Food cutting device

Abstract

To enable production of several kinds of food cutting devices, for example, having different purposes etc. and achieve reduction of production costs and simplification of production process.SOLUTION: A food cutting device includes: a storage box 200 configured to store block-like food and has a delivery port 201 for sending the block-like food; a frame structure FS supporting the storage box 200; a cutting blade 15 which cuts the end of the block-like food sent from the delivery port 201 through a movement relative to the storage box 200; and a transport mechanism 300 which transports a food piece cut by the cutting blade 15. The frame structure FS can be used even in several kinds of storage boxes 200 which are different in at least one of the form and the moving range relative to the cutting blade 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A conventional food cutting device is configured to send out a chunk of meat to an outlet of the meat box while swinging the meat box up and down, and to cut out sliced ​​meat by cutting the end of the chunk of meat sent out from the outlet with a cutting blade.

[0003] Such a food cutting device is described in Patent Document 1, which uses a meat box with a delivery outlet on each side, and is configured to cut two rows of sliced ​​meat at a time.

[0004] On the other hand, there is a machine for cutting larger chunks of meat than the one described in Patent Document 1, which is configured to oscillate a meat box with a single outlet more than the meat box described in Patent Document 1 (in other words, the oscillating range is wider).

[0005] As described above, in conventional food cutting devices, each model has its own specialized use, and the meat box and surrounding structure are individually designed to be optimal for each use.

[0006] However, designing each model separately in this way results in a wide variety of parts being required overall, which limits the parts that can be standardized, posing challenges such as limitations on reducing production costs and simplifying the production process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-134825 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is to make it possible to produce multiple types of food cutting devices with different uses, etc., while reducing production costs and simplifying the production process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In other words, the food cutting device of the present invention comprises a storage box for storing lump food and having an outlet for discharging the lump food, a frame structure supporting the storage box, a cutting blade for cutting the ends of the lump food discharged from the outlet by moving relative to the storage box, and a conveying mechanism for conveying the food pieces cut by the cutting blade, and is characterized in that the frame structure is configured to be compatible with multiple types of storage boxes that differ in at least one of their shapes or range of movement relative to the cutting blade.

[0010] With a food cutting device configured in this manner, the frame structure that movably supports the storage box can be used for multiple types of storage boxes that differ in at least one of their shapes or the range of movement relative to the cutting blade, so the frame structure that forms the skeleton of the device can be standardized, thereby reducing production costs and simplifying the production process.

[0011] Here, conventional food cutting devices are not limited to the meat box for storing the chunks of meat described above, and the structure of the conveying mechanism for conveying the cut sliced ​​meat may also differ depending on the model. Therefore, it is preferable that the frame structure is configured so as to be compatible with a plurality of types of transport mechanisms having different configurations or transport means. This makes it possible to use a common frame structure for various types of machines that differ not only in the configuration and operation of the meat boxes that serve as storage boxes, but also in the configuration and operation of the transport mechanisms.

[0012] As a more specific embodiment, an aspect can be cited in which the frame structure can be shared by a first transport mechanism including a folding member that folds food pieces cut by the cutting blade as the transport means, and a second transport mechanism that does not include the folding member. With such a configuration, for example, a common frame structure can be used for both a model that folds and transports sliced meat and a model that transports it without folding.

[0013] The frame structure supports the storage box so as to be swingable, and further includes a power source for swinging the storage box and a crank mechanism that is interposed between the drive source and the storage box and converts rotational motion into reciprocating motion. Among the plurality of types of storage boxes, it is preferable that the rotation axis of the crank mechanism is located on an imaginary straight line passing through the top dead center and the bottom dead center of the connection point with the crank mechanism in the storage box having the widest swing range. With such a configuration, the power from the power source can be transmitted to the storage box with the widest swing range most efficiently, and the stability of the operation of the storage box can be ensured. On the other hand, although the power is transmitted to the other storage boxes with some loss, since the swing range is narrow, this does not substantially affect the quality of the sliced meat.

[0014] The frame structure supports a swing mechanism for swinging the storage box, and it is preferable that some of the components constituting the swing mechanism can be shared by the plurality of types of storage boxes. With such a configuration, some of the parts constituting the swing mechanism can also be shared, and further reduction of production costs and further simplification of the production process can be achieved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention configured as described above, for example, it is possible to produce a plurality of types of food cutting devices with different uses, while reducing production costs and simplifying the production process.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0018] In the mode for carrying out the present invention, as an example of the food cutting device, a meat cutting device for cutting processed raw meat in a lump (the "food" in the claims. Such as partial pork meat. Hereinafter, also referred to as lump meat) will be exemplified, and its examples will be described in detail below.

[0019] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, in the conveying direction of the meat to be cut, the upstream side is defined as the "rear side", the downstream side is defined as the "front side", the left hand side in the state facing the upstream side is defined as the "left side", and the right hand side is defined as the "right side" for explanation.

[0020] (Schematic Configuration of the Meat Cutting Device) Although the detailed configuration of the meat cutting device 100 of the present embodiment will be described later, as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, it includes a frame structure FS, a storage box 200 (hereinafter referred to as the meat box 200) that is swingably supported by the frame structure FS and accommodates a lump of meat, and a conveying mechanism 300 that conveys the sliced meat cut from the lump of meat.

[0021] In such a configuration, the meat cutting device 100 sends out a lump of meat to the outlet 201 of the meat box 200 while swinging the meat box 200 up and down, and cuts the end of the lump of meat sent out from this outlet 201 by the relative movement of the cutting blade 15 (see FIG. 8 etc.) with respect to the meat box 200, and conveys the sliced meat thus obtained to the front side by the conveying mechanism 300.

[0022] Note that the relative movement of the cutting blade 15 with respect to the meat box 200 includes, in addition to the mode in which the meat box 200 moves with respect to the cutting blade 15 as in the present embodiment, the mode in which the cutting blade 15 moves with respect to the meat box 200, and the mode in which both the meat box 200 and the cutting blade 15 move.

[0023] (Frame structure) However, in this meat cutting device 100, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the above-described frame structure FS is configured to be applicable to a plurality of types of meat boxes 200 in which at least one of the form or the movement range with respect to the cutting blade 15 is different. Note that the form is a concept including size, shape, or a combination thereof. Also, the movement range here is the range in which the meat box 200 can swing up and down (hereinafter also referred to as the swing range), but is a concept including ranges in which various reciprocating movements such as lifting and lowering movement, advancing and retreating movement, and left and right swinging are possible.

[0024] The frame structure FS of the present embodiment is a structure that can be applied to three types of meat boxes 200 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. However, the frame structure FS may be applicable only to two types of meat boxes 200, or may be applicable to four or more types of meat boxes 200.

[0025] (Swing part) Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a swinging portion 500 is constituted by a meat box 200 and a swinging mechanism 400 for swinging the meat box 200, and this swinging portion 500 is incorporated into the frame structure FS. That is, the frame structure FS of the present embodiment is compatible with three types of swinging portions 500 having different configurations, and is compatible with three models of meat cutting devices 100 of different types.

[0026] (Common points of the swinging portion) First, the common points of each swinging portion 500 will be described.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, each swinging portion 500 is common in that the meat box 200 has swinging fulcrum shafts 64 extending to the left and right sides respectively.

[0028] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each swinging portion 500 has a motor 9 as a power source for swinging the meat box 200 and a crank mechanism 401 interposed between the motor 9 and the meat box 200 to convert rotational motion into reciprocating motion. One end portion 11a of a rod 11 constituting the crank mechanism 401 is pivotally connected to a side wall 202 of the meat box 200, and the other end portion 11b is pivotally connected to a tip portion of a crank arm 10 fixed to a rotating shaft 11c to which the power of the motor 9 is transmitted.

[0029] (Differences of the swinging portion) Next, the differences of each swinging portion 500 will be described. Hereinafter, to distinguish the three types of swing parts 500, each swing part 500 is referred to as a first swing part 500A, a second swing part 500B, and a third swing part 500C. The components of the first swing part 500A are referred to as a first meat box 200A, a first swing mechanism 400A, a first motor 9A, a crank mechanism 401A, and a first rod 11A. The components of the second swing part 500B are referred to as a second meat box 200B, a second swing mechanism 400B, a second motor 9B, a crank mechanism 401B, and a second rod 11B. The components of the third swing part 500C are referred to as a third meat box 200C, a third swing mechanism 400C, a third motor 9C, a crank mechanism 401C, and a third rod 11C.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 2, the first meat box 200A and the third meat box 200C are each provided with a delivery port 201 for delivering block-shaped meat on the left and right sides, while the second meat box 200B is provided with a single delivery port 201. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the second meat box 200B has a wider swing range 200X than the first meat box 200A and the third meat box 200C. Due to these structural differences, the second meat box 200B is used for cutting pork belly meat and the like, which has a larger left-right width than the first meat box 200A and the third meat box 200C used for cutting pork loin meat and the like.

[0031] The first motor 9A has a smaller capacity than the second motor 9B and the third motor 9C, and the second motor 9B and the third motor 9C are common ones with equal capacities. However, the reduction ratios of the reduction gears (not shown) attached to the second motor 9B and the third motor 9C are different from each other.

[0032] The first rod 11A and the third rod 11C are common ones with the same overall length, and the second rod 11B has a shorter overall length than the first rod 11A and the third rod 11C. Note that when the first rod 11A and the third rod 11C are incorporated into the device, the screwing amounts are different from each other, and the lengths from one end 11a to the other end 11b are different from each other.

[0033] As described above, the components such as the motor 9 and the rod 11 that constitute the swinging mechanism 400 include those that are commonly used for different swinging parts 500. In other words, some of the components that constitute the swinging mechanism 400 can be used interchangeably for a plurality of types of meat boxes 200.

[0034] In the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the frame structure FS of the present embodiment has a common insertion hole FS1 that can be used to support the swing fulcrum shafts 64 of the first meat box 200A, the second meat box 200B, and the third meat box 200C, respectively, into which the swing fulcrum shaft 64 of any selected meat box 200 is inserted, and a common mounting hole FS2 that can be used to mount the first swinging mechanism 400A, the second swinging mechanism 400B, and the third swinging mechanism 400C, respectively, for mounting the mounting portion 402 of the selected swinging mechanism 400.

[0035] Through these insertion holes FS1 and mounting holes FS2, each swinging part 500 is incorporated into the frame structure FS, so that the swing fulcrum shaft 64 and the rotation shaft 11c of the crank mechanism 401 (more specifically, the rotation shaft 11c of the other end portion 11b of the rod 11) are in a common position in any model.

[0036] In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, the frame structure FS of the present embodiment is configured such that the rotation shaft 11c of the crank mechanism 401B (more specifically, the rotation shaft 11c of the other end portion 11b of the rod 11B) is located on the virtual straight line L2 passing through the top dead center U2 and the bottom dead center B2 of the connection portion (more specifically, the connection portion with the one end portion 11a of the rod 11B) of the crank mechanism 401B in the second meat box 200B having the widest swing range 200X among the plurality of types of meat boxes 200.

[0037] In addition, due to the above-described configuration, in the first meat box 200A, the rotation axis 11c of the crank mechanism 401A (more specifically, the rotation axis 11c of the other end portion 11b of the rod 11A) is located at a position deviated from the virtual straight line L1 passing through the top dead center U1 and the bottom dead center B1 of the connection point with the crank mechanism 401A (more specifically, the connection point with one end portion 11a of the rod 11A).

[0038] Similarly, in the third meat box 200C as well, the rotation axis 11c of the crank mechanism 401C (more specifically, the rotation axis 11c of the other end portion 11b of the rod 11C) is located at a position deviated from the virtual straight line L3 passing through the top dead center U3 and the bottom dead center B3 of the connection point with the crank mechanism 401C (more specifically, the connection point with one end portion 11a of the rod 11C).

[0039] By the way, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the frame structure FS of the present embodiment is configured to be applicable to a plurality of types of conveying mechanisms 300 in which at least one of the form or the conveying means is different. Note that the form is a concept including size, shape, or a combination thereof.

[0040] (Common points of the conveying mechanisms) First, regarding the common points of each conveying mechanism 300, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each conveying mechanism 300 is common in that it has a conveyor belt 43 as a conveying means on which sliced meat is placed and an attachment member 301 attached to the above-described frame structure FS. Note that a part of the attachment member 301 uses the same member in a plurality of types of conveying mechanisms 300.

[0041] (Differences in the conveying mechanisms) Next, the differences in each conveying mechanism 300 will be described. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish the three types of conveying mechanisms 300, each conveying mechanism 300 will be referred to as a first conveying mechanism 300A, a second conveying mechanism 300B, and a third conveying mechanism 300C.

[0042] 4 and 5, the first conveying mechanism 300A includes a transfer section 4 that transfers sliced ​​meat obtained by cutting the chunk of meat to the conveyor belt 43, and a folding section 5 (a folding member in claims) that is disposed between the transfer section 4 and the conveyor belt 43 and folds the sliced ​​meat. The transfer section 4 and the folding section 5 are one of the conveying means described above, and a detailed configuration thereof will be described later.

[0043] The first conveying mechanism 300A folds the sliced ​​meat handed over from the transfer section 4 to the conveyor belt 43 using the folding section 5, and intermittently conveys the sliced ​​meat using the conveyor belt 43, stacking multiple slices of meat while shifting them at a predetermined pitch to form a group of sliced ​​meat, and conveys the group of sliced ​​meat downstream.

[0044] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the second conveying mechanism 300B does not include both the transition section 4 and the folding section 5, and conveys the sliced ​​meat continuously by the conveyor belt 43 without folding the sliced ​​meat.

[0045] 4 and 5, the third conveying mechanism 300C includes a transfer section 4 but does not include a folding section 5. The third conveying mechanism 300C here includes a dusting member 302 that knocks the sliced ​​meat from the transfer section 4 onto the conveyor belt 43. The dusting member 302 is one of the conveying means described above.

[0046] The third conveying mechanism 300C intermittently conveys the sliced ​​meat on the conveyor belt 43 without folding it, thereby stacking multiple sliced ​​meat while shifting them at a predetermined pitch to form a group of sliced ​​meat, and conveys the group of sliced ​​meat downstream.

[0047] In the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the frame structure FS of the present embodiment can be shared by the first transport mechanism 300A, the second transport mechanism 300B, and the third transport mechanism 300C, respectively. An attachment member 301 of any selected transport mechanism 300 is attached, and it has a common support member FS3 that supports the transport mechanism 300.

[0048] This support member FS3 is, for example, a long member extending in the transport direction of the transport mechanism 300. By passing a bolt through a bolt hole formed at a corresponding location between this support member FS3 and the above-described attachment member 301 and fastening it with a nut, the transport mechanism 300 is attached to and supported by the frame structure FS.

[0049] However, the specific embodiments of the attachment member 301 and the support member FS3 are not limited to those described above, and various embodiments may be adopted as long as the transport mechanism 300 can be attached to the frame structure FS.

[0050] As described above, the frame structure FS of the present embodiment is shared by three different types of meat cutting devices 100. With the generalization of this frame structure FS, the pulleys 14L, 14R to which the cutting blade 15 described later is wound, the support plates that support these pulleys 14L, 14R, and the side covers 75L, 75R that cover the pulleys 14L, 14R, etc. are also generalized among different models.

[0051] Hereinafter, among the producible models, the meat cutting device 100 including the first swing portion 500A and the first transport mechanism 300A will be described.

[0052] However, the meat cutting device 100 according to the present invention is not limited to the models described below, and may include the second swing portion 500B and the second transport mechanism 300B, or may include the third swing portion 500C and the third transport mechanism 300C, or may further include the first swing portion 500A and the second transport mechanism 300B, etc.

[0053] In addition, the parts of each of these models of meat cutting device 100 that come into contact with the chunks of meat before cutting or the cut pieces of meat, as well as at least the areas in their vicinity, and the covers of each part, are made of stainless steel from a hygienic standpoint.

[0054] (Overall configuration of meat cutting device) 6 to 12, the body of the meat cutting device 100 includes a supply unit 2, a cutting unit 3, a transfer unit 4, a folding unit 5, a conveying unit 6, and a control unit 7 that controls these. The transfer unit 4, the folding unit 5, and the conveying unit 6 are components of the conveying mechanism 300 described above.

[0055] (Supply Section Configuration) As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, 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.

[0056] As shown in Figures 6, 7, 11, 19, and 21, 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.

[0057] 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 above constitutes the supply unit 2. The supply unit 2 from which the supply electric motor 2G and the gear transmission mechanism 2H have been removed constitutes the meat box 200 described above.

[0058] 6, 7 and 18, the tip of a crank arm 10, which is rotationally driven by an electric motor 9 for swinging fixed to support frames 60L, 60R (described later), is axially connected to the lower part of the frame body 2A by a length-adjustable interlocking rod 11. The electric motor 9 for swinging, the crank arm 10, and the interlocking rod 11 are components of the swing mechanism 400 described above. 6, the connecting frame on the support frames 60L, 60R side (this connecting frame will be described later) and the lower part of the frame body 2A are axially connected by a gas spring 12. The gas spring 12 constantly urges the frame body 2A in the upward direction, reducing the load on the electric motor 9 for swinging. This electric motor 9 for swinging is fixed to the right side surface of the inner wall plate 60RI of the right support frame 60R.

[0059] (Configuration of cutting part) As shown in Figures 7, 8, and 18, a cutting device 16 is formed by wrapping an endless strip-shaped cutting blade 15 around a drive pulley 14R rotatably supported on a right-side support frame 60R and a driven pulley 14L rotatably supported on a left-side support frame 60L.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 18, the electric cutting motor 15M that rotates the drive pulley 14R is built into the right support frame 60R. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a right bearing 13R is provided for supporting a rotating shaft (drive shaft) 14RJ of the drive pulley 14R, and a left bearing 13L is provided for supporting a rotating shaft (driven shaft) 14LJ of the driven pulley 14L. As shown in FIG. 18, the right bearing 13R and the left bearing 13L are fixed to right support plates 17R and left support plates 17L, respectively, which are arranged below the driving pulley 14R and the driven pulley 14L, and are fixed to left and right support frames 60L, 60R via the left and right support plates 17L, 17R.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, 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.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 9, 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.

[0063] 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 .

[0064] (Configuration of the handover section) As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 11, and 12, a relay portion 4 having a left-right symmetric relay transfer device 21 is disposed on the front side of the above-described contact plate 19. This relay transfer device 21 is provided with a plurality of left and right rotating disks 23L and 23R each having a large number of protrusions formed on the outer peripheral edge at intervals in the left-right direction with respect to left and right rotation shafts 22L and 22R in the left-right direction, and a part of each outer peripheral edge of these rotating disks 23L and 23R is configured to enter a large number of vertical slits formed in the upper portion of the above-described contact plate 19. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, left and right relay electric motors 24 for rotationally driving the left and right rotation shafts 22L and 22R via a gear transmission mechanism 22A are provided.

[0065] (Configuration of folding portion) As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 11, and 12, a folding portion 5 is disposed on the rear side of the relay transfer device 21. This folding portion 5 is provided with a mechanism for reciprocally rotating a large number of thin rods 28 implanted in the left and right rotation shafts 27L and 27R by left and right folding rotary tables 26L and 26R. Also, a mechanism for sliding the rotation shafts 27L and 27R together with the folding rotary tables 26L and 26R in the rearwardly upward inclined direction by air cylinders 25L and 25R is provided.

[0066] Also, as shown in FIG. 10, left and right pressing members 29AL and 29AR provided with curved linear springs 29 are moved up and down by air cylinders 30L and 30R, and a mechanism for pressing and releasing the upper surface of the sliced meat pieces m cut out in two left and right rows against the upper surface of the conveying portion 6 is provided. These mechanisms are provided symmetrically on the left and right. Furthermore, as will be described later, a mechanism for moving the start end portion of the conveying portion 6 up and down is provided. The left and right thin rods 28 reciprocally rotate between a position retracted within the left and right intervals of the left and right rotating disks 23L and 23R of the above-described relay transfer device 21 and a position approaching the upper surface of the start end portion of the conveying portion 6 by the forward and reverse rotation driving of the left and right folding rotary tables 26L and 26R.

[0067] (Cutting operation) 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.

[0068] 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 piece of meat m is supported by its own weight in a state in which it hangs down on both the front and rear sides of the thin rod 28. When the thin rod 28 swings downward and approaches the upper surface of the starting end of the conveying section 6, the piece of meat m that is supported by the thin rod 28 and folded in half is placed on the upper surface of the starting end of the conveying section 6.

[0069] The placed left and right meat pieces m are pressed down by the left and right pressing members 29AL, 29AR by the extension of the left and right air cylinders 30L, 30R. In this state, the left and right air cylinders 25L, 25R are operated to slide the thin rod 28 together with the left and right folding rotary tables 26L, 26R in a rearward downward inclination direction, and the thin rod 28 is removed from between the folded meat pieces m. Thereafter, the left and right air cylinders 30L, 30R are contracted to cause the linear spring 29 to push away the upper surface of the meat piece m, while the left and right pressing members 29AL, 29AR are raised and withdrawn, completing the placement of the folded meat piece m.

[0070] As shown in Figures 11 and 13, by repeating the above-mentioned operation, multiple folded pieces of meat m (six in this example) are arranged in parallel on the conveying section 6 (on the upper surface of the rear end of the conveyor belt 43 described later), and two rows of aggregates M are formed.

[0071] (Configuration of the Conveyor Section) As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 12, the conveyor section 6 is provided with a conveyor 31. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the left and right rails 33R fixed to the lower part of the sliding frame 33 are placed on the front, rear, left, and right rollers 32R 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. Note that the machine base frame 32 and the sliding frame 33 are components of the frame structure FS described above. The mounting frame 35 is supported with respect to this sliding frame 33 via the front and rear link mechanisms 34, and the conveyor 31 is mounted and fixed on this mounting frame 35.

[0072] That is, a frame member 36F is fixed to the front part of the mounting frame 35, the rear part of the conveyor frame 37 in the front-rear direction is fixed to the upper part of this frame member 36F, and this conveyor frame 37 is extended forward. An endless conveyor belt 43 is wound around the roller group 38 provided at the rear end of this conveyor frame 37, the idle roller 39 provided at the middle part, the idle roller 40 provided at the front end part, and the drive roller 42 rotationally driven by the conveyor electric motor 41 attached to the frame member 36F.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 12, the roller group 38 rotatably supports the rear end roller 38B on the left-right swing shaft 38J supported by the conveyor frame 37, and with respect to the swing arm 38A supported so as to be swingable up and down coaxially with this swing shaft 38J, the lower roller 38C, the middle roller 38D, and the front end roller 38E are rotatably supported and configured.

[0074] The swing arm 38A is configured to swing up and down by the expansion and contraction operation of the air cylinder 38S axially connected across the frame member 36F and the swing arm 38A. When the oscillating arm 38A swings up and down due to the extension operation of the air cylinder 38S, the upper surface (conveyor start end) of the rear end portion of the conveyor belt 43 that is looped around the roller 38D at the middle portion and the roller 38E at the front end portion moves up and down while the roller 38B at the rear end portion remains stationary.

[0075] 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 piece of 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 device 21 is also supported by a frame member 36R fixed to the rear portion of the mounting frame 35.

[0076] (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, 25R, folding rotary tables 26L, 26R, air cylinders 30L, 30R, air cylinder 38S, and conveying electric motor 41.

[0077] Also, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 23, 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-plant 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 portion of the machine body from the in-plant facilities.

[0078] (Main Frame of the Meat Cutting Device) Based on FIGS. 14 to 18, the structure of the main frame of the meat cutting device 100 including the aforementioned support frame will be described.

[0079] (Left and right support frames) The left and right support frames 60L and 60R formed in a box shape by stainless steel materials are arranged at intervals in the left - right direction. These left and right support frames 60L and 60R are formed in a box shape approximating a left - right symmetric shape.

[0080] That is, the left and right support frames 60L and 60R have seven corners, and between the outer side wall plates 60LE and 60RE formed in an upward - narrowing shape and the inner side wall plates 60LI and 60RI, there are the bottom wall plates 60LD and 60RD, the front - lower wall plates 60LF and 60RF continuous from the front ends of these bottom wall plates 60LD and 60RD, the front - inclined wall plates 60LS and 60RS continuous from the upper ends of these front - lower wall plates 60LF and 60RF, the front - upper wall plates 60LU and 60RU continuous from the upper ends of these front - inclined wall plates 60LS and 60RS, the upper wall plates 60LT and 60RT continuous from the upper ends of these front - upper wall plates 60LU and 60RU, the rear - inclined wall plates 60LV and 60RV continuous from the rear ends of these upper wall plates 60LT and 60RT, and the rear - lower wall plates 60LB and 60RB continuous from the lower ends of these rear - inclined wall plates 60LV and 60RV to the rear ends of the bottom wall plates 60LD and 60RD. By joining them, each of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R is configured in a box shape.

[0081] The bottom wall plates 60LD and 60RD are in a substantially horizontal posture, the front - lower wall plates 60LF and 60RF stand up in a substantially vertical posture, the front - inclined wall plates 60LS and 60RS are gently inclined upward, the front - upper wall plates 60LU and 60RU stand up in a substantially vertical posture, the upper wall plates 60LT and 60RT are in a substantially horizontal posture, the rear - inclined wall plates 60LV and 60RV are steeply inclined downward, and the rear - lower wall plates 60LB and 60RB stand up in a substantially vertical posture. Inside the left and right support frames 60L and 60R formed in a box shape in this way, spaces KL and KR are respectively formed.

[0082] (Lower connection structure) The space between the left and right support frames 60L and 60R formed as described above is connected by a plurality of connecting frames in the left - right direction. A part of this connecting frame is a cylindrical (round pipe - shaped) lower connecting frame 61D that connects the lower parts of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R, and is mainly composed of a front - side lower connecting frame 61DF and a rear - side lower connecting frame 61DR.

[0083] Both the left and right end portions of this front - side lower connecting frame 61DF and rear - side lower connecting frame 61DR penetrate through holes formed in the inner wall plates 60LI of the left - side support frame 60L and the inner wall plates 60RI of the right - side support frame 60R, and are respectively fixed by abutting against the inner surfaces of the outer wall plates 60LE and 60RE. Also, both the left and right end portions of a square - tube - shaped (square - pipe - shaped) connecting frame 61D1 disposed above the front - side of the front - side lower connecting frame 61DF are respectively fixed by abutting against the inner wall plate 60LI of the left - side support frame 60L and the inner wall plate 60RI of the right - side support frame 60R.

[0084] With the above configuration, the lower parts of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R are firmly connected. A stay 62 having a surface in a substantially vertical posture is fixed across the left and right side portions on the front surface of the connecting frame 61D1 and the front - side lower connecting frame 61DF. The rear end portion of the aforementioned machine base frame 32 is connected to this stay 62.

[0085] (Upper connecting structure) Also, the upper ends of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R are connected by an upper connecting frame 61U in the left - right direction. That is, both the left and right end portions of this upper connecting frame 61U penetrate through holes formed in the inner wall plates 60LI of the left - side support frame 60L and the inner wall plates 60RI of the right - side support frame 60R, and are respectively fixed by abutting against the inner surfaces of the outer wall plates 60LE and 60RE. 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 portions between the left and right support frames 60L and 60R are firmly connected.

[0086] As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, the connection portion P1 of the front lower connection frame 61DF to the support frames 60L and 60R, the connection portion P2 of the rear lower connection frame 61DR to the support frames 60L and 60R, and the connection portion 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 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 connection portions P1, P2, and P3 that form a circle 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 mutually 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. Note that the support frames 60L and 60R, the lower connection frame 61D, and the upper connection frame 61U are components of the frame structure FS described above.

[0087] 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 harnesses can be routed across both spaces KL and KR.

[0088] 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 fixed by abutting against the inner wall plate 60LI of the left support frame 60L and the inner wall plate 60RI of the right support frame 60R, respectively. Attach the base of the gas spring 12 to the mounting seat 12A fixed on the connecting frame 61D4 via the 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.

[0089] (Support of the swing fulcrum shaft) As shown in FIGS. 7 and 21, a left-right swing fulcrum shaft 64 for supporting the frame body 2A of the supply unit 2 in the vertical swingable manner 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, which are the above-described insertion holes FS1, project inward from the inner side surfaces of the inner wall plates 60LI of the left support frame 60L and the inner wall plates 60RI of the right support frame 60R, respectively, and the bearings 65 are 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.

[0090] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 21, 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 a vertically swingable manner in the space between the left and right support frames 60L and 60R.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 21, with the supply device 2E supported in a vertically swingable manner in the space between the left and right support frames 60L and 60R, 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.

[0092] (Support of the cutting part) The left and right support plates 17L and 17R, which fix the left and right bearings 13L and 13R in the cutting device 16, are overlapped and fixed on the front inclined wall plates 60LS and 60RS of the left and right support frames 60L and 60R. Thereby, 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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 position by the cutting blade 15 are less likely to change. Thereby, the cutting accuracy is improved, and the thickness of the cut meat m is made uniform.

[0095] (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.

[0096] (Mounting of equipment on the support frame) As shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, 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. 16 and 17, a rectangular opening 74K for attaching a switch panel 74 equipped with the aforementioned power switch 53 etc. is formed in the rear inclined wall plate 60RV of the right support frame 60R.

[0097] (Cut-out port cover) As shown in FIG. 12, a cut-out port cover 75 is provided to cover the conveying start end portion of the aforementioned conveying 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 hooked from above on a hook-shaped groove 49M (see FIG. 6) formed at the upper front end portion of a support frame 49F (see FIG. 6) for supporting an operation box 49 equipped 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 cut-out port cover 75 can be attached and detached with the operation box 49 left on the machine body side.

[0098] As shown in FIGS. 20 and 22, at the lower part 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 aggregate M conveyed by the conveying 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 rearward from the upper wall of the cut-out port cover 75).

[0099] (Side cover) As shown in FIGS. 14 to 17 and FIGS. 20 to 27, the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are respectively attached so as 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. 14, each of the left and right side covers 75L and 75R is integrally formed from a lower surface portion 75LD and 75RD formed at each left and right outer portion and a raised portion 75LU and 75RU formed at each left and right inner portion.

[0100] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 18, the left and right lower surface portions 75LD and 75RD have a front downwardly inclined upper surface portion 75LD1 and 75RD1 that cover the upper sides of the aforementioned left driven pulley 14L and right drive pulley 14R, and side surface portions 75LD2 and 75RD2 that hang down from the outer edge of this upper surface portion. In addition, the left and right raised portions 75LU and 75RU have side surface portions 75LU1 and 75RU1 that rise from the inner ends of the upper surface portions 75LD1 and 75RD1 described above, upper surface portions 75LU2 and 75RU2 that extend in the left and right directions with a predetermined width from the upper edge of this side surface portion 75LU1 and 75RU1, and front surface portions 75LU3 and 75RU3 that hang down after being inclined downward from the front edge of this upper surface portion 75LU2 and 75RU2.

[0101] Note that, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 25, plunger pins 75LP and 75RP are respectively attached to the lower front sides of the left and right side covers 75L and 75R via stays 75LS and 75RS. On the other hand, engagement holes (not shown) with which the aforementioned 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.

[0102] By configuring in this way, 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 engagement 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. 22 to 24 show the state in which the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are closed.

[0103] 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 engagement holes to release the fixation, and the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are manually opened. FIGS. 25 to 27 show the state in which the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are opened. In this way, when the left and right side covers 75L and 75R are 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.

[0104] (Function and Effect of the Meat Cutting Device According to this Embodiment) According to the meat cutting device 100 configured in this way, since the frame structure FS can be used in common for a plurality of types of meat boxes 200 having at least one of different forms or swing ranges 200X, the frame structure FS that forms the framework of the device can be made common, thereby reducing production costs and simplifying the production process.

[0105] In addition, since the frame structure FS is configured to be usable in common for a plurality of types of conveying mechanisms 300 having different structures, it is possible to use the common frame structure FS for various models that differ not only in the configuration and operation of the meat box 200 but also in the configuration and operation of the conveying mechanism 300.

[0106] Furthermore, since the rotation axis 11c of the crank mechanism 401B is located on the virtual straight line L2 passing through the top dead center U2 and the bottom dead center B2 of the connection point with the crank mechanism 401B in the second meat box 200B having the widest swing range 200X, the power from the motor 9B can be transmitted to this second meat box 200B most efficiently, and the stability of the operation can be ensured. On the other hand, although the power is transmitted to the first meat box 200A and the third meat box 200C other than this with some loss, since the swing range 200X is narrower than that of the second meat box 200B, this does not substantially affect the quality of the sliced meat and the like.

[0107] Since some of the components constituting the swing mechanism 400 can be used in common for a plurality of types of meat boxes 200, some of the parts constituting the swing mechanism 400 can also be made common, further reducing production costs and further simplifying the production process.

[0108] (Another Embodiment of the Meat Cutting Device) Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0109] For example, in the above embodiment, in the second meat box 200B where the swing range 200X is the widest, the rotation axis 11c of the other end portion 11b of the rod 11 is configured to be located on the virtual straight line L2 passing through the top dead center U2 and the bottom dead center B2 of the connection point with the one end portion 11a of the rod 11. However, in the first meat box 200A and the third meat box 200C, the top dead centers U1, U3, the bottom dead centers B1, B3, and the rotation axis 11c may be configured to have the above-described positional relationship.

[0110] Further, as the frame structure FS, it is not necessarily required to support the meat box 200 so as to be swingable. For example, if the cutting blade 15 reciprocates with respect to the meat box 200, the meat box 200 does not have to be swingable.

[0111] Furthermore, as the cutting device 16, in the above embodiment, it is provided with the belt-shaped cutting blade 15, but it may be provided with a round blade, a jade-shaped blade, or a guillotine blade as the cutting blade 15.

[0112] The meat cutting device 100 according to the present invention is not limited to cutting raw meat. For example, it may cut processed foods such as ham and cheese, seafood such as sliced fish, various vegetables, or food dough having flexibility and viscosity.

[0113] Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0114] 100 ··· Meat cutting device 2 ··· Supply unit 3 ··· Cutting unit 4 ··· Transfer unit 5 ··· Folding unit 6 ··· Conveying unit 7 ··· Control unit 15 ··· Cutting edge FS ··· Frame structure 200 ··· Meat box 201 ··· Delivery port 202 ··· Side wall 200X ··· Swing range 64 ··· Swing fulcrum shaft 300 ··· Conveyor mechanism 400 ··· Swing mechanism 401 ··· Crank mechanism 500 ··· Swing part

Claims

1. a storage box for storing lump food and having a delivery outlet for delivering the lump food; A frame structure supporting the container; a cutting blade that cuts an end of the lump of food delivered from the delivery port by moving relative to the storage box; a conveying mechanism for conveying the food pieces cut by the cutting blade, A food cutting device characterized in that the frame structure is configured to be compatible with multiple types of storage boxes that differ in at least one of their shapes or range of movement relative to the cutting blade.

2. 2. The food cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the frame structure is adapted to be compatible with a plurality of types of conveying mechanisms which differ in at least one of their shapes and conveying means.

3. The food cutting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the frame structure can be used for both a first conveying mechanism having a folding member as the conveying means for folding food pieces cut by the cutting blade, and a second conveying mechanism not having the folding member.

4. The frame structure supports the storage box so that the storage box can swing, A power source for swinging the container; A crank mechanism is provided between the drive source and the housing box to convert a rotational motion into a reciprocating motion. The food cutting device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the rotation axis of the crank mechanism is located on a virtual straight line passing through the top dead center and bottom dead center of the connection point with the crank mechanism of the storage box with the widest swing range among the multiple types of storage boxes.

5. The frame structure supports a rocking mechanism that rocks the storage box, 2. The food cutting device according to claim 1, wherein some of the components constituting the swinging mechanism can be used for the plurality of types of storage boxes.

Images