and is further divided, and finally divided into four pieces, which is the action explained in Fig. 7-2 above, and is carried out smoothly.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the concept of the food dividing device of the present invention, which uses an actuator in the workpiece pressing section. Figure 9-2 is a side view explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the operation of the food dividing device of the present invention shown in Figure 9. As shown in each figure, this food dividing device 910 is characterized by the use of an extendable actuator as the workpiece holding unit 95A, etc., in any of the previously described configurations of the food dividing device of the present invention. This is particularly useful in structures in which the suction unit and the workpiece holding unit are separate. Specifically, the actuator can be an actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder, an electric actuator, an ON / OFF switch such as a solenoid valve, and a vacuum source or compressed air source.

[0063] The operation of the food dividing device 910 will be explained with reference to FIG. 9-2. In Figure 9-2 (I), the grooved workpiece Ws is placed with the former Sa of the two perpendicular grooves Sa and Sb aligned in the direction from the front to the back of the food dividing device 910, and is being adsorbed by the suction section 92, but the workpiece holding section 95A etc. are not yet in operation.

[0064] As shown in (II) in the figure, the workpiece Ws is adsorbed and fixed to the adsorption portion 92, and the workpiece holding portions 95A and 95A', which are actuators, extend (move downward), applying a downward bending force from both the left and right ends in the figure, causing a bending moment to act, and stress is generated, dividing the workpiece Ws into two along the groove Sa.

[0065] Next, as shown in (III) in the figure, while the workpiece Ws remains attracted to and fixed by the suction portion 92, the workpiece holders 95A and 95A', which are actuators, contract (move upward), and instead the workpiece holders 95B and 95B', which are actuators arranged perpendicular to these, extend (move downward), applying a downward bending force from both the front and back ends in the figure, causing a bending moment to act and generating stress that divides the workpiece Ws into two along the groove Sb. In this way, the workpiece Ws is finally divided into four.

[0066] The workpiece holding unit assembly 93A is made up of workpiece holding units 95A and 95A', which are actuators, and the workpiece holding unit assembly 93B is made up of workpiece holding units 95B and 95B', which are actuators. As explained with reference to Figure 9-2, each of the workpiece holding unit assemblies 93A and 93B can be configured so that the two workpiece holding units that make up each assembly are driven forward and backward (up and down) in synchronization. For this synchronized drive, the two workpiece holding units that make up each of the workpiece holding unit assemblies 93A and 93B may be integrally constructed.

[0067] Furthermore, each workpiece holding unit 93A, 93B can be configured to move forward and backward (up and down) independently of each other. The structure in which each workpiece holding unit 93A, 93B is driven synchronously within the unit and driven independently of each other makes it possible to smoothly achieve the stepwise workpiece dividing action described in Fig. 9-2.

[0068] While Figure 7-3 above shows the workpiece to be divided by the food dividing device of the present invention shown in Figure 7, Figure 10 illustrates a more general and conceptual plan view of the structure of a workpiece to which the food dividing device of the present invention can be applied. As shown in the figure, a workpiece such as Ws1 can be configured with grooves S1 or the like that are subjected to the dividing action by the food dividing device of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the device of the present invention can be applied to workpieces with various shapes (e.g., approximately circular, approximately rectangular, approximately triangular, etc.), number of grooves, groove shape (straight, curved, etc.), and groove symmetry and absence / presence (point symmetry, line symmetry, asymmetrical about the center). However, workpieces with symmetrical grooves are more suitable for this device and can better utilize the advantages of this device.

[0069] 11 is a conceptual diagram showing the basic configuration of the food portioning system of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the food portioning system 1000 is mainly composed of a food portioning device 100 having any of the configurations described above and a drive device 200 for moving it. The drive device 200 is preferably designed to be capable of moving the food portioning device 100 up and down, horizontally, and rotating (turning), and an industrial robot or other actuator can be suitably used.

[0070] The food portioning system 1000 can be configured by attaching the food portioning device 100 to a driving device 200 such as a robot. The driving device 200 can perform vertical, horizontal, and rotational (turning) movements, and can automatically and accurately move the attached food portioning device 100 to a position suitable for dividing the workpiece W, allowing the food portioning device 100 to act on the workpiece W.

[0071] FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing the basic configuration of a continuous processing type food portioning system of the present invention. Figure 12-2 is a conceptual diagram showing the operation of the food portioning system of the present invention shown in Figure 12. As shown in these figures, the food portioning system 1500 includes a food portioning device 100, a drive unit 200 for moving it, a conveying path 300 for continuously conveying the workpieces W to be divided, an imaging means 400 for imaging the workpieces W on the conveying path 300, and an image processing device 500 for calculating the position of the imaged workpieces W on the conveying path 300 and the rotation angle on a plane based on the image obtained by the imaging means 400. The main components are configured so that the drive unit 200 drives the position of the food portioning device 100 based on the information obtained by the image processing device 500.

[0072] In the food dividing system 1500 having such a configuration, the work W to be divided is continuously transported along the conveying path 300, and the work W on the conveying path 300 is imaged by the imaging means 400. Based on the image obtained, the image processing device 500 calculates the position of the imaged work W on the conveying path 300 and the rotation angle on a plane. Based on this information, the driving device 200 drives the position of the food dividing device 100 to a position and posture suitable for dividing the work W, and the food dividing device 100 divides the work W.

[0073] The components of the food portioning system 1500 can be, for example, as follows: A belt conveyor can be used as the conveying path 300. A CCD camera can be used as the imaging means 400 for imaging the workpiece W. The image processing device 500 can be a robot controller equipped with the function of calculating the position on the conveying path 300 and the rotation angle on a plane based on the image of the workpiece W, as well as controlling the operation of the drive device 200 based on such information. A SCARA robot or the like can be used as the drive device 200 controlled by the robot controller. [Industrial Applicability]

[0074] The food dividing device and food dividing system of the present invention can efficiently divide grooved rice crackers and other thin, grooved foods along the grooves, even if they have straight or cross-shaped grooves. It can also be applied to thin, non-grooved foods. Therefore, this invention has high industrial applicability in the food manufacturing field and all related fields. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 2, 22, 32c, 32d, 42, 42B, 52g, 52h, 62, 72, 82, 92, X2...Adsorption part 5, 25, 35c, 35d, 45, 45B, 55g, 55h, 65, 65', 75A, 75A', 75B, 75B', 85A, 85A', 85B, 85B', 95A, 95A', 95B, 95B'...Work clamping section 10, 210, 310c, 310d, 410, 510g, 510h, 610, 710, 810, 910, 100, X10...food dividing device 42e, 42Be, 62e...Adsorption surface of adsorption part (adsorption surface part) 45f, 45Bf...End face of workpiece holder 55g1, 55g2, 55g3, 55g4, 55h1, 55h2, 55h3, 55h4...Work clamp parts 63, 73A, 73B, 83A, 83B, 93A, 93B...Work clamp assembly 200...Driver 300...Transport path 400...imaging means 500...Image processing device 1000, 1500...food portion system d, dB, D...step S, Sa, Sb, S1, S2a, S2b, S3a, S3b, S3c, S4a, S4b, S4c, S5a, S5b, S5c, S6a, S6b, S6c, S7a, S7b, S7c, S7d, S7e, S8a, S8b, S8c, S8d...Grooves on grooved workpieces W...Work (thin food) Wc: Center of workpiece Wp: Periphery of the workpiece Ws, Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, Ws4, Ws5, Ws6, Ws7, Ws8...Workpiece with grooves

Claims

1. An apparatus for dividing a thin plate-shaped food product, a suction unit that temporarily suctions the workpiece; a workpiece holding portion provided adjacent to the suction portion, The workpiece holding portion has a restraining effect of restraining movement of the workpiece in the suction direction when the workpiece is suctioned to the suction portion. A food dividing device characterized by:

2. An apparatus for dividing a thin plate-shaped food product, a suction unit that temporarily suctions the workpiece; and a workpiece holding portion provided to perform the restraining action described below at at least one pair of point-symmetric positions with respect to the suction portion, The workpiece holding portion has a restraining effect of restraining movement of the workpiece in the suction direction when the workpiece is suctioned to the suction portion. A food dividing device characterized by:

3. 3. The food dividing device according to claim 2, wherein the suction portion and the workpiece pressing portion are integrally formed.

4. 4. The food dividing device according to claim 3, wherein the workpiece pressing portion has an end surface formed with a step so that the end surface is located in a position set back from the suction surface of the suction portion.

5. 4. The food dividing device according to claim 3, wherein the workpiece holding portion comprises a plurality of workpiece holding portion parts surrounding the suction portion.

6. 4. The food dividing device according to claim 3, wherein the workpiece holding portion is an integral part surrounding the suction portion.

7. 7. The food dividing device according to claim 1, wherein the suction portion has a rigidity sufficient to prevent deformation or retreat when the workpiece is sucked.

8. 3. The food dividing device according to claim 2, wherein the suction portion and the workpiece holding portion are separate bodies.

9. The food dividing device according to claim 8, wherein a work holding part set is formed by two of the work holding parts facing each other with the suction part in between, and more than one set is provided.

10. 10. The food dividing device according to claim 9, wherein the two workpiece holding portion assemblies are arranged perpendicular to each other.

11. The food dividing device according to claim 9, wherein two or more sets of workpiece holding portions are provided, and a step is provided at the end face position between at least two of the sets.

12. 9. The food dividing device according to claim 8, wherein the suction portion is formed so that its suction surface deforms, shrinks, or retreats when the workpiece is suctioned.

13. 13. The food dividing device according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece holder is an actuator that can be extended or retracted.

14. A food dividing device as described in any one of claims 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, characterized in that the work holding portion is an extendable actuator, the work holding portions constituting the work holding portion set are driven forward and backward synchronously, and each work holding portion set is driven forward and backward independently.

15. 13. The food dividing device according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece is provided with a groove that receives the dividing action of the food dividing device.

16. 8. The food dividing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the workpiece is provided with a groove for receiving the dividing action of the food dividing apparatus.

17. 14. The food dividing device according to claim 13, wherein the workpiece is provided with a groove for receiving the dividing action of the food dividing device.

18. 15. The food dividing device according to claim 14, wherein the workpiece is provided with a groove adapted to receive the dividing action of the food dividing device.

19. A food dividing device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12; a drive unit for moving the food dividing device; A food portioning system comprising:

20. A food portioning device according to claim 7; a drive unit for moving the food dividing device; A food portioning system comprising:

21. A food portioning device according to claim 13; a drive unit for moving the food dividing device; A food portioning system comprising:

22. A food portioning device according to claim 14; a drive unit for moving the food dividing device; A food portioning system comprising:

23. a conveying path for continuously conveying the workpieces to be divided; an imaging means for imaging the workpiece on the conveying path; and and an image processing device that calculates the position of the imaged workpiece on the conveying path and the rotation angle on a plane based on the image obtained by the imaging means, The drive unit drives the position of the food portioning device based on the information obtained by the image processing unit.

20. The food portioning system of claim 19.

24. a conveying path for continuously conveying the workpieces to be divided; an imaging means for imaging the workpiece on the conveying path; and and an image processing device that calculates the position of the imaged workpiece on the conveying path and the rotation angle on a plane based on the image obtained by the imaging means, The drive unit drives the position of the food portioning device based on the information obtained by the image processing unit.

23. A food portioning system according to any one of claims 20, 21 and 22.

Images