Food cutting device

Abstract

To realize a food cutting device which has high maintainability of a cutting device etc. and can efficiently produce food pieces having high commercial values.SOLUTION: A food cutting device includes: a working part including a food feeding device, a cutting device configured to cut a food fed from the feeding device, and a transport device which takes food pieces cut by the cutting device and transports the food pieces. Left and right side covers which respectively cover left and right outside parts of the cutting device are provided. Each of the left and right side covers is configured to be openable around a supporting point provided at each rear part in a direction in which the side covers move away from each other and the cutting device is substantially exposed by opening the left and right side covers. In a state that the side covers are opened by a predetermined distance, a first space into which a human can get is formed between each side cover and the transport device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22

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, arranged on a tray, and wrapped in film to become a tray-served product.

[0004] Prior art document 1 discloses such a meat cutting device. Prior Art Document 1 suggests a configuration in which the cutting device (blade 21) of the meat cutting device is covered with a cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4379868 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the above-described conventional meat cutting device, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to cover the cutting device with a cover in order to ensure the safety of the operation.

[0007] However, at the end of the cutting operation, from a hygienic point of view, the cutting device and the like must be cleaned. If this cleaning operation is neglected, bacteria may proliferate, and there is a risk of hygienic problems occurring in the meat slices produced in the next cutting operation. In addition, the cutting blade of the cutting device wears due to the operation or the sharpness decreases due to the adhesion of oil and fat, so it is necessary to replace it when an appropriate working time has elapsed.

[0008] Therefore, when it takes time for maintenance such as cleaning of such a cutting device and replacement of the cutting blade, problems occur such as a decrease in the commercial value of the meat slices and tray-packed products and a decrease in production efficiency.

[0009] 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 that has high maintainability of a cutting device and the like and can efficiently produce food pieces with high commercial value.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a food cutting device of the present invention includes 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 is a food cutting device provided with a working unit including these. Left and right side covers are provided to cover the left and right outer sides of the cutting device respectively, and each of these left and right side covers is supported by a support portion provided at each rear portion so as to be openable in a direction away from each other, and the cutting device is configured to be substantially exposed by opening the left and right side covers.

[0011] Also, it may be configured such that a first space for a person to enter is formed between the side cover and the conveying device in a state where the side cover is opened by a predetermined amount.

[0012] Further, raised portions that bulge upward may be respectively formed on the inner portions of the left and right side covers, and the side covers may be configured to be openable to a position where the left and right raised portions retract from above the cutting device.

[0013] Also, with the left and right side covers closed, a second space remains between the left and right raised portions, the front part of the feeding device faces the lower part of this second space, and by opening the left and right side covers, it may be configured such that maintenance of the front part of the feeding device can be performed from the first space.

[0014] Further, the conveying device may be configured to be movable in a direction away from the cutting device, and an operation panel for performing various operations related to the operation of the working part is disposed at a position above the conveying start end of the conveying device and supported on the conveying device side, and when the conveying device is moved in a direction away from the cutting device, it may be configured such that a third space for a person to enter is formed between the cutting device and the operation panel.

[0015] Further, an openable and closable cover for covering the peripheral members of the cutting device may be provided, and the cover may be configured to close in conjunction with the operation of the side cover in the closing direction.

[0016] Further, the peripheral member may be a polishing device for polishing the cutting blade of the cutting device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a food cutting device with high maintainability of the cutting device and the like, and capable of efficiently producing food pieces with high commercial value.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

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[0019] In the embodiment for carrying out the present invention, a meat cutting device for cutting and processing a block of raw meat ("food" in the claims, such as a portion of pork) is given as an example of a food cutting device, and an embodiment of the device is described in detail below. For ease of explanation, the upstream side in the conveying direction of the meat being cut is defined as the "rear side", the downstream side as the "front side", the left side when facing the upstream side as the "left side", and the right side as the "right side". In addition, the parts of this meat cutting device that come into contact with chunks of meat before cutting or cut pieces of meat ("food pieces" in the claims), as well as at least the areas in their vicinity, and covers for each part, are made of stainless steel from a hygienic standpoint.

[0020] (Overall configuration of meat cutting device) As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the body of the meat cutting machine (claimed as the "food cutting machine") 1 includes a supply section 2, a cutting section 3, a transfer section 4, a folding section 5, a conveying section 6, and a control section 7 that controls these sections. 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 constructed as above.

[0024] Further, 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 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 rotation shaft (driving shaft) 14RJ of the driving pulley 14R and a left bearing 13L for bearing the rotation shaft (driven shaft) 14LJ of the driven pulley 14L are provided. As shown in FIG. 13, the right bearing 13R and the left bearing 13L are fixed to the respective right support plate 17R and left support plate 17L disposed below the driving pulley 14R and the driven pulley 14L, and are fixed to the left and right support frames 60L and 60R via the left and right support plates 17L and 17R.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the space between the left and right support plates 17L and 17R is connected by an upper connecting member 16U and a lower connecting member 16D, and a sliding contact guiding member 20 for slidably guiding the cutting blade 15 and preventing deviation of the circumferential movement track 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 transport, the thin rod 28 that had been retracted rotates forward, and the tip of this thin rod 28 pushes up the middle part in the front-rear direction of the meat piece m on the turntables 23L, 23R. The pushed-up meat slices m are supported in a state of hanging down on both the front and rear sides of the thin rod 28 due to their 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 slices m supported by this thin rod 28 and folded in two are placed on the upper surface of the starting end portion of the conveying portion 6.

[0035] The placed left and right meat slices 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 extract the thin rod 28 from between the folded meat slices m. After that, by the shortening operation of the left and right air cylinders 30L and 30R, while pushing up the upper surface of the meat slices 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 slices m.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, by repeating the above-described operation, a plurality (six in this example) of folded meat slices 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 portion of the sliding frame 33 are placed on the front, rear, left, and right rollers 32R rotatably supported on the upper portion 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 a 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 conveyance electric motor 41 attached to the frame member 36F.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, the roller group 38 rotatably supports a rear end roller 38B on a left-right swing shaft 38J supported by the conveyor frame 37, and rotatably supports a lower roller 38C, an intermediate roller 38D, and a front end roller 38E 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 vertically by the expansion and contraction operation of an air cylinder 38S that is pivotally connected across the frame member 36F and the swing arm 38A. When the swing arm 38A swings vertically due to the extension operation of this air cylinder 38S, the upper surface of the rear end portion (conveyance start end portion) of the conveyor belt 43 that is looped around the intermediate roller 38D and the front end roller 38E while the rear end roller 38B remains stationary moves up and down.

[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 that is 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 materials 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 joined by a bottom wall plate 60LD, 60RD, a front lower wall plate 60LF, 60RF continuous from each front end of the bottom wall plate 60LD, 60RD, a front inclined wall plate 60LS, 60RS continuous from each upper end of the front lower wall plate 60LF, 60RF, a front upper wall plate 60LU, 60RU continuous from each upper end of the front inclined wall plate 60LS, 60RS, an upper wall plate 60LT, 60RT continuous from each upper end of the front upper wall plate 60LU, 60RU, a rear inclined wall plate 60LV, 60RV continuous from each rear end of the upper wall plate 60LT, 60RT, and a rear lower wall plate 60LB, 60RB continuous from each lower end of the rear inclined wall plate 60LV, 60RV to each rear end of the bottom wall plate 60LD, 60RD between the outer wall plates 60LE, 60RE and the inner wall plates 60LI, 60RI each having seven corners and formed to be narrower at the top, thereby configuring each of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R in a box shape.

[0047] The bottom wall plates 60LD, 60RD are in a substantially horizontal posture, the front lower wall plates 60LF, 60RF stand up in a substantially vertical posture, the front inclined wall plates 60LS, 60RS gently incline upward to the rear, the front upper wall plates 60LU, 60RU stand up in a substantially vertical posture, the upper wall plates 60LT, 60RT are in a substantially horizontal posture, the rear inclined wall plates 60LV, 60RV sharply incline downward to the rear, and the rear lower wall plates 60LB, 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, and is mainly composed of a front lower connection frame 61DF and a rear lower connection frame 61DR.

[0049] Pass the left and right ends 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 to the inner surfaces of the outer wall plates 60LE and 60RE respectively. Also, abut and fix the left and right ends of the angular tube-shaped (angular pipe-shaped) connecting frame 61D1 arranged above the front of the front lower connecting frame 61DF 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.

[0050] With the above configuration, the lower parts between 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 side portions on the front surface of the connecting frame 61D1 and the front lower connecting frame 61DF. The rear end portion 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 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 to 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 between 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 passing 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 arranged 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 rocking fulcrum shaft) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 16, a left - right rocking fulcrum shaft 64 for supporting the frame body 2A of the supply unit 2 in the vertical direction is provided at the rear part of the frame body 2A in the supply unit 2, and bearings (shaft bearings) 65 for supporting both left and right ends of the rocking 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 support frame 60L and the inner side wall plates 60RI of the right support frame 60R respectively, and the bearing 65 is fitted into the left and right bosses 66L and 66R. Then, both left and right ends of the rocking 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 left and right sides of the frame body 2A, and a shaft (or a shaft cylinder) 67 fixed to the left and right bosses 66L and 66R is 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 swingable.

[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 swingable, the supply port 2S at the rear of the supply device 2E opens at a position below the upper connecting 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 connecting 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 drive 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 increased 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 this 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 this 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 notched along the shapes of the respective support frames to form the left and right openings 68L and 68R. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, left and right covers 69L and 69R that cover the left and right openings 68L and 68R are attached so as to be openable and closable by vertical axis hinges (the "support portions" in the claims) 70L and 70R provided at the rear ends. Note that the vertical axes of the hinges 70L and 70R may be set not only in the vertical posture but also in an inclined state. Alternatively, instead of the hinges 70L and 70R on the vertical axis, a long hole may be formed in a stay fixed to the airframe side, and a pin fixed to the cover 69L, 69R side may be inserted into this long hole. In this case, after the covers 69L and 69R are slid, they can be swung open.

[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 periphery can be easily performed. Note that 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 portion 68R.

[0064] Although not shown, 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 periphery 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 the 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 start end of the conveyor 31. As shown in Fig. 1, a portal-shaped support frame 49F is erected from the upper part of a frame member 36R fixed to the rear part of a mounting frame 35, and an operation box 49 is supported at the upper end of this support frame 49F when viewed from the front. As a result, the operation box 49 is fixed to the side of the conveying conveyor 31 and is configured to slide back and forth integrally with the conveying conveyor 31. The space inside this portal-shaped support frame 49F is used as a passage for the meat pieces m and the aggregates M conveyed from the starting end of the conveying conveyor 31.

[0067] Note that the devices in this operation box 49 and the above-described control device 44 are connected by a harness 50. Also, as shown in Fig. 15, this 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 meat pieces m or the aggregates M conveyed from the starting end of the conveying conveyor 31. That is, for an operator working while visually recognizing the meat pieces m or the aggregates M conveyed from the starting end of the conveying conveyor 31, the operation box 49 is arranged within reach from this standing position.

[0068] Here, the working state will be described. An operator who transfers the meat pieces m or the aggregates M to a tray stands on the left and right sides of the conveying conveyor 31, looks at the meat pieces m or the aggregates M conveyed forward from the starting end of this conveying conveyor 31, scoops them up, and performs the operation of loading them onto the tray. At this time, the operator may operate the display panel 45 while checking the state of the meat pieces m and the aggregates M to adjust the folding position of the meat pieces m, the cutting thickness of the meat pieces m, the number of cut pieces of the meat pieces m, etc. Also, the number of meat pieces m forming the aggregate M or the transfer pitch of the meat pieces 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. Restart of work after emergency stop is performed by starting the working unit 8 with the start switch 47, and when the work is finished, the operation of the working unit 8 is stopped with the stop switch 48.

[0070] In addition, 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. Further, 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 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 possibility that the adjustment of the cutting thickness of the meat slice m is delayed and the thickness of each meat slice m varies. In addition, the adjustment of the number of cut pieces of the meat slice m may be delayed, resulting in an excess or deficiency with respect to the target production number, and the number adjustment may be required. As a result, problems may occur in that 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] (Cutting outlet cover) As shown in Fig. 7, a cut-out port cover 75 is provided to cover the conveyance start end portion of the aforementioned conveyance conveyor 31 from above. This cut-out port cover 75 has a front wall inclined downward, 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 formed at the upper front end portion of the support frame 49F for supporting the operation box 49 described above. Thereby, the cut-out port 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 portion of this cut-out port cover 75, in the mounted state, a cut-out port 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 aggregates 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 portion of this cut-out port cover 75 (a position slightly behind the upper wall of the cut-out port cover 75).

[0075] (Side cover) As shown in Figs. 9 to 12 and Figs. 15 to 22, the left and right side covers 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 end portions thereof and the outer front end portions 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 lower surface portions 75LD and 75RD formed at the respective left and right outer portions and raised portions 75LU and 75RU formed at the respective left and right inner portions.

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

[0077] Note that, 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, engaging 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 such a configuration, when the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are rotated inward to close, the tip portions of the left and right plunger pins 75LP and 75RP engage with the engaging 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 a 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 a 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 "second space" in the claims) 77 remaining between the inner end of the left raised portion 75LU and the inner end of the right raised portion 75RU in the left and right side covers 75L and 75R. Also, the front part of the supply device 2E is disposed facing the lower part of this space 77.

[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 a position higher than the upper end portion of the cutout cover 75. As a result, the operation box 49 is fixedly arranged above the conveyance start end portion of the conveyance conveyor 31 and within a range where an operator of normal build can operate while visually recognizing the meat piece m or the aggregate M conveyed from the conveyance start end portion of the conveyance 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 in radius from the position of the viewpoint of an operator standing beside the conveyance start end portion of the conveyance conveyor 31.

[0081] Also, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the front portion of the aforementioned left - right space 77 includes an opening portion 77A that opens the upper portion 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 portions of the left and right air cylinders 2M can protrude upward from this opening portion 77A.

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

[0083] In a plan view, the opening portion 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, in a state where the food cutting device 1 is operating, it is less likely that a situation where a hand inadvertently enters from the opening portion 77A occurs, and the safety is enhanced.

[0084] As shown in Fig. 20, left and right chutes 78L and 78R are provided to receive scrap meat and water flowing down from the upper surfaces of the left and right support plates 17L and 17R in the cutting portion 3, and the front surfaces and upper side surfaces of these left and right chutes 78L and 78R are covered by the left and right side covers 75L and 75R. In addition, containers 79 and 79 for temporarily storing scrap meat and water flowing down from the left and right chutes 78L and 78R are installed at the lower front sides of the left and right side covers 75L and 75R.

[0085] When opening the left and right side covers 75L and 75R, pull the left and right plunger pins 75LP and 75RP to extract the tip portions from the engagement holes to release the fixation, and manually open the left and right side covers 75L and 75R. Figs. 20 to 22 show the state in which the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are opened. In the state where the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are opened in this way, the cutting device 16 is in an exposed state or a substantially exposed state. In addition, 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] Also, as shown in Fig. 22, in the intermediate state before opening the left and right side covers 75L and 75R to the maximum open position (the "state of being opened by a predetermined amount" in the claims), between the left side cover 75L and the left end of the conveyor 31, and between the right side cover 75R and the right end of the conveyor 31, spaces (the "first spaces" in the claims) SP1 for an operator (the "person" in the claims) to enter are respectively formed. That is, for example, even if the left and right side covers 75L and 75R cannot be opened to the maximum open position in a narrow factory, maintenance of the front portions of the cutting device 16 and the supply device 2E can be performed by entering this space SP1.

[0087] From this state, when the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are further opened, the raised portions 75LU and 75RU of the left and right side covers 75L and 75R retract from above the drive pulley 14L and the driven pulley 14R to the outside, and substantially the entire cutting device 16 including the drive pulley 14L and the driven pulley 14R is exposed. Thereby, maintenance such as replacing the cutting blade 15 on both pulleys 14L and 14R and cleaning the entire cutting device 16 can be efficiently performed.

[0088] Also, as shown in Fig. 23, by opening the left and right side covers 75L and 75R and sliding the conveyor 31 forward (in the direction away from the cutting device 16), the operation box 49 moves forward integrally with the conveyor 31. Thereby, a space (the "third space" in the claims) SP3 for a person to enter is formed between the cutting device 16 and the operation box 49, and it is possible to easily perform cleaning and maintenance of the front part of the cutting device 16 and the supply device 2E by entering this space SP3. Needless to say, the state where the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are each opened to the maximum open position and the conveyor 31 is slid forward to the sliding limit position is the optimal state for performing maintenance on the cutting device 16 and the like.

[0089] As described above, it is possible to realize the meat cutting device 1 with high maintainability of the cutting device 16 and the like and capable of efficiently producing high-value meat slices.

[0090] (Interlocking between the side cover and the cover of the polishing device) As shown in Fig. 24, a polishing device (an example of the "peripheral member" in the claims) 81, which is not shown in Fig. 3, is attached to a portion near the left driven pulley 14L in the upper connecting member 16U of the cutting device 16. As shown in Fig. 25, this polishing device 81 is composed of a cylinder 81B that drives the rotation shaft 81A to rotate by the inflow of compressed air, and a disk-shaped grindstone 81C attached to the protruding end of the rotation shaft 81A.

[0091] The grinding device 81 is also provided with means (not shown) for switching the grinding wheel 81C between a state of being in contact with the cutting blade 15 and a state of being separated from the cutting blade 15. At set working time intervals, the grinding wheel 81C is rotated while in contact with the cutting blade 15 to grind the cutting edge of the cutting blade 15 and restore the sharpness. Note that the driving force for rotating the rotating shaft 81A of the grinding wheel 81C may be reduced so that the grinding wheel 81C is configured to contact and rotate around the cutting blade 15 during its circumferential movement.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 25, a grinding cover (the "cover" in the claims) 82 that covers the upper surface, left and right side surfaces, and front surface of the grinding device 81 is attached to the front surface of the front upper wall plate 60LU of the left support frame 60L via a hinge 82A so as to be rotatable up and down. Also, at a portion above the hinge 82A on the front surface of the front upper wall plate 60LU, the base of a stay 83 formed to be bent in an L-shape is fixed, and the tip of this stay 83 is extended forward, and a magnet 83A is fixed to the lower surface of this tip. By this magnet 83A, the upper surface of the grinding cover 82 that has been rotated upward and opened is adsorbed, and the open state of this grinding cover 82 is held, enabling maintenance of the grinding device 81.

[0093] On the other hand, on the inner side surface of the base of the left side cover 75L, a support plate 84A with a pressing piece 84 attached to its upper end is fixed. The lower surface of this pressing piece 84 is formed as an inclined surface 84K that is higher toward the tip side, and when the left side cover 75L is swung in the closing direction, this inclined surface 84K is configured to press the top of the grinding cover 82 in the open state downward. As shown in FIG. 26, by this pressing, the grinding cover 82 is rotated downward against the attracting force of the magnet 83A and returned to the state of covering the grinding device 81.

[0094] Note that the grinding device 81 may be attached to a portion near the right driving pulley 14R in the upper connecting member 16U, and the grinding cover 82 and the right side cover 75R may be configured to be interlocked. Note that, as the peripheral member of the cutting device 16, it is not limited to this polishing device 81, and may be electrical components such as various sensors.

[0095] Note that the present invention can be used not only as the above-described cutting device for meat, but also as a cutting device for all foods such as processed meat, vegetables, and fish.

Explanation of Signs

[0096] 1 Meat cutting device (food cutting device) 2E Supply device (feeding device) 8 Working part 16 Cutting device 31 Conveyor (transport device) 49 Operation box (control panel) 70L Left hinge (left support part) 70R Right hinge (right support part) 75L Left side cover 75LU Left raised part 75R Right side cover 75RU Right raised part 77 Space in the left - right direction (second space) 81 Polishing device (peripheral member) 82 Polishing cover (cover) SP1 Space (first space) SP2 Space (third space)

Claims

1. A food cutting device comprising a working unit including a feeding device for feeding food, a cutting device for cutting the food fed from the feeding device, and a conveying device for taking over and conveying the food pieces cut by the cutting device, wherein left and right side covers are provided to cover the left and right outer sides of the cutting device respectively, and each of the left and right side covers is supported by a support portion provided at each rear portion so as to be openable in a direction away from each other, and the cutting device is configured to be substantially exposed by opening the left and right side covers.

2. The food cutting device according to claim 1, wherein a first space for a person to enter is formed between the side cover and the conveying device in a state where the side cover is opened by a predetermined amount.

3. The food cutting device according to claim 3, wherein raised portions that bulge upward are respectively formed on the inner sides of the left and right side covers, and the left and right side covers are configured to be openable until the left and right raised portions retreat to positions above the cutting device.

4. In a configuration where a second space remains between the left and right raised portions in a state where the left and right side covers are closed, the front portion of the feeding device faces the lower portion of the second space, and maintenance of the front portion of the feeding device can be performed from the first space by opening the left and right side covers. The food cutting device according to claim 3.

5. The conveying device is configured to be movable in a direction away from the cutting device, and an operation panel for performing various operations related to the operation of the working unit is disposed at a position above the conveying start end portion of the conveying device and supported on the conveying device side, and when the conveying device is moved in a direction away from the cutting device, a third space for a person to enter is formed between the cutting device and the operation panel. The food cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The food cutting device according to claim 5, wherein an openable and closable cover for covering the peripheral members of the cutting device is provided, and the cover is configured to close in conjunction with the operation of the side cover in the closing direction.

7. The food cutting device according to claim 6, wherein the peripheral member is a polishing device for polishing the cutting blade of the cutting device.

Images