Method and apparatus for forming food sheet aggregates

Abstract

A method is provided to arrange multiple food slices (m) in such a way that at least a portion of them overlap each other to form an assembly (M) of food slices (m). In this method, the number of food slices (m) forming each assembly (M) and the spacing (K) between the food slices (m) are automatically changed to control the weight of each assembly (M) within a predetermined allowable range, and the total length of each assembly (M) is formed to a set length (A). Furthermore, the number of food slices (m) forming each assembly (M) and the spacing (K) between the food slices (m) are automatically changed according to the length (A) in the arrangement direction of the food slices (m).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a food sheet assembly from multiple food sheets. Background Technology

[0002] Existing methods and apparatus for forming food slice assemblies include methods and apparatus that sequentially slice raw meat, processed meat, cheese, and other block-shaped foods into thin slices, and then arrange these multiple food slices in a manner where a portion overlaps with each other to form an assembly of food slices. By forming multiple food slices into an assembly in this way, it is easier to store them in containers, thus improving the operational efficiency of food processing plants. In addition, it is easier to separate and remove the food slices from one side of the container, improving convenience during cooking. Furthermore, when the food is raw meat, the thinly sliced ​​raw meat is typically arranged in an assembly of 5 to 10 slices folded side by side, and this assembly is stored on a tray for packaging, displaying the total weight or unit price by weight, and then marketed as a product.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a method and apparatus for forming an assembly of such food slices, which involves cutting a block of raw meat vertically from its top to form multiple thin meat slices, folding the thin meat slices in the middle, and arranging them side-by-side with a portion of the folded thin meat slices overlapping each other to form an assembly. Patent Document 2 discloses a method for conveying the assembly of multiple thin meat slices at predetermined intervals and storing it on a tray. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a method for automatically changing the number of side-by-side meat slices and the cutting thickness of the meat slices so that the weight of the assembly of meat slices approaches a set weight.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4264518

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 5875156

[0008] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent No. 4942696 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0010] However, for blocky foods such as raw meat, the cross-sectional shape is not uniform from top to bottom; rather, it varies irregularly. Therefore, even when cut to a uniform thickness, the size (length) or weight of the resulting slices is uneven. Consequently, when the same number of slices are overlapped at the same spacing, the overall length and weight of the resulting assembly will vary. This weight variation within each assembly makes it difficult to ensure consistency in the weight display and price display, leading to reduced work efficiency due to the need for manual adjustments.

[0011] Furthermore, even when automatically changing the number and cutting thickness of side-by-side food slices using the technology disclosed in Patent Document 3, although the weight deviation of each assembly composed of the food slices can be reduced, the overall length of the assembly cannot be made consistent because the spacing between the side-by-side food slices is not automatically adjusted. This deviation in overall length causes problems such as: the assembly being too long, extending beyond a container such as a tray, or conversely, the assembly being too short, creating gaps within the container, requiring manual rearrangement of the food slices, thus reducing work efficiency. Additionally, because the thickness of the food slices stored in the same tray or container varies, the product value may decrease.

[0012] The present invention addresses the problems of the prior art as described above, and aims to achieve a method and apparatus for forming an assembly of food slices that can make the entire length of the assembly of food slices uniform and reduce the weight deviation of the assembly.

[0013] Solution for solving the problem

[0014] To address the aforementioned issues, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for arranging a plurality of food slices (m) in such a manner that at least a portion thereof overlaps with each other to form an assembly (M) of food slices (m). In this method for forming an assembly of food slices, the spacing (K) between the arranged food slices (m) is automatically changed, and the total length of each assembly (M) is formed to a predetermined length (E).

[0015] To address the aforementioned issues, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for arranging a plurality of food slices (m) in such a manner that at least a portion thereof overlaps with each other to form an assembly (M) of food slices (m). In this method for forming an assembly of food slices, the number of food slices (m) forming each assembly (M) and the spacing (K) between the food slices (m) are automatically changed to reduce the weight deviation of each assembly (M) and to form the total length of each assembly (M) to a predetermined length (A).

[0016] To address the aforementioned issues, according to a third aspect of the present invention, a food slice assembly forming apparatus is provided, wherein a block of food (MF) is cut from its top end, and a plurality of cut food slices (m) are arranged in such a manner that at least a portion of them overlap each other to form an assembly (M) of food slices (m). The apparatus includes: a thickness measuring unit for measuring the thickness (X) of the top end of the cut block of food (MF); a length calculating unit for calculating the length (A) of the cut food slices (m) in the arrangement direction based on the thickness (X) measured by the thickness measuring unit; and a spacing changing unit for automatically changing the spacing (K) of the arranged food slices (m). In this apparatus, the spacing changing unit is activated based on the length (A) calculated by the length calculating unit, forming the total length of each assembly (M) to a set length (E).

[0017] To address the aforementioned issues, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a food slice assembly forming apparatus is provided, wherein a block of food (MF) is cut from its top end, and a plurality of cut food slices (m) are arranged in such a manner that at least a portion of them overlap each other to form an assembly (M) of food slices (m). The apparatus includes: a thickness measuring unit for measuring the thickness (X) of the top end of the cut block of food (MF); a length calculating unit for calculating the length (A) of the cut food slices (m) in the arrangement direction based on the thickness (X) measured by the thickness measuring unit; a quantity changing unit for automatically changing the number of food slices (m) forming the assembly (M); and a spacing changing unit for automatically changing the spacing (K) of the arranged food slices (m). In this apparatus, the quantity changing unit and the spacing changing unit are activated according to the length (A) calculated by the length calculating unit, thereby reducing the weight deviation of each assembly (M) and forming the total length of each assembly (M) to a predetermined length (E). Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a top view of a food cutting and conveying device equipped with the item storage control device of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a right view of a food cutting and conveying device equipped with the item storage control device of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a front view of a food cutting and conveying device equipped with the item storage control device of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 The left view is an explanatory view showing a food cutting and conveying device equipped with the item storage control device of the present invention cut across the middle section in the left-right direction.

[0022] Figure 5This is a transmission diagram illustrating a food cutting and conveying device equipped with the item storage control device of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 This is the left view of the supply department.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a top view of the supply department.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a top view of the cut section.

[0026] Figure 9 This is the front view of the frame component located at the feed outlet of the supply department.

[0027] Figure 10 (a) is a right view of the cut-off section, and (b) is an enlarged view of the part enclosed by a single-dotted line in (a).

[0028] Figure 11 This is a left view used to illustrate the area around the cutting section and the delivery section.

[0029] Figure 12 It is a top view used to illustrate the area around the cutting section and the delivery section.

[0030] Figure 13 The left view illustrates an assembly of folded meat slices.

[0031] Figure 14 This is a right view of the conveying action part on the downstream side of the conveying direction.

[0032] Figure 15 This is a top view of the conveying action part on the downstream side of the conveying direction.

[0033] Figure 16 It is a top view of a device for moving objects in a closed state.

[0034] Figure 17 This is the front view of the object moving device in a closed state.

[0035] Figure 18 This is a top view of the device for moving items when adjusting the interval.

[0036] Figure 19 This is the main view of the item movement device when adjusting the interval.

[0037] Figure 20 This is a top view of the object moving device in an open state.

[0038] Figure 21 This is the main view of the object movement device in an open state.

[0039] Figure 22This is a left view of the item moving device, (a) showing the operating status and (b) showing the maintenance status.

[0040] Figure 23 This is an explanatory diagram of the conveyor body of a device for moving items.

[0041] Figure 24 This is a front view used to illustrate the operational state of the moving device of the article. (a) shows the closed state, and (b) shows the open state.

[0042] Figure 25 This is a rear view used to illustrate the container supply section.

[0043] Figure 26 An explanatory diagram of the main parts of the container supply department.

[0044] Figure 27 This is an explanatory diagram of the main parts of the container supply department.

[0045] Figure 28 It is a left view used to illustrate the movement state around the moving device of an object.

[0046] Figure 29 It is a left view used to illustrate the movement state around the moving device of an object.

[0047] Figure 30 It is a top view used to illustrate the surroundings of the object moving device in its initial state before the adjustment interval.

[0048] Figure 31 This is a front view showing the area around the object moving device in its initial state before the adjustment interval.

[0049] Figure 32 It is a top view of the area surrounding the moving device of the item when the interval is adjusted.

[0050] Figure 33 This is a front view used to illustrate the surroundings of the item moving device when adjusting the interval.

[0051] Figure 34 It is a top view used to illustrate the surroundings of an object moving device in an open, intermediate state.

[0052] Figure 35 This is a front view used to illustrate the surroundings of an object moving device in an open, mid-way state.

[0053] Figure 36 It is a top view used to illustrate the surroundings of an object moving device in an open state.

[0054] Figure 37 This is a front view used to illustrate the surroundings of an object moving device in an open state.

[0055] Figure 38 This is a left view used to illustrate the movement of the surrounding area of ​​the item moving device when the item is in its stored state.

[0056] Figure 39 This is the air pressure circuit diagram for the cylinder.

[0057] Figure 40 It is a circuit block diagram.

[0058] Figure 41 It is the front part of the flowchart used for control.

[0059] Figure 42 It is the latter part of the control flowchart.

[0060] Figure 43 This is an explanatory diagram showing the formation state of the assembly.

[0061] Figure 44 This is an explanatory diagram showing the height variation of a block of meat.

[0062] Figure 45 It is a conceptual diagram illustrating the relationship between the height of a block of meat and the total weight of an assembly of meat slices.

[0063] Figure 46 This is the first flowchart of storage control.

[0064] Figure 47 This is the second flowchart of storage control.

[0065] Figure 48 This is the third flowchart of storage control.

[0066] Figure 49 This is an illustration of storage control. Detailed Implementation

[0067] Regarding the method of carrying out the present invention, a slicer will be described in detail as an example: the slicer continuously cuts a block of meat MF into multiple slices m, forming an assembly M (the "article" of the claim) of each multiple slices, and then conveys them. Furthermore, based on the conveying direction of the assembly of the block of meat and the meat slices cut by the slicer, the upstream side is defined as the "rear side", the downstream side as the "front side", the left side facing the downstream side as the "left side", and the right side as the "right side".

[0068] (Overall structure of the slicer)

[0069] like Figures 1-3As shown, the slicer 1 is constructed by providing a supply unit 3, a cutting unit 4, a conveying unit 5, a storage unit 6, and a control unit 7 on a machine base (base) 2. The machine base 2 is a rectangular frame with a predetermined height when viewed from above. The supply unit 3 receives chunks of meat fed in by the operator and conveys them forward. The cutting unit 4 cuts the chunks of meat protruding forward from the front end of the supply unit 3 at a predetermined thickness. The conveying unit 5 conveys the meat slices cut by the cutting unit 4 forward. The storage unit 6 stores the conveyed meat slices in a container and removes them. The control unit 7 controls the operation of the electric motors, cylinders, etc., that drive each part. Furthermore, from a hygiene point of view, each part is mainly constructed of stainless steel and covered with a stainless steel cover C. Figure 4 The cover C will be removed and shown later.

[0070] In addition, such as Figures 1-3 As shown, in the conveying section 5, a camera (the "camera unit" of the claim) CA is arranged at predetermined intervals above the conveyor belt 96W, which will be described later. The camera CA is positioned above the center of the left and right width of the conveyor belt 96W, and its position is freely adjustable and supported in a suspended state by a horizontal mounting support bar CAS. The mounting support bar CAS is fixed to the upper end of a support frame CAF that is inclined and erected from the machine frame side.

[0071] (Supply Department)

[0072] like Figures 4-7 As shown, the supply unit 3 includes: a frame 8, which is rectangular when assembled from top view; and a block meat conveying device 9, which is assembled to the frame 8 and conveys the block meat supplied manually forward. Left and right side walls 10, 10 are erected on the left and right sides of the frame 8, and left and right fulcrum shafts 11, 11 are fixed to the block meat conveying device 9 from the rear ends of the left and right side walls 10, 10, each protruding outwards. The left and right fulcrum shafts 11, 11 are arranged on the same axis, and their two ends are supported on the sides of the machine base 2 by left and right bearings 12, 12.

[0073] (The swing mechanism of the supply department)

[0074] like Figure 5As shown, a swing electric motor 13 is mounted on the lower part of the frame 8 in the machine tool 2, and one end of a crank arm 15 is mounted on the output shaft 14 of the swing electric motor 13. Furthermore, a bearing 16, which is supported on the other end of the crank arm 15, and a bearing 17, which is supported in the frame 8 at a position lower than the fulcrum shafts 11, are fitted and fixed to the cylindrical portions (not shown) at both ends of the connecting rod 18. Accordingly, the supply unit 3 is supported in an inclined posture, with the front end lower towards the conveying end. When the swing electric motor 13 is driven, the supply unit 3 swings in an inclined up-and-down direction around the fulcrum shaft 11, and the front end of the supply unit 3 reciprocates along an arc trajectory centered on the fulcrum shaft 11.

[0075] (The supply department's transport route)

[0076] like Figure 5 , Figure 7 As shown, a partition wall 19 is integrally provided between the side walls 10, 10 at the left and right ends of the frame 8. Two conveying passages 20, 20 are formed between the two side walls 10, 10 and the partition wall 19. Furthermore, as... Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the sidewalls 10, 10 at the left and right ends are connected at their front and rear by door-shaped or arch-shaped reinforcing frames 21, 21 arranged across the two conveying passages 20, 20 to ensure the rigidity of the frame 8.

[0077] (The conveyor belt in the supply department)

[0078] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 As shown, the block meat conveying device 9 is constructed by providing a wide lower conveyor belt 22 for conveying block meat in each of the two conveying passages 20, 20. The lower conveyor belt 22 forms the bottom of the two conveying passages 20, 20 and carries the block meat for conveying. The lower conveyor belt 22 is composed of a front roller 23 and a rear roller 24, a lower annular belt 25 with a rough surface wound around these front rollers 23 and rear rollers 24, and a tension roller 26 in the middle of the lower annular belt 25 in the front-to-back direction to apply tension to the lower annular belt 25.

[0079] The front roller 23 is rotatably supported by a left-right axis fixed at the front end of the left and right frames (not shown). These left and right frames are integrally formed and designed to be freely detachable from the lower part of the frame 8. The rear roller 24 is fixed to a lower drive shaft 27 in the left-right direction, supported by the rear end axis of the left and right frames. The tension roller 26 is positioned in the middle of the front-rear direction of the frame 8, abutting against the upper surface of the lower winding area of ​​the lower annular belt 25, and applying downward spring force. This imparts a suitable tension for conveying to the lower annular belt 25. Alternatively, instead of applying spring force to the tension roller 26, a structure that adjusts and fixes the height of the tension roller 26 can be used. Furthermore, the widths of the front roller 23, rear roller 24, tension roller 26, and lower annular belt 25 are larger than the spacing between the inner surfaces of the left and right sidewalls 10, 10, so that their left and right ends each extend into the lower side of the left and right sidewalls 10, 10.

[0080] Additionally, a sliding plate (not shown) is fitted between the front end roller 23 and the tension roller 26, and between the tension roller 26 and the rear end roller 24 in the frame 8. This sliding plate slides along the lower surface of the upper winding area of ​​the lower annular belt 25. The sliding plate is formed with a large width extending across the inner surfaces of the left and right sidewalls 10, 10. Furthermore, the upper surface of the lower annular belt 25 is positioned directly below the partition wall 19 with a gap that does not abut against it.

[0081] Thus, the upper surface of the lower annular belt 25 forms the bottom of the two conveying passages 20, 20 mentioned above.

[0082] (The pressing plate of the supply department)

[0083] like Figures 5-7 As shown, the bases of the left and right pressing arms 28, 28 are supported by bearings at the locations between the sidewalls 10, 10 and bearings 12, 12 in the left and right pivot shafts 11, 11. Accordingly, the left and right pressing arms 28, 28 are freely positioned on the outside of the left and right sidewalls 10, 10, allowing them to swing up and down freely. At the front end of each of the left and right pressing arms 28, 28, pressing plates 29, 29 are respectively positioned facing the upper side of the front end of the conveying passage 20, 20. These pressing plates 29, 29 are fastened to mounting supports 30, 30 assembled at the front end of the left and right pressing arms 28, 28 using knob bolts 30N, 30N. Furthermore, these mounting supports 30, 30 extend upwards from the front end (free end) of the pressing arms 28, 28 and then bend upwards towards the conveying passage 20, 20.

[0084] Pressing plates 29, 29 are plates having an upper surface portion that is fastened to the mounting support bars 30, 30, an inclined portion that slopes from the front end of the upper surface portion (lower at the front and higher at the rear), and a pressing portion that extends forward from the front end of the inclined portion. Additionally, as... Figures 4-6As shown, support bars 30T, 30T are erected from the left and right side walls 10, 10 of the frame 8, and the cylinders of the left and right cylinders 30S, 30S are freely supported on the support bars 30T, 30T by rotation around the left and right axes 30Y, 30Y. Accordingly, the cylinders 30S, 30S are assembled in a vertical position. Furthermore, the top of the piston of the cylinders 30S, 30S is freely supported on the front of the left and right pressing arms 28, 28 by rotation around the left and right axes. When the cylinders 30S, 30S extend, the pressing arms 28 rotate downward, and the pressing plates 29, 29 press against the upper surface of the lower annular belt 25, using the pressing surfaces of the pressing plates 29, 29 to transport the block of meat to the front end of the transport passage 20, 20.

[0085] That is, the timing of the extension and retraction of the cylinders 30S and 30S is controlled to be synchronized with the swing of the supply section 3 centered on the pivot axis 11. Thus, just before the front end of the meat block is about to be cut by the cutting section 4 through the upward swing of the supply section 3, the cylinders 30S and 30S extend, pressing down on the front end of the meat block to prevent misalignment during cutting. After cutting, the cylinders 30S and 30S retract, the pressure on the meat block is released, and the front end of the meat block is delivered until it abuts against the receiving plate described later, driven by the lower annular belt 25.

[0086] (Transmission of the Supply Department)

[0087] like Figure 5 As shown, a conveying electric motor 31 is mounted on the lower surface of the frame 8 in the supply section 3, facing left and right. An output gear 32 is fixed to the output shaft of the conveying electric motor 31 in the left and right direction. Furthermore, the output gear 32 meshes with an intermediate gear 33 supported on the rear of the frame 8, and the intermediate gear 33 meshes with an input gear 34 fixed to the left end of the lower drive shaft 27.

[0088] (The department that cuts off connections within the supply chain)

[0089] like Figure 8 , Figure 9 As shown, a frame member 36 with two openings 35, 35 is fastened to the front end of the frame 8 in the supply section 3 with bolts 37. Figure 9 As shown, the frame member 36 has mounting portions 38, 38 with bolt holes at both ends, and two rectangular openings 35, 35 are formed through the left and right mounting portions 38, 38. A horizontal crossbar 39 is formed between the two rectangular openings 35, 35 in the vertical direction.

[0090] Including the front surface of the crossbar portion 39, on the outer front surfaces of the left and right openings 35, 35 in the frame member 36, sliding flange portions 40, 40 are formed that bulge forward and continuously surround the left and right side edges and bottom side edge of each opening 35. For example... Figure 10 As shown in (a), the front surfaces of the sliding flanges 40, 40 are formed into an arc shape centered on the pivot axis 11 of the supply section 3 when viewed from the side. Additionally, as... Figure 10 (a) and Figure 10 As shown in (b), the upper front surface of the sliding flanges 40, 40 forms an inclined surface 41 that is higher at the rear and lower at the front. When the supply unit 3 swings upward, it guides the annular blade described later to slide onto the sliding flanges 40, 40. In addition, the upper edge of the bottom side edge of each opening 35, 35 is formed in the shape of a cutting tool.

[0091] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown, a continuous recess 42 in the vertical direction is formed only at the center of the sliding flanges 40, 40 formed on the front surface of the crossbar portion 39 in the width direction (left-right direction). Accordingly, sliding flanges 40, 40 remain on the left and right sides of the bottom of the recess 42, and the rear surface of the blade tip edge of the annular blade 49, described later, also slides with the sliding flanges 40, 40. Furthermore, the bottom surface of the recess 42 is also formed into an arc shape centered on the fulcrum axis 11 of the supply portion 3 when viewed from the side.

[0092] (The receiving plate of the cut section)

[0093] like Figure 4 , Figure 8 , Figure 10 (a) Figure 10 (b) Figure 11 As shown, a receiving plate 43 is positioned opposite the front side of the swing trajectory of the frame member 36 described above. The receiving plate 43 receives the front ends of the blocky meat delivered from the two openings 35, 35. The entire rear surface of the receiving plate 43, or a portion thereof, is formed with a curvature along an arc centered on the fulcrum axis 11 of the supply section 3 when viewed from the side. Thus, the front surfaces of the sliding edges 40, 40 of the frame member 36 and the rear surface of the receiving plate 43 form arc shapes with the same or approximately the same curvature when viewed from the side.

[0094] (Cutting blade)

[0095] like Figure 5As shown, the cutting section 4 includes a cutting electric motor 44, a drive wheel 46 mounted on the output shaft 45 of the cutting electric motor 44, a driven wheel 48 mounted on the driven shaft 47, and a steel annular blade 49 wound around the drive wheel 46 and the driven wheel 48. The cutting electric motor 44 is fixed at a position away from the left side of the two openings 35, 35. On the other hand, the driven shaft 47 is rotatably supported by a bearing 50 at a position away from the right side of the two openings 35, 35, and is supported on the machine base 2 in a manner that allows for left and right position adjustment by the operation of a cylinder (not shown). Furthermore, the output shaft 45 and the driven shaft 47 are parallel and held in the same tilted posture with the front higher than the rear. Thus, when the cylinder is operated to reduce the distance between the drive wheel 46 and the driven wheel 48, the winding and unwinding operations of the annular blade 49 on these two wheels 46, 48 can be easily performed.

[0096] When the cutting electric motor 44 is started with the annular blade 49 wound around the drive wheel 46 and the driven wheel 48, the drive wheel 46 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the direction of the extended front upper axis of the output shaft 45. Additionally, the driven wheel 48 also rotates counterclockwise due to the annular blade 49. Accordingly, in the lower winding area of ​​the annular blade 49, the annular blade 49 moves around the drive wheel 46 from the driven wheel 48 side (from right to left).

[0097] Therefore, in this lower winding zone, the annular blade 49 moves in a tensioned state, and this lower winding zone of the annular blade 49 is used as the cutting zone for cutting chunks of meat. Furthermore, in the event of overload on the annular blade 49 moving in this manner due to cutting resistance of the chunks of meat, although a force is applied to the driven shaft 47 in the direction toward the output shaft 45, damage caused by overload is prevented by air compression within the cylinder that adjusts the movement of the driven shaft 47. In addition, one side edge of the annular blade 49 is formed as a sharp cutting edge.

[0098] like Figure 10 (a) and Figure 10As shown in (b), a guide member 51 for guiding the annular blade 49 is positioned above the receiving plate 43 between the drive wheel 46 and the driven wheel 48. This guide member 51 has a downward-opening groove in the lower edge of a slender plate, allowing the side edge of the annular blade 49 without a cutting edge to slide freely into the groove in the left-right direction. Furthermore, by fixing the posture of the guide member 51, the coiled surface of the annular blade 49 is maintained in a forward-high, backward-low tilted position, and a gap T is formed between the cutting edge of the annular blade 49 and the upper end of the receiving plate 43. Moreover, because the guide member 51 slides and supports the inner and outer surfaces of the annular blade 49, the tilted posture during circumferential movement is stable.

[0099] (Support for the cut-off section, first support member, third support member)

[0100] like Figure 4 As shown, on the upper left and right sides of the machine base 2, two flat rails 52, 52 are fixed at intervals in the left and right directions, facing forward and backward. In a top view, the lower part of the third support member 53, which is assembled into a rectangle, has two rollers 54 supported on each of its front left and right sides in a balance-like swing configuration. Additionally, a roller 54 is axially supported on each of the left and right sides of the rear part of the lower part of the third support member 53.

[0101] With the third support member 53 mounted on the machine base 2, six rollers 54 are placed on the upper surfaces of the left and right rails 52, 52. The third support member 53 is freely supported on the machine base 2 in the forward and backward directions. A first support member 55, which is rectangular when viewed from above, is arranged on the upper side of the third support member 53. The upper ends of four upper connecting rod arms 56 are pivotally connected to the front, back, left, and right parts of the first support member 55 about the upper axis 57 in the left and right directions.

[0102] The lower ends of the four upper linkage arms 56 are respectively fixed to the left and right ends of the lower shafts 58, 58 in the left and right directions. The lower shafts 58, 58 are supported by bearings in the central and rear parts of the third support member 53 in the front-rear direction, thus configuring the left and right upper linkage arms 56, 56 to rotate integrally around the lower shafts 58, 58. In addition, the upper ends of the lower linkage arms 59 are connected and fixed to the lower ends of the four upper linkage arms 56. As a result, the lower linkage arms 59 and the upper linkage arms 56 form an L-shape when viewed from the left. Furthermore, the left and right shafts 59P, 59P provided at the lower ends of the front and rear lower linkage arms 59, 59 are connected to the shafts 53P, 53P provided at the front and rear parts of the third support member 53 by front and rear tension springs 60, 60 respectively. The rebound force of the tension springs 60, 60 in the contraction direction applies a force to the first support member 55 in the upward direction.

[0103] Furthermore, at the base of the electric motor 61, which is supported by the third support member 53 about its left-right axis, the threaded shaft 63 driven by the electric motor 61 engages with the internal threaded member 64. The top end of the intermediate member 64a, which moves together with the internal threaded member 64, is pivotally connected about its left-right axis 65 to the support bar 55b on the left-right frame 55a side of the front-rear midpoint of the first support member 55. When the threaded shaft 63 is rotated by the electric motor 61, the internal threaded member 64 engaged with it moves in the axial direction of the threaded shaft 63. The intermediate member 64a pushes and pulls the frame 55a of the first support member 55, causing the first support member 55 to move relative to the third support member 53. The movement trajectory of the first support member 55 is determined by the swing trajectory of the upper end of the front-rear upper connecting arm 56.

[0104] That is, all four upper linkage arms 56 are made to be the same length, and the bearing position of the front lower shaft 58 relative to the third support member 53 is set higher than that of the rear lower shaft 58 relative to the third support member 53. Furthermore, the front left and right upper linkage arms 56 are tilted at a higher front and lower rear angle more gently than the rear left and right upper linkage arms 56. Accordingly, the closer the first support member 55 is to the third support member 53 (the lower it descends), the greater the descent of the front side of the first support member 55 compared to its rear side, and the first support member 55 tilts downwards at a lower front and higher rear.

[0105] However, at the rear of the first support member 55, the lower end of the rear support platform 67, which has left and right side plates 66, 66, is fixed by bolts. Furthermore, the lower parts of the left and right side plates 66, 66 are reinforced by left-right oriented cylindrical frames 68, 68. Figure 11 As shown, the left and right side panels 66 and their upper extensions are connected by a left-right frame 69. Figure 4 As shown, a sloping edge with a higher front and lower rear is formed on the upper rear side of the left and right side plates 66, 66. On this sloping edge, a support bar 70, 70 protruding forward from the left and right ends of the front surface of the aforementioned receiving plate 43 is fastened and fixed with a nut 71.

[0106] Accordingly, the receiving plate 43 is fixed in a fixed position on the first support member 55. Furthermore, when the third support member 53 is moved forward relative to the machine base 2, the receiving plate 43 moves away from the opening 35, forming a maintenance space between the receiving plate 43 and the opening 35, which allows for maintenance of the cutting section 4 and the conveying section 5, which will be described later.

[0107] (Adjusting the thickness of the sliced ​​meat)

[0108] When the electric motor 61 is driven, the first support member 55 and the receiving plate 43, which is integrally supported thereon, move in a direction constrained by the swing trajectory of the upper connecting arms 56, 56. That is, when the thickness of the cut meat slices is increased, the first support member 55 moves forward, but at this time, the first support member 55 tilts forward and downward while moving forward. At this time, the rear surface of the receiving plate 43 supported by the first support member 55 changes its posture by tilting forward.

[0109] As a result, although the spacing between the front surfaces of the sliding flanges 40, 40 and the rear surface of the receiving plate 43 varies, they are maintained in a state where, when viewed from the side, the rear surface of the receiving plate 43 lies on an arc (an assumed arc) centered on the pivot axis 11, which serves as the swing center of the sliding flanges 40, 40. That is, while maintaining the distance from the pivot axis 11 to the upper end of the rear surface of the receiving plate 43 and the distance from the pivot axis to the lower end of the rear surface of the receiving plate 43 equal, the spacing between the front surfaces of the sliding flanges 40, 40 and the rear surface of the receiving plate 43 is adjusted. Accordingly, the thickness of the cut meat slices is adjusted to a substantially uniform thickness throughout the entire surface.

[0110] Furthermore, the curvature of the front surface of the sliding edges 40, 40 when viewed from the side is approximately equal to the curvature of the rear surface of the receiving plate 43. Therefore, strictly speaking, when the thickness adjustment described above is performed, the distances from the fulcrum shaft 11 to the upper and lower ends of the rear surface of the receiving plate 43 and the distance from the fulcrum shaft 11 to the middle of the vertical direction of the rear surface of the receiving plate 43 are slightly different. However, this slight difference does not affect the commercial value of the cut meat slices. In addition, this structure, in which the receiving plate 43 tilts forward while moving forward and downward, is suitable for structures like the slicer in this embodiment, which cut chunks of meat in the lower region of the arcuate trajectory of the sliding edges 40, 40 centered on the fulcrum shaft 11.

[0111] (Delivery rotating body of the cutting section)

[0112] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 11 As shown, left and right delivery rotating bodies 72, 72, are provided on the upper part of the left and right side plates 66, 66, and rotate independently on the same axis. Multiple annular plates 74 are arranged at intervals around the outer periphery of the main body 73 on the left and right delivery rotating bodies 72, 72. Each annular plate 74 has multiple sharp protrusions, and the main body 73, 73, is rotatably supported by bearings on support shafts 75 erected throughout the left and right side plates 66, 66. Furthermore, the protrusions formed on the periphery of the annular plates 74 have sharp tips capable of piercing into cut pieces of meat.

[0113] In addition, such as Figure 5As shown, delivery electric motors 76 and 76 are mounted on the upper outer surfaces of the left and right side plates 66 and 66, respectively. Output shafts 77 and 77 driven by these delivery electric motors protrude into the inner sides of the left and right side plates 66 and 66 through holes in the side plates. Output gears 78 and 78 are fixed at the protruding ends of the output shafts 77 and 77, and input gears 79 and 79 are fixed at the outer ends of the left and right main bodies 73 and 73, respectively, so that the output gears 78 and 78 and the input gears 79 and 79 mesh.

[0114] Furthermore, a portion of the peripheral edge of the annular plate 74 is inserted into a vertically oriented slit formed on the upper part of the receiving plate 43, so that the protrusion formed on the peripheral edge is inserted into the meat slices during and after cutting, and then delivered to the delivery rotors 72, 72. By setting the upward movement speed of the openings 35, 35 and the outer peripheral speed of the annular plates 74, 74 of the delivery rotors 72, 72 to the same direction and speed, the cut meat slices can be delivered smoothly.

[0115] (Folding device)

[0116] like Figure 5 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 As shown, left and right rod-shaped bodies 81, 81 are arranged below the front side of the aforementioned support shaft 75, reciprocating by left and right swinging electric motors 80, 80. Multiple thin rods 82, 82 are inserted at predetermined intervals along the long side of these left and right rod-shaped bodies 81, 81. These multiple thin rods 82, 82 penetrate between the adjacent annular plates 74, 74 before the rotation of the support shaft 75 begins, and are engaged with the upper circumferential surface of the annular plates 74, 74, remaining in a standby position that does not interfere with the transported meat slices.

[0117] Furthermore, the left and right swinging motion is unitized using electric motors 80, 80 and left and right rod-shaped bodies 81, 81. And, as... Figure 11 , Figure 12 As shown, the left and right units 83, 83 are slidably supported on two cylindrical guide rails 83L, 83L along their long sides. The two cylindrical guide rails 83L, 83L are inclined and parallel to each other on the outer sides of the left and right side plates 66, 66. Further, one end of the crank arms 85, 85 is mounted on the output shaft of the gearboxes 84G, 84G. The gearboxes 84G, 84G are powered by left and right exit electric motors 84, 84 mounted on the outer sides of the left and right side plates 66, 66. The other end of the crank arms 85, 85 and the two ends of the screw-type rods 86, 86 are pivotally connected to the units 83, 83.

[0118] Therefore, the multiple thin rods 82, 82 installed on the left and right rod-shaped bodies 81, 81 swing back and forth in a tilted posture by the action of the electric motors 80, 80. In addition, these multiple thin rods 82, 82 slide back and forth in a tilted direction by the action of the electric motors 84, 84, 84, while being guided by the guide rails 83L, 83L for each unit.

[0119] (Pressing device)

[0120] like Figure 5 , Figure 11 As shown, the cylinder portion of a cylinder 87 is mounted at the center of a frame 69 that connects the upper portions of the left and right side plates 66, 66 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the piston tip of the cylinder 87 is mounted at the center of a pressing member 88 extending in the left-right direction. Four linear pressing members 89 are mounted to the pressing member 88 such that one end is fixed to the pressing member 88, and the other end is slidably inserted into a hole in the pressing member 88. The linear pressing members 89 are formed by bending elastic wire into a mountain shape. In this state, every two linear pressing members 89 are staggered, and the bent portions of all four linear pressing members 89 are located at the lower end.

[0121] The configuration is as follows: when the pressing member 88 moves downward by the extension action of the cylinder 87, the upper surface of the folded meat slice m is pressed by the lower edge of the pressing member. Then, when the pressing member 88 moves upward by the shortening action of the cylinder 87, the curved portions of the four linear pressing members 89 simultaneously press each of the two rows of folded meat slices m at two points.

[0122] (The folding of meat slices and the formation of aggregates)

[0123] When the aforementioned oscillation is activated by electric motors 80 and 80, causing the plurality of thin rods 82 to swing forward from their standby position, the meat slice m, which is being transported and placed on the upper circumferential surface of the annular plate 74 of the delivery rotating body 72, is peeled off from the circumferential surface of the annular plate 74 at the tips of the plurality of thin rods 82. At this time, the tips of the plurality of thin rods 82, arranged in the left-right direction, abut against the center portion of the lower surface of the meat slice m in the front-back direction, pressing up the center portion of the meat slice m in the front-back direction, and further oscillating forward. Accordingly, the front and rear ends of the meat slice m droop due to their own weight, thereby bending the meat slice m at the position where the tips of the plurality of thin rods 82 abut, becoming folded in half, and being placed on the transport action part on the upstream (rear) side of the transport direction, as described later.

[0124] At this time, cylinder 87 extends, and pressing member 88 moves downward, so that the folded meat slice m is pressed by the lower edge of pressing member 88. In this pressing state, the retraction electric motors 84 and 85 operate, and the left and right rod-shaped bodies 81 and 81, along with the left and right swinging electric motors 80 and 80, slide backward and downward, instantly pulling out the multiple thin rods 82 clamped by the folded meat slice m. Then, the upper surface of the folded meat slice m is pressed downward and separated by the curved part of the linear pressing member 89, while the pressing member 88 retracts upward.

[0125] By repeatedly folding the meat slices m in this way, thus... Figure 13 As shown, multiple folded meat slices m (six meat slices m in this embodiment) are placed sequentially on the conveying start end of the annular belt 96 in a conveying operation, with a portion of each other overlapping vertically, forming an assembly M of meat slices m. Furthermore, while maintaining control to intermittently increase or decrease the conveying speed of the annular belt 96, or synchronizing the rotation speed of the delivery rotor 72 with the swinging timing of the thin rod 82, a predetermined interval is formed between one assembly M and the next assembly M by controlling the intermittent changes in the swinging time interval of the thin rod 82.

[0126] (Transportation Department)

[0127] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 11 , Figure 14 , Figure 15 As shown, the conveying section 5 is constructed by winding an annular belt 96 around a rear-end driven roller 90, a rear driven roller group 91, a drive roller 92, and two driven rollers 93, 93 arranged close to it in the front and rear, an upper driven roller 92U arranged above the drive roller 92, and a driven roller group forming the reciprocating conveyor belt 95 described later. Furthermore, a sliding support plate (not shown) is provided between each roller in the upper winding area of ​​the annular belt 96, which slides to support the inner circumferential surface of the annular belt 96. Accordingly, a series of conveying action zones are formed from the beginning of the conveying process to the end of the conveying process. This series of conveying action zones is formed by a conveying action section 5F on the upstream (rear) side of the conveying direction and a conveying action section 5R on the downstream (front) side of the conveying direction.

[0128] (The conveying action unit on the upstream side of the conveying direction)

[0129] like Figure 4As shown, a middle support platform 98, composed of asymmetrical plates 97, 97, is mounted on the middle part of the first support member 55 in the front-rear direction. That is, a protruding member with bearing holes in the front-rear direction is fixed to the lower end of the left and right plates 97, 97, and the front and rear ends of a cylindrical sliding guide rod are fixed to the left and right sides of the first support member 55, so that the protruding member can slide and engage with the sliding guide rod in the front-rear direction (the protruding member and the sliding guide rod are not shown in the figure).

[0130] Additionally, a locking device (not shown) is provided to fix and release the sliding position of the protruding member relative to the sliding guide rod. When the intermediate support platform 98, composed of the left and right plates 97, is slid to the rear end of the sliding range and the locking device is locked at that position, the winding circumference of the annular belt 96 expands, and the annular belt 96 becomes taut and can be transported. On the other hand, when the locking device is released and the intermediate support platform 98 is slid forward, the winding circumference of the annular belt 96 shrinks, and the annular belt 96 becomes slack, allowing the annular belt 96 to be loaded and unloaded.

[0131] However, the bases of the left and right support bars 101, 101 are fixed at the front of the left and right plates 97, 97 in the middle support platform 98, and the rear ends of the left and right support bars 101, 101 are supported by bearings at the left and right ends of the slender support shaft 102 in the left and right direction, allowing free up-and-down rotation. Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the aforementioned rear-end driven roller 90, which is formed with a large width in the left-right direction, is rotatably supported on the support shaft 102. Accordingly, the rear-end driven roller 90 is located below the front side of the spacer T in the aforementioned cutting section 4.

[0132] Furthermore, at the left and right ends of the support shaft 102, the tops of the swing arms 103, 103, formed by the upper and lower portions respectively, are supported by bearings that allow free up-and-down rotation. Between the upper portions of the left and right sides of the swing arms 103, 103, two rear upper driven rollers 91UF, 91UR are rotatably supported by shafts, and between the lower portions of the left and right sides of the swing arms 103, 103, two rear lower driven rollers 91DF, 91DR are rotatably supported by shafts. Accordingly, the aforementioned rear driven roller group 91 is formed, which is positioned in front of the rear end driven roller 90. Additionally, an actuating arm 104 is integrally mounted hanging down from the top of the right-side swing arm 103.

[0133] On the other hand, a gearbox 106, which drives the up-and-down motion electric motor 105, is fixed to the right side of the plate 97 on the right side of the intermediate support platform 98. One end of the crank arm 108 is mounted on the output shaft 107 of the gearbox 106. The top end (lower end) of the actuating arm 104 and the other end of the crank arm 108 are pivotally connected by a connecting rod 109 with a tightening and loosening screw thread. With this structure, when the up-and-down motion electric motor 105 is driven to rotate forward, the crank arm 108 and the actuating arm 104 rotate in conjunction, and the left and right swing arms 103, 103 rotate upward about the axis of the support shaft 102. Accordingly, the two rear upper driven rollers 91UF, 91UR rise and press up the inner surface of the upper winding area of ​​the annular belt 96, forming a steep inclined surface with a front high and a rear low at the conveying start end (rear end) of the conveying action part 5F on the upstream side of the conveying direction in a series of conveying action areas.

[0134] Then, when the up-and-down motion is reversed by the electric motor 105, the left and right swing arms 103 rotate downwards around the axis of the support shaft 102, and the two rear upper driven rollers 91UF and 91UR descend back to their original positions. Accordingly, the front part of the annular belt 96 descends to its original position, and the conveying start end of the conveying action part 5F returns to the gently inclined surface. At this time, by using the two descending rear lower driven rollers 91DF and 91DR to push down the inner surface of the lower winding area of ​​the annular belt 96, slack in the annular belt 96 is prevented.

[0135] The drive roller 92 is positioned between the left and right plates 97, 97 in the intermediate support platform 98. The left and right ends of the rotating shaft 110 are supported on the left and right plates 97, 97 by bearings 111, 111. The right side of the right plate 97 is fixed to the gearbox 113, which is powered by the conveying drive electric motor 112. The output shaft of the gearbox 113 is connected to the rotating shaft of the drive roller 92. Two driven rollers 93, 93, positioned close to the front and rear of the drive roller 92, are positioned higher than the drive roller 92 and are supported between the left and right plates 97, 97 by bearings 114, 114.

[0136] Furthermore, by winding the annular belt 96 onto the upper circumferential surfaces of the two driven rollers 93, and further winding it onto the lower circumferential surface of the drive roller 92 positioned between them, the winding circumference of the annular belt 96 wound onto the lower circumferential surface of the drive roller 92 can be increased. Accordingly, the slippage of the annular belt 96 relative to the drive roller 92 is reduced.

[0137] Furthermore, the aforementioned upper driven roller 92U is rotatably supported by a bearing on a left-right oriented shaft (not shown) assembled between the upper parts of the left and right plates 97 in the intermediate support platform 98, and is positioned above the drive roller 92. However, the portion from the aforementioned rear driven roller 90 to the upper driven roller 92U is used as the main body to form a conveying action part 5F on the upstream side of the conveying direction.

[0138] (Second support member)

[0139] like Figure 4 As shown, a front support platform 116, composed of left and right plates 115, is fixed to the rear end of the third support member 53. Specifically, the lower ends of the left and right plates 115 are fastened to the rear end of the third support member 53 with bolts 117, 117, and the upper ends of the left and right plates 115 are extended to the same height as the upper ends of the left and right plates 97, 97 in the intermediate support platform 98. Furthermore, the front support platform 116 is spatially positioned between the first support member 55 and the intermediate support platform 98, and has no direct connection to the first support member 55 or the intermediate support platform 98.

[0140] (The conveying action part on the downstream side of the conveying direction)

[0141] However, as Figure 4 , Figure 14 , Figure 15 As shown, left and right extension plates 118 and 118, which are narrow in width in the vertical direction, are integrally extended from the upper part of the front support platform 116 (left and right plates 115, 115) toward the rear. In addition, on the inner side of each of the left and right extension plates 118, 118, cylindrical guide rails 119 and 119 in the front-to-back direction are arranged at intervals from the inner side. The front and rear ends of the left and right guide rails 119 and 119 are assembled to the inner side of the extension plates 118 and 118 by means of support bars 120 and 120.

[0142] Furthermore, a movable frame 124 is assembled from the left and right movable plates 121, 121 in the front-back direction, and the front connecting rod 122 and the rear connecting rod 123 connecting the front and rear ends of the left and right movable plates 121, 121. An inclined edge portion with a lower front and higher rear is formed on the upper front edge of the left and right movable plates 121, 121 in the movable frame 124. The rear ends of the inclined plates 125, 125 in the front-back direction along the inclined edge portion are rotatably supported on the left and right ends of a rear support shaft 126, which is mounted between the left and right movable plates 121, 121. The rear support shaft 126 is rotatably fitted into a bent driven roller 127 with a large width in the left-right direction.

[0143] Furthermore, elongated arc-shaped holes 128 and 128 in the vertical direction are formed at the front ends of the left and right movable plates 121 and 121. Bolts 130 and 130 are inserted from the outside into these holes 128 and 128. The top ends of the bolts 130 and 130 are inserted into the welded nuts 129 provided on the left and right inclined plates 125 and 125, and the movable plates 121 and inclined plates 125 are tightened together to fix them. By loosening the bolts 130 and 130, the tilt angle of the left and right inclined plates 125 and 125 can be adjusted.

[0144] Furthermore, left and right support arms 131 are mounted on the outer sides of the front ends of the left and right inclined plates 125, 125, and the front ends of the left and right support arms 131, 131 are connected by a connecting shaft 132. The connecting shaft 132 is rotatably supported by a driven roller 133 at the front end, which has a large width in the left-right direction. Additionally, the lower rear portion of the left and right movable plates 121, 121 extends forward and downward, and a movable roller 150 with a large width in the left-right direction is rotatably supported by a shaft 149 mounted between the left and right extended ends. This movable roller 150 moves together with the movable frame 124, absorbing the change in the winding circumference of the annular belt 96 caused by the back-and-forth movement of the driven roller 133 at the front end.

[0145] However, protruding members 134 and 134 are mounted at the front and rear ends of the outer surfaces of the left and right movable plates 121, 121, respectively, and these protruding members 134 and 134 slide freely in the front and rear directions to engage with the aforementioned left and right guide rails 119 and 119. Furthermore, the right side of the right plate 115 in the front support platform 116 is fixed by a gearbox 136 powered by a telescopic electric motor 135. The protruding end of the output shaft 137 of the gearbox 136, protruding inward from the right side of the plate 115, fixes the lower end of the swing arm 138, which is in a vertical orientation. The upper end of the swing arm 138 and the protruding end of the front connecting rod 122, protruding outward from the movable plate 121, are pivotally connected to the front and rear ends of the adjustable screw-type connecting rods 139 and 139.

[0146] As described above, when driven by the telescopic electric motor 135, the bent portion driven roller 127 and the front end driven roller 133, supported on the moving frame 124 side, move together in the front-rear direction, and the conveying end portion (front end) of the annular belt 96 changes position in the front-rear direction. The portion of the annular belt 96 from the bent portion driven roller 127 to the front end driven roller 133 is referred to as the reciprocating conveyor belt 95 described above. Furthermore, the series of conveying devices that form the conveying action area through the annular belt 96 are referred to as the conveyor belt 96W.

[0147] In addition, such as Figure 14As shown by the double-dotted line, the driven roller 133 at the front end is positioned lower than the moving roller 150, causing the lower winding area DA of the reciprocating conveyor belt 95 to tilt downwards and upwards. This prevents interference with the storage section 6 due to the drooping of the lower winding area DA of the annular belt 96 during the storage operation described later. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 , Figure 14 As shown, the base (rear end) of the tension arms 140, 140, is axially supported at the upper rear side of the left and right plates 115 in the front support platform 116, and rotates freely up and down around the rotating shafts 141, 141.

[0148] At the free ends (front ends) of the tension arms 140, 140, rotatably supported, are wide tension rollers 142, 142. Although not shown in the figure, a locking device is provided to fix the tension arms 140, 140 in a forward horizontally extending position, and the device is configured such that when the locking device is released, the tension arms 140, 140 rotate downwards. Therefore, when the tension arms 140, 140 rotate downwards after being released from the lock, the winding circumference of the annular belt 96 including the tension rollers 142, 142 shortens, and the annular belt 96 slackens.

[0149] Furthermore, although the illustration is omitted, the left side plate 66 in the rear support platform 67, the left plate 97 in the middle support platform 98, and the left plate 115 in the front support platform 116 are divided into upper and lower plates, and configured such that the annular belt 96 can be led out to the left by disassembling the connecting plate connecting the upper and lower plates. Accordingly, the annular belt 96 can be disassembled and assembled.

[0150] Furthermore, an inner guide roller 143 that guides the rotation of the inner circumferential surface of the annular belt 96 and an outer guide roller 144 that guides the rotation of the outer circumferential surface of the annular belt 96 are provided at the middle position of the rear part of the front support platform 116 in the vertical direction. In addition, support bars 145, 145 are fastened to the left and right sides of the front end of the first support member 55 with bolts 146, 146, and the shaft 147 mounted between the left and right support bars 145, 145 is supported by a lower driven roller 148 with a large width in the horizontal direction.

[0151] As described above, when adjusting by increasing the thickness of the cut meat slices, the closer the first support member 55 is to the third support member 53 (the more it descends), the greater the descent of the front side of the first support member 55 is compared to the rear side, and the first support member 55 tilts downwards with a lower front and a higher rear. At this time, the winding circumference of the annular belt 96 shortens, and the annular belt 96 becomes slack. However, by moving the lower driven roller 148 provided at the front end of the first support member 55 forward and downward, the change in the circumference of the annular belt 96 is absorbed. However, the reciprocating conveyor belt 95 described above forms the downstream conveying action section 5R in the conveying direction of the conveying section 5.

[0152] Furthermore, a series of conveying action zones based on the annular belt 96 are formed from the conveying action section 5F on the upstream side of the conveying direction to the conveying action section 5R on the downstream side of the conveying direction. In addition, a sliding plate body (not shown) is provided between each of the rollers, which supports the lower surface of the upper winding area in the annular belt 96 from below.

[0153] (Storage Department)

[0154] Will Figures 16-22 (b) The article moving device 200 shown has a receiving surface 201 disposed below the forward and backward movement range of the conveying terminal section (the conveying terminal section of the reciprocating conveyor belt 95) of the conveying action section 5R on the downstream side of the conveying direction. This article moving device 200 consists of a right-side moving unit 200R and a left-side moving unit 200L, and has left and right receiving plates 202, 202 on its upper part, which are formed with the receiving surfaces 201, 201 in a generally horizontal direction. The shape, support structure, and drive structure of these left and right receiving plates 202, 202 are configured approximately symmetrically in the left and right moving units 200R, 200L. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the following description applies symmetrically to both the left and right moving units 200R, 200L.

[0155] (Support structure of the storage section)

[0156] However, firstly, the lower ends of the left and right support bars 204, 204, which are formed into plate shapes, are fastened and fixed to the upper part of the machine base 203 with bolts 205, 205. The left and right fulcrum shaft 206 is freely inserted into the left and right holes provided at the upper ends of the left and right support bars 204, 204, rotating freely around its axis. In addition, the fulcrum shaft cylinder 207 is freely fitted into the outer periphery of the fulcrum shaft 206, rotating freely around its axis and sliding freely in the axial direction.

[0157] Furthermore, at the left and right ends (outer ends) of the support bars 204 protruding outward from the left and right outer sides of the pivot shaft 206, the lower ends of the plate-shaped upper support bars 208 disposed on the left and right sides (outer sides) are fastened and fixed with bolts 209. In addition, at the other left and right ends (inner ends) of the support bars 204 protruding inward from the left and right inner sides of the pivot shaft 206, the lower ends of the generally rectangular inner support plate 210 disposed on the other left and right sides (inner sides) are fastened and fixed with bolts 211.

[0158] (Assembly of the storage section)

[0159] like Figures 16-22 (b) As shown, a generally rectangular outer support plate 212 is arranged at intervals on the outer side of the upper support bar 208 located on the left and right sides (outer sides). The outer support plate 212 and the inner support plate 210 are connected and assembled as follows: The two ends of the first cylindrical connecting rod 213 are positioned on the inner side of the middle portion of the front of the inner support plate 210 in the vertical direction and on the lower inner side of the front of the outer support plate 212, and are fastened with bolts 214 and 214. In addition, the middle portion of the first connecting rod 213 in the horizontal direction is fixed through a hole formed in the upper part of the upper support bar 208 on the left and right outer sides. Furthermore, the two ends of the lower cylindrical connecting rod 215 are positioned on the upper inner side of the upper support bar 208 on the left and right outer sides and on the inner side of the middle portion of the front of the left and right inner support plate 210 in the vertical direction, and are fastened with bolts 216 and 216.

[0160] Furthermore, the two ends of the cylindrical second connecting rod 217 are positioned on the upper inner side of the rear portion of the inner support plate 210 and the lower inner side of the rear portion of the outer support plate 212, and are secured with bolts 218 and 218. Additionally, the two ends of the cylindrical third connecting rod 219 are positioned on the upper inner side of the rear portion of the inner support plate 210 and the upper inner side of the rear portion of the outer support plate 212, and are secured with bolts 220 and 220. Thus, the third connecting rod 219 is positioned directly above the second connecting rod 217.

[0161] Furthermore, the two ends of the cylindrical fourth connecting rod 221 are positioned on the upper inner side of the rear end portion of the inner support plate 210 and the inner side of the middle portion of the rear end portion of the left and right outer support plates 212 in the vertical direction, and are fastened with bolts 222 and 222. Additionally, the base of the left-right sliding guide rod SS1 is positioned on the upper left side of the middle portion of the front-rear direction in the inner support plate 210 of the right-side moving unit 200R, and is fastened with bolt SS2.

[0162] On the other hand, on the upper left side of the middle portion of the inner support plate 210 in the front-rear direction of the left-side moving unit 200L, the base of the sliding guide cylinder SS3, which has holes in the left-right direction, is positioned and fixed. Furthermore, the top end of the sliding guide rod SS1 is allowed to slide freely into the holes of the sliding guide cylinder SS3. This forms a position limiting part PK, which allows the left and right moving units 200L and 200R to move independently in the axial direction of the fulcrum axis 206, and restricts the left and right moving units 200L and 200R from swinging independently up and down around the fulcrum axis 206.

[0163] Furthermore, the first connecting rod 213, the second connecting rod 217, the third connecting rod 219, the fourth connecting rod 221, and the sliding guide rod SS1 are arranged horizontally and parallel to each other. Additionally, the front surfaces of the left and right ends of the rear connecting plate 223, which is narrow in the vertical direction and horizontal in the horizontal direction, are made to contact the upper rear end face of the outer support plate 212 and the upper rear end face of the inner support plate 210, and are fastened with bolts 224, 224.

[0164] (Interval adjustment mechanism for the item movement device)

[0165] like Figures 16-22 As shown in (b), the base of the double-acting first cylinder 225 for adjusting the interval is mounted on the lower inner side of the front side of the inner support plate 210. In addition, the base of the support bar 226 is fixed in the middle part of the pivot cylinder 207 in the left-right direction, thereby fixing the box-shaped retainer 227 on the upper inner side of the vertically erected support bar 226.

[0166] The retainer 227 is hollow inside and has an opening on a side opposite to the part fixed to the support bar 226. Inside the retainer 227, the head of an adjusting bolt 228, which is larger than the opening, is positioned with a gap between itself and the inner wall of the retainer 227, allowing for free movement. The external thread of the adjusting bolt 228 protrudes inward from the opening. The tip of the external thread is screwed into the internal thread formed at the tip of the piston 229 of the first cylinder 225 and secured with a locking nut 230.

[0167] Therefore, even if there is an error in the parallel posture between the extension / retraction direction of the piston 229 and the sliding direction of the fulcrum shaft 206 relative to the fulcrum cylinder 207, this error can be absorbed by adjusting the posture change of the head of the adjusting bolt 228 relative to the retainer 227, allowing the fulcrum shaft 206 to slide smoothly. Furthermore, by causing both the left and right first cylinders 225 to extend / retract, the right-side moving unit 200R and the left-side moving unit 200L move in opposite directions to each other.

[0168] At this time, the sliding guide rod SS1 is freely inserted into the sliding guide cylinder SS3, thereby maintaining the relative posture of the right-side moving unit 200R and the left-side moving unit 200L. Furthermore, as described later, when the article moving device 200 is oscillating upwards around the axis of the fulcrum 206, the sliding guide rod SS1 is freely inserted into the sliding guide cylinder SS3, thereby causing the right-side moving unit 200R and the left-side moving unit 200L to oscillate upwards as a single unit.

[0169] (Supporting plate)

[0170] like Figures 16-22 As shown in (b), the receiving plate 202 is formed from a rectangular stainless steel plate. The front edge is bent vertically upwards, the rear edge is bent into a sloping position (front higher, rear lower), the outer left and right edges are bent into a sloping position (outermost lower), and the inner left and right edges are rolled downwards to form a circle. Alternatively, a circular bar in the front-to-back direction can be welded and fixed to the inner left and right ends. Alternatively, it can be configured with a structure in which a wide, small-diameter roller that can rotate freely around an axis in the front-to-back direction is mounted at the inner left and right ends.

[0171] Furthermore, at the two corners on the front side of the receiving plate 202, cutouts 202K and 202K are formed to prevent interference with the aforementioned inner support plate 210 and outer support plate 212. Additionally, at the two corners on the rear side of the receiving plate 202, cutouts 202L and 202L are formed for operating the first indexing pin 270, which will be described later. A horizontal receiving surface 201 is formed on the upper side of the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the receiving plate 202 thus formed.

[0172] (Sliding mechanism of the receiving plate)

[0173] However, as Figures 16-22 As shown in (b), sliding members 231, 231, located on the left and right outer sides and the left and right inner sides, are slidably and freely fitted into the aforementioned third connecting rod 219 at predetermined intervals in the left and right direction. Each sliding member 231, 231 has a through hole through which the third connecting rod 219 is inserted. A ball-type sliding member is provided in the through hole to reduce the sliding resistance relative to the third connecting rod 219, and grease acting on the sliding member is sealed inside. Furthermore, the vertically upward bent portion formed at the front end of the receiving plate 202 abuts against the rear side of the sliding members 231, 231 and is fastened with bolts 232, 232.

[0174] (Synchronous belt-based linkage unit)

[0175] Furthermore, at the lower part of the outer sliding member 231, the first synchronous pulley 233 is rotatably supported about a front-rear axis 234. On the other hand, at the lower part of the inner sliding member 231, the second synchronous pulley 235 is rotatably supported about a front-rear axis 236. The effective diameters of these first synchronous pulleys 233 and second synchronous pulleys 235 are set to be equal.

[0176] Furthermore, the synchronous belt 237 is wound around the first synchronous pulley 233 and the second synchronous pulley 235. A portion of the upper winding area of ​​the synchronous belt 237 is fixed to the center of the long side of the third connecting bar 219 by means of a fixing member 238. The fixing member 238 is fastened and fixed with its upper part adjustable relative to the third connecting bar 219 in the long side direction, and its lower part is fixedly held in place by means of the fixing member 238. That is, a portion of the upper winding area of ​​the synchronous belt 237 is held at a fixed point by means of the fixing member 238.

[0177] Furthermore, the outer sliding member 231 and the inner sliding member 231 are respectively connected to the left and right ends of the support plate 239, which is arranged at intervals in the left and right direction on their front sides, using bolts 240, 240. In addition, a shaft portion for bearing support of the first synchronous pulley 233 and the second synchronous pulley 235 can be formed at the top of the bolts 240, 240. The first synchronous pulley 233, the second synchronous pulley 235, the synchronous belt 237, the fixing member 238, the first sliding member 246, and the traction plate 250 constitute a linkage unit RA that moves in conjunction with the movement of the transfer belt 295 and the receiving plate 202.

[0178] (Sliding drive)

[0179] Furthermore, the base of the sliding double-acting second cylinder 241 is mounted on a front-rear pin 243 and mounted on the upper inner side of the middle part of the inner support plate 210. The piston 244 of the second cylinder 241 is then bolted to the lower end of a bent portion that bends downwards from the outer end of the support plate 239 using bolts 245.

[0180] (Pneumatic circuit)

[0181] The left and right second cylinders 241 and 241 each have Figure 39 The pneumatic circuit 320 is shown. An electromagnetic switching valve 323 is provided in the pneumatic circuit 320. The electromagnetic switching valve 323 switches the supply or discharge direction of air delivered from the pneumatic pump (not shown) to cause the piston 244 of the second cylinder 241 to extend and retract.

[0182] The electromagnetic switching valve 323 has three ports on one side, which freely connect the inlet 321, which is connected to the air pump on the upstream side, and two outlets 322. Additionally, the electromagnetic switching valve 323 has two ports on the other side, which freely connect the first flow path 324, which is connected to the port on the extended side of the second cylinder 241, and the second flow path 326, which is connected to the buffer / speed adjustment circuit 325. The buffer / speed adjustment circuit 325 includes: a pilot check valve 327 for bidirectional switching of the check direction, a check valve 328, a manually operated first variable throttle 329, an air box 330, a two-position switching valve 331, a first atmospheric venting device 332 for buffering, a manually operated second variable throttle 333 for adjusting the amount of air supplied to the first atmospheric venting device 332, a second atmospheric venting device 334 for speed adjustment, and a manually operated third variable throttle 335 for adjusting the amount of air supplied to the second atmospheric venting device 334.

[0183] Furthermore, the third flow path 336, branching from the pilot check valve 327, is connected to the shortened side port of the second cylinder 241. One end of the fifth flow path 338 is connected to the middle portion of the fourth flow path 337, which is connected to the second flow path 326 within the buffer / speed adjustment circuit 325, and the other end of the fifth flow path 338 is connected to the air box 330. The check valve 328 and the first variable throttle valve 329 are connected side-by-side to the middle portion of the fifth flow path 338. Additionally, one side of the pilot check valve 327 is connected to the middle portion of the fourth flow path 337, and the other side of the fourth flow path 337 is connected to the inlet of the two-position switching valve 331.

[0184] Through the switching action of the two-position switching valve 331, the first atmospheric venting device 332 and the second atmospheric venting device 334 are selectively connected to the outlet of the two-position switching valve 331. The switching action of the two-position switching valve 331 is linked to the remaining air volume in the air box 330. Furthermore, a second variable throttle valve 333 is connected between the outlet of the two-position switching valve 331 and the first atmospheric venting device 332, and a third variable throttle valve 335 is connected between the outlet of the two-position switching valve 331 and the second atmospheric venting device 334. However, the electromagnetic switching valve 323 is switched by the output from the controller to the switching solenoid 323S. Figure 39 In the position shown, air flowing in from inlet 321 passes through the second flow path 326 without load, through the fourth flow path 337 and the pilot check valve 327, and flows into the shortening side port of the second cylinder 241 via the third flow path 336. The piston 244 of the second cylinder 241 performs a shortening action at high speed. Accordingly, the receiving plate 202 slides to the left and right inward, and the distance between the opposing ends of the left and right receiving plates 202 becomes the minimum distance P1.

[0185] Additionally, a portion of the air flowing into the fourth flow path 337 passes through the fifth flow path 338, through the check valve 328, and into the air chamber 330, where it accumulates pressure. This pressure force causes the two-position switching valve 331 to remain in position against the restoring force of the return spring 331S. Figure 39 The position. In addition, in this state, the air from the fourth flow path 337 to the two-position switching valve 331 is cut off by the pilot check valve 327.

[0186] Furthermore, when the solenoid switching valve 323 is switched to the other side by the output from the controller to the switching solenoid 323S, the air flowing in from the inlet 321 flows into the extension side port of the second cylinder 241 through the first flow path 324, and the piston 244 of the second cylinder 241 begins to extend at high speed. Accordingly, the receiving plate 202 begins to slide to the left and right. During this sliding, the air in the chamber on the shortening side of the second cylinder 241 is discharged into the third flow path 336 through the extension side movement of the piston 244, passes through the pilot check valve 327 through the open side of the fourth flow path 337, and reaches the inlet of the two-position switching valve 331.

[0187] Air arriving at the inlet of the two-position switching valve 331 flows out from the outlet of the two-position switching valve 331, and its flow rate is restricted by the third variable throttle valve 335, causing it to be discharged to the outside through the second atmospheric venting device 334. By restricting the discharge flow rate through the third variable throttle valve 335, the amount of air discharged from the shortened side chamber of the second cylinder 241 can be limited. As a result, the extension speed of the piston 244 of the second cylinder 241 is controlled to a high-speed constant speed, and the sliding speed of the receiving plate 202 to the left and right remains constant. The extension speed of the piston 244 of the second cylinder 241, i.e., the sliding speed of the receiving plate 202, can be changed by manually adjusting the third variable throttle valve 335.

[0188] Furthermore, during the high-speed extension movement of the piston 244 in the second cylinder 241, the air stored in the air chamber 330 flows out through the fifth flow path 338. With its flow rate restricted by the first variable throttle valve 329, it is gradually discharged to the outlet 322 via the second flow path 326 and the solenoid switching valve 323. When there is no more air stored in the air chamber 330, the two-position switching valve 331 is switched by the return force of the return spring 331S. This changes the situation so that air passing through the pilot check valve 327 and the open side of the fourth flow path 337 is discharged to the outside through the first atmospheric venting device 332 while its flow rate is restricted by the second variable throttle valve 333.

[0189] This state occurs just before the piston 244 of the second cylinder 241 reaches the end of its extension stroke, at which point the extension speed of the piston 244 is significantly reduced compared to its previous speed. As a result, the impact when the piston 244 reaches the end of its extension stroke is buffered, mitigating the impact or noise caused by the emergency stop of the receiving plate 202.

[0190] (Traction plate)

[0191] Furthermore, the first slider 246 is slidably supported by the second connecting rod 217 located directly below the third connecting rod 219, and the first slider 246 is positioned directly below the lower winding area of ​​the synchronous belt 237. A portion of the lower winding area of ​​the synchronous belt 237 is sandwiched between the upper surface of the first slider 246 and the lower surface of the plate 247 mounted on the upper part of the first slider 246, and the plate 247 is fastened to the first slider 246 with bolts 248.

[0192] Additionally, second sliding members 249 and 249 with built-in ball bearing sliding components and sealed with grease are arranged on the left and right sides of the first sliding member 246, allowing the second sliding members 249 and 249 to slide and rotate freely supported on the second connecting rod 217. On the rear surface of the left and right second sliding members 249 and 249, the vertical face of the traction plate body 250, which has a vertical face and a horizontal face and is bent into an L-shape, is fastened and fixed with bolts 251.

[0193] Accordingly, the traction plate 250 and the two second sliding members 249, 249, which are configured to clamp the first sliding member 246, are integrated, and the traction plate 250 is supported to slide freely in the left and right direction and to rotate freely in the up and down direction. In addition, the front and rear ends of the horizontal part of the traction plate 250 are formed to be wider than the middle part in the front and back direction, which can stably lock the end of the transfer belt 295.

[0194] (The support at the rear end of the receiving plate and the traction plate, and the rotating mechanism above the item moving device)

[0195] like Figures 16-22 As shown in (b), the front end of the elongated cylindrical frame 252 in the front-rear direction is positioned on the outer left-right side of the rear surface of the rear connecting plate 223 and secured with bolts 253. Furthermore, the front end of the elongated rectangular frame 254 in the front-rear direction abuts against the middle left-right side of the rear surface of the rear connecting plate 223 and is secured with bolts 255. Additionally, the front surfaces of the left and right ends of the connecting plate 256 abut against the rear ends of the cylindrical frame 252 and the rectangular frame 254, respectively, and are secured with bolts 257 and 258. Figure 22 (a) and Figure 22As shown in (b), a retainer 259 with an inverted L-shaped cross-section is fixed at the lower end of the connecting plate 256.

[0196] Furthermore, the upper surface of the first resin rail 260 abuts against the lower surface of the upper edge of the retainer 259, and the plate 261 abuts against the lower surface of the first resin rail 260. An anti-detachment plate 262 is overlapped on the lower surface of the plate 261 and tightened together with bolts 263. The first resin rail 260 has a trapezoidal cross-section that is longer at the top than at the bottom, and an inclined guide surface 260S with a front-high, rear-low orientation is formed on its front surface. This inclined guide surface 260S allows for sliding guidance of the rear edge of the receiving plate 202, which has a front-high, rear-low inclined orientation, from its upper side. Accordingly, upward rotation of the receiving plate 202 centered on the axis of the third connecting rod 219 is restricted.

[0197] Furthermore, the anti-fall plate 262 has a cross-sectional shape that is bent into an L-shape, and its front part is inclined in a front-low and rear-high posture in the fixed state described above. Therefore, when the article moving device 200 rotates upward about the pivot axis 206 as described later, the rear end of the receiving plate 202 abuts against the upper surface of the front part that is inclined in a front-low and rear-high posture, which can prevent the receiving plate 202 from falling off and rotating downward.

[0198] Additionally, one end of the support arms 264, 264 is freely mounted on both the left and right ends of the retainer 259 using bolts 265, allowing them to rotate freely up and down. The other ends of the support arms 264, 264 are then secured to both ends of the assembly plate 266 using bolts 267. A second resin rail 268, which abuts against the front surface of the assembly plate 266 and is elongated in the left-right direction, is clamped between the plate 269, which abuts against the front surface of the second resin rail 268, and the assembly plate 266, and secured in place.

[0199] like Figure 22 (a) and Figure 22 As shown in (b), a first flat portion 268A is formed on the upper front side of the second resin rail 268. The first flat portion 268A supports the lower rear end of the traction plate 250 and provides sliding guidance. Furthermore, the upper rear end of the second resin rail 268 protrudes upwards, and a second flat portion 268B is formed at this upper end. The second flat portion 268B supports the lower rear end of the receiving plate 202 and provides sliding guidance. Additionally, first indexing pins 270 and 270 are provided on the left and right support arms 264 and 264 to fix and release them vertically. Moreover, the upper end of the support plate 271 is fixed to the front side of the lower end of the retainer 259, and multiple guide rollers 272, which are freely rotatable around an axis in the front-rear direction, are mounted on the rear surface side of the lower end of the support plate 271 using pin bolts 273.

[0200] On the other hand, such as Figure 22 (a) and Figure 22 As shown in (b), the lower end of the vertical support plate 274 is fixed to a frame 275 integrated with the machine base 203. The support plate 274 is bent backward at its left and right ends and its upper part to form a side wall portion 274S and an upper side wall 274U. Furthermore, left and right rotating arms 276 are freely mounted on the upper part of the side wall portion 274S using bolts 277, 277, which allow for vertical rotation.

[0201] The left and right outer rotating arms 276 are fitted with second indexing pins 278. The second indexing pins 278 engage with the side wall portion 274S to fix the rotating arms 276 in an upright position. Furthermore, the front surface of a locking plate 279, which is bent into an inverted L-shape when viewed from the side, abuts against the rear surface of the left and right rotating arms 276, 276, and is secured with bolts 280, 280. A forward-bending limiting portion 279K is formed on the upper part of the locking plate 279.

[0202] (The swing mechanism above the item moving device)

[0203] like Figures 16-22 As shown in (b), a fan-shaped rotating plate 281 is arranged between the inner support plates 210 and 210 of the left and right moving units 200L and 200R in a vertical orientation. In addition, the support plate 282 is fixed to the machine base 203 side with bolts 283, and the left support bar 284L and the right support bar 284R are set in an upright position and fastened with bolts 285 at the front extension of the support plate 282. The lower part of the rotating plate 281 is arranged between the left and right support bars 284L and 284R.

[0204] Furthermore, the lower part of the rotating plate 281 is freely supported between the left and right support bars 284L and 284R by a left-right axis 286. In addition, the right support bar 284R is formed to be higher than the left support bar 284L, and a third indexing pin 287 is assembled on the upper part of the right support bar 284R.

[0205] A first through hole 288 is formed in the lower part of the rotating plate 281, forward of the shaft 286. With the nose of the third indexing pin 287 inserted into the first through hole 288, the rotating plate 281 maintains an inclined posture with the front lower than the rear. Furthermore, a second through hole 289 is formed on the upper part of the shaft 286 in the rotating plate 281. When the rotating plate 281 is swung forward, the nose of the third indexing pin 287 is inserted into the second through hole 289.

[0206] Furthermore, the right end of the left-right swing support shaft 290 is fastened and fixed with bolts 291 at the lower center of the inner support plate 210 in the front-rear direction of the right-side moving unit 200R. In addition, the left side of the swing support shaft 290 slides freely through the hole formed at the lower center of the inner support plate 210 in the front-rear direction of the left-side moving unit 200L, and extends further to the left.

[0207] like Figure 22 (a) and Figure 22 As shown in (b), an arc-shaped cam groove 292 is formed through the rotating plate 281, with the distance to the shaft 286 decreasing towards its lower end and increasing towards its upper end, so that the swing support shaft 290 is inserted into the cam groove 292. In addition, an upper extension 294 is integrally formed at the rear of the rotating plate 281 to fit a slender tube or other operating member 293.

[0208] (The object swings above the moving device)

[0209] However, as Figure 22 As shown in (a), with the nose of the second indexing pin 278 engaged with the sidewall portion 274S, the locking plate 279 and the rotating arms 276 are erected together. In this state, the guide roller 272 is placed on the upper surface of the upper sidewall 274U, and the limiting portion 279K is located above the guide roller 272. Accordingly, the guide roller 272 is supported on the upper sidewall 274U and can roll freely in the left-right direction, and is prevented from floating by the limiting portion 279K.

[0210] Therefore, the lower rear surface of the receiving plate 202 of the article moving device 200 is supported on the upper surface of the second flat portion 268B of the second resin rail 268 and maintained in a generally horizontal position. Additionally, the lower rear surface of the traction plate 250 is supported on the upper surface of the first flat portion 268A of the second resin rail 268 and maintained in a position along the lower surface of the receiving plate 202. In this state, the operation of placing meat slices into a container using the article moving device 200 is performed.

[0211] On the other hand, such as Figure 22 As shown in (b), during maintenance of the article moving device 200, pulling the handle of the second indexing pin 278 disengages the nose from the side wall portion 274S, causing the limiting portion 279K formed on the upper part of the locking plate 279 to retract rearward from the upper side of the guide roller 272. Accordingly, the left and right moving units 200L and 200R are able to swing upward about the pivot axis 206.

[0212] Additionally, by pulling the handle of the third indexing pin 287, the nose is disengaged from the first through hole 288, setting the rotating plate 281 to a state where it can swing backward. In this state, the operator engages the operating member 293 with the upper extension 294 of the rotating plate 281, and operates the operating member 293 forward and downward to swing the rotating plate 281 backward. Due to this backward swing of the rotating plate 281, the cam groove 292 swings about the shaft 286, and through the sliding contact between the swing support shaft 290 and the inner edge of the cam groove 292 on the side away from the shaft 286, the swing support shaft 290 is pulled downward (pushed down).

[0213] Accordingly, the article moving device 200, composed of the left and right moving units 200L and 200R, can be swung forward and upward around the fulcrum axis 206 with a relatively small operating force. At this time, the left and right moving units 200L and 200R swing forward and upward as a whole through the position limiting part PK. In addition, in the open state where the article moving device 200 is swung forward and upward, the center of gravity of the article moving device 200 moves from the front side to the rear side of the fulcrum axis 206. Based on this, by inserting the nose of the third indexing pin 287 through the second through hole 289, the article moving device 200 is stably supported in the open state.

[0214] In addition, such as Figure 22 As shown in (b), with the article moving device 200 open, the downward rotation of the traction plate 250 is restricted by contact with the fourth connecting rod 221. Thus, by opening the article moving device 200, the upper part of the pallet conveying device 305, which is arranged in the space Q described later, is opened, making it easy to maintain the pallet conveying device 305.

[0215] (Loading and unloading structure of the transfer belt)

[0216] like Figure 16 As shown, whenever the aforementioned traction plate 250 is formed, its front and rear ends are made to be wide, its middle section along its entire length in the front-to-back direction is made to be narrow, and a front-to-back cut is formed at the corner where it transitions from the narrow-width section to the wide-width section. However, the installation of the transfer belt 295 is as follows... Figure 22 (b) is performed with the article moving device 200 open.

[0217] In this state, pulling the handle of the first indexing pin 270 releases the fixation of the left and right support arms 264, 264, causing them to rotate downwards. Consequently, the second resin rail 268 retracts downwards, allowing the traction plate 250 supported by the second resin rail 268 to rotate downwards. The downward rotation of the traction plate 250, centered on the second connecting rod 217, is restricted when the lower surface of the front end of the traction plate 250 abuts against the fourth connecting rod 221. Furthermore, downward rotation (detachment) of the rear end of the receiving plate 202 supported by the second resin rail 268 is prevented by contact with the anti-detachment plate 262.

[0218] In this state, such as Figure 23 As shown, the traction plate 250 is inserted into the first gap 295S formed by shaping one end of the transfer belt 295 into a bag-like form. The front and rear ends of the portion of the transfer belt 295 surrounding the first gap 295S are hooked to the front and rear cutouts formed in the traction plate 250. Thus, one end of the transfer belt 295 is fitted to the traction plate 250 and moved by being pulled by the traction plate 250.

[0219] On the other hand, the base of the hook member 296 is fixed at the front and rear ends of the aforementioned cylindrical frame 252. Furthermore, an opening is formed on the upper part of the hook member 296, facing upwards and outwards, and a fourth indexing pin 297, 297 with a nose that closes the entrance of the opening is provided. Thus, with the tip of the nose of the fourth indexing pin 297, 297 inserted into a hole formed on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical frame 252, the entrance of the opening is closed. Additionally, when the handle of the fourth indexing pin 297, 297 is pulled upwards, the nose is pulled out of the hole, and further moved upwards to retract, the entrance of the opening opens.

[0220] Furthermore, a round rod 298, longer than the front-to-back width of the transfer belt 295, is inserted through a second gap 295E formed by shaping the other end of the transfer belt 295 into a bag-like shape. However, after pulling the other end of the transfer belt 295 inward in the left-right direction along the lower surface of the receiving plate 202, it is wound onto the inner edge of the receiving plate 202 in the left-right direction and folded back towards the upper surface of the receiving plate 202. Then, the other end of the transfer belt 295 is pulled outward in the left-right direction along the upper surface of the receiving plate 202 and passes through the lower side of the square cylindrical frame 254. After passing through the lower side of the cylindrical frame 252, it is folded back onto the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical frame 252. Finally, the front and rear ends of the round rod 298, through which the other end of the transfer belt 295 is inserted, are inserted and locked into the openings of the front and rear hook members 296, 296.

[0221] In this state, the nose tips of the fourth indexing pins 297, 297 are inserted into holes formed on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical frame 252 to prevent the round rod 298 from falling out of the openings of the hook members 296, 296. Thus, the other end of the transfer belt 295 is fitted to the cylindrical frame 252 and fixed at the fixing point.

[0222] As described above, the lower surface of the upper winding area of ​​the transfer belt 295 is slidably supported on the receiving surface 201 formed on the upper surface of the receiving plate 202. Alternatively, a groove in the front-to-back direction can be formed on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical frame 252, so that the round rod 298, inserted at the other end of the transfer belt 295, is embedded in the groove and prevented from falling out by the fourth indexing pins 297, 297. Furthermore, the disassembly of the transfer belt 295 is performed in the reverse order described above.

[0223] (The movement of the main part of the moving device)

[0224] Hereinafter, the positions PS1 (first position), PS2 (second position), and PS3 (third position) will be described based on the positions of the receiving surface 201 of the support transfer belt 295 or the inner end of the receiving plate 202.

[0225] (Position 1)

[0226] That is, when the inner end of the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 of the supporting transfer belt 295 is in the first position PS1, the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 covers the entire upper area of ​​the pallet G1 transported below it (this state refers to the state where the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 coincides with the entire area of ​​the pallet G1 when viewed from above). Furthermore, when the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 or the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 of the supporting transfer belts 295, 295 are in the first position PS1, PS1, the two rows of transported meat slices m or the collection M of meat slices m are each supplied from the transport terminal of the reciprocating conveyor belt 95 to the left and right transfer belts 295, 295.

[0227] (Move from position 1 to position 2)

[0228] Furthermore, even when the inner ends of the left and right bearing surfaces 201, 201 or bearing plates 202, 202 of the left and right supporting transfer belts 295, 295 are moved to the second position PS2, PS2, which is slightly offset from the first position PS1, PS1 to the outside, the bearing surfaces 201, 201 or bearing plates 202, 202 generally cover the upper sides of the two adjacent pallets G1, G1 that are transported below them (this includes the state where a small portion of the ends of the pallets G1, G1 are not covered and are exposed when viewed from above). Furthermore, by moving the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 or the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 from the first position PS1, PS1 to the second position PS2, PS2, the left and right spacing of the meat slices m or the collection of meat slices m on the left and right transfer belts 295, 295 on the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 is expanded in the left and right direction, and aligned with the positions that can be placed on the two adjacent trays G1, G1 waiting below.

[0229] Furthermore, the adjustment amount of the left-right spacing of the meat slices m or aggregates M on the left and right transfer belts 295, 295 is determined by the left-right spacing of the two transfer paths 20, 20 of the block meat transfer device 9 in the cutting section 4 and the transfer spacing of the multiple trays G1 transferred by the tray transfer device 305. That is, the transfer spacing of the multiple trays G1 transferred by the tray transfer device 305 is determined by the left-right width of the tray G1 itself, so reducing the transfer spacing is limited.

[0230] On the other hand, the lateral spacing between the two rows of meat slices m or aggregates M cut and transported by the cutting section 4 is determined by the lateral spacing between the two transport passages 20, 20 of the block meat transport device 9. Furthermore, the center-to-center distance between two adjacent trays G1, G1 (typically used food trays) transported at the aforementioned transport spacing is longer than the center-to-center distance between the two transport passages 20, 20 of the block meat transport device 9 (the width in the lateral direction is wider). Therefore, in order to place the two rows of meat slices m or aggregates M on two adjacent trays G1, G1, it is necessary to eliminate the difference between the two center-to-center distances and increase the lateral spacing between the two rows of meat slices m or aggregates M transported at a narrower interval.

[0231] Therefore, by moving the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 or the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 of the left and right supporting transfer belts 295, 295 from the first position PS1, PS1 to the second position PS2, PS2 as described above, the left and right spacing of the meat slices m or the collection of meat slices m on the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 and the meat slices m on the left and right transfer belts 295, 295 is expanded in the left and right direction, and aligned with the positions that can be placed on the two adjacent trays G1, G1 waiting below.

[0232] (Move from position 2 to position 3)

[0233] Furthermore, when the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 or the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 of the supporting transfer belts 295, 295 move significantly outward from the second position PS2 and are located in the third position PS3, the receiving surfaces 201, 201 or the receiving plates 202, 202 retract from the upper side of the pallet G1 that is being transported below them, and the entire upper area of ​​the pallet G1 is opened. Also, when the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 or the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 move outward to the third position PS3, PS3, the left and right transfer belts 295, 295 on the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 each move inward relative to the left and right receiving plates 202, 202. Accordingly, the meat slices m or aggregates M located on the left and right transfer belts 295, 295 will descend onto the two trays G1, G1 respectively without any change in position in the left and right direction.

[0234] (Operating instructions for the receiving plate and transfer belt)

[0235] but, Figure 24 (a) and Figure 24 (b) is a front view illustrating the subsequent operating states of each moving unit, with the left and right moving units 200R and 200L moving outward (in a direction of separation) due to the shortening action of the first cylinders 225 and 225. That is, in this... Figure 24 In state (a), the left and right first cylinders 225, 225 shorten, and the inner ends of the bearing surfaces 201, 201 or bearing plates 202, 202 of the supporting transfer belts 295, 295 move from the first position PS1, PS1, which covers the entire area above the two pallets G1, G1 that will be transported below them, to the second position PS2, PS2, which are slightly offset to the outside from the first position PS1, PS1.

[0236] Accordingly, the spacing between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 is from Figure 16 The P1 shown is expanded to Figure 18 P2 is shown. Even in this state, the upper sides of the two pallets G1, G1 transported below are generally covered by the receiving surfaces 201, 201 or the receiving plates 202, 202 supporting the transfer belts 295, 295.

[0237] Additionally, the left and right second cylinders 241, 241 shorten, and the left and right receiving plates 202, 202, which are integrated with the top ends of the pistons 244, 244 of the second cylinders 241, 241, move inward toward the article moving device 200. However, when the second cylinder 241 extends from this state, it is as follows: Figure 24 As shown in (b), the inner end of the receiving surface 201 of the support transfer belt 295 or the receiving plate 202 moves from the second position PS2 to the third position PS3. Additionally, the shaft 234 of the first synchronous pulley 233 and the shaft 236 of the second synchronous pulley 235, which are integrated with the top end of the piston 244 of the second cylinder 241, move outwards along the receiving plate 202 in a full-stroke motion.

[0238] Here, a portion of the upper winding area of ​​the synchronous belt 237, wound around the first synchronous pulley 233 and the second synchronous pulley 235, is held in a fixed position by the fixing member 238. Therefore, when the axis 234 of the first synchronous pulley 233 and the axis 236 of the second synchronous pulley 235 move outward, the two synchronous pulleys 233 and 235 rotate in the same direction, while the lower winding area of ​​the synchronous belt 237 moves outward. Accordingly, the first sliding member 246, assembled in the lower winding area of ​​the synchronous belt 237, moves outward integrally with the traction plate 250, and one end of the transfer belt 295 is pulled outward by the traction plate 250.

[0239] At this time, the transfer belt 295 folds back from the upper surface of the receiving plate 202 at the inner end of the receiving plate 202, along the lower surface of the receiving plate 202. Therefore, in order to prevent the transfer belt 295 from slackening and to move the inner end of the receiving plate 202 outward, the traction plate 250 needs to move outward a distance twice as much as the amount of outward movement relative to the receiving plate 202. That is, as Figure 24 (a) to Figure 24 (b) As shown in the state change, a temporary assumed point CP1 is set at the location on the receiving plate 202 in the transfer belt 295. Figure 24 (a)) Assuming the inner end of the receiving plate 202 supporting the transfer belt 295 has moved to the state of the temporary assumed point CP1 ( Figure 24 (b)).

[0240] At this time, relative to the first moving distance S from the inner end of the bearing surface 201 or bearing plate 202 of the support transfer belt 295 to the temporary assumed point CP1, the outer end of the traction plate 250 needs to move a second moving distance T, which is twice the first moving distance S. Therefore, a mechanism consisting of the aforementioned synchronous belt 237 and two synchronous pulleys 233 and 235 is provided, so that the outward moving speed of the traction plate 250 relative to the outward moving speed of the bearing plate 202 (the extension speed of the piston 244 of the second cylinder 241) is twice the speed. Accordingly, when the bearing surface 201 or bearing plate 202 of the support transfer belt 295 moves from the second position PS2 to the third position PS3, the transfer belt 295 slides relative to the bearing surface 201 in the opposite direction to the moving direction of the bearing surface 201 at the same speed.

[0241] also, Figure 24 (a) is a closed state in which the receiving plate 202 or the receiving surface 201 of the supporting transfer belt 295 penetrates into the top of the pallet G1 and substantially covers the top of the pallet G1. Figure 24 (b) is the open state in which the receiving plate 202 (receiving surface 201) retracts from the top of the pallet G1, leaving the top of the pallet G1 open. Figure 24 In state (b), by folding back at the inner end of the transfer belt 295 on the receiving plate 202, the meat slices m or aggregates M on the transfer belt 295 are peeled off from the surface of the transfer belt 295 and fall into the tray G1 for storage. That is, the meat slices m or aggregates M placed on the receiving surface 201 by the transfer terminal of the transfer action part 5R on the downstream side of the transfer direction are lowered into the tray G1 directly below and stored while the left-right and front-back directions are in their original positions.

[0242] also, Figure 16 , Figure 17 This shows the state where the receiving surface 201 or receiving plate 202 of the support transfer belt 295 is located at the first position PS1, covering the entire area above the pallet G1. Figure 18 , Figure 19 This shows the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 moving outward to a second position PS2 (a second position offset from the first position by a predetermined distance) that substantially covers the upper side of the tray G1. Furthermore, Figure 20 , Figure 21 The diagram shows the state where the receiving surface 201 or receiving plate 202 of the supporting transfer belt 295 has moved outward to a third position (a third position where the items on the transfer body are lowered) PS3, which opens the top of the tray G1. Furthermore, as described above, the receiving surface 201 or receiving plate 202 is positioned below the forward and backward movement range of the transfer terminal section of the transfer action part 5R on the downstream side of the transfer direction.

[0243] (Pallet conveying device)

[0244] Figures 25-27 A pallet conveying device 305 equipped with a container supply unit 300 is shown. For example... Figure 25 As shown, the container supply section 300 includes a rail-shaped tray storage section 303 and a tray peeling device 304. The tray storage section 303 is composed of a rail-shaped frame that stores multiple overlapping empty trays G1, prevents them from falling off, and guides them to slide obliquely downwards. The tray peeling device 304 peels and removes the trays G1 one by one from the lower end of the tray storage section 303.

[0245] The tray peeling device 304 includes a rotating arm 307 with a suction cup 306 at its top end and an electric motor 308 for rotating the rotating arm 307. Furthermore, the suction cup 306 is connected to the top end of a suction pipe (not shown) disposed within the rotating arm 307, and is configured such that a negative pressure is generated when the rotating arm 307 rises and rotates, adsorbing the lower surface of the tray G1. After adsorption, the rotating arm 307 is lowered and rotated to release the negative pressure, placing the adsorbed tray G1 onto the tray conveying device 305.

[0246] The pallet conveying device 305 transports the pallet G1, which has been peeled off by the pallet peeling device 304, in a direction orthogonal to the conveying section 5 when viewed from above, passing through the space Q formed below the receiving plates 202, 202 on the left and right sides of the item moving device 200 in the storage section 6 from right to left. The pallet conveying device 305 is constructed by winding an annular chain 316 between a drive sprocket 315 located at its conveying end and a driven sprocket 314 located at its conveying beginning, and by providing an electric motor 313 that drives the drive sprocket 315 to rotate. The annular chain 316 has multiple locking plates 317 spaced apart at intervals set to be larger than the width of the pallet G1 by a predetermined length. The upstream end of each pallet G1 in the conveying direction is pressed by the locking plates 317. Furthermore, the electric motor 313 can be reversed to move the pallet G1 back in the upstream direction of the conveying direction.

[0247] Furthermore, a pair of U-shaped transport guide rails 318, which restrict the front-to-back and vertical positions of pallet G1 and guide its transport, are arranged in three sections along the transport direction of pallet G1. Of these three transport guide rails 318A, 318B, and 318C, the first transport guide rail 318A, located at the upstream end in the transport direction, is fixed in a fixed position and cannot be raised or lowered. Figure 33As shown, the second conveying guide rail 318B in the middle and the third conveying guide rail 318C located at the downstream side of the conveying direction are arranged directly below the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 of the item moving device 200, and are configured to be raised and lowered independently by two cylinders 319, 319.

[0248] (Cutting action)

[0249] The operation conditions are set according to the type and state of the meat being cut, and the setting conditions of each part are changed. Then, the start switch 401 (described later) is operated. Accordingly, the annular blade 49 of the cutting part 4 begins to move around and the conveying part 5 begins to move.

[0250] In this initial state, the supply unit 3 is located at the lower limit of the swing range. When a piece of meat is fed into the supply unit 3 in this state and the feeding switch is turned on, the meat conveying device 9 starts to drive. Accordingly, the fed piece of meat is conveyed forward by the meat conveying device 9, with the front end of the meat abutting against the rear surface of the receiving plate 43, thus restricting the position of the front end of the meat. Furthermore, as the supply unit 3 swings upward from this state, the blade edge of the annular blade 49, which moves from right to left, cuts into the front end of the meat protruding from the left and right openings 35 from above. At this time, the front end of the meat is restricted in position by the receiving plate 43, so the front end of the meat is cut off with a uniform thickness by the annular blade 49.

[0251] When the supply unit 3 swings upward to a position near the upper limit of its swing range, the front end of the block of meat is cut off by the annular blade 49. Then, the meat slice, cut to a predetermined thickness, passes through the gap T formed between the upper end of the receiving plate 43 and the lower end of the annular blade 49, and is delivered to the upper circumferential surface of the annular plates 74, 74 of the left and right delivery rotating bodies 72, 72, arranged on the front side of the receiving plate 43. Additionally, the supply unit 3 swings downward to the lower limit of its swing range, returning to its initial state. Then, the supply unit 3 swings upward again, repeating the cutting of the block of meat as described above.

[0252] The meat slices delivered to the upper circumferential surface of the annular plates 74, 74, passing through the interval T, are peeled off from the circumferential surface of the annular plates 74 at the tips of the oscillating rods 82, becoming folded in half. Thus, the meat slices are sequentially placed on the conveying start end of the annular belt 96 in the conveying motion, with portions of each meat slice overlapping one another, forming two rows of meat slices m, assemblies M, M. In these two rows of assemblies M, M, a predetermined interval (assembly interval) P is formed between each row of assemblies M and the next row of assemblies M.

[0253] In such a cutting operation, when the electric motor 61 for adjusting meat thickness is activated to adjust the thickness of the cut meat slices m, and the position of the receiving plate 43 is adjusted relative to the opening 35, the receiving plate 43 and the first support member 55 of the conveying action part 5F on the upstream side of the conveying direction move in the front-back direction. However, the front support platform 116 of the conveying action part 5R on the downstream side of the conveying direction is integrally assembled with the third support member 53 on the machine platform 2 side, so it is not affected by the position adjustment of the receiving plate 43 and does not move in the front-back direction.

[0254] Therefore, even if the thickness of the meat slice m to be cut is adjusted, the position of the conveying action part 5R on the downstream side of the conveying direction in the conveying section 5 does not change, so the delivery position of the meat slice m or the assembly of meat slice m M from the conveying end of the conveying action part 5R to the storage section 6 is stable. That is, the delivery position of the meat slice m or the assembly of meat slice m relative to the receiving surface 201 of the article moving device 200 provided in the storage section 6 is not easily changed, and subsequent storage operations can be carried out smoothly. In addition, because the positional relationship between the receiving plate 43 and the conveying action part 5F on the upstream side of the conveying direction in the conveying section 5 does not change, the cut and folded meat slice m is smoothly delivered to the conveying action part 5F and conveyed.

[0255] (Storage action)

[0256] The two columns of assemblies M and M' formed by the above-mentioned cutting operation are conveyed to the storage section 6 with a predetermined narrow interval between each column. For example... Figures 30-37 As shown, the interval between the columns of the collection M and M in the transport is called the "column interval P0".

[0257] (Delivery of the assembly to the transfer zone on the bearing surface)

[0258] However, as Figure 28 , Figure 29 As shown, at the start of the storage operation, firstly, while moving the rear of the conveyor terminal of the reciprocating conveyor belt 95 which is in the process of conveying, the two assemblies M, M that have been conveyed at interval P0 are lowered and delivered onto the transfer belts 295, 295 on the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 of the item moving device 200. Thus, as... Figure 16 , Figure 30 , Figure 31 As shown, even when the left and right assemblies M and M are delivered to the transfer belts 295 and 295 on the left and right receiving surfaces 201 and 201, the spacing between the left and right assemblies M and M is still the spacing P0.

[0259] Furthermore, in this state, the two pallets G1, G1 need to be positioned side-by-side below the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201, but these two pallets G1, G1 need to be arranged with a gap between them in a non-overlapping manner. Therefore, when the center positions of the assemblies M delivered to the transfer belt 295 on the receiving surface 201 in the left-right direction and the center positions of the pallets G1 in the left-right direction are offset, if the assemblies M on the transfer belt 295 on the receiving surface 201 are then lowered, it is possible that the assembly M may extend out of the pallet G1 (in...). Figure 30 , Figure 31 (The misalignment between assembly M, shown in solid lines, and tray G1, shown in dashed lines). The left-right misalignment of assembly M and trays G1 and G1 should be corrected as follows.

[0260] (Phase 1 actions)

[0261] First, such as Figure 16 , Figure 17 , Figure 30 , Figure 31 As shown, the left and right first cylinders 225, 225 are extended so that the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 are closest together, and the interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 (strictly speaking, the interval between the folded portions of the left and right transfer belts 295, 295) becomes the minimum interval P1. Then, the two assemblies M, M are delivered from the end of the reciprocating conveyor belt 95 onto the transfer belts 295, 295 on the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201. And then, as... Figure 18 , Figure 32 As shown, the left and right first cylinders 225, 225 shorten by a set amount, causing the left and right moving units 200L, 200R to move outward (in opposite directions), widening the gap between the inner ends of the left and right bearing surfaces 201, 201 to a middle gap P2. The position of the left and right bearing surfaces 201, 201 with the gap between the inner ends of the left and right bearing surfaces 201, 201 becoming a middle gap P2 is defined as the second position PS2.

[0262] Furthermore, during the period when the interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 expands from the minimum interval P1 to the intermediate interval P2, the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 intrude into the upper side of the trays G1, G1, and the upper part of the trays G1, G1 is substantially covered by the receiving surfaces 201, 201. The position of the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 when the interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 is the minimum interval P1 is defined as the first position PS1. And, in this state, the collection M, M of meat slices m on the transfer belts 295, 295 on the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 is located directly above the trays G1, G1 waiting below.

[0263] (Phase 2 actions)

[0264] In this state, the cylinder 319 of the pallet conveying unit 302 is raised, causing pallets G1 and G2 to rise to the set position. Furthermore, as... Figure 20 , Figure 36 As shown, during or after the pallets G1 and G1 are raised, the second cylinders 241 and 241 on the left and right sides extend by a set amount, widening the gap between the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 and 201 to the maximum gap P3. The position of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 and 201 in this state, where the gap between the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 and 201 is the maximum gap P3, is defined as the third position PS3. In this state, the left and right receiving surfaces 201 and 201 retract from the upper side of the pallets G1 and G1 to the left and right sides, opening the upper part of the pallets G1 and G1. Furthermore, Figure 34 , Figure 35 The interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 and 201 is shown to be in the state of intermediate interval PM, which is in the middle of the expansion from the intermediate interval P2 to the maximum interval P3.

[0265] During the period when the interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 expands from the intermediate interval P2 through the intermediate interval PM to the maximum interval P3, that is, when both receiving surfaces 201, 201 move from the first position PS1 to the second position PS2, the equipped transfer belts 295, 295 move relative to the receiving surfaces 201, 201 in the opposite direction of movement of the receiving surfaces 201, 201 at the same speed. Accordingly, the assemblies M, M fall into the trays G1, G1 without any change in left-right or front-back position and are stored therein. The trays G1, G1 containing the assemblies M, M descend from their initial positions, pass through space Q via the tray conveyor 305, and are moved out to the left and outward. The above actions are repeated synchronously with the interval in which the assemblies M, M are transported.

[0266] Furthermore, when the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 (left and right receiving plates 202, 202, left and right transfer belts 295, 295) are expanded to the maximum interval P3 as described above, the conveying unit 5R is located within this maximum interval P3 (the maximum interval P3 is larger than the left and right width of the conveying unit 5R). In addition, the lower winding area of ​​the annular belt 96 in the reciprocating conveyor belt 95 needs to be set at a height close to the upper side of the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 to improve the deliverability of the assembly M.

[0267] Therefore, if the lower winding area of ​​the annular belt 96 in the reciprocating conveyor belt 95 becomes slack, when the left and right second cylinders 241, 241 are shortened by a set amount to return the left and right receiving surfaces 201, 201 to the intermediate interval P2, the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 may interfere with the annular belt 96 in the reciprocating conveyor belt 95. However, as described above, because the lower winding area DA of the annular belt 96 in the reciprocating conveyor belt 95 is tilted with a lower front and higher rear, interference with the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 (strictly speaking, the folded-back ends of the left and right transfer belts 295, 295) can be prevented due to the drooping of the lower winding area DA of the annular belt 96 during the storage operation of the assembly M.

[0268] (Control circuit of the slicer as an assembly forming device)

[0269] The slicer 1, as described above, cuts the block of meat MF from its top to a predetermined thickness, folds the cut meat slices m, and arranges the folded meat slices m side by side with a portion of them overlapping each other to form an aggregate M.

[0270] However, as Figure 40 As shown, for the controller 400 included in the control unit 7, the following switches are connected to its input side: a start switch 401, an automatic meat slice height setting switch 402, a manual meat block height setting switch 403, a parallel length manual setting switch 404, a parallel slice number manual setting switch 405, a parallel slice number automatic control switch 406, a potentiometer for measuring the height of the left-side meat block 407, a potentiometer for measuring the height of the right-side meat block 408, a potentiometer for measuring the swing angle of the supply unit 409, a sensor for measuring the movement distance of the lower annular belt 410, a potentiometer for measuring the rotation phase of the left-side delivery rotating body 411, a potentiometer for measuring the rotation phase of the right-side delivery rotating body 412, a potentiometer for detecting the rotation angle of the left-side rod-shaped body 413, and a potentiometer for detecting the rotation angle of the right-side rod-shaped body. Potentiometer 414 for detecting the rotation angle of the rod-shaped body, potentiometer 415 for measuring the extension and retraction position of the cylinder for pressing the component, potentiometer 416 for detecting the swing angle of the swing arm, sensor 417 for measuring the moving distance of the conveyor belt, sensor 418 for measuring the forward and backward position of the rear end of the conveyor belt, potentiometer 419 for measuring the extension and retraction position of the first cylinder on the left, potentiometer 420 for measuring the extension and retraction position of the first cylinder on the right, potentiometer 421 for measuring the extension and retraction position of the second cylinder on the left, potentiometer 422 for measuring the extension and retraction position of the second cylinder on the right, pallet conveyor belt moving distance sensor 423, potentiometer 424 for measuring the rotation position of the peeling arm, camera CA (the "camera unit" of the claims), and pallet stop position control switch TSS.

[0271] On the other hand, the following electric motor drivers are connected to the output side of the controller 400: a cutting-off electric motor driver 424D, a swinging electric motor driver 425, a conveying electric motor driver 426, a left-side delivery electric motor driver 427, a right-side delivery electric motor driver 428, a left-side swinging electric motor driver 429, a right-side swinging electric motor driver 430, a left-side retraction electric motor driver 431, a right-side retraction electric motor driver 432, a cylinder valve solenoid 433, a conveying drive electric motor driver 434, a vertical movement electric motor driver 435, and a telescopic electric motor driver. Motor driver 436, valve solenoid for left first cylinder 437, valve solenoid for right first cylinder 438, valve solenoid for left second cylinder 439, valve solenoid for left second cylinder 440, pallet conveying electric motor driver 441, pallet moving arm electric motor driver 442, suction valve solenoid 443, pallet conveying electric motor driver 313D for driving electric motor 313 of pallet conveying device 305, and cylinders 319 and 319S for lifting cylinders 319 and 319S for lifting cylinders 319 and 318C to raise and lower the second conveying guide rail 318B and the third conveying guide rail 318C.

[0272] (Description of switches / sensors connected to the input side)

[0273] The start switch 401, connected to the input side of the controller 400, is used to start the entire slicer 1 and switch to a state where command signals can be output from the output side of the controller 400 to the electric motor drivers, etc. By turning on the start switch 401, command signals are first output from the output side of the controller 400 to the cutting electric motor driver 424D, the swinging electric motor driver 425, the conveying electric motor driver 426, the left delivery electric motor driver 427, and the right delivery electric motor driver 428, starting the drive of the cutting section 4, the supply section 3, and the conveying section 5.

[0274] The automatic meat slice height setting switch 402 is used to turn the automatic meat slice height setting (described later) on or off (switch to active / inactive). The manual meat block height setting switch 403 is used to visually determine the height of the meat block before cutting and input (set) it.

[0275] The parallel length manual setting switch 404 is used to manually change the parallel length (total length of the aggregate M, referred to as the parallel length manual setting value E) of the cut meat slices m before starting the cutting operation. The parallel slice number manual setting switch 405 is used to manually set the number of meat slices m forming an aggregate M before starting the cutting operation.

[0276] The parallel panel number automatic control on / off switch 406 is used to turn the parallel panel number automatic control on or off (switch to active / inactive), as described later. Furthermore, the switch is displayed on the LCD panel and operated by touch.

[0277] The potentiometer 407 for measuring the height of the left-side meat block is used to measure the vertical movement position of the left-side pressing plate 29, which is located at the front of the left-side meat block conveying passage 20, and thereby measures the height of the top of the meat block supplied to the left-side conveying passage 20. The potentiometer 408 for measuring the height of the right-side meat block is used to measure the vertical movement position of the right-side pressing plate 29, which is located at the front of the right-side meat block conveying passage 20, and thereby measures the height of the top of the meat block supplied to the right-side conveying passage 20.

[0278] Potentiometer 409 for measuring the swing angle of the supply section measures the up-and-down swing angle of the supply section 3. Sensor 410 for measuring the movement distance of the lower annular belt measures the movement distance (transfer distance of the block meat) of the lower annular belt 25 in the supply section 3 based on the rotation speed of the conveying electric motor 31, etc.

[0279] Potentiometer 411 for measuring the rotation angle of the left-side rotating body 72 is used to measure the rotation angle of the right-side rotating body 72. Potentiometer 412 for measuring the rotation angle of the right-side rotating body 72 is used to measure the rotation angle of the right-side rotating body 72.

[0280] A potentiometer 413 is used to measure the rotation angle of the left rod-shaped body 81, which has multiple thin rods 82. A potentiometer 414 is used to measure the rotation angle of the right rod-shaped body 81, which has multiple thin rods 82.

[0281] A potentiometer 415 is used to measure the extension and retraction position of the cylinder 87 that causes the pressing member 88, which has a linear pressing member 89, to move up and down. A potentiometer 416 is used to measure the up and down swing angle of the swing arm 103, which is installed at the beginning of the conveying section 5.

[0282] The conveyor belt travel distance measuring sensor 417 measures the travel distance (transport distance) of the annular belt 96 in the conveying section 5 based on the rotational speed of the conveying drive electric motor 112, etc. The conveyor belt rear end position measuring sensor 418 measures the movement position of the conveying end part of the conveying action part (second conveying action part) 5R downstream in the conveying direction of the conveying section 5 based on the rotational speed of the telescopic electric motor 135, etc.

[0283] Potentiometer 419 for measuring the extension / retraction position of the left-side first cylinder 225, used for adjusting the interval in the article moving device 200. Potentiometer 420 for measuring the extension / retraction position of the right-side first cylinder 225, used for adjusting the interval in the article moving device 200.

[0284] Potentiometer 421 for measuring the extension and retraction position of the left second cylinder 241 in the article moving device 200 measures the extension and retraction position of the left second cylinder 241. Potentiometer 422 for measuring the extension and retraction position of the right second cylinder 241 in the article moving device 200 measures the extension and retraction position of the right second cylinder 241.

[0285] The pallet conveyor distance sensor 423 measures the position of the pallet G1 transported by the pallet conveyor 305 based on the rotational speed of the electric motor 313 that drives the pallet conveyor 305. The potentiometer 424 for measuring the rotational position of the peeling arm measures the rotation angle of the rotating arm 307 that peels the pallet G1 out of the loading section based on the rotational speed of the electric motor 308.

[0286] The camera CA is equipped with a single-lens solid-state imaging element. This solid-state imaging element is composed of a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, etc., but is not limited to these. Alternatively, it can be an infrared camera. Furthermore, the camera CA has a field of view capable of imaging an area exceeding the left and right width of the conveyor belt 96W, as described later, including the side ends of the conveyor belt 96W (the left and right ends of the annular belt 96). Additionally, the distance to the side ends of the conveyor belt 96W can be calculated based on the number of pixels in the captured image. The tray stop position control on / off switch TSS is used to automatically perform the tray stop position correction described later.

[0287] (Description of drivers, etc., connected to the output side)

[0288] Additionally, the cutting electric motor driver 424D, connected to the input side of the aforementioned controller 400, supplies power to the cutting electric motor 44 to drive the annular blade 49. The oscillating electric motor driver 425 supplies power to the oscillating electric motor 13 to drive the supply unit 3 in the tilting up-down direction. The conveying electric motor driver 426 supplies power to the conveying drive electric motor 112 to drive the conveying unit 5.

[0289] The left-side delivery electric motor driver 427 supplies power to the left-side delivery electric motor 76 to drive and control the left-side delivery rotating body 72. The right-side delivery electric motor driver 428 supplies power to the right-side delivery electric motor 76 to drive and control the right-side delivery rotating body 72.

[0290] The left-side swing motor driver 429 supplies power to the left-side swing motor 80 to drive the left-side rod-shaped body 81, which has multiple thin rods 82. The right-side swing motor driver 430 supplies power to the right-side swing motor 80 to drive the right-side rod-shaped body 81, which has multiple thin rods 82.

[0291] The left-side ejection motor driver 431 supplies power to the left-side ejection motor 84 to drive the ejection of the thin rod 82 along with the left-side rod 81. The right-side ejection motor driver 432 supplies power to the right-side ejection motor 84 to drive the ejection of the thin rod 82 along with the right-side rod 81.

[0292] The cylinder valve solenoid 433 actuates the valve that controls the amount of air supplied or discharged from the cylinder 87, causing the pressing member 88, which has a linear pressing member 89, to move up and down.

[0293] The electric motor driver 434 for conveying drive supplies power to the electric motor 112 for conveying drive, and controls the drive of the annular belt 96 of the conveying section 5. The electric motor driver 435 for vertical movement supplies power to the electric motor 105 for vertical movement, and controls the vertical swing of the swing arm 103. The electric motor driver 436 for telescopic movement supplies power to the electric motor 135 for telescopic movement, and controls the movement of the conveying terminal section of the conveying action section 5R downstream in the conveying direction of the conveying section 5 in the forward and backward direction.

[0294] The valve solenoid 437 of the left-side cylinder 1 activates the valve controlling the supply or discharge of air to the left-side cylinder 1 225, changing the left-right position of the left-side moving unit 200L. The valve solenoid 438 of the right-side cylinder 1 activates the valve controlling the supply or discharge of air to the right-side cylinder 1 225, changing the left-right position of the right-side moving unit 200R.

[0295] The valve solenoid 439 of the second cylinder on the left activates the valve controlling the amount of air supplied or discharged to the second cylinder 241 on the left, causing the receiving plate 202 (receiving surface 201) of the left moving unit 200L to slide in the left-right direction. The valve solenoid 440 of the second cylinder on the right activates the valve controlling the amount of air supplied or discharged to the second cylinder 241 on the right, causing the receiving plate 202 (receiving surface 201) of the right moving unit 200R to slide in the left-right direction.

[0296] The pallet conveying electric motor driver 441 supplies power to the electric motor 313 to drive and control the annular chain 316 of the pallet conveying device 305. The pallet moving arm electric motor driver 442 supplies power to the electric motor 308 to control the rotation of the rotating arm 307 that peels off the pallet G1 and hands it over to the pallet conveying device 305.

[0297] The adsorption valve is actuated by solenoid 443, causing it to adsorb onto the bottom surface of the lowest pallet G1 among the stacked pallets G1. The pallet conveying electric motor driver 313D controls the driving speed and direction of the electric motor 313 driving the pallet conveying device 305. Lifting valve solenoids 319 and 319S actuate the valves controlling the amount of air supplied to cylinders 319 and 319, causing the second conveying guide rail 318B and the third conveying guide rail 318C to rise and fall.

[0298] (Control of the formation of aggregates of meat slices)

[0299] However, according to Figure 41 , Figure 42 The flowchart shown illustrates the control of forming an assembly M of meat slices m. Furthermore, the following describes the state where only one of the left and right conveying paths 20, 20 of the supply unit 3 is supplied with block-shaped meat MF. However, if the lower annular belt 25 provided throughout the left and right conveying paths 20, 20 of the supply unit 3 and the annular belt 96 provided in the conveying unit 5 are formed separately on the left and right sides and driven independently, block-shaped meat MF can also be supplied to both left and right conveying paths 20, 20 to control the formation of the assembly M. Furthermore, in this embodiment, "meat slice height" refers to the length of the meat slice m in the conveying direction when the meat slice m, formed by cutting in the vertical direction, is conveyed by the annular belt 96. However, based on... Figure 41 , Figure 42 The flowchart shown is used for illustration.

[0300] (Step 1)

[0301] First, the operating conditions are set according to the type and state of the chunk of meat MF to be cut, and the setting conditions of each part are changed, and the start switch 401 is operated. Accordingly, based on the measurement results of each sensor type 407 to 417, the controller 400 sends control outputs to each electric motor driver 424D to 432 and 434 to 436 and valve solenoid 433, starting the drive of the cutting part 4, the swing and drive of the supply part 3, and the drive of the conveying part 5.

[0302] (STEP1)

[0303] Thus, the cutting (slicing) of the aforementioned block of meat MF and the folding of the cut meat slices m are initiated, with at least a portion of the folded meat slices m being placed sequentially on the conveying start end of the annular belt 96 in the conveying operation in an overlapping manner, forming an assembly M, M of meat slices m. A predetermined interval (assembly interval) P, described later, is formed between the sequentially formed assemblies M and the next assemblies M.

[0304] In the formation of such an assembly M of meat slices m, when the automatic meat slice height setting switch 402 is operated to the ON side (or is operated), the automatic setting of the meat slice height switches to the ON (active state), and transfers to the height measurement (thickness measurement) of the block meat MF (STEP2). In this height measurement (thickness measurement) of the block meat MF, the height (thickness) of the top part of the block meat MF is measured by the potentiometers 407 (left block meat height measurement potentiometer) and 408 (right block meat height measurement potentiometer) on the side supplying the block meat MF, and the block meat height measurement value X is obtained (STEP3). Based on this, the height (length in the conveying direction) of the meat slice m is calculated.

[0305] That is, the temporarily calculated meat slice height value A is calculated using the following formula based on the measured value X of the block meat height and the variable Y (STEP4).

[0306] A = X × Y

[0307] The value of Y varies depending on the folding position of the meat slice m. When the meat slice is folded at the center of its height, Y = 0.5.

[0308] Based on the calculated meat slice height value A, the manually set parallel length value E set by operating the parallel length manual setting switch 404, and the manually set parallel number of slices value F set by the manually set parallel number of slices switch 405, the manual setting of the parallel configuration is established (STEP5). The manually set parallel length value E is obtained by changing the length of each assembly M in the transport direction by operating the manually set parallel length switch 404, taking into account the size of the tray G1 to be used (length in the transport direction). The manually set parallel number of slices value F is obtained by arbitrarily changing the number of meat slices m forming each assembly M by operating the manually set parallel number of slices switch 405. Furthermore, when the automatic parallel number of slices control switch 406 is operated to the ON side (or is operated), the process transitions to the automatic setting of the parallel reference value at the automatic control ON time point T0 (STEP6).

[0309] In the automatic setting of the parallel reference value, the calculated height value A0 of the meat slice m at time T0 is replaced with the meat slice height reference value G and stored, and the manually set value F of the parallel slice number is replaced with the parallel slice number reference value H and stored, and then transferred to the calculation of the parallel slice number I (STEP7). The parallel slice number I is calculated based on the calculated meat slice height value A, the meat slice height reference value G, and the parallel slice number reference value H using the following formula, and the calculated value is rounded down to the nearest integer (STEP8).

[0310] Calculated value = (G / A) × H

[0311] For example, in the cases where the calculated value of the above formula is 5.1 and 5.9, the number of slices side by side becomes five. The calculated value A of the meat slice height is always calculated, but the number of slices does not change during the period when the integer value obtained after omitting the decimal point remains unchanged.

[0312] In addition, the side-by-side spacing K is calculated using the following formula (STEP9) based on the manually set side-by-side length E, the calculated meat slice height A, and the number of side-by-side slices I.

[0313] K = (EA) / (I-1)

[0314] Furthermore, based on the measurement results of the conveyor belt travel distance measuring sensor 417, while driving the annular belt 96 of the conveyor belt forming the transport section 5 a distance equal to the parallel spacing K (STEP10), a slice of meat m cut and folded from the cutting section 4 is placed on the annular belt 96, and the above operation is repeated (STEP11). In addition, even if the calculated value of the parallel spacing K changes midway through the formation of an assembly, changes to the parallel spacing are prohibited until the number of parallel slices reaches the integer obtained in STEP8.

[0315] The number of parallel pieces mounted on the annular belt 96 is determined by the number of reciprocating rotations of the potentiometer 413 for detecting the rotation angle of the left rod or the potentiometer 414 for detecting the rotation angle of the right rod. At the point when the number of parallel pieces coincides with the aforementioned number of parallel pieces I, the calculation of the conveyor belt movement amount for forming the assembly interval is initiated (STEP12). This conveyor belt movement amount P for forming the assembly interval is calculated using the following formula based on the effective conveying length (effective conveyor belt length) L of the annular belt 96, the manually set value E of the parallel length, and the number of assemblies R (STEP13).

[0316] P = (LE × R) / (R - 1)

[0317] The amount of movement P of the conveyor belt becomes the interval between adjacent collections M and M, which is measured by the sensor 417 for measuring the distance of the conveyor belt movement.

[0318] As shown above, the aggregate M is formed and transported intermittently while being separated from the aggregate interval P on the annular belt 96. Figure 43 The image shows an aggregate M of meat slices m formed in this way.

[0319] Furthermore, when the assembly M reaches the transport end (rear end of the conveyor belt) of the annular belt 96, the telescopic electric motor 135 is activated by the output from the controller 400 to the telescopic electric motor driver 436, causing the transport end (rear end of the conveyor belt) of the annular belt 96 to extend rearward. Accordingly, the transport end of the annular belt 96 enters above the rear end of the tray G1 waiting below the receiving surface 201 on the left and right sides of the article moving device 200 (STEP14).

[0320] Furthermore, at the time point when the conveying distance (movement distance of the conveyor belt) of the annular belt 96, measured by the conveyor belt movement distance measuring sensor 417, reaches the set distance (STEP 15, the time point when the rear assembly M detaches from the conveying end section), the telescopic electric motor 135 operates in the opposite direction by outputting from the controller 400 to the telescopic electric motor driver 436, and the conveying end section of the annular belt 96 retracts backward from the tray G1 (STEP 16). As described above, the assembly M detached from the conveying end section of the annular belt 96 is delivered to the receiving surface 201 on the left and right sides of the article moving device 200 and stored in the tray G1.

[0321] (Step 2)

[0322] On the other hand, in STEP6, when the automatic control switch 406 for the number of parallel slices is operated to the off side (OFF) (or is operated), the calculation of the parallel spacing is not transferred to the automatic setting of the parallel reference value mentioned above, but to the calculation of the parallel spacing (STEP6). The parallel spacing K is calculated using the following formula based on the manual setting value E for the parallel length, the calculated value A for the meat slice height, and the manual setting value F for the number of parallel slices (STEP17).

[0323] K = (EA) / (F-1)

[0324] Furthermore, based on the measurement results of the conveyor belt travel distance measuring sensor 417, while driving the annular belt 96 of the conveyor belt forming the transport section 5 to a distance equal to the parallel spacing K (STEP18), the meat slices m cut and folded from the cutting section 4 are placed one by one onto the annular belt 96, and the above actions are repeatedly performed (STEP19). The number of parallel slices placed on the annular belt 96 is determined by the number of reciprocating rotations of the potentiometer 413 for detecting the rotation angle of the left rod or the potentiometer 414 for detecting the rotation angle of the right rod. At the time point when the number of parallel slices is consistent with the aforementioned manually set value F for the number of parallel slices, the calculation of the conveyor belt travel amount for forming the assembly interval is initiated (STEP20). The following process is the same as the first process, so the explanation is omitted.

[0325] (Step 3)

[0326] Additionally, in STEP 2, when the automatic meat slice height setting switch 402 is operated to the off side (or is operated), the calculation of the meat slice height is skipped, and the process proceeds to the manual setting of the parallel arrangement. Here, based on the meat slice height setting value J set by the block meat height manual setting switch 403, the parallel length manual setting value E set by the operation of the parallel length manual setting switch 404, and the parallel slice number manual setting value F set by the parallel slice number manual setting switch 405, the manual setting of the parallel arrangement is established, and the process proceeds to the calculation of the parallel spacing (STEP 21). This parallel spacing K is calculated in the same way as in STEP 17, based on the parallel length manual setting value E, the calculated meat slice height value A, and the parallel slice number manual setting value F using the following formula (STEP 22).

[0327] K = (EA) / (F-1)

[0328] The process is the same as step 2, so the explanation is omitted.

[0329] (The formation state of the aggregate)

[0330] but, Figure 43 The following example illustrates the state of the aggregates formed as described above. In this example, aggregate M1, formed by arranging five slices of meat m side by side with at least a portion overlapping, aggregate M2, formed by arranging six slices of meat m side by side in the same manner, and aggregate M3, formed by arranging seven slices of meat m side by side, are shown simultaneously. However, this is for illustrative purposes only, and in this invention, it is not limited that aggregates M with different numbers of meat slices exist on the same annular belt 96.

[0331] However, regarding assembly M1, five slices of meat m1 with length (height) A are arranged side-by-side at a spacing K to form an assembly of total length E. Furthermore, regarding assembly M2, six slices of meat m2, shorter than meat m1, are arranged side-by-side at a spacing shorter than K to form an assembly of total length E. And, regarding assembly M3, seven slices of meat m3, shorter than meat m2, are arranged side-by-side at a spacing shorter than that of assembly M2 to form an assembly of total length E. By changing the number and spacing of the slices according to their height, the total length or weight of the assembly M of meat slices m can be made consistent.

[0332] That is, such as Figure 44 As shown, the block of meat MF typically has a predetermined length, with different heights V1 at its front end and V2 at its rear end, and its height varies irregularly from the front end to the rear end. Therefore, when cut (sliced) with a constant thickness in the vertical direction, meat slices of varying heights are formed depending on the cut location, and the weight of the cut meat slices does not become uniform.

[0333] In contrast, as mentioned above, in addition to controlling the side-by-side spacing, the number of side-by-side panels is also controlled, thus achieving... Figure 45 As shown, by making the total weight of the aggregate M relative to the height of the block meat MF close to the deviation range α, the total weight deviation of each aggregate M can be reduced.

[0334] (Storage control)

[0335] Next, based on Figures 46-48 The flowchart is referenced. Figure 49 The storage and control of items will be explained. Furthermore, here, with the direction facing the conveyor belt 96W in the transport direction, the left side will be designated as "left" and the right side as "right".

[0336] In addition, such as Figure 49 As shown, this control is based on the premise that the spacing between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 (receiving surfaces 201, 201) of the article moving device 200 on which the assemblies M and M are placed is increased from the minimum spacing P1 to the intermediate spacing P2. Furthermore, this intermediate spacing P2 is based on the center position of the left and right widths of the conveyor belt 96W, and a distance of P2 / 2 is evenly distributed on both sides. In this state, the center of gravity of the area of ​​the assemblies M and M (which is approximately equal to the center position of the full width of the assembly) is aligned with the center position of the left and right widths of the trays G1, G1.

[0337] However, as Figure 46As shown, firstly, when the start switch 401 is turned on (this operation is omitted from the flowchart), the operation of the cutting section 4, the supply section 3, the conveyor belt (first conveyor belt) 96W, and the receiving section 6 begins (STEP 1). Accordingly, the block of meat MF fed into the supply section 3 is cut by the cutting section 4, and the predetermined number of meat slices m cut are arranged side by side on the conveyor belt 96W (circular belt 96) to form an aggregate M.

[0338] After the conveyor belt 96W moves by the set amount P to form the group interval, it forms the next group M. By continuously performing the above, a group interval equal to P is formed between each group M (STEP2). At the same time, the tray stop position control on / off switch TSS is turned on, and it is determined whether the automatic control of the tray stop position is on (effective) (STEP3).

[0339] When the determination result is that the automatic control of the pallet stop position is activated, the camera CA captures images of the two conveyor columns M and M (the "articles" of the claim) being transported in two columns. The camera's field of view includes the overall outline of the columns M and M and the left and right ends of the conveyor belt 96W (STEP4). The center of gravity of the column M is obtained from the image data captured by the camera.

[0340] That is, using the left end of conveyor belt 96W as a reference position, the distance is calculated using the number of pixels from that reference position, and based on this, the area centroid position CL of the left assembly (the leftmost column of the two conveyed assemblies) M and the area centroid position CR of the right assembly M are determined (STEP5). This area centroid position is obtained by calculating the area of ​​the inner side of the contour formed by multiple pixel positions of the contour of assembly M. Furthermore, the tray stop target position is obtained based on the area centroid positions CL and CR of the left and right assemblies M.

[0341] That is, such as Figure 49 As shown, when the left and right widths of the conveyor belt 96W are set as CW, and the distance from the center of the left and right widths of the conveyor belt 96W to the centroid of the area of ​​the left-side assembly M is set as DL, the following formula is used to calculate DL.

[0342] DL = CW / 2 - CL

[0343] In addition, when the distance from the center of the left and right width of the conveyor belt 96W to the centroid of the area CR of the right-side assembly M is defined as DR, the following formula is used to calculate DR.

[0344] DR = CR - CW / 2

[0345] Furthermore, when the assembly spacing of the locking plate 317 in the pallet conveying device (pallet conveyor belt) 305 is set to TP, the left and right width of the pallet G1 is set to TW, the offset distance between the center position of the area centroid position interval of the left and right assemblies M and the initial setting position (initial stop target position) of the pallet G1 is set to ZD, and the correction distance based on manual fine adjustment is set to BH, the correction value HL of the stop target position of the left pallet G1 is calculated using the following formula.

[0346] HL = TP - (TW / 2 + DL + ZD + BH)

[0347] In addition, the correction value HR of the stop target position of the right tray G1 is calculated using the following formula.

[0348] HR = DR + ZD + BH - TW / 2

[0349] Furthermore, when the initial stop setting position of the left tray G1 is set to SL, the target stop position ML of the left tray G1 is calculated using the following formula.

[0350] ML = SL + HL

[0351] In addition, when the initial stop setting position of the right tray G1 is set to SR, the stop target position MR of the right tray G1 is calculated using the following formula.

[0352] MR = SR + HR

[0353] On the other hand, in STEP3 above, if the automatic control of the tray stop position is not activated, the process switches to manual setting of the tray stop target position. By manually operating, the stop target position ML of the left tray G1 and the stop target position MR of the right tray G1 are set (the above is STEP6).

[0354] And, as Figure 47 As shown, the pallet G1 is supplied from the pallet storage section 303 to the pallet conveying device (pallet conveyor belt; the "second conveyor belt" of claim) 305 via the pallet peeling device 304 (STEP8). Here, the relationship between the stop target position ML of the left pallet G1 and the stop target position MR of the right pallet G1 is compared (STEP9).

[0355] If the comparison result indicates that the stop target position MR of the right pallet G1 is larger, the pallet conveying device 305 is driven (STEP10) to detect the position of the left pallet G1 and obtain the left pallet detection position XL (STEP12). Then, it is determined whether the left pallet detection position XL matches the left pallet stop target position ML (STEP12). If they match, the drive of the pallet conveying device 305 is stopped (STEP13).

[0356] Furthermore, the left pallet G1 rises while supported by the second transport guide rail 318B (STEP14), and the pallet transport device 305 is driven again (STEP15) to detect the position of the right pallet G1 and obtain the right pallet detection position XR. Then, it is determined whether the right pallet detection position XR is consistent with the stop target position MR of the right pallet G1 (STEP17). If they are consistent, the drive of the pallet transport device 305 is stopped (STEP18).

[0357] Furthermore, the right-side pallet G1 rises while supported by the third transport guide rail 318C (STEP19), and the pallet transport device 305 reverses a set distance in the opposite direction (STEP20). This reverse drive of the pallet transport device 305 prevents the pallet G1 from colliding with the locking plate 317 of the pallet transport device 305 when the pallet G1 containing the assembly M descends. As described above, if it is determined that the stop target position MR of the right-side pallet G1 is greater than the stop target position ML of the left-side pallet G1, the left-side pallet G1 rises first (before) the right-side pallet G1.

[0358] On the other hand, if in STEP 9 the stop target position MR of the right pallet G1 is determined to be small or the same, the pallet conveying device 305 is activated (STEP 21) to perform position detection of the right pallet G1 and obtain the right pallet detection position XR (STEP 22). Furthermore, it is determined whether the right pallet detection position XR is consistent with the right pallet stop target position MR (STEP 23). If they are consistent, the activation of the pallet conveying device 305 is stopped (STEP 24).

[0359] Furthermore, the right pallet G1 rises while supported by the third transport guide rail 318C (STEP25), and the pallet transport device 305 is driven again (STEP26) to detect the position of the left pallet G1 and obtain the left pallet detection position XL (STEP27). Then, it is determined whether the left pallet detection position XL matches the stop target position ML of the left pallet G1 (STEP28), and if they match, the drive of the pallet transport device 305 is stopped (STEP29). Then, the left pallet G1 rises while supported by the second transport guide rail 318B (STEP30), and the pallet transport device 305 is driven backward a set distance in the opposite direction (STEP20).

[0360] As above, if the target stop position ML of the left pallet G1 is determined to be greater than or the same as the target stop position MR of the right pallet G1, the right pallet G1 will rise before the left pallet G1. Figure 48 As shown, after each pallet G1 rises, the rear end (transfer terminal) of the conveyor belt (first conveyor belt) 96W begins to retract (STEP31).

[0361] Furthermore, the action of widening the gap between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 in the item moving device 200 to a middle gap P2 begins (STEP 32), and a standby time Tm is set at the point when the gap becomes the middle gap P2. Accordingly, the left and right gap between the items (assemblies M, M) on the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 widens. This time Tm is set to a small time, and after this time Tm elapses, the action of widening the gap between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 to the maximum gap P3 begins (STEP 34). Accordingly, the items (assemblies M, M) on the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 fall into the left and right trays G1, G1 and are stored therein.

[0362] Furthermore, it is determined whether the interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 has reached the maximum interval P3 (STEP35). If the maximum interval P3 has been reached, a standby time Tg is set in this state (STEP36). After the set time Tg has elapsed, the action of continuously reducing the interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202, 202 to the minimum interval P1 begins (STEP37), and the conveyor belt 96W's transport terminal begins to enter (STEP38). The above actions are repeated to store the items.

[0363] Furthermore, the center of gravity of the area of ​​the items on each receiving plate 202, 202 that moves to the second position PS2 and the center of the width of each container G1, G1 that stops at the corrected transport stop target position are approximately aligned in the transport direction of the pallet transport device (second conveyor belt) 305. Additionally, at the cutting section 4, the block of meat MF is cut in the winding area below the annular belt blade 49 that moves from one side to the other, so the cut meat slice m is pulled and released in the moving direction of the annular belt blade 49. Therefore, in this embodiment, as the reference position for calculating the distance based on the imaging results of the camera (image unit) CA, the end of the left and right ends of the conveyor belt 96W that is upstream in the moving direction of the annular belt blade 49 is used as the reference. However, it is not limited to this; the end of the conveyor belt 96W that is downstream in the moving direction of the annular belt blade 49 can also be used as the reference.

Claims

1. A method for forming a food slice assembly, comprising cutting a block of food (MF) from its front end to sequentially form a plurality of food slices (m), and arranging the plurality of food slices (m) in such a manner that at least a portion thereof overlaps with each other to form an assembly (M) of food slices (m), the method comprising: Calculation process; as well as The process of forming food flakes into an aggregate The calculation process includes: The process of measuring the height of block food involves measuring the height of the front end of the block food (MF) to obtain the measured value X of the block food height. The food slice length calculation process involves calculating the food slice length A based on the measured height X of the block food and the folding variable Y, using the following formula (1), wherein the food slice length calculation value A is always calculated, and the folding variable Y is a value that varies according to the folding position of the food slice (m); The parallel length manual setting process involves setting the length of each assembly (M) in the conveying direction to obtain the parallel length manual setting value E, and setting the number of food pieces (m) forming each assembly (M) to obtain the parallel piece number manual setting value F. The automatic setting process for parallel reference values ​​involves replacing the calculated food slice length value A when the automatic control of the number of parallel slices is activated with a food slice length reference value G and storing it, and replacing the manually set value F for the number of parallel slices with a reference value H for the number of parallel slices and storing it. The process of calculating the number of adjacent slices involves calculating the number of adjacent slices I of the food slices (m) forming the aggregate (M) based on the calculated length value A of the food slice, the reference value G of the food slice length, and the reference value H of the number of adjacent slices, using the following formula (2); and The side-by-side spacing calculation process involves calculating the arrangement spacing K of the food slices (m) based on the manually set side-by-side length E, the calculated food slice length A, and the number of side-by-side slices I, using the following formula (3). In the process of forming the food slice assembly, the number of food slices (m) obtained through the calculation process are staggered one by one by the arrangement spacing K obtained through the calculation process, while the multiple food slices (m) are overlapped, thereby forming the total length of each assembly (M) to the manually set value E of the parallel length. Equation (1) A=X×Y Formula (2) I=(G / A)×H Formula (3) K=(EA) / (I-1).

2. The method for forming a food sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The block of food (MF) is cut at approximately equal intervals from its front end to form food slices (m) of approximately uniform thickness.

3. The method for forming a food sheet assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Automatic changes to the number of food pieces (m) forming the same collection (M) are prohibited until the formation of the same collection (M) is completed.

4. A food slice assembly forming apparatus, wherein a block of food (MF) is cut from its front end to form a plurality of food slices (m), and the plurality of food slices (m) are arranged in such a manner that at least a portion thereof overlaps with each other to form an assembly (M) of food slices (m), the food slice assembly forming apparatus comprising a controller (400), the controller (400) being configured as follows: The height of the front end of the block food (MF) is measured to obtain the block food height measurement value X; The food piece length A is calculated based on the measured height X and folding variable Y of the block food, using the following formula (1), wherein the food piece length A is always calculated, and the folding variable Y is a value that varies according to the folding position of the food piece (m); The length of each assembly (M) in the conveying direction is set to obtain the manual setting value E for the parallel length, and the number of food pieces (m) forming each assembly (M) is set to obtain the manual setting value F for the number of parallel pieces. The calculated value A of the food slice length when the automatic control of the number of parallel slices is turned on is replaced with the food slice length reference value G and stored, and the manually set value F of the number of parallel slices is replaced with the reference value H of the number of parallel slices and stored; Based on the calculated food piece length A, the food piece length reference value G, and the side-by-side piece count reference value H, the number of side-by-side food pieces (m) forming the aggregate (M) is calculated using the following formula (2); and Based on the manually set parallel length E, the calculated food slice length A, and the number of parallel slices I, the spacing K of the food slices (m) is calculated using the following formula (3). The food slice assembly forming apparatus overlaps multiple food slices (m) by staggering them one by one with the arrangement spacing K obtained by the controller (400) while simultaneously forming the total length of each assembly (M) to the manually set parallel length value E. Equation (1) A=X×Y Formula (2) I=(G / A)×H Formula (3) K=(EA) / (I-1).

5. The food sheet assembly forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The block of food (MF) is cut at approximately equal intervals from its front end to form food slices (m) of approximately uniform thickness.

6. The food sheet assembly forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The number of food pieces (m) forming the same collection (M) is prohibited from being automatically changed until the collection (M) is formed.

7. The food sheet assembly forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein, The food sheet assembly forming apparatus includes: First conveyor belt (96W), used for transporting items; The second conveyor belt (305), used for transporting and storing containers (G1), is located at the transport end of the first conveyor belt (96W) and is positioned in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the first conveyor belt (96W) when viewed from above; and The camera unit (CA) captures images of the items being transported via the first conveyor belt (96W). The controller (400) is configured to correct the target position of the second conveyor belt (305) for stopping the transport of the container (G1) based on the imaging results of the camera unit (CA).

8. The food sheet assembly forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, The food slice assembly forming apparatus is configured to: capture images of the items on the first conveyor belt (96W) and the side end of the first conveyor belt (96W) using the camera unit (CA); calculate the offset of the items relative to the side end of the first conveyor belt (96W) based on the image capture results; and correct the target position of the second conveyor belt (305) for transporting the container (G1) based on the offset.

Images