Foodstuff cutting device

Abstract

To provide a foodstuff cutting device that can improve marketability of pieces of a foodstuff and production efficiency.SOLUTION: A foodstuff cutting device which is provided with a working unit which includes a feeding device for feeding a foodstuff, a cutting device for cutting the foodstuff fed by the feeding device and a conveying device for receiving pieces of the foodstuff cut by the cutting device and then conveys the pieces, and is configured to enable a worker in the vicinity of the conveying device to handle the piece of the foodstuff conveyed by the conveying device, while visually recognizing the pieces, in which an operation panel for performing various operation relating to operation of the working unit is fixedly arranged in a range where the worker can perform operation while visually recognizing the pieces of the foodstuff conveyed from a conveyance start end part of the conveying device, and further, in which left and right second covers covering left and right outer side parts of the cutting device are provided so that at least a portion of the operation panel is inserted into mutual clearance parts of the left and right second covers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a food cutting device for cutting food. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional food cutting device, a meat cutting device that thinly slices a block of raw meat (an example of "food" in the present invention) is known. This meat cutting machine has a working section including a feeding device that feeds chilled chunks of raw meat toward a cutting position, a cutting device that cuts the meat fed from the feeding device at the cutting position, and a conveying device that takes over and conveys the pieces of meat ("food pieces" in this invention) cut by the cutting device.

[0003] As a result, the meat supplied to the feeding device is fed out from the feeding device at predetermined lengths (set thicknesses), the tip of the fed meat is cut by the cutting device into pieces of meat, and these pieces of meat are then handed over to the conveying start end of the conveying device. The pieces of meat transferred to the conveying device are scooped up by an operator standing near the conveying device and placed on a food tray.

[0004] Prior art document 1 discloses such a meat cutting device. The meat cutting device disclosed in the prior art document 1 has a working section including a feeding device (first and second meat chunk conveying belts 20, 30) that feeds meat, a cutting device (cutting unit 2) that cuts the meat fed from the feeding device (20, 30), and a conveying device (cut meat conveying belts 40, 50) that takes over and conveys the pieces of meat cut by the cutting device (2). Moreover, above the upstream side of the feed device (20, 30), an operation panel (input unit 7) for performing operations related to the operation of the working unit (20, 30, 2, 40, 50) is disposed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-57906 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The operation panel of the meat cutting device disclosed in the above prior art document 1 is arranged at a position farther upstream than the cutting device. Moreover, since the view is blocked by this large cutting device, it is impossible to operate this operation panel while visually recognizing the meat pieces on the conveying device downstream of the cutting device.

[0007] For this reason, for example, while checking the state of the meat pieces after cutting, it is impossible to adjust the cutting thickness of the meat before cutting, and there is a risk that the adjustment of this cutting thickness will be delayed and the thickness of individual meat pieces will vary. In addition, the adjustment of the number of cut meat pieces may be delayed, resulting in an excess or deficiency with respect to the target production number, and there may be a need for manual adjustment of the number. As a result, problems may occur in which the commercial value and production efficiency of the produced meat pieces decrease.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art as described above and to realize a food cutting device capable of enhancing the commercial value and production efficiency of food pieces. Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the food cutting device of the present invention is provided with a working unit including a feeding device for feeding food, a cutting device for cutting the food fed from this feeding device, and a conveying device for taking over and conveying the food pieces cut by this cutting device, and in a food cutting device configured such that an operator near the conveying device can handle the food pieces conveyed by the conveying device while visually recognizing them, an operation panel for performing various operations related to the operation of the working unit is fixedly arranged above the conveying start end portion of the conveying device and within a range where the operator can operate while visually recognizing the food pieces conveyed from the conveying start end portion of the conveying device.

[0010] Further, a first cover may be provided above the conveyance start end of the conveyance device, the first cover forming a passage opening that allows food pieces conveyed by the conveyance device to pass through and suppresses the entry of human hands, and an operation panel may be erected and disposed at a position near the upper end of the first cover.

[0011] Further, the first cover may be configured to be detachable with the operation panel left on the machine body side.

[0012] Further, left and right second covers that respectively cover the left and right outer sides of the cutting device may be provided, and at least a part of the operation panel may be inserted into the space between the left and right second covers.

[0013] Further, raised portions that bulge upward may be respectively formed on the inner sides of the left and right second covers, and at least a part of the operation panel may be inserted into the space between the left and right raised portions.

[0014] Further, the cutting device may be fixed in position, the feeding device may be configured to reciprocally swing in the vertical direction with respect to the cutting device to cut food, an opening portion for opening the upper part of the feeding device may be formed in the space between the left and right second covers, and when the feeding device swings upward, a part of the feeding device may protrude upward from the opening portion.

[0015] Further, the upper parts between the left and right support members arranged at intervals may be connected by a connecting member, the feeding device and the cutting device may be supported between the left and right support members, and the opening portion may be configured to be surrounded by the connecting member, the operation panel, and the left and right second covers.

[0016] Further, the operation panel may be fixed to the conveyance device side, the conveyance device may be configured to be movable in a direction away from the cutting device, and when the conveyance device is moved in a direction away from the cutting device, a space for a person to enter may be formed between the cutting device and the operation panel.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a food cutting device that can enhance the commercial value and production efficiency of food pieces.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0018]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] In the embodiments for carrying out the present invention, as an example of a food cutting device, a meat cutting device for cutting processed raw meat in chunks (the "food" in the claims, such as pork sub - cuts) is exemplified, and its embodiments are described in detail below. For convenience of explanation, in the conveying direction of the meat to be cut, the upstream side is defined as the "rear side", the downstream side is defined as the "front side", the left - hand side in the state facing the upstream side is defined as the "left side", and the right - hand side is defined as the "right side" for description. Also, the parts that come into contact with the chunk of meat before cutting and the cut meat slices (the "food slices" in the claims) in this meat cutting device, and at least the parts in the vicinity thereof, and the covers of each part, etc. are formed of stainless steel from a hygienic perspective.

[0020] (Overall Configuration of the Meat Cutting Device) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the body of the meat cutting device (the "food cutting device" in the claims) 1 is provided with a supply unit 2, a cutting unit 3, a transfer unit 4, a folding unit 5, a conveying unit 6, and a control unit 7 for controlling these. Of these, the working section 8 is formed by a supply section 2 equipped with a supply device (called a "feeding device" in the claims) 2E, a cutting section 3 equipped with a cutting device 16, and a conveying section 6 equipped with a conveyor (called a "conveying device" in the claims) 31.

[0021] (Supply Section Configuration) As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a wide driving roller 2B is supported at the rear part of a rectangular frame 2A in a plan view, and a wide driven roller 2C is supported at the front end part of the frame 2A. A wide, endless supply belt 2D that forms the bottom surface of the supply section 2 is wound around the drive roller 2B and driven roller 2C to form a supply device (referred to as a "feeding device" in the claims) 2E. A flat loading plate 2F is provided at the rear end of the frame body 2A, and a supply electric motor 2G is provided below this loading plate 2F. The supply electric motor 2G drives the above-mentioned drive roller 2B in conjunction with the loading plate 2F via a gear transmission mechanism 2H. The rear part of the frame 2A is supported by a horizontal swing fulcrum shaft so that it can swing up and down. The structure of the support part by this swing fulcrum shaft will be described later.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 6, 14, and 16, the frame body 2A has a top wall and left and right side walls 2I, and left and right supply chambers 2K are formed surrounded by these three walls, a removable central partition wall 2J, and a bottom supply belt 2D. From the supply port 2S formed at the rear of the left and right supply chambers 2K, chunks of raw meat that have been divided from the carcass and have had bone chips and tendons removed are supplied.

[0023] In addition, the left and right pressure plates 2L are inserted into the supply chamber 2K from the top openings at the front ends of the left and right supply chambers 2K, and the left and right air cylinders 2M that press down the left and right pressure plates 2L are provided between the stays 2T raised from the frame body 2A and the left and right pressure plates 2L. These left and right pressure plates 2L are provided to press the tips of the two rows of chunks of meat sent out from the supply chamber 2K by the intermittent drive of the supply device 2E by the extension operation of the air cylinder 2M just before they are cut, thereby cutting them accurately. The supply unit 2 is configured as described above.

[0024] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 13, the tip of the crank arm 10 that is rotationally driven by the swing electric motor 9 fixed to the support frames 60L and 60R, which will be described later, and the lower part of the frame body 2A are pivotally connected by a length-adjustable linkage rod 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the connecting frame on the support frames 60L and 60R side (this connecting frame will be described later) and the lower part of the frame body 2A are pivotally connected by a gas spring 12. The frame body 2A is biased in the direction of constantly pushing it upward by this gas spring 12 to reduce the load on the swing electric motor 9. This swing electric motor 9 is fixed to the right side surface of the inner wall plate 60RI of the right support frame 60R.

[0025] (Configuration of the cutting part) As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 13, an endless belt-shaped cutting blade 15 is wound around a driving pulley 14R rotatably supported by the right support frame 60R and a driven pulley 14L rotatably supported by the left support frame 60L to constitute a cutting device 16.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 13, a cutting electric motor 15M for rotationally driving the driving pulley 14R is built into the right support frame 60R. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a right bearing 13R for bearing the rotating shaft (driving shaft) 14RJ of the driving pulley 14R and a left bearing 13L for bearing the rotating shaft (driven shaft) 14LJ of the driven pulley 14L are provided. As shown in FIG. 13, this right bearing 13R and left bearing 13L are fixed to the respective right support plate 17R and left support plate 17L arranged on the lower side of the driving pulley 14R and the driven pulley 14L, and are fixed to the left and right support frames 60L and 60R via these left and right support plates 17L and 17R.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the left and right support plates 17L, 17R are connected by an upper connecting member 16U and a lower connecting member 16D, and a sliding guide member 20 that slides and guides the cutting blade 15 to prevent deviation of the circular movement trajectory is fixed to the upper connecting member 16U. Left and right cleaning members 16WL, 16WR are fixed to the inner lower parts of the left and right support plates 17L, 17R, respectively, and are equipped with a scraper for scraping off meat scraps and grease adhering to the cutting blade 15 and a nozzle for spraying a gas-liquid mixture fluid onto the cutting blade 15 to clean it.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, a contact plate 19 is disposed on a frame member 18 attached to the tip (front end) of the frame body 2A in the supply section 2, the contact plate 19 being capable of being freely adjusted in position (distance) in the front-rear direction. This abutment plate 19 is supported on the body side of the meat cutting device 1 and is positioned opposite the frame-shaped member 18 when the supply section 2 reaches the lower limit position of its up-down swing, and abuts and supports the tip of the chunk of meat delivered by the supply device 2E.

[0029] Above the rear surface of the contact plate 19 and with a distance T therebetween, there is disposed a cutting action area (cutting position) of the cutting blade 15, the trajectory of which is restricted by a sliding contact guide member 20 on the machine body side. Thus, the cut portion 3 is formed by the cutting device 16 and the contact plate 19 .

[0030] (Configuration of the handover section) As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, a transfer section 4 having transfer conveying devices 21 symmetrical to the left and right is disposed in front of the contact plate 19 described above. This transfer conveying device 21 is configured by providing a number of left and right turntables 23L, 23R, each of which has a number of protrusions formed on its outer periphery, at intervals in the left-right direction on left and right rotating shafts 22L, 22R, and by inserting a portion of each outer periphery of these turntables 23L, 23R into a number of vertical slits formed in the upper part of the above-mentioned abutment plate 19. As shown in FIG. 2, left and right handover electric motors 24 are provided which rotate and drive the left and right rotary shafts 22L, 22R via gear transmission mechanisms 22A.

[0031] (Configuration of the folding part) As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, the folding unit 5 is disposed behind the transfer conveying device 21. The folding section 5 is provided with a mechanism for reciprocatingly rotating a number of thin rods 28 attached to left and right rotating shafts 27L, 27R by left and right folding rotary tables 26L, 26R. In addition, a mechanism is provided for sliding the rotating shafts 27L, 27R together with the folding rotary tables 26L, 26R in a rearward upward inclination direction by means of air cylinders 25L, 25R.

[0032] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, a mechanism is provided in which left and right pressing members 29AL, 29AR equipped with curved linear springs 29 are raised and lowered by air cylinders 30L, 30R to press and release the upper surfaces of the meat pieces m cut in two rows on the left and right against the upper surface of the conveying section 6. These mechanisms are provided symmetrically on the left and right sides. Furthermore, as described later, a mechanism for vertically moving the start end of the conveying section 6 is provided. The left and right thin rods 28 rotate back and forth from a position where they are retreated within the left and right spaces between the left and right turntables 23L, 23R of the above-mentioned transfer conveying device 21 to a position approaching the upper surface of the starting end of the conveying section 6 by driving the left and right folding rotary tables 26L, 26R in forward and reverse directions.

[0033] (Cutting work) In the cutting operation, two blocks of raw meat are manually fed from the feed opening 2S into the left and right feed chambers 2K, respectively, and the meat is intermittently fed at a predetermined pitch by the feed device 2E. Then, the leading end of the meat delivered from the supply device 2E is positioned by abutting it against the contact plate 19, and the parts of the two rows of meat protruding from the front surface of the frame-shaped member 18 are brought into contact with the cutting blade 15 as the supply device 2E swings upward and is cut. The cut left and right pieces of meat m pass through the gap T and are passed onto the left and right turntables 23L, 23R, and are transported forward by the rotation of the turntables 23L, 23R.

[0034] During this forward conveyance, the retracted thin rod 28 rotates forward, and the middle part of the meat piece m on the turntables 23L and 23R in the front-rear direction is pushed up by the tip of this thin rod 28. The pushed-up meat piece m is supported in a state of hanging down on both the front and rear sides of the thin rod 28 due to its own weight. When the thin rod 28 swings downward and approaches the upper surface of the starting end portion of the conveying portion 6, the meat piece m that is supported by this thin rod 28 and is folded in two is placed on the upper surface of the starting end portion of the conveying portion 6.

[0035] The placed left and right meat pieces m are pressed by the left and right pressing members 29AL and 29AR by the extension operation of the left and right air cylinders 30L and 30R. In this state, the left and right air cylinders 25L and 25R are operated to slide the thin rod 28 together with the left and right folding rotary tables 26L and 26R in the backward and downward inclined direction, and the thin rod 28 is pulled out from between the folded meat pieces m. After that, by the shortening operation of the left and right air cylinders 30L and 30R, while pushing away the upper surface of the meat piece m with the linear spring 29, the left and right pressing members 29AL and 29AR are lifted and retracted to complete the placement of the folded meat piece m.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, by repeating the above operations, a plurality (six in this example) of folded meat pieces m are arranged in parallel on the conveying portion 6 (the upper surface of the rear end portion of the conveyor belt 43 described later), and the aggregate M is formed in two rows.

[0037] (Configuration of the conveying portion) As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, the conveying portion 6 is provided with a conveying conveyor 31. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the left and right rails 33R fixed to the lower part of the sliding frame 33 are placed on the front, rear, left, and right rollers 32R that are rotatably supported on the upper part of the machine base frame 32 via the stays 32S, and are supported so as to be slidable back and forth and positionable. The mounting frame 35 is supported with respect to this sliding frame 33 via the front and rear link mechanisms 34, and the conveying conveyor 31 is mounted and fixed on this mounting frame 35.

[0038] That is, a frame member 36F is fixed to the front portion of the mounting frame 35, the rear portion of the conveyor frame 37 in the front-rear direction is fixed to the upper portion of this frame member 36F, and this conveyor frame 37 is extended forward. An endless conveyor belt 43 is wound around a roller group 38 provided at the rear end portion of this conveyor frame 37, a floating roller 39 provided at the intermediate portion, a floating roller 40 provided at the front end portion, and a driving roller 42 that is rotationally driven by a conveying electric motor 41 attached to the frame member 36F.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, the roller group 38 rotatably supports the rear end roller 38B on a left-right swing shaft 38J supported by the conveyor frame 37, and the lower roller 38C, the intermediate roller 38D, and the front end roller 38E are rotatably supported with respect to a swing arm 38A that is supported so as to be vertically swingable coaxially with this swing shaft 38J.

[0040] The swing arm 38A is configured to swing up and down by the telescopic operation of an air cylinder 38S axially connected across the frame member 36F and the swing arm 38A. When the swing arm 38A swings up and down due to the extension operation of this air cylinder 38S, the upper surface of the rear end portion (conveying start end portion) of the conveyor belt 43 wound around the intermediate roller 38D and the front end roller 38E moves up and down while the rear end roller 38B remains stationary.

[0041] In the cutting operation, when the thin rod 28 swings downward and approaches the upper surface of the rear end portion of the conveyor belt 43, the upper surface of the rear end portion of this conveyor belt 43 rises, and the sliced meat m supported by the thin rod 28 and folded in two is received on the upper surface of the rear end portion of the conveyor belt 43 and conveyed forward. Note that the aforementioned transfer conveyor device 21 is also supported by a frame member 36R fixed to the rear portion of the mounting frame 35.

[0042] (Control unit) The control unit 7 includes a control device 44 housed in the left support frame 60L described later, and the control device 44 controls the operating state of the aforementioned working unit 8. That is, control output is performed from the control device 44 to actuators such as the supply electric motor 2G, air cylinder 2M, swing electric motor 9, cutting electric motor 15M, transfer electric motor 24, air cylinders 25L and 25R, folding rotary tables 26L and 26R, air cylinders 30L and 30R, air cylinder 38S, and transfer electric motor 41.

[0043] Also, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, a switch panel 74 on which an emergency stop switch 46, a stop switch 48, a take-out / insert switch 52, and a power switch 53 are arranged is attached to the upper part of the rear surface of the right support frame 60R. Note that power is supplied from the in-factory power supply, and the compressed air supplied to the air cylinders is supplied by connecting a hose to an intake pipe 51 erected at the right rear end of the machine body from the in-factory equipment.

[0044] (Main Frame of the Meat Cutting Device) Based on FIGS. 9 to 13, the structure of the main frame of the meat cutting device 1 including the aforementioned support frame will be described.

[0045] (Left and Right Support Frames) The left and right support frames 60L and 60R formed in a box shape from stainless steel are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. The left and right support frames 60L and 60R are formed in a box shape approximated to a left-right symmetric shape.

[0046] That is, the left and right support frames 60L and 60R are formed by joining the spaces between the outer wall plates 60LE and 60RE having seven corners and tapering upward, and the inner wall plates 60LI and 60RI, with bottom wall plates 60LD and 60RD, front lower wall plates 60LF and 60RF continuous from the front ends of these bottom wall plates 60LD and 60RD, front inclined wall plates 60LS and 60RS continuous from the upper ends of these front lower wall plates 60LF and 60RF, front upper wall plates 60LU and 60RU continuous from the upper ends of these front inclined wall plates 60LS and 60RS, upper wall plates 60LT and 60RT continuous from the upper ends of these front upper wall plates 60LU and 60RU, rear inclined wall plates 60LV and 60RV continuous from the rear ends of these upper wall plates 60LT and 60RT, and rear lower wall plates 60LB and 60RB continuous from the lower ends of these rear inclined wall plates 60LV and 60RV to the rear ends of the bottom wall plates 60LD and 60RD, respectively, thereby configuring each of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R in a box shape.

[0047] The bottom wall plates 60LD and 60RD are in a substantially horizontal posture, the front lower wall plates 60LF and 60RF stand up in a substantially vertical posture, the front inclined wall plates 60LS and 60RS gently incline upward and backward, the front upper wall plates 60LU and 60RU stand up in a substantially vertical posture, the upper wall plates 60LT and 60RT are in a substantially horizontal posture, the rear inclined wall plates 60LV and 60RV steeply incline downward and backward, and the rear lower wall plates 60LB and 60RB stand up in a substantially vertical posture. Inside the left and right support frames 60L and 60R formed in a box shape in this way, spaces KL and KR are respectively formed.

[0048] (Lower connection structure) The left and right support frames 60L and 60R formed as described above are connected by a plurality of connection frames in the left - right direction. A part of this connection frame is a cylindrical (round pipe - shaped) lower connection frame 61D that connects between the lower parts of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R, mainly composed of a front lower connection frame 61DF and a rear lower connection frame 61DR.

[0049] Pass the left and right ends of each of the front lower connecting frame 61DF and the rear lower connecting frame 61DR through the holes formed in the inner wall plates 60LI of the left support frame 60L and the inner wall plates 60RI of the right support frame 60R, and abut and fix them against the inner surfaces of the outer wall plates 60LE and 60RE respectively. Also, abut and fix the left and right ends of the angular tubular (square pipe-shaped) connecting frame 61D1 arranged above the front of the front lower connecting frame 61DF against the inner wall plates 60LI of the left support frame 60L and the inner wall plates 60RI of the right support frame 60R respectively.

[0050] With the above configuration, the lower parts of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R are firmly connected. Fix a stay 62 having a surface in a substantially vertical posture across the left and right sides at the front of the connecting frame 61D1 and the front lower connecting frame 61DF. The rear end of the aforementioned machine base frame 32 is connected to this stay 62.

[0051] (Upper connection structure) Also, connect the upper ends of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R by an upper connecting frame (the "connecting member" in the claims) 61U in the left-right direction. That is, pass the left and right ends of this upper connecting frame 61U through the holes formed in the inner wall plates 60LI of the left support frame 60L and the inner wall plates 60RI of the right support frame 60R, and abut and fix them against the inner surfaces of the outer wall plates 60LE and 60RE respectively. Also, this upper connecting frame 61U may be composed of not only one but also a plurality of connecting frames. With the above configuration, the upper parts of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R are firmly connected.

[0052] As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the connection part P1 of the front lower connection frame 61DF to the support frames 60L and 60R, the connection part P2 of the rear lower connection frame 61DR to the support frames 60L and 60R, and the connection part P3 of the upper connection frame 61U to the support frames 60L and 60R are arranged on a virtual triangle D having the respective connection parts P1, P2, and P3 as vertices when viewed from the side (left and right outer sides). Specifically, the center points P1C, P2C, and P3C of the respective connection parts P1, P2, and P3 that form a circle in side view are arranged on the virtual triangle D. As a result, the inner wall plates 60LI of the left support frame 60L and the inner wall plates 60RI of the right support frame 60R are defined on two parallel planes, and the positional relationship is stabilized. As a result, the rigidity of the entire frame mainly composed of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R is increased.

[0053] Note that both left and right ends of the cylindrical (round pipe-shaped) connection frame 61D2 arranged above the connection frame 61D1 and both left and right ends of the cylindrical connection frame 61D3 arranged above the rear lower connection frame 61DR are fixed in a state of penetrating through the inner wall plate 60LI of the left support frame 60L and the inner wall plate 60RI of the right support frame 60R, respectively. Due to the internal space of this connection frame 61D2, the spaces KL and KR inside the left and right support frames 60L and 60R are communicated, and wiring such as a harness can be routed across both spaces KL and KR.

[0054] In addition, both left and right ends of the square tube-shaped (square pipe-shaped) connection frame 61D4 arranged above the connection frame 61D3 are brought into contact with and fixed to the inner wall plate 60LI of the left support frame 60L and the inner wall plate 60RI of the right support frame 60R, respectively. The base of the gas spring 12 is attached to the attachment seat 12A fixed on this connection frame 61D4 via a stay 12S. Even with the above configuration, it contributes to increasing the rigidity of the entire frame mainly composed of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R.

[0055] (Support of the swing fulcrum shaft) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 16, a left - right swing fulcrum shaft 64 for supporting the frame body 2A of the supply unit 2 in the vertical swing - free manner is provided at the rear part of the frame body 2A in the supply unit 2, and bearings (shaft bearings) 65 for supporting the left and right both ends of the swing fulcrum shaft 64 are supported by the left and right support frames 60L and 60R respectively. That is, left and right bosses 66L and 66R project inward from the inner side surfaces of the inner side wall plates 60LI of the left - hand support frame 60L and the inner side wall plates 60RI of the right - hand support frame 60R respectively, and the bearings 65 are fitted into the left and right bosses 66L and 66R. Then, the left and right both ends of the swing fulcrum shaft 64 are fitted into the inner rings of the left and right bearings 65.

[0056] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16, the outer rings of the bearings 65 are fixed to both the left and right sides of the frame body 2A, and shafts (or shaft cylinders) 67 fitted and fixed to the left and right bosses 66L and 66R are fitted into the inner rings of the bearings 65. With any of the support configurations, the supply device 2E can be supported in the space between the left and right support frames 60L and 60R so as to be vertically swing - free.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 16, with the supply device 2E supported in the space between the left and right support frames 60L and 60R so as to be vertically swing - free, the supply port 2S at the rear part of the supply device 2E opens at a position below the upper connection frame 61U. Thereby, when an operator supplies meat from the supply port 2S onto the placement plate 2F, it is difficult to reach the cutting part 3 over the upper connection frame 61U, and the working safety is also improved.

[0058] (Support of the cutting part) The left and right support plates 17L and 17R to which the left and right bearings 13L and 13R of the cutting device 16 are fixed are overlapped and fixed on the front - side inclined wall plates 60LS and 60RS of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R. As a result, the left and right bearings 13L and 13R enter the spaces KL and KR formed inside the left and right support frames 60L and 60R from the rectangular openings formed in the front inclined wall plates 60LS and 60RS.

[0059] As described above, the supply unit 2 having the supply device (the "feeding device" in the claims) 2E and the cutting unit 3 having the cutting blade 15 are arranged at a position between the lower connecting frame 61D and the upper connecting frame 61U in the vertical direction.

[0060] During the cutting operation, a large tension of the cutting blade 15 acts between the bearing 13R of the driving pulley 14R and the bearing 13L of the driven pulley 14L in the cutting unit 3, and a large load is applied to the swing fulcrum shaft 64 portion and the like due to the vertical swing of the supply device 2E. However, since the cutting operation unit 8 is supported by the left and right support frames 60L and 60R whose rigidity is enhanced by the configuration as described above, the position of the swing fulcrum shaft 64 is stabilized, and the vertical swing locus of the tip of the supply device 2E supported by the swing fulcrum shaft 64 and the position relationship with the cutting action position by the cutting blade 15 are less likely to change. As a result, the cutting accuracy is improved, and the thickness of the cut meat m is made uniform.

[0061] (Arrangement of the control device) The above-described control device 44 is arranged in the space KL inside the left support frame 60L and fixed to the inner wall plate 60LI of the support frame 60L via a stay.

[0062] (Openings of the support frames) As shown in FIG. 13, the outer wall plates 60LE of the left support frame 60L and the outer wall plates 60RE of the right support frame 60R are cut out along the shapes of the respective support frames to form left and right openings 68L and 68R. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, left and right covers 69L and 69R covering the left and right openings 68L and 68R are attached so as to be openable and closable by vertical axis hinges 70L and 70R provided at the rear ends.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 13, when the right cover 69R is opened, the swing electric motor 9 is exposed, and maintenance of the swing electric motor 9 and its surroundings can be easily performed. In addition, a cover plate 72 for reducing the influence of cleaning water or the like on the cutting electric motor 15M is detachably attached to a position covering the outside of the cutting electric motor 15M in the right opening 68R.

[0064] Although not shown in the figure, when the left cover 69L is opened, the control device 44 housed in the space KL inside the left support frame 60L is exposed, and maintenance of the control device 44 and its surroundings can be performed.

[0065] (Mounting of Equipment on the Support Frame) As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, a long hole 73 for protruding the intake pipe 51 upward is formed in the upper wall plate 60RT of the right support frame 60R. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a rectangular opening 74K for attaching a switch panel 74 provided with the aforementioned power switch 53 or the like is formed in the rear inclined wall plate 60RV of the right support frame 60R.

[0066] (Arrangement of the Operation Panel and Working State) Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1, 7, 9 to 22, an operation box (the "operation panel" in the claims) 49 having a display panel 45 capable of touch operation on the front surface, an emergency stop switch 46, a start switch 47, and a stop switch 48 is arranged above the starting end of the conveyor 31. As shown in FIG. 1, a portal-shaped support frame 49F is erected from the upper part of the frame member 36R fixed to the rear part of the mounting frame 35 in a front view, and the operation box 49 is supported at the upper end of the support frame 49F. Thereby, the operation box 49 is fixed to the conveyor 31 side and slides back and forth integrally with the conveyor 31. The space inside the portal-shaped support frame 49F is used as a passage for the meat pieces m and the aggregate M conveyed from the conveying start end of the conveyor 31.

[0067] In addition, the devices in the operation box 49 and the above-described control device 44 are connected by a harness 50. Also, as shown in FIG. 15, the operation box 49 is arranged above the starting end of the conveying conveyor 31 and within a range where an operator of normal build can operate while visually recognizing the sliced meat m or the aggregate M conveyed from the starting end of the conveying conveyor 31. That is, for an operator who works while visually recognizing the sliced meat m or the aggregate M conveyed from the starting end of the conveying conveyor 31, the operation box 49 is arranged within the reach of the hand from this standing position.

[0068] Here, the working state will be described. An operator who transfers the sliced meat m or the aggregate M to the tray stands on the left and right sides of the conveying conveyor 31, looks at the sliced meat m or the aggregate M conveyed forward from the starting end of the conveying conveyor 31, scoops it up, and performs the operation of loading it onto the tray. At this time, the operator may operate the display panel 45 while checking the state of the sliced meat m or the aggregate M, and adjust the folding position of the sliced meat m, the cutting thickness of the sliced meat m, the number of cut pieces of the sliced meat m, etc. Also, the number of sliced meats m forming the aggregate M and the transfer pitch of the sliced meats m forming the aggregate M may be adjusted.

[0069] In addition to such adjustment operations, when the transfer to the tray is not in time, or when an abnormality occurs in the working section 8 or a danger is felt, the emergency stop switch 46 may be operated to stop the operation of the working section 8. Restarting the work after the emergency stop is performed by starting the working section 8 with the start switch 47, and the operation of the working section 8 is stopped with the stop switch 48 at the end of the work.

[0070] Incidentally, the adjustment of the folding position of the meat slice m by the touch operation of the display panel 45 described above, the adjustment of the cutting thickness of the meat slice m, the adjustment of the number of cut pieces of the meat slice m, the adjustment of the number of meat slices m forming the aggregate M, the adjustment of the transfer pitch of the meat slices m forming the aggregate M, the operation stop operation of the working unit 8 by the emergency stop switch 46, the start operation of the working unit 8 by the start switch 47, and the operation stop operation of the working unit 8 by the stop switch 48 are referred to as "various operations related to the operation of the working unit" in the claims. In addition, on the display panel 45 of the operation box 49, data necessary for performing the above-described adjustments and operations (numbers, graphs, etc. indicating the cutting thickness, the number of cut pieces, the transfer pitch, etc.) are displayed.

[0071] Here, if, hypothetically, the operation of the working unit 8 by such an operation box 49 cannot be performed while visually recognizing the meat slice m or the aggregate M conveyed by the conveying conveyor 31, there is a risk that the adjustment of the cutting thickness of the meat slice m will be delayed and the thickness of each individual meat slice m will vary. In addition, there is a risk that the adjustment of the number of cut pieces of the meat slice m will be delayed, resulting in an excess or deficiency with respect to the target production number, and the number adjustment will be necessary. As a result, problems may occur in which the commercial value of the produced meat slices and the production efficiency of the tray-packed products decrease.

[0072] However, as in the present invention, by fixedly arranging the operation box 49 for performing various operations related to the operation of the working unit 8 above the conveying start end portion of the conveying conveyor 31 and within a range where the operator can operate while visually recognizing the meat slice m conveyed from the conveying start end portion of the conveying conveyor 31, the above-described problems can be eliminated as much as possible, and the commercial value of the meat slice m and the production efficiency of the tray-packed products can be increased.

[0073] (Cut-out port cover) As shown in FIG. 7, a cut-out port cover (the "first cover" in the claims) 75 that covers the conveying start end portion of the aforementioned conveying conveyor 31 from above is provided. This cut-out cover 75 has a front wall inclined downward to the front, left and right side walls, and a substantially horizontal upper wall, and is attached so as to be hooked from above into a hook-shaped groove 49M formed at the upper front end of the support frame 49F for supporting the operation box 49 described above. Thus, the cut-out cover 75 can be attached and detached with the operation box 49 left on the machine body side.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, at the lower part of this cut-out cover 75, in the mounted state, a cut-out opening (the "passage opening" in the claims) 75T is formed at a height (vertical interval from the upper surface of the conveyor belt 43) that allows the passage of the meat pieces m and the aggregate M conveyed by the conveyor 31 and suppresses the entry of a human hand. The operation box 49 is arranged in an upright posture at a position near the upper end of this cut-out cover 75 (a position slightly behind the upper wall of the cut-out cover 75).

[0075] (Side cover) As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 and FIGS. 15 to 22, the left and right side covers (the "left and right second covers" in the claims) 75L and 75R are respectively attached to be openable in the left and right outer directions by vertical-axis hinges 76L and 76R provided between the outer rear ends of the side covers and the outer front ends of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the left and right side covers 75L and 75R is integrally formed from a lower surface portion 75LD and 75RD formed at each left and right outer side portion and a raised portion 75LU and 75RU formed at each left and right inner side portion.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 13, the left and right lower surface portions 75LD and 75RD have an upper surface portion 75LD1 and 75RD1 inclined downward to the front that covers the upper sides of the aforementioned left driven pulley 14L and right drive pulley 14R, and side surface portions 75LD2 and 75RD2 that hang down from the outer edge of the upper surface portion. Further, the left and right raised portions 75LU and 75RU each include side surface portions 75LU1 and 75RU1 that rise from the inner ends of the above-described upper surface portions 75LD1 and 75RD1, upper surface portions 75LU2 and 75RU2 that extend in the left-right direction with a predetermined width from the upper end edges of these side surface portions 75LU1 and 75RU1, and front surface portions 75LU3 and 75RU3 that hang down after inclining downward and forward from the front end edges of these upper surface portions 75LU2 and 75RU2.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 20, plunger pins 75LP and 75RP are respectively attached to the lower front sides of the left and right side covers 75L and 75R via stays 75LS and 75RS. On the other hand, engagement holes (not shown) with which the above-described plunger pins 75LP and 75RP engage are respectively formed in the outer portions of the lower front wall plates 60LF and 60RF of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R.

[0078] With this configuration, when the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are rotated inward to close, the tip ends of the left and right plunger pins 75LP and 75RP engage with the engagement holes formed in the outer portions of the lower front wall plates 60LF and 60RF of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R, and the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are respectively fixed in the closed positions. FIGS. 17 to 19 show the state in which the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are closed.

[0079] (Arrangement of the operation box with respect to the side cover) As shown in FIGS. 15 to 19, in the state where the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are closed, the lower part of the operation box 49 enters the left-right space (the "mutual interval portion" in the claims) 77 formed between the inner end of the left raised portion 75LU and the inner end of the right raised portion 75RU in these left and right side covers 75L and 75R.

[0080] Also, in this state, the display panel 45, the emergency stop switch 46, the start switch 47, and the stop switch 48 provided on the front surface of the operation box 49 are arranged at positions higher than the upper end portion of the cutout cover 75. As a result, the operation box 49 is fixedly arranged above the starting end of the conveyor 31 and within the range where an operator of normal build can operate while visually recognizing the sliced meat pieces m or the aggregate M conveyed from the starting end of the conveyor 31. For example, the operation box 49 may be arranged such that the front surface of the operation box 49 is positioned within a range of 600 mm or less from the position of the viewpoint of an operator standing beside the starting end of the conveyor 31.

[0081] Also, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the front part of the aforementioned lateral space 77 includes an opening part 77A that opens the upper part of the supply device 2E at a position immediately behind the operation box 49. As a result, when the supply device 2E swings upward, the upper end parts of the left and right air cylinders 2M can project upward from this opening part 77A.

[0082] Therefore, it can be configured at a lower cost compared to a configuration that covers the entire lateral space 77 with a cover. Also, it is possible to perform maintenance on the supply device 2E from this opening part 77A. The part on the rear side of the opening part 77A in the lateral space 77 is covered with a fixed cover 80.

[0083] In a plan view, the opening part 77A is surrounded by the upper connecting frame 61U, the operation box 49, and the left and right side covers 75L, 75R. As a result, when the food cutting device 1 is operating, it becomes difficult for a situation where a hand inadvertently reaches in from the opening part 77A to occur, and the safety is enhanced.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 20, left and right chutes 78L, 78R for receiving meat scraps and water flowing down from the upper surfaces of the left and right support plates 17L, 17R in the cutting part 3 are provided, and these left and right chutes 78L, 78R are covered by the front parts of the left and right side covers 75L, 75R. In addition, containers 79, 79 for temporarily storing meat scraps and water flowing down from the left and right shoots 78L, 78R are installed on the lower front sides of the left and right side covers 75L, 75R.

[0085] When opening the left and right side covers 75L, 75R, pull the left and right plunger pins 75LP, 75RP to extract the tip from the engagement holes to release the fixation, and manually open the left and right side covers 75L, 75R. Figures 20 to 22 show the state where the left and right side covers 75L, 75R are opened. In the state where the left and right side covers 75L, 75R are opened in this way, an operator standing near the front side of the drive pulley 14R or the driven pulley 14L can access the cutting device 16 and the supply device 2E.

[0086] That is, by opening the left and right side covers 75L, 75R, the drive pulley 14R and the driven pulley 14L of the cutting device 16 in the cutting section 3 are exposed, and furthermore, the operator's hand can reach the supply device 2E. As a result, maintenance of the cutting section 3 such as changing the cutting blade 15 on both pulleys 14L, 14R and maintenance of the supply section 2 can be efficiently performed.

[0087] In addition, by opening the left and right side covers 75L, 75R and sliding the conveyor 31 forward, the operation box 49 moves forward integrally with the conveyor 31. As a result, a space for a person to enter is formed between the cutting device 16 and the operation box 49, and maintenance of the cutting device 16 and the like can be easily performed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0088] 1 Meat cutting device (food cutting device) 2E Supply device (feeding device) 8 Working section 16 Cutting device 31 Conveyor (transport device) 49 Operation box (control panel) Support frame on the left side of 60L (support member on the left side) Support frame on the right side of 60R (support member on the right side) Upper connecting frame of 61U (connecting member) Cutout cover of 75 (first cover) Cutout of 75T (passage) Side cover on the left side of 75L (second cover on the left side) Raised portion on the left side of 75LU Side cover on the right side of 75R (second cover on the right side) Raised portion on the right side of 75RU Space in the left - right direction (mutual spacing portion) Open portion of 77A

Claims

1. A food cutting device is provided with a feeding device for feeding food, a cutting device for cutting the food fed out from the feeding device, and a conveying device for taking over and conveying the food pieces cut by the cutting device. The food pieces conveyed by the conveying device are configured to be handled by an operator near the conveying device while being visually recognized. An operation panel for performing various operations related to the operation of the working unit is fixedly arranged above the starting end of the conveyance of the conveying device and within a range where the operator can operate while visually recognizing the food pieces conveyed from the starting end of the conveying device.

2. A first cover is provided on the upper side of the starting end of the conveyance of the conveying device, which forms a passage opening for allowing the passage of the food pieces conveyed by the conveying device and suppressing the entry of human hands. The operation panel is erected and arranged at a position near the upper end of the first cover. The food cutting device according to Claim 1.

3. The food cutting device according to Claim 2, wherein the first cover is configured to be detachable with the operation panel left on the machine body side.

4. Left and right second covers are provided to respectively cover the left and right outer sides of the cutting device, and at least a part of the operation panel is inserted into the space between the left and right second covers. The food cutting device according to Claim 3.

5. Raised portions that bulge upward are respectively formed on the inner sides of the left and right second covers, and at least a part of the operation panel is inserted into the space between the left and right raised portions. The food cutting device according to Claim 4.

6. The cutting device is fixed in position, and the feeding device is configured to reciprocally swing in the vertical direction with respect to the cutting device to cut the food. An opening portion for opening the upper part of the feeding device is formed in the space between the left and right second covers. When the feeding device swings upward, a part of the feeding device protrudes upward from the opening portion. The food cutting device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5.

7. The upper parts between the left and right support members arranged at intervals are connected by a connecting member. The feeding device and the cutting device are supported between the left and right support members. The opening portion is configured to be surrounded by the connecting member, the operation panel, and the left and right second covers. The food cutting device according to Claim 6.

8. The food cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the operation panel is fixed to the side of the conveying device, the conveying device is configured to be movable in a direction away from the cutting device, and a space for a person to enter is formed between the cutting device and the operation panel when the conveying device is moved in a direction away from the cutting device.

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