Food cutting device

Abstract

To inhibit scattering of food scraps occurring when a food is cut to a floor surface etc., compared to conventional food cutting devices.SOLUTION: A food cutting device includes: a cutting device 16 configured to cut a food; left and right side covers 75L, 75R which respectively cover left and right outer parts of the cutting device 16 and may open and close; and receiving members 78L, 78R which are disposed at a lower part of the cutting device 16 and receive food scraps occurring when the food is cut by the cutting device 16. In a state that the side covers 75L, 75R are closed, at least upper ends of the receiving members 78L, 78R are covered by the side covers 75L, 75R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 27

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] As shown in Patent Document 1, a conventional food cutting device has a receiving member disposed under the cutting device to prevent fine scraps of meat from being generated when cutting food and scattering the scraps on the floor or other surfaces.

[0003] More specifically, this cutting device has a strip-shaped cutting blade wound around left and right pulleys, each of which is covered with a dedicated cover, and a receiving member is disposed below this cover.

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned food cutting device, the receiving member is exposed and not covered by a cover, making it difficult to catch scraps of meat that fly in a direction that is offset from the receiving member, and there is a risk that such scraps will stick to the floor surface, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-134825 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to reduce, more than ever before, the scattering of food waste onto floors and other surfaces that occurs when cutting food. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] That is, the food cutting device according to the present invention includes a cutting device for cutting food, left and right side covers that can be opened and closed and respectively cover the left and right outer sides of the cutting device, and a receiving member that is disposed below the cutting device and receives food scraps generated when the food is cut by the cutting device. In a state where the side covers are closed, at least the upper end portion of the receiving member is covered by the side covers.

[0008] According to the food cutting device configured as described above, since the side covers that cover the left and right outer sides of the cutting device also cover at least the upper end portion of the receiving member, at least a part of the food scraps scattered in a direction deviating from the upper end portion of the receiving member can be received by the inner surface of the side covers, and it is possible to suppress the scattering of food scraps onto the floor surface or the like more effectively than in the prior art.

[0009] In a state where the side covers are closed, it is preferable that at least the lower end portion of the receiving member is exposed. With such a configuration, in a state where the side covers are closed, the lower end portion of the receiving member can be visually recognized, so it is easier to notice if the receiving member is forgotten to be set.

[0010] In a state where the side covers are closed, the receiving member is configured to be non-detachable from a mounting portion provided below the cutting device, and in a state where the side covers are open, the receiving member is configured to be detachable from the mounting portion. With such a configuration, for example, if the receiving member is arranged so as not to interfere and prevent access to the cutting device, the receiving member is non-detachable when the side covers are closed, so the safety during the operation of the device can be enhanced. On the other hand, when the side covers are opened, the receiving member can be detached from and attached to the mounting portion, so the workability of operations such as replacing and cleaning the receiving member is maintained.

[0011] In a state where the side cover is closed, it is preferable that the outer portion, upper portion, and front portion of the cutting device are covered by this side cover. With such a configuration, scattering of food scraps from the outer portion, upper portion, and front portion of the cutting device can be suppressed by the side cover.

[0012] It is preferable that the cutting device has a cutting blade and a support plate that supports the cutting blade and is inclined downward and forward, and the upper end portion of the front wall of the receiving member extends above the lower end portion of the support plate. With such a configuration, food scraps flowing down along the support plate and water containing food scraps can be more reliably received, so that more food scraps can be dropped into the receiving member.

[0013] It is preferable that the rear side portion of the cutting device is covered by the wall surface of the device main body where the support plate is provided. With such a configuration, scattering of food scraps from the rear side portion of the cutting device can be suppressed by the wall surface of the device main body.

[0014] It is preferable that the cutting device further includes a belt-shaped cutting blade and left and right pulleys around which the cutting blade is wound, and a fence member that covers the inner portions of the left and right pulleys respectively. With such a configuration, scattering of food scraps from the inner portions of the left and right pulleys respectively can be suppressed by the fence member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention configured as described above, scattering of food scraps generated during cutting of food onto the floor surface or the like can be suppressed more than before.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

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[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a food cutting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] 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". Furthermore, the parts of the meat cutting device that come into contact with chunks of meat before cutting or cut pieces of meat, as well as at least the areas in their vicinity, covers for each part, etc. are made of stainless steel from a hygienic standpoint.

[0019] (Overall configuration of meat cutting device) As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the body of a meat cutting machine (claimed "food cutting machine") 100 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.

[0020] (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 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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 sides (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.

[0024] (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 form a cutting device 16.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 100 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.

[0028] 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 .

[0029] (Configuration of the handover section) As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, a transfer section 4 having transfer conveying devices 21 symmetrical on the left and right sides 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.

[0030] (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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] (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.

[0033] During this forward conveyance, the retracted thin rod 28 rotates forward, and the tip of this thin rod 28 pushes up the middle part in the front - rear direction of the meat slices m on the turntables 23L and 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 of the conveying part 6, the meat slices m that are supported by the thin rod 28 and folded in two are placed on the upper surface of the starting end of the conveying part 6.

[0034] 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 - 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 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.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, by repeating the above - mentioned operations, a plurality (six in this example) of folded meat slices m are arranged in parallel on the conveying part 6 (the upper surface of the rear end part of the conveyor belt 43 described later), and the aggregate M is formed in two rows.

[0036] (Configuration of the conveying part) As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, the conveying part 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 - 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 - rear link mechanisms 34, and the conveying conveyor 31 is mounted and fixed on this mounting frame 35.

[0037] 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 conveying electric motor 41 attached to the frame member 36F.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The swing arm 38A is configured to swing up and down 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 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 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] (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 states of the aforementioned cutting unit 3 and conveying unit 6. That is, control outputs are sent 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 conveying electric motor 41.

[0042] 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 the power is supplied from the in-factory power source, 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.

[0043] (Main Frame of the Meat Cutting Device) Based on FIGS. 9 to 13, the structure of the main frame of the meat cutting device 100 including the aforementioned support frame will be described.

[0044] (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 approximating a left-right symmetric shape.

[0045] 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 plates 60LD, 60RD, a front inclined wall plate 60LS, 60RS continuous from each upper end of the front lower wall plates 60LF, 60RF, a front upper wall plate 60LU, 60RU continuous from each upper end of the front inclined wall plates 60LS, 60RS, an upper wall plate 60LT, 60RT continuous from each upper end of the front upper wall plates 60LU, 60RU, a rear inclined wall plate 60LV, 60RV continuous from each rear end of the upper wall plates 60LT, 60RT, and a rear lower wall plate 60LB, 60RB continuous from each lower end of the rear inclined wall plates 60LV, 60RV to each rear end of the bottom wall plates 60LD, 60RD, between an outer wall plate 60LE, 60RE formed with a heptagon and narrowing upward and an inner wall plate 60LI, 60RI, respectively, to configure each of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R in a box shape.

[0046] 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.

[0047] (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.

[0048] 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 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 cylindrical (square pipe-shaped) connecting frame 61D1 disposed above the front of the front lower connecting frame 61DF to the inner wall plates 60LI of the left support frame 60L and the inner wall plates 60RI of the right support frame 60R respectively.

[0049] 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.

[0050] (Upper connection structure) Also, connect the upper ends of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R by a horizontal upper connecting frame 61U. 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.

[0051] As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the connecting portion P1 of the front lower connecting frame 61DF to the support frames 60L and 60R, the connecting portion P2 of the rear lower connecting frame 61DR to the support frames 60L and 60R, and the connecting portion P3 of the upper connecting frame 61U to the support frames 60L and 60R are arranged on a virtual triangle D having the respective connecting portions P1, P2, and P3 as vertices when viewed from the side (left and right outer sides). Specifically, the respective center points P1C, P2C, and P3C of the respective connecting portions P1, P2, and P3 that are circular in side view are arranged on the virtual triangle D. As a result, the inner wall plate 60LI of the left support frame 60L and the inner wall plate 60RI of the right support frame 60R are defined on two parallel surfaces, 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.

[0052] Note that both left and right ends of the cylindrical (round pipe-shaped) connecting frame 61D2 arranged above the connecting frame 61D1 and both left and right ends of the cylindrical connecting frame 61D3 arranged above the rear lower connecting 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 connecting 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.

[0053] In addition, both left and right ends of the square tube-shaped (square pipe-shaped) connecting frame 61D4 arranged above the connecting 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 connecting 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.

[0054] (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 in the supply unit 2 so as to be vertically swingable is provided at the rear part of the frame body 2A in the supply unit 2, and bearings (bearings) 65 for supporting both left and right 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 plate 60LI of the left support frame 60L and the inner side wall plate 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 swing fulcrum shaft 64 are fitted into the inner rings of the left and right bearings 65.

[0055] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16, the outer rings of the bearings 65 may be fixed to both left and right sides of the frame body 2A, and a shaft (or a shaft cylinder) 67 fitted and fixed to the left and right bosses 66L and 66R may be 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.

[0056] 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 work safety is also improved.

[0057] (Support of the cutting part) The left and right support plates 17L and 17R to which the left and right bearings 13L and 13R in the cutting device 16 are fixed are overlapped and fixed on the front inclined wall plates 60LS and 60RS in 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.

[0058] As described above, the supply unit 2 having the supply device 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.

[0059] 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 rigidity of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R is increased by the above-described configuration, 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 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.

[0060] (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.

[0061] (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 the switch panel 74 provided with the above-described power switch 53 and the like is formed in the rear inclined wall plate 60RV of the right support frame 60R.

[0062] (Cutting outlet cover) As shown in Fig. 7, a cutout cover 75 is provided to cover the conveyance start end portion of the aforementioned conveyance conveyor 31 from above. This cutout 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 to a hook-shaped groove 49M (see Fig. 1) formed at the upper front end portion of a support frame 49F (see Fig. 1) for supporting an operation box 49 provided with a display panel capable of touch operation, an emergency stop switch 46, a start switch, and a stop switch 48 on the front surface. Thereby, the cutout cover 75 can be attached and detached with the operation box 49 left on the machine body side.

[0063] As shown in Figs. 15 and 17, at the lower part of this cutout cover 75, in the attached state, a cutout 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 conveyance 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 cutout cover 75 (a position slightly rearward from the upper wall of the cutout cover 75).

[0064] (Side cover) As shown in Figs. 9 to 12 and Figs. 15 to 22, 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 these 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.

[0065] 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 portion 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 end edge of this side surface portion 75LU1 and 75RU1, and a front surface portion 75LU3 and 75RU3 that slopes downward and forward from the front edge of this upper surface portion 75LU2 and 75RU2 and then hangs down.

[0066] 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) into which the above-described plunger pins 75LP and 75RP engage are respectively formed on the outer sides of the lower front wall plates 60LF and 60RF of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R.

[0067] With this configuration, when the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are rotated inward and closed, the tip portions of the left and right plunger pins 75LP and 75RP engage with the engaging holes formed on the outer sides 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.

[0068] On the other hand, when opening the left and right side covers 75L and 75R, the left and right plunger pins 75LP and 75RP are pulled to extract the tip portions from the engaging holes to release the fixation, and the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are manually opened. FIGS. 20 to 22 show the state in which the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are open. In the state where the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are thus opened, the cutting device 16 is in an exposed state or a substantially exposed state. Also, 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.

[0069] (Receiving member) Thus, the meat cutting device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with receiving members 78L, 78R for receiving waste meat ("food waste" in the claims) generated when a block of meat is cut by the cutting device 16, as shown in Figures 20, 23, and 24.

[0070] The receiving members 78L, 78R receive the water flowing down from the upper surfaces of the left and right support plates 17L, 17R that support the cutting blade 15, as well as any scraps of meat contained in the water, and guide the water containing the scraps to containers 79L, 79R located on the lower front sides of the left and right side covers 75L, 75R, and are also referred to as chutes.

[0071] The receiving members 78L, 78R are provided corresponding to the left and right support plates 17L, 17R, respectively, and the left and right receiving members 78L, 78R here have shapes that are symmetrical or nearly symmetrical to each other.

[0072] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, each receiving member 78L, 78R is box-shaped with open upper and lower ends, and guides scraps of meat and water introduced through an upper opening 781 to containers 79L, 79R via a lower opening 782.

[0073] The upper end opening 781 is located below the pulleys 14L, 14R and opens toward the pulleys 14L, 14R, and the lower end opening 782 is located above the containers 79L, 79R and opens toward the containers 79L, 79R.

[0074] More specifically, as shown in Figures 24 and 25, each receiving member 78L, 78R has a lower end opening 782 narrower than an upper end opening 781, and there are portions where the internal space gradually narrows on the way from the upper end opening 781 to the lower end opening 782, and one or more inclined surfaces 783 are formed on the inner circumferential surface to guide waste meat and water introduced from the upper end opening 781 to the lower end opening 782.

[0075] The front wall 784 facing the front of the receiving members 78L and 78R extends above the rear wall 785 facing the rear (device main body side) of the receiving members 78L and 78R as shown in Fig. 24. Here, the upper end 78a of the front wall 784 extends above the lower end 17a of the support plates 17L and 17R.

[0076] Also, as shown in Fig. 25, a locking portion 786 that is locked to the mounting portion 80 provided at the lower part of the cutting device 16 is provided on the rear wall 785 of the receiving members 78L and 78R. Note that this rear wall 785 is a wall plate facing the front lower wall plates 60LF and 60RF of the support frames 60L and 60R.

[0077] In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 25, one or a plurality of mounting portions 80 are provided on the left and right sides at the lower part of the cutting device 16, and the left and right receiving members 78L and 78R are mounted on the mounting portions 80.

[0078] The mounting portion 80 is for hooking the receiving members 78L and 78R, and is a bent plate attached in a state of being bent so as to protrude forward from the front lower wall plates 60LF and 60RF of the support frames 60L and 60R.

[0079] On the other hand, the locking portion 786 of the receiving members 78L and 78R has a notch 787 for hooking the mounting portion 80, and by hooking the notch 787 to the locking portion 786, the receiving members 78L and 78R are mounted on the mounting portion 80.

[0080] (Attachment and detachment of the receiving member) In such a configuration, by opening the side covers 75L and 75R, as shown in Fig. 20, the receiving members 78L and 78R can be detachably attached to the mounting portion 80.

[0081] On one hand, by closing the side covers 75L and 75R, as shown in FIG. 27, the receiving members 78L and 78R become non-removable from the mounting portions 80. As shown in FIG. 24, the receiving members 78L and 78R in this state fill at least a part of the gaps between the side covers 75L and 75R and the support frames 60L and 60R, and also function to prevent reaching out a hand from this gap toward the cutting portion 3.

[0082] In the state where the side covers 75L and 75R are closed like this, as shown in FIG. 27, at least the upper ends of the receiving members 78L and 78R are covered by the side covers 75L and 75R, and at least the lower ends of the receiving members 78L and 78R are exposed from the side covers 75L and 75R.

[0083] (Peripheral Structure of Cutting Device) Also, in the state where the side covers 75L and 75R are closed, as shown in FIGS. 24, 26, and 27, the outer portion 161, upper portion 162, and front portion 163 of the cutting device 16 are covered by the side covers 75L and 75R. In other words, the side covers 75L and 75R in the closed state are arranged on the side, above, and in front of the cutting device 16.

[0084] In this embodiment, the outer portion 161 of the cutting device 16 is a portion including the radially outer end portions along the left - right direction of the left and right pulleys 14L and 14R respectively, the upper portion 162 of the cutting device 16 is a portion including the upper surfaces of the left and right pulleys 14L and 14R respectively, and the front portion 163 of the cutting device 16 is a portion including the radially front end portions along the front - rear direction of the left and right pulleys 14L and 14R respectively.

[0085] Also, the rear portion 164 of the cutting device 16 is covered by the wall surfaces of the device body where the support plates 17L and 17R are provided, more specifically, by the front upper wall plates 60LU and 60RU constituting the above - mentioned support frames 60L and 60R. In this embodiment, the rear portion 164 of the cutting device 16 is a portion including the radially rear end portions along the front - rear direction of the left and right pulleys 14L and 14R respectively.

[0086] (Fence material) Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 23, the meat cutting apparatus 100 of this embodiment is provided with a fence member 90 that covers the radially inner portions of the left and right pulleys 14L, 14R along the left-right direction.

[0087] This fence member 90 is positioned between the left and right pulleys 14L, 14R and the front of the supplying device 2E to separate them, and prevents food waste generated when the chunk of meat is cut by the cutting device 16 from scattering toward the supplying device 2E, which swings up and down.

[0088] Specifically, the fence member 90 is, for example, a plate-like member attached in an upright position to the support plates 17L, 17R, and its upper edge is positioned above the upper surfaces of the pulleys 14L, 14R, in other words, it has a height dimension that is greater than the thickness dimension of the pulleys 14L, 14R.

[0089] (Functions and Effects of the Meat Cutting Device According to the Present Embodiment) According to the meat cutting device 100 configured in this manner, the side covers 75L, 75R which cover the left and right outer parts of the cutting device 16 also cover at least the upper ends of the receiving members 78L, 78R. This means that at least a portion of the food scraps which fly in a direction shifted from the upper ends of the receiving members 78L, 78R can be received by the inner surfaces of the side covers 75L, 75R, making it possible to prevent food scraps from flying onto the floor or the like more effectively than in the past.

[0090] Furthermore, when the side covers 75L, 75R are closed, at least the lower ends of the receiving members 78L, 78R are exposed and visible, so that if the receiving members 78L, 78R are forgotten to be set, this fact can be easily noticed.

[0091] Furthermore, the receiving members 78L and 78R prevent hands from reaching from the gaps between the side covers 75L and 75R and the support frames 60L and 60R toward the cutting part. Also, since the receiving members 78L and 78R cannot be detached when the side covers 75L and 75R are closed, the safety during the operation of the device can be enhanced.

[0092] On the other hand, when the side covers 75L and 75R are opened, the receiving members 78L and 78R can be attached to and detached from the attachment part 80, so the workability such as replacement and cleaning of the receiving members 78L and 78R is maintained.

[0093] In addition, by closing the side covers 75L and 75R, the outer part 161, upper part 162, and front part 163 of the cutting device 16 are covered by the side covers 75L and 75R, so the scattering of chips from the outer part 161, upper part 162, and front part 163 of the cutting device 16 can be suppressed by the side covers 75L and 75R.

[0094] Furthermore, since the rear part 164 of the cutting device 16 is covered by the wall surface of the device body where the support plates 17L and 17R are provided, the scattering of food chips from the rear part 164 of the cutting device 16 can be suppressed by the wall surface of the device body.

[0095] Moreover, since the fence member 90 covers the inner parts of the left and right pulleys 14L and 14R respectively, the scattering of food chips from the inner parts of the left and right pulleys 14L and 14R respectively can be suppressed by the fence member 90.

[0096] Also, since the upper end part 78a of the front wall 784 of the receiving members 78L and 78R extends above the lower end part 17a of the support plates 17L and 17R, food chips flowing down along the support plates 17L and 17R and water containing food chips can be more reliably received, and more food chips can be dropped into the receiving members 78L and 78R.

[0097] (Another Embodiment of the Meat Cutting Device) Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0098] For example, in the above embodiment, in the state where the side covers 75L and 75R are closed, the lower ends of the receiving members 78L and 78R were exposed from the side covers 75L and 75R. However, the lower ends of the receiving members 78L and 78R may also be covered by the side covers 75L and 75R. That is, when viewed from the front, the entire receiving members 78L and 78R may be covered by the side covers 75L and 75R.

[0099] Also, in the above embodiment, the left and right receiving members 78L and 78R having a symmetrical shape were used. However, receiving members 78L and 78R having different shapes and sizes from each other may be used on the left and right sides.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the receiving members 78L and 78R were non-removable from the mounting portions 80 in the state where the side covers 75L and 75R were closed. However, from the viewpoint of ease of cleaning the receiving members 78L and 78R, etc., the receiving members 78L and 78R may be removable from the mounting portions 80 even in the state where the side covers 75L and 75R are closed.

[0101] In addition, the receiving members 78L and 78R were attached to the mounting portions 80 provided on the support frames 60L and 60R in the above embodiment. However, if the mounting portions 80 are provided on the inner surfaces of the side covers 75L and 75R, they may be attached to these mounting portions 80. That is, the receiving members 78L and 78R may be attached to the side covers 75L and 75R.

[0102] Moreover, as the cutting device 16, in the above embodiment, it was provided with a belt-shaped cutting blade 15. However, it may be provided with a round blade, a jade-shaped blade, or a guillotine blade, etc. as the cutting blade 15.

[0103] The meat cutting device 100 according to the present invention is not limited to cutting raw meat, and may be, for example, a processed food such as ham or cheese, seafood such as sliced fish, various vegetables, or a food dough having flexibility or viscosity.

[0104] Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0105] 100 ··· Meat cutting device 2 ··· Supply unit 3 ··· Cutting unit 4 ··· Transfer unit 5 ··· Folding unit 6 ··· Conveying unit 7 ··· Control unit 15 ··· Cutting blade 16 ··· Cutting device 17L, 17R ··· Support plate 17a ··· Lower end portion 75L, 75R ··· Side cover 78L, 78R ··· Receiving member 784 ··· Front wall 78a ··· Upper end portion 79L, 79R ··· Container 80 ··· Mounting portion 90 ··· Fence member

Claims

1. A cutting device for cutting food, Left and right side covers that can be opened and closed and respectively cover the left and right outer sides of the cutting device, A receiving member disposed below the cutting device for receiving food scraps generated when the food is cut by the cutting device, and comprising: A food cutting device, wherein at least the upper end of the receiving member is covered by the side cover when the side cover is closed.

2. The food cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least the lower end of the receiving member is exposed when the side cover is closed.

3. The food cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving member is non-removable from a mounting portion provided below the cutting device when the side cover is closed, and the receiving member is removable from the mounting portion when the side cover is open.

4. The food cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the outer side, upper side, and front side of the cutting device are covered by the side cover when the side cover is closed.

5. The cutting device has a cutting blade and a support plate that supports the cutting blade and is inclined downward and forward, The food cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of the front wall of the receiving member extends above the lower end of the support plate.

6. The food cutting device according to claim 5, wherein the rear side of the cutting device is covered by a wall surface of a device body provided with the support plate.

7. The cutting device has a belt-shaped cutting blade and left and right pulleys around which the cutting blade is wound, The food cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising a fence member that covers the inner portions of the left and right pulleys respectively.

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