Food processing device and washing method for food processing device

Abstract

To provide a food processing device having an automatic washing function high in a washing effect, which cuts or crushes food.SOLUTION: A food processing device includes: a processing chamber 28 to which food is supplied; a processing member 29 provided rotatably in the processing chamber 28, having a plurality of processing blades 36 in the periphery; a plurality of injection ports 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R for injecting washing fluid to the processing member 29; and a control device switched between a processing mode for cutting or crushing food by rotating the processing member 29 or a washing mode for washing the processing member 29 by injecting the washing fluid from the injection ports 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R. The control device has, in the washing mode, an entire washing process for entirely washing the processing member 29, and a local washing process for washing specific spots of the processing member 29, which is different from the entire washing process in the number, positions, or injection directions of the injection ports 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R for injecting the washing fluid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a food processing apparatus and a cleaning method for the food processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional food processing apparatus, as shown in Patent Document 1, a processing member having a plurality of processing blades on its outer peripheral portion is rotatably accommodated in a processing chamber, and food such as frozen meat supplied to this processing chamber is cut or crushed by the rotation of the processing member.

[0003] After discharging the processed meat from the processing chamber, such a food processing apparatus has meat scraps remaining in the processing chamber, and thus a cleaning operation is required from a hygienic point of view.

[0004] So far, for example, a manual cleaning operation has been performed while pouring hot water into the processing chamber. However, since the processing member has a complicated structure having a large number of processing blades, a lot of labor and time are required to clean it sufficiently.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the inventor of the present application has considered mounting an automatic cleaning function in order to reduce the burden of the above-described manual cleaning operation, and in the process leading to the present invention, a configuration for automatically injecting water, hot water, etc. into the processing chamber after processing has been embodied intermediate.

[0007] However, simply spraying water or hot water into the processing chamber may roughly clean the chamber, but dirt may remain, for example, on the back of the blade, and ultimately manual cleaning work is still required, making it difficult to say that the burden on the operator has been sufficiently reduced.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a food processing apparatus that cuts or crushes food and exhibits a highly effective automatic cleaning function.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] That is, the food processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a processing chamber into which food is supplied, a processing member rotatably provided in the processing chamber and having a plurality of processing blades on its outer peripheral portion, a plurality of injection ports for injecting a cleaning fluid onto the processing member, and a control device that switches between a processing mode in which the food is cut or crushed by rotating the processing member and a cleaning mode in which the processing member is cleaned by injecting the cleaning fluid from the injection ports. The control device, in the cleaning mode, executes an overall cleaning step of cleaning the entire processing member and a local cleaning step that is different from the overall cleaning step in terms of the number, position, or injection direction of the injection ports for injecting the cleaning fluid and that cleans a specific portion of the processing member.

[0010] According to the food processing apparatus configured as described above, the processing member can be cleaned overall in the overall cleaning step, and specific portions of the processing member where dirt is difficult to fall off can also be cleaned in the local cleaning step. Therefore, a highly effective automatic cleaning function can be exhibited, and the burden of manual cleaning work can be significantly reduced.

[0011] In the local cleaning step, it is preferable that the cleaning fluid is injected toward the back of the blade, which is the inner peripheral side of the processing blade. With such a configuration, among the processing members, in particular, the back of the blade that is difficult to wash manually and is not easily soiled can be automatically cleaned, and the burden of manual cleaning work can be further reduced.

[0012] As a specific embodiment, as the plurality of injection ports, a first injection port capable of injecting the cleaning fluid from the rotation axis of the processing member or its vicinity toward the back of the blade, and a second injection port capable of injecting the cleaning fluid from the upper part of the processing chamber toward the processing member are provided, and the control device injects the cleaning fluid from the first injection port in the local cleaning step, and injects the cleaning fluid from the second injection port in the overall cleaning step. Such a mode can be cited.

[0013] By the way, depending on the usage environment of the device, the fluid that can be used as the cleaning fluid may be limited to a low-pressure fluid such as tap water. Even if such a fluid is supplied to the device as it is, the injection force is weak, and there is a risk that a sufficient cleaning effect cannot be exerted. Therefore, it is preferable that the control device continuously supplies liquid to the flow path communicating with the injection port for a predetermined period and intermittently supplies gas to the flow path in at least one of the overall cleaning step and the local cleaning step, so as to intermittently inject a gas-liquid mixture from the injection port. With such a configuration, since gas is intermittently supplied to the flow path through which the liquid flows and a gas-liquid mixture is injected from the injection port, for example, even when the processing chamber is at a high place and the original pressure is insufficient with only the liquid, a sufficient cleaning effect can be exerted.

[0014] Before the control device executes at least one of the overall cleaning step and the local cleaning step, it is preferable to execute a dirt floating step of injecting only liquid from the injection port to the processing member to float the dirt adhering to the processing member. With such a configuration, the cleaning effect in the overall cleaning step and the local cleaning step can be further enhanced.

[0015] It is preferable that the liquid sprayed as the cleaning fluid is warm water. In this case, in the soil floating step, the overall cleaning step, and the local cleaning step, the fat contained in meat or the like can be effectively floated or removed. As a concern in this case, there is a decrease in the temperature of the warm water due to injecting the warm water as a gas-liquid mixture. However, since the gas is not continuously supplied, but is intermittently supplied as described above, the temperature drop of the warm water can be suppressed, and the cleaning effect by the warm water can be sustained.

[0016] After the control device executes the overall cleaning step and the local cleaning step, it is preferable to execute a drying step of spraying only gas from the injection port toward the processing member to dry the processing member. With such a configuration, not only cleaning but also drying can be automated, and further labor saving of the cleaning work can be achieved.

[0017] The control device controls the rotation speed of the processing member based on a predetermined rotation speed pattern indicating the change over time of the rotation speed, and in the cleaning mode, it is preferable to switch from one of a first rotation speed pattern and a second rotation speed pattern different from each other to the other. With such a configuration, by cleaning while rotating the processing member, the entire processing member can be cleaned. Moreover, since the rotation speed pattern is switched, for example, the cleaning fluid sprayed onto the processing member can be bounced toward another location, a part of the cleaning fluid sprayed toward the back of the blade can be shifted from the back of the blade and directed toward another location, or the cleaning fluid can be sprayed evenly in the circumferential direction of the processing member. Various effects that cannot be obtained with a configuration that simply continues to rotate the processing member can be achieved.

[0018] It is preferable that the first rotation speed pattern is a rotation speed pattern represented by a combination of acceleration, constant speed, and deceleration. In this case, by changing the acceleration, the magnitude (absolute value) of the constant speed, the deceleration, etc., a desired rotational speed pattern can be flexibly set.

[0019] In the configuration where the control device injects the cleaning fluid from the first injection port over a predetermined first period and injects the cleaning fluid from the second injection port in a predetermined second period in the overall cleaning step, it is preferable that the control device controls the processing member at the first rotational speed pattern in the first period. With such a configuration, since the rotation of the processing member accelerates or decelerates in the first period, the cleaning fluid injected from the first injection port toward the back of the blade in the first period can be scattered around, or a part of it can be shifted from the back of the blade and directed to another location, which contributes to cleaning, for example, the inner wall of the processing chamber.

[0020] By the way, as described above, when an injection port is provided on the rotation axis of the processing member and the cleaning fluid is injected from this injection port toward the back of the blade, when the processing member is rotated, the injection port and the processing blade rotate integrally, so their positional relationship does not change at all. Therefore, it is preferable that the control device stops the processing member in the local cleaning step. With such a configuration, power consumption can be suppressed without unnecessarily rotating the processing member.

[0021] It is preferable that the control device stops the processing member by braking means in the drying step. With such a configuration, due to the inertia when the processing member is forcibly stopped by the braking means, the cleaning fluid adhering to the processing member can be scattered, and the drying time can be shortened.

[0022] Further, the cleaning method of the food processing apparatus according to the present invention is a cleaning method of a food processing apparatus including a processing chamber to which food is supplied, a processing member rotatably provided in the processing chamber and having a plurality of processing blades on its outer peripheral portion, and a plurality of injection ports for injecting a cleaning fluid onto the processing member. The method includes an overall cleaning step of injecting the cleaning fluid from the plurality of injection ports to clean the entire processing member, and a local cleaning step that is different from the overall cleaning step in terms of the number, position, or injection direction of the injection ports for injecting the cleaning fluid and that cleans a specific portion of the processing member. According to such a cleaning method, the same operational effects as those of the above-described food processing apparatus can be achieved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to cause a food processing apparatus that cuts or crushes food to exhibit an automatic cleaning function with a high cleaning effect, and it is possible to significantly reduce the burden of manual cleaning work.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

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[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a food processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] (Outline of food processing equipment) The food processing device of this embodiment is called a flaker mixer grinder, which is installed, for example, on a minced meat production line in a meat processing factory. It receives a supply of raw material, frozen meat in chunks ("food" in the claims), and cuts or crushes this frozen meat to produce minced meat.

[0027] Note that, with reference to the direction in which the frozen meat M is supplied to the flaker mixer grinder 1 and the direction in which the frozen meat M is processed and extruded as minced meat, the upstream side is defined as the "rear side" and the downstream side is defined as the "front side", and the left side in the state facing from the downstream side to the upstream side is defined as the "left side" and the right side is defined as the "right side" for explanation.

[0028] (Body Structure of Flaker Mixer Grinder) Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, this flaker mixer grinder 1 is composed of a lifting part 2, a pushing part 3, a processing part 4, a stirring part 5, an extrusion part 6, a driving part G, and front and rear operation parts 7F, 7R.

[0029] (Lifting Part) The lifting part 2 is for lifting and conveying the frozen meat M supplied by the operator to the height of the pushing part 3. As shown in Fig. 1, this lifting part 2 is configured by supporting a lifting platform 9 with left and right side walls erected from both left and right ends of the bottom wall on the right side of a square tube-shaped support column 8 erected at the rear of the machine body so as to be vertically movable. At the central parts in the front-rear direction of the left and right side walls, the middle parts of the left and right swing arms 10 are pivotally supported so as to be vertically swingable around a horizontal swing shaft 11 in the left-right direction.

[0030] Also, the rear ends of the left and right swing arms 10 are connected by a dropout prevention wall 13 having a convex part 12 protruding upward, while weights 14 are attached to the front ends of the left and right swing arms 10. Thereby, in the no-load state, the left and right swing arms 10 are maintained in a substantially horizontal posture by the weight of the weights 14, the dropout prevention wall 13 covers the rear end opening part of the lifting platform 9, and the dropout of the frozen meat M placed on the lifting platform 9 is prevented.

[0031] Note that, as shown in Fig. 3, inside the support column 8, a driving member (not shown) such as an endless chain or a screw shaft driven by a lifting electric motor 15 provided at the upper end of the support column 8 is arranged in the vertical direction, and the swing shaft 11 is engaged and supported by a part of this driving member. Accordingly, when the drive member is driven by the lifting electric motor 15, the lifting table 9 supported by the swing shaft 11 moves up and down.

[0032] (Pushing part) The pushing part 3 takes over the frozen meat M from the lifting part 2 and pushes it toward the front processing part 4. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, this pushing part 3 is attached so as to be vertically rotatable around a horizontal swing shaft 19 provided on the upper rear side of the machine body, with a pushing unit 18 incorporating a rodless cylinder 17 in the front-rear direction. In the normal working state, this pushing unit 18 is held in a substantially horizontal posture.

[0033] Also, on the upper side of the rodless cylinder 17 in this pushing unit 18, a sliding member 20 that slides back and forth by the operation of this rodless cylinder 17 is provided, and a pushing member 22 is supported in a suspended state from this sliding member 20 via a support arm 21. The front end portion of this pushing member 22 is provided with a wide plate-like member 23 in the left-right direction, and the front surface of this plate-like member 23 is provided with a number of mountain-shaped protrusions 24 that can bite into the frozen meat M. Also, a freely rotatable roller 25 is supported at a portion on the rear side of the plate-like member 23 in this pushing member 22.

[0034] (Transfer of frozen meat from the lifting part to the pushing part) As shown in FIG. 1, the frozen meat M is placed on the aforementioned lifting table 9, and the lifting electric motor 15 is driven to raise this lifting table 9. Immediately before this lifting table 9 reaches the upper limit position, the convex portion 12 abuts against a fixed portion on the machine body side or the pushing unit 18 side, and the swing arm 10 swings in the direction of tilting backward and downward. In a state where the lifting table 9 has risen to the upper limit position and stopped, the convex portion 12 descends to a position lower than the lifting table 9, the rear end opening portion of the lifting table 9 is opened, and the plate-like member 23 provided on the pushing member 22 faces immediately behind this rear end opening portion.

[0035] (Processing part) The processing unit 4 cuts or crushes the tip of the frozen meat M supplied from the pushing unit 3. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, this processing unit 4 rotatably provides a rotor (the "processing member" in the claims) 29 in a processing chamber 28 that is covered by a fixed wall 26 on the machine body side and an openable and closable movable wall 27 and has an open bottom. In addition, a supply port 28M for the frozen meat M is formed at the rear of the processing chamber 28.

[0036] The movable wall 27 is integrally formed by bending two surfaces, a movable upper wall 27U and a movable rear wall 27R. The rear end of the movable upper wall 27U is attached so as to be vertically rotatable around a left-right opening and closing fulcrum 30 disposed at a position above the rotor 29, and the lower end of the movable rear wall 27R is fastened and fixed to the fixed wall 26 side by a knob bolt 31. A gripping member 32 for opening and closing operations is attached to the movable rear wall 27R.

[0037] (Rotor) As shown in FIG. 4, the basic structure of the aforementioned rotor 29 is such that a large number of disk-shaped support disks 35 are fixed to the outer peripheral portion of a rotating shaft 33 at intervals, and a large number of processing blades 36 are fixed to the outer peripheral portion of this support disk 35 with a phase change (that is, changing the position viewed from the axial direction of the rotating shaft 33).

[0038] That is, each processing blade 36 is formed in a U shape with both left and right ends bent, and is attached so that at least the blade tip protrudes outside the outer peripheral edge of the support disk 35. In addition, each of these processing blades 36 straddles the central support disk 35 among three adjacent support disks 35, and is fastened and fixed to notches formed in the outer peripheral portions of the two outermost support disks 35 with bolts 36B. (In FIG. 4, these bolts 36B are not shown.) Note that there is no connection relationship between the centrally located support disk 35 and the processing blade 36, and a portion of the support disk 35 upstream of the processing blade 36 in the rotation direction is cut out in a large arc shape so that the food pieces cut or crushed can pass through smoothly.

[0039] (Stirring unit) The stirring unit 5 receives a large number of pieces of meat m that are cut or crushed by the processing unit 4 and fall, temporarily stores them, and stirs these large number of pieces of meat m. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this stirring unit 5 is formed in a container shape with its upper part communicating with the lower part of the processing chamber 28, and extends forward from the above-described processing unit 4. The upper part of this extension is covered with a safety cover 5C that can be opened and closed and has a slit formed therein. On both the left and right sides of the bottom of this stirring unit 5, stirring members (shape omitted) 37 that are driven to rotate around the axial center in the front-rear direction are arranged.

[0040] (Extrusion unit) The extrusion unit 6 extrudes a large number of pieces of meat m stirred by the stirring unit 5 as minced meat while mincing them. That is, a transfer screw 38 for transferring the stirred pieces of meat forward is arranged between the left and right stirring members 37 described above so as to be driven to rotate around the axial center in the front-rear direction. The front end of this transfer screw 38 is projected forward from a through hole formed in the front wall of the machine body, and this projecting part is covered with an upper cylindrical member 39 and supported by bearings.

[0041] A lower opening formed in the lower part of the upper cylindrical member 39 is communicated with an upper opening in the upper part of a lower cylindrical member 40 arranged below the upper cylindrical member 39. A pushing screw 41 having a rotary blade at its front end is built in the lower cylindrical member 40 so as to be driven to rotate, and a porous plate 42 having a large number of extrusion holes is fixed to the front end of the lower cylindrical member 40. Thereby, the pieces of meat m taken into the transfer screw 38 after stirring are taken over by the pushing screw 41 from this transfer screw 38, and while pressure is applied by the rotation of this pushing screw 41, they are minced by the rotary blade at the end and extruded as minced meat from the extrusion holes of the porous plate 42.

[0042] (Drive unit) In addition to the above-described lifting electric motor 15, the drive unit G is provided with a processing electric motor 33M and electric motors (not shown) for driving the stirring member 37, the transfer screw 38, and the extrusion screw 41 separately or in conjunction with each other. As shown in FIG. 5, an output sprocket 33S of the processing electric motor 33M fixed to the machine body side and an input sprocket 33N fixed to the left end portion of the rotating shaft 33 of the rotor 29 are interlocked with each other by a transmission chain 33C.

[0043] (Operation unit) The front operation unit 7F is an operation box provided at a portion on the right side of the front wall of the machine body. This operation unit 7F is provided with a monitor for displaying the state of the machine body, a flaker start / stop switch for starting and stopping the rotational drive of the rotor 29, a mixer start / stop switch for starting and stopping the rotational drive of the stirring member 37, a grinder start / stop switch for starting and stopping the rotational drive of the transfer screw 38 and the extrusion screw 41, an emergency stop switch for bringing the entire machine body to an emergency stop, and a cleaning operation start / stop switch.

[0044] The rear operation unit 7R is an operation box provided at a portion on the right rear side of the machine body. This operation unit 7R is provided with a raise / lower switch for raising and processing the lift table 9 of the lifting unit 2, a stop switch for stopping this raise / lower operation, and an emergency stop switch for bringing the entire machine body to an emergency stop. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a work scaffold 43 equipped with a staircase is installed on the right side of the machine body.

[0045] (Detailed structure of the rotor and the first injection port) Thus, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the basic structure of the above-described rotor 29 is adopted, and inside the rotating shaft 33, a left flow path 44L and a right flow path 44R are formed on the axis of the rotating shaft 33 from both the left and right ends, respectively. Branch flow paths 44LS and 44RS are branched from each of the left and right flow paths 44L and 44R and extend in the outer peripheral direction, and the terminal ends of the respective branch flow paths 44LS and 44RS are opened to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 33. Attach the bases of the injection nozzles (the "first injection ports" in the claims) 45L and 45R to this opening by screwing them in respectively.

[0046] Note that the series of channels from the left - hand channel 44L to the sub - channel 44LS is also referred to as the first channel, and the series of channels from the right - hand channel 44R to the sub - channel 44RS is also referred to as the second channel. That is, the rotor 29 of the present embodiment has a first channel that communicates with the injection nozzle 45L from one end in the axial direction, and a second channel that communicates with the injection nozzle 45R from the other end in the axial direction and is independent of the first channel.

[0047] The injection nozzles 45L and 45R, which are the first injection ports, inject a cleaning fluid into the rotor 29 in the cleaning mode described later. Specifically, they can inject the cleaning fluid from the rotation axis of the rotor 29 or its vicinity toward the back of the cutting blade 36.

[0048] Each of these injection nozzles 45L and 45R is provided corresponding to each cutting blade 36 one by one, and the injection directions of each of the injection nozzles 45L and 45R are directed toward the back of the blade, which is the inner - circumferential side of each cutting blade 36, and are attached. That is, a part of the central support disk 35 among three adjacent support disks 35 is cut out in the radial direction to form a space, and the injection nozzles 45L and 45R are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rotation axis 33 in this space. Note that a plurality of injection nozzles may be provided for each cutting blade 36.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the rotation axis 33 of the rotor 29 is supported by bearings across the left wall 28L and the right wall 28R of the processing chamber 28. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the left - end portion of the rotation axis 33 is gradually reduced in diameter step - by - step, and the middle - diameter portion at the second step is supported by a bearing 46 having an automatic centering function. As shown in FIG. 6, this bearing 46 is composed of an inner ring 46I that fits on the outer periphery of the middle - diameter portion of the rotation axis 33, and a plurality of rolling members 46B provided between this inner ring 46I and an outer ring 46S, and the outer ring 46S is fitted to the support member 46T so as to be freely changeable in posture.

[0050] Further, this support member 46T is fitted from the left side to a receiving member 47 that is penetrated and fixed to the left wall 28L of the processing chamber 28, and fastened and fixed with bolts 48. A boss portion of an input sprocket 33N is fitted to the third-stage small-diameter portion of the rotary shaft 33, a key 49 is fitted between this boss portion and the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 33, and this key 49 is pressed and fixed with a screw 33NN from the outer peripheral side of the boss 33NB.

[0051] Also, an annular flange 50 is fixed to the left end of the rotary shaft 33. Alternatively, this flange 50 may be integrally formed at the end of the rotary shaft 33. The large-diameter portion of a communication member 51 having a T-shaped cross section with a sub-flow path 51L formed at the center is joined to the left end surface of this flange 50, and fastened and fixed with a dish bolt 52. In this state, the sub-flow path 51L communicates with the left end portion of the left-side flow path 44L.

[0052] Also, a double bearing 54 and a seal 55 that are fitted into a non-rotating member 53 fixed to the machine body side (left wall 28L side) are externally fitted to the small-diameter portion of the communication member 51. A lid member 56 is abutted against the left-side open surface of the non-rotating member 53 and fastened and fixed with bolts 57. The tip of a fluid joint 58 connected to an injection circuit described later is screwed and attached to a through hole formed at the center of this lid member 56. In this state, the fluid joint 58 communicates with the sub-flow path 51L, and a series of left-side flow paths from the fluid joint 58 to the left-side flow path 44L are formed.

[0053] Note that the start end portion (left end portion) of the sub-flow path 51L is formed in a funnel shape that expands toward the tip of the fluid joint 58. Also, a nipple 59 for communicating with the space on the outer periphery of the seal 55 and discharging the liquid that has leaked into this space is screwed to the outer peripheral portion of the non-rotating member 53.

[0054] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the right end portion of the rotary shaft 33 is gradually reduced in diameter stepwise, and a bush 60 is fitted to the first-stage large-diameter portion thereof. A bearing 62 that fits into a support member 61 with its left and right side faces open is fitted onto the second-stage small-diameter portion of the rotating shaft 33, and this support member 61 is fastened and fixed to a receiving member 63 with bolts 64. In this state, the inner peripheral portion of a seal 65 fitted into the boss portion at the center of the receiving member 63 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the above-described bush 60.

[0055] This receiving member 63 is fitted into a large-diameter through-hole 66 formed in the right wall 28R of the processing chamber 28 and fastened and fixed with bolts 67. Note that the diameter of the through-hole 66 is formed to be larger than the maximum diameter of the rotor 29, and the rotor 29 can be withdrawn from this through-hole 66 to the outside of the processing chamber 28.

[0056] At the open portion on the right side surface of the above-described support member 61, a large-diameter portion of a communication member 68 having a T-shaped cross section with a secondary flow path 51R formed at its center is joined to the right end surface of the rotating shaft 33 and fastened and fixed with a dish bolt 68N. Furthermore, a lid member 69 that covers only the large-diameter portion of this communication member 68 is fastened and fixed to the right side surface of the support member 61 with bolts 70. A double bearing 72 and a seal 73 that fit into a non-rotating member 71 fixed to the machine body side (right wall 28R side) or the lid member 69 are externally fitted onto the small-diameter portion of the communication member 68 that protrudes to the right from the lid member 69.

[0057] A lid member 74 is abutted against the right open surface of the non-rotating member 71 and fastened and fixed with bolts 75. The tip of a fluid joint 76 connected to an injection circuit described later is screwed and attached to a through-hole formed at the center of this lid member 74. In this state, the fluid joint 76 communicates with the secondary flow path 51R, and a series of flow paths from the fluid joint 76 to the right-side flow path 44R are formed.

[0058] Note that the starting end portion (right end portion) of the secondary flow path 51R is formed in a funnel shape that expands toward the tip of the fluid joint 76. Also, a nipple 77 that communicates with the space on the outer periphery of the seal 73 and discharges the liquid that has leaked into this space is screwed onto the outer peripheral portion of the non-rotating member 71.

[0059] (Second injection port) As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, four left injection nozzles (the "second injection port" in the claims) 78L and four right injection nozzles (the "second injection port" in the claims) 78R are mounted through the upper part directly above the rotation axis 33 on the movable upper wall 27U of the processing chamber 28 with a predetermined interval in the left-right direction.

[0060] The injection nozzles 78L and 78R, which are the second injection ports, inject a cleaning fluid onto the rotor 29 in the cleaning mode described later. Specifically, they can inject the cleaning fluid from the upper part in the processing chamber 28 toward the rotor 29.

[0061] Here, the injection nozzles 78L and 78R are directed toward the axis of the rotation axis 33, but they may also be directed toward a position near the rotation axis 33, or the directed directions of the respective nozzles 78L and 78R may be made different. Each of the four left injection nozzles 78L communicates with a flow path 80L in a left flow path pipe 79L arranged in the left-right direction above the movable upper wall 27U through four sub-flow paths 80LS.

[0062] Also, the right end of the left flow path pipe 79L is sealed with a cap 81L, and a fluid joint 82L connected to an injection circuit described later is attached to the left end. Similarly, each of the four right injection nozzles 78R communicates with a flow path 80R in a right flow path pipe 79R arranged in the left-right direction above the movable upper wall 27U through four sub-flow paths 80RS. Also, the left end of the right flow path pipe 79R is sealed with a cap 81R, and a fluid joint 82R connected to an injection circuit described later is attached to the right end.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 9, a protective wall 83 for preventing the intrusion of meat scraps into the respective injection nozzles 78L and 78R is attached to a position on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotor 29 with respect to the injection nozzles 78L and 78R on the movable upper wall 27U.

[0064] (Injection circuit) The injection circuit is a circuit for injecting cleaning fluid from the plurality of injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R described above to the rotor 29. Here, an example in which air is used as the gas and warm water is used as the liquid will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, a main air supply path (main gas supply path) 88 is configured from an air source 84 in a meat processing factory, passing through an air filter 85 and a micro mist separator 86 and reaching a branch portion 87. From the branch portion 87, it is branched into a pilot pressure supply path 89 and an injection air supply path 90. From this injection air supply path 90, after passing through a solenoid type pressure regulating valve 91, it is branched into four air supply paths 92L, 92R, 93L, and 93R.

[0065] In the air supply path 92L, a solenoid type normally closed valve 92LN for switching between a state allowing the passage of air and a state prohibiting it and a check valve 92LC are provided connected in series. Similarly, in the air supply path 92R, a solenoid type normally closed valve 92RN and a check valve 92RC are provided connected in series.

[0066] Also, in the air supply path 93R, a solenoid type normally closed valve 93RN and a check valve 93RC are provided connected in series. Furthermore, in the air supply path 93L, a solenoid type normally closed valve 93LN and a check valve 93LC are provided connected in series.

[0067] On the other hand, a main warm water supply path 95 connected to a warm water source 94 in a meat processing factory is branched into four warm water supply paths 96L, 96R, 97L, and 97R. In the warm water supply path 96L, a pilot operated normally closed valve 96LN and a check valve 96LC are provided connected in series. Similarly, in the warm water supply path 96R, a pilot operated normally closed valve 96RN and a check valve 96RC are provided connected in series.

[0068] Also, in the hot water supply passage 97R, a pilot-operated normally closed valve 97RN and a check valve 97RC are provided in series connection. Furthermore, in the hot water supply passage 97L, a pilot-operated normally closed valve 97LN and a check valve 97LC are provided in series connection. Note that the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water source 94 is preferably set to about 60 degrees Celsius or higher. However, the temperature of the hot water is not necessarily limited to this, and it may be lower than 60 degrees Celsius. Also, solenoid switching valves 99L, 99R, 100L, and 100R are provided, which are connected via a pilot pressure reducing valve 98 from the aforementioned pilot pressure supply passage 89 and which open and close and switch the operation of the normally closed valves 96LN, 96RN, 97LN, and 97RN, respectively.

[0069] Then, the downstream end portions of the air supply passages 92L, 92R, 93L, and 93R and the downstream end portions of the hot water supply passages 96L, 96R, 97L, and 97R are joined at joining portions 101L, 101R, 102L, and 102R, respectively. Furthermore, each of the joining portions 101L, 101R, 102L, and 102R and the aforementioned flow passages 44L, 44R, 80L, and 80R are connected by storage flow passages 103L, 103R, 104L, and 104R having a predetermined volume, respectively.

[0070] In the above-described configuration, the flaker mixer grinder 1 of the present embodiment includes a control device X that controls the operations of various fluid devices constituting the above-described injection circuit, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0071] Then, this control device X is configured to switch to a processing mode in which frozen meat is cut or crushed by rotating the rotor 29, or a cleaning mode in which the rotor 29 is cleaned by injecting a cleaning fluid from the above-described injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R.

[0072] (Processing mode) In the processing mode, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper surface of the lift table 9 that has reached the upper limit position with the frozen meat M placed thereon is substantially at the same height as the guide surface 105 on the machine body side. In this state, when the flaker start switch provided on the operation unit 7F is operated, based on the control signal from the control device X, the rotor 29 starts to rotate clockwise in the drawing, and the pushing member 22 starts to move in a direction approaching the rotor 29 while being supported on the guide surface 105 by the rolling of the roller 25. The frozen meat M is pushed by this pushing member 22, and the frozen meat M moves forward while sliding on the guide surface 105. Then, the tip of the frozen meat M is supplied into the processing chamber 28 from the supply port 28M, contacts the processing blade 36 of the rotor 29 that rotates downward, is cut or crushed, and falls downward as meat pieces m.

[0073] During this processing operation, the control device X causes low-pressure air to flow into the air supply paths 92L, 92R, 93L, and 93R by adjusting the pressure regulating valve 91 in the injection circuit of FIG. 13. In this state, the normally closed valves 92LN, 92RN, 93LN, and 93RN are switched to the communicating state, and the low-pressure air that has passed through them passes through the check valves 92LC, 92RC, 93LC, and 93RC.

[0074] This air reaches the left-side flow paths 44L, 80L and the right-side flow paths 44R, 80R from the storage flow paths 103L, 103R, 104L, and 104R, passes through the left-side sub-flow paths 44LS, 80LS and the right-side sub-flow paths 44RS, 80RS, and flows out at a low flow rate from the left-side injection nozzles 45L, 78L and the right-side injection nozzles 45R, 78R. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the meat scraps mt generated in the processing chamber 28 from entering from the injection ports of the injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R.

[0075] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, meat scraps mt that flow around with the rotation of the rotor 29 are blocked by the protective wall 83, preventing them from entering the injection ports of the injection nozzles 78L and 78R provided at the upper part in the processing chamber 28. In this working state, by closing the solenoid switching valves 99L, 99R, 100L, and 100R, the normally closed valves 96LN, 96RN, 97LN, and 97RN also remain closed, preventing the inflow of warm water into the confluence parts 101L, 101R, 102L, and 102R.

[0076] (Cleaning mode) When the operation is completed and the frozen meat M is not between the plate-like member 23 provided on the pushing member 22 and the rotor 29, by operating the cleaning start switch provided on the operation unit 7F, the control mode of the control device X switches from the processing mode to the cleaning mode. However, without operating the cleaning start switch, for example, it may be configured to automatically shift from the processing mode to the cleaning mode when it is detected that the processing mode has ended.

[0077] When switching from the working mode to the cleaning mode, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, first, the pushing member 22 advances to the movement limit position, and the plate-like member 23 closes the supply port 28M of the processing chamber 28. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the water scattered by the cleaning in the processing chamber 28 from entering the pushing part 3.

[0078] In this cleaning mode, the control device X selectively injects air, warm water, or a gas-liquid mixed fluid from the injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R based on a predetermined schedule.

[0079] More specifically, this control device X is a computer equipped with an input means such as a CPU and a touch panel, and a memory, etc. The CPU and its peripheral devices cooperate and operate according to the automatic cleaning program stored in the memory, sequentially executing a plurality of steps set as the cleaning mode.

[0080] In the cleaning mode of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a dirt floating step S1, a local cleaning step S2, an overall cleaning step S3, and a drying step S4 are set, and these steps are automatically executed in the described order. However, whether or not each step is set as a cleaning mode, the order of each step, or the execution time of each step, etc. may be appropriately changed, or it may be configured to be changeable by the user.

[0081] (Dirt floating step) The dirt floating step S1 is a step of floating dirt such as meat scraps and oil adhering to the rotor 29, in other words, a step of swelling the dirt to weaken the adhesion force to the adhesion surface of the rotor 29, and is a step for facilitating the removal of dirt from the rotor 29 in the subsequent local cleaning step S2 and overall cleaning step S3.

[0082] In this dirt floating step S1, the control device X switches the solenoid switching valves 99L, 99R, 100L, 100R from the closed state to the communicating state while keeping the normally closed valves 92LN, 92RN, 93LN, 93RN in the closed state.

[0083] Thereby, the warm water from the warm water source 94 passes through the storage channels 103L, 103R, 104L, 104R from the warm water supply channels 96L, 96R, 97L, 97R and reaches the left channels 44L, 80L and the right channels 44R, 80R, and is ejected (discharged) from the left injection nozzles 45L, 78L and the right injection nozzles 45R, 78R as shown in FIG. 15.

[0084] Note that in this dirt floating step S1, since the air is stopped and only the cleaning fluid in the form of warm water is ejected, when the original pressure of this cleaning fluid is as low as about the tap water pressure (for example, 0.2 MPa), the momentum of the cleaning fluid ejected from each injection nozzle 45L, 78L, 45R, 78R is about the same as the tap water coming out of the faucet.

[0085] The warm water discharged from the injection nozzles 45L and 45R hits the back of the blade on the inner peripheral side of the processing blade 36 of the rotor 29. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, by discharging warm water from the injection nozzles 78L and 78R while rotating the rotor 29, this warm water also hits the rotation axis 33 of the rotor 29 or the vicinity thereof.

[0086] Note that since there is a limit to the flow rate of the warm water that can be supplied from the warm water source 94, it is preferable to alternately communicate the left solenoid switching valves 99L and 100L and the right solenoid switching valves 99R and 100R. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, warm water is alternately injected from the left injection nozzles 45L and 78L and the right injection nozzles 45R and 78R.

[0087] As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the control device X of the present embodiment is configured to control the rotation speed of the rotor 29 based on a predetermined rotation speed pattern indicating the change over time of the rotation speed, and in this dirt floating step S1, the rotation and stop of the rotor 29 are mixed.

[0088] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the control device X first discharges warm water from the left injection nozzle 45L for a first predetermined time in a state where the rotor 29 is stopped, and then discharges warm water from the right injection nozzle 45R for a first predetermined time in a state where the rotor 29 is also stopped.

[0089] Next, the control device X discharges warm water from the left injection nozzle 45L for a second predetermined time while controlling the rotor 29 based on a predetermined first rotation speed pattern, and then discharges warm water from the right injection nozzle 45R for a second predetermined time while controlling the rotor 29 based on the first rotation speed pattern.

[0090] Note that, as shown in FIG. 16, the first rotational speed pattern is a rotational speed pattern represented by a combination of acceleration, constant speed, and deceleration here. More specifically, this first rotational speed pattern is a pattern obtained by repeating operations such as rapidly accelerating to a predetermined speed in a short time (for example, 1 second), then rotating at a constant speed while maintaining that predetermined speed, and then stopping in a short time (for example, 1 second).

[0091] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, the control device X controls while switching the rotor 29 from the first rotational speed pattern to the second rotational speed pattern, and discharges warm water from the left injection nozzle 78L for a third predetermined time. Thereafter, while still controlling the rotor 29 based on the second rotational speed pattern, warm water is discharged from the right injection nozzle 78R for a third predetermined time.

[0092] Note that, as shown in FIG. 17, the second rotational speed pattern is a rotational speed pattern representing a constant speed here, and this constant speed is, for example, the rotational speed during constant-speed rotation included in the above-described first rotational speed pattern.

[0093] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, the control device X stops the rotation of the rotor 29 for a fourth predetermined time and also stops the discharge of warm water.

[0094] In this way, by leaving the warm water applied to the rotor 29 as it is, the meat pieces m adhering to each part of the rotor 29 are softened, and the fat of the meat pieces m adhering to each part of the rotor 29 is in a state of floating from the adhesion surface.

[0095] Note that here, the second predetermined time and the third predetermined time are longer than the first predetermined time, the second predetermined time and the third predetermined time are of the same length, and the fourth predetermined time is longer than the second predetermined time and the third predetermined time. However, the length of each predetermined time may be changed as appropriate.

[0096] (Local cleaning process) The local cleaning step S2 is a step of cleaning a specific location of the rotor 29. Here, it is a step of cleaning the back surface of the processing blade 36, which is the inner peripheral side thereof. Note that the specific location is not limited to the back surface of the blade, and may be, for example, a connection location between the processing blade 36 and the support disk 35, or a seal 65 (see FIG. 7) provided at a bearing portion that supports an end of the rotation shaft 33 of the rotor 29.

[0097] This local cleaning step S2 is a step in which the number, position, or injection direction of the injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R is different from that in the overall cleaning step S3 described later. Here, it is a step in which the number of the injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R is smaller than that in the overall cleaning step S3.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 18, in the local cleaning step S2 of the present embodiment, cleaning fluid is injected from the injection nozzles 45L and 45R, which are the first injection ports, and the injection of the cleaning fluid is stopped from the injection nozzles 78L and 78R, which are the second injection ports.

[0099] In this local cleaning step S2, the control device X switches the solenoid switching valves 99L and 99R to the communicating state, supplies and stores warm water in the storage flow paths 103L and 103R, and in this state, alternately switches the normally closed valves 92LN and 92RN between the communicating state and the closed state instantaneously or at a predetermined interval.

[0100] As a result, warm water is continuously supplied to the storage flow paths 103L and 103R, and high-pressure air is intermittently supplied. Thus, the warm water stored in the storage flow paths 103L and 103R is pushed out by the high-pressure air.

[0101] That is, as shown in FIG. 18, the control device X in the local cleaning step S2 continuously supplies warm water to the storage flow paths 103L and 103R communicating with the injection nozzles 45L and 45R over a predetermined period, and intermittently supplies air to the storage flow paths 103L and 103R, thereby intermittently injecting a gas-liquid mixture from the injection nozzles 45L and 45R.

[0102] By repeating this intermittent supply of air, the hot water and air supplied to the storage channels 103L and 103R are injected as a gas-liquid mixture from the injection nozzles 45L and 45R in a pulsed manner or at predetermined intervals, and the injected gas-liquid mixture hits the back of the processing blade 36 of the rotor 29.

[0103] Incidentally, it is preferable to alternately communicate the left normal close valve 92LN and the right normal close valve 92RN. Thereby, when the left normal close valve 92LN is closed, the flow rate of the hot water flowing into the right storage channel 103R can be increased, and when the right normal close valve 92RN is closed, the flow rate of the hot water flowing into the left storage channel 103L can be increased.

[0104] In other words, as the control device X in the local cleaning step S2, the timing of supplying air to the above-described first flow path (a series of flow paths from the left flow path 44L to the sub-flow path 44LS) formed in the rotor 29 and the timing of supplying air to the above-described second flow path (a series of flow paths from the right flow path 44R to the sub-flow path 44RS) formed in the rotor 29 may be made different over a predetermined period. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, hot water is alternately injected from the left injection nozzle 45L and the right injection nozzle 45R.

[0105] In this local cleaning step S2, the control device X maintains the solenoid switching valves 100L and 100R and the normal close valves 93LN and 93RN in a closed state and stops the rotation of the rotor 29.

[0106] In addition, in the local cleaning step S2 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, an initial period is set in which hot water is discharged from the injection nozzles 45L and 45R while stopping the supply of air for a predetermined time at the start. In this way, by discharging hot water while stopping the supply of air, the meat scraps mt adhering to the back of the blade can be cleaned using hot water maintained at a high temperature. Further, this initial period can also have the effect of preventing a decrease in the liquid temperature in the gas-liquid mixture that is subsequently injected pulsatingly or at predetermined intervals.

[0107] Furthermore, in the local step of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, a post period is set in which air is ejected from the injection nozzles 45L and 45R while stopping the supply of hot water for a predetermined time at the end. This post period can remove the hot water remaining in the pipes forming the storage channels 103L and 103R. Thereby, the growth of bacteria due to the remaining hot water etc. can be suppressed, making it hygienically suitable.

[0108] (Overall cleaning step) The overall cleaning step S3 is a step of cleaning the rotor 29 as a whole. By executing the overall cleaning step S3 after the local cleaning step S2 in this way, the meat scraps scattered from specific locations such as the back of the blade in the local cleaning step S2 can be washed away in the overall cleaning step S3.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 19, this overall cleaning step S3 is a step of injecting a cleaning fluid from at least the injection nozzles 78L and 78R which are the second injection ports, and here, also injecting a cleaning fluid from the injection nozzles 45L and 45R which are the first injection ports.

[0110] In the overall cleaning step S3, the control device X switches between a first control mode using the injection nozzles 45L and 45R which are the first injection ports for a predetermined first period, and a second control mode using the injection nozzles 78L and 78R which are the second injection ports for a predetermined second period.

[0111] In the first control mode, the control device X alternately injects warm water from the left injection nozzle 45L and the right injection nozzle 45R, similar to the local cleaning step S2 described above. Specifically, as described in the local cleaning step S2, the solenoid switching valves 99L and 99R are switched to the communicating state to supply and store warm water in the storage flow paths 103L and 103R, and in this state, the normally closed valves 92LN and 92RN are alternately switched between the communicating state and the closed state instantaneously or at predetermined intervals.

[0112] That is, the control device X in the first control mode continuously supplies warm water to the storage flow paths 103L and 103R communicating with the injection nozzles 45L and 45R over a predetermined first period, and intermittently supplies air to the storage flow paths 103L and 103R, thereby intermittently injecting a gas-liquid mixture from the injection nozzles 45L and 45R.

[0113] It is preferable to alternately communicate the left normally closed valve 92LN and the right normally closed valve 92RN. Thereby, when the left normally closed valve 92LN is closed, the flow rate of the warm water flowing into the right storage flow path 103R can be increased, and when the right normally closed valve 92RN is closed, the flow rate of the warm water flowing into the left storage flow path 103L can be increased.

[0114] In other words, as shown in FIG. 19, the control device X in the first control mode of the overall cleaning step S3, similar to the local cleaning step S2, makes the timing of supplying air to the first flow path formed in the above-mentioned rotor 29 different from the timing of supplying air to the second flow path over the first period, while continuously supplying warm water to both the first flow path and the second flow path. As a result, warm water is alternately injected from the left injection nozzle 45L and the right injection nozzle 45R.

[0115] Different from the local cleaning step S2 described above, the control device X in the first control mode of the overall cleaning step S3 rotates the rotor 29 at a predetermined rotation speed pattern.

[0116] This rotational speed pattern is a pattern represented by a combination of acceleration, constant speed, and deceleration, and here it is the first rotational speed pattern (see Fig. 16) described above. However, this rotational speed pattern may be set as a pattern different from the first rotational speed pattern.

[0117] In this way, while rotating the rotor 29 while repeating acceleration and deceleration, and injecting the gas-liquid mixture from the injection nozzles 45L and 45R, for example, the gas-liquid mixture injected into the rotor 29 can be ejected from the rotor 29 toward another location.

[0118] Other effects include that part of the cleaning fluid injected toward the back of the blade can be shifted from the back of the blade and directed toward another location, or the gas-liquid mixture can be evenly injected in the circumferential direction of the rotor 29, and various effects that cannot be obtained in a configuration where the rotor 29 simply continues to rotate at a constant speed or continues to stop can be achieved.

[0119] When the first period elapses in such a first control mode, the control device X switches the control mode from the first control mode to the second control mode.

[0120] In this second control mode, the control device X switches the solenoid switching valves 100L and 100R to the communicating state, supplies and stores warm water in the storage flow paths 104L and 104R, and in this state, alternately switches the normally closed valves 93LN and 93RN between the communicating state and the closed state instantaneously or at predetermined intervals.

[0121] As a result, warm water is continuously supplied to the storage flow paths 104L and 104R, and high-pressure air is intermittently supplied, and the warm water stored in the storage flow paths 104L and 104R is pushed out by the high-pressure air.

[0122] That is, the control device X in the second control mode of the overall cleaning process S3 continuously supplies warm water to the storage channels 104L and 104R communicating with the injection nozzles 78L and 78R over a predetermined second period, and intermittently supplies air to the storage channels 104L and 104R, thereby intermittently injecting a gas-liquid mixture from the injection nozzles 78L and 78R.

[0123] By repeating this intermittent supply of air, the warm water and air supplied to the storage channels 104L and 104R are injected as a gas-liquid mixture from the injection nozzles 78L and 78R in a pulsed manner or at predetermined intervals, and the injected gas-liquid mixture hits the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 29 or the like.

[0124] It is preferable to alternately communicate the left normal-closed valve 93LN and the right normal-closed valve 93RN. Thereby, when the left normal-closed valve 93LN is closed, the flow rate of the warm water flowing into the right storage channel 104R can be increased, and when the right normal-closed valve 93RN is closed, the flow rate of the warm water flowing into the left storage channel 104L can be increased.

[0125] In other words, as shown in FIG. 19, the control device X, similar to the local cleaning process S2, is preferably configured to make the timing of supplying air to the first flow path formed in the rotor 29 and the timing of supplying air to the second flow path different over the second period. On the other hand, the control device X continuously supplies warm water to both the first flow path and the second flow path. As a result, warm water is alternately injected from the left injection nozzle 78L and the right injection nozzle 78R.

[0126] In this second control mode, the control device X maintains the solenoid switching valves 99L and 99R and the normal-closed valves 92LN and 92RN in a closed state.

[0127] Also, by switching from the first control mode to the second control mode, the rotation speed pattern of the rotor 29 also changes. The rotation speed pattern in the second control mode is the second rotation speed pattern described above, specifically, as described above, it is a rotation speed pattern representing a constant speed (see FIG. 17). However, the rotation speed pattern in the second control mode may be set as a pattern different from the second rotation speed pattern.

[0128] Note that the rotation speed of the constant speed represented by the second rotation speed pattern is set to a speed such that the gas-liquid mixture intermittently injected a plurality of times in this second control mode is injected at a phase where it is substantially evenly dispersed in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 29.

[0129] In this way, by injecting the gas-liquid mixture from the injection nozzles 78L and 78R while rotating the rotor 29, this gas-liquid mixture also hits the rotation axis 33 of the rotor 29 or the vicinity thereof.

[0130] By applying the gas-liquid mixture in this way, the meat scraps mt and grease adhering to each part of the rotor 29 can be washed. Further, due to the rotation of the rotor 29, a circulating flow of the injected gas-liquid mixture is generated, and an effect of washing the inner surface of the processing chamber 28 can also be expected.

[0131] Note that also in the overall cleaning step S3 of the present embodiment, similar to the local cleaning step S2, as shown in FIG. 19, an initial period is set in which warm water is discharged from each of the injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R while stopping the supply of air for a predetermined time at the start. In this way, by discharging warm water while stopping the supply of air, the meat scraps mt adhering to each part of the rotor 29 can be washed using warm water maintained at a high temperature. Further, this initial period can also have an effect of preventing a decrease in the liquid temperature in the gas-liquid mixture injected pulsatingly or at predetermined intervals thereafter.

[0132] Also, in the overall cleaning step S3 of the present embodiment, similar to the local cleaning step S2, as shown in FIG. 19, a post-treatment period is set in which air is ejected from each of the injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R while the supply of warm water is stopped for a predetermined time at the end. By this post-treatment period, the warm water remaining in the pipes forming the storage channels 103L, 103R, 104L, and 104R can be removed. Thereby, the growth of bacteria due to the remaining warm water etc. can be suppressed, and it becomes highly suitable hygienically.

[0133] (Drying step) The drying step S4 is a step for drying the rotor 29 cleaned by the local cleaning step S2 and the overall cleaning step S3, and as shown in FIG. 20, it is a step of ejecting only air toward the rotor 29. Note that in this drying step S4, it is not necessary to dry the rotor 29 until there is no water droplet attached at all, and as long as it is drier than at least before starting this drying step S4, some water droplets may adhere to the rotor 29 after the end of the drying step S4.

[0134] In this drying step S4, the control device X adjusts the pressure regulating valve 91 in the injection circuit of FIG. 13 to a state in which high-pressure air flows into the air supply channels 92L, 92R, 93L, and 93R.

[0135] In this state, when the normally closed valves 92LN, 92RN, 93LN, and 93RN are switched to the communicating state, the air that has flowed into the air supply channels 92L, 92R, 93L, and 93R passes through the storage channels 103L, 103R, 104L, and 104R and reaches the left-side channels 44L, 80L and the right-side channels 44R, 80R, and is ejected from the left-side injection nozzles 45L, 78L and the right-side injection nozzles 45R, 78R.

[0136] Thereby, the air ejected from the injection nozzles 45L, 45R hits the inner peripheral side surface of the processing blade 36 of the rotor 29, and the air ejected from the injection nozzles 78L, 78R hits the rotation axis 33 of the rotor 29 or the vicinity thereof.

[0137] In this way, when air hits, the warm water on the rotor 29 can be dried, and the meat scraps mt adhering to each part of the rotor 29 can also be blown off.

[0138] It should be noted that the left normal close valves 92LN and 93LN and the right normal close valves 92RN and 93RN may be alternately switched to the communicating state. As a result, air is alternately injected from the left injection nozzles 45L and 78L and the right injection nozzles 45R and 78R. As a result, by injecting air on one side (left or right) of the rotor 29, the warm water splashed onto the other side of the rotor 29 can be dried by the air injected onto the other side of the rotor 29 next, and the rotor 29 can be efficiently dried.

[0139] In this drying process S4, as shown in FIG. 20, the control device X is configured to control while switching the rotation speed of the rotor 29 to a plurality of different rotation speed patterns.

[0140] More specifically, the control device X here first starts rotating the rotor 29 in the first rotation speed pattern for a predetermined first period.

[0141] Then, when the first period elapses, the rotation speed of the rotor 29 is switched from the first rotation speed pattern to the second rotation speed pattern, and the rotor 29 is rotated in the second rotation speed pattern for a predetermined second period.

[0142] After that, when the second period elapses, the rotation speed of the rotor 29 is switched from the second rotation speed pattern to a third rotation speed pattern different from the first rotation speed pattern and the second rotation pattern, and the rotor 29 is rotated in the third rotation speed pattern for a predetermined third period.

[0143] Here, the first period and the second period have the same length, and the third period is longer than the first and second periods. However, the length of each period may be changed as appropriate. Also, since the first rotation speed pattern and the second rotation speed pattern are as described above, detailed explanations are omitted.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 21, the third rotation speed pattern is a rotation speed pattern represented by a combination of acceleration, constant speed, and deceleration, and is a pattern obtained by stopping the rotor 29 using braking means (not shown) during this deceleration.

[0145] This braking means is, for example, an electromagnetic brake or the like provided in the above-described processing electric motor 33M, and is for forcibly and instantaneously stopping the rotating rotor 29. Note that the braking means of the present embodiment forcibly and instantaneously stops the rotor 29 at the end of the above-described processing mode because it is dangerous for the processing blade 36 to continue rotating by inertia at the end of the processing mode, and this existing braking means is also used in the drying process.

[0146] By forcibly and instantaneously stopping the rotor 29 in this way, the water droplets adhering to the rotor 29 can be blown off due to the inertia at the time of stopping, and the drying time can be shortened or the drying speed can be improved.

[0147] In the drying process S4 of the present embodiment, in the final overall finishing sense, as shown in FIG. 20, a post-period is set in which air is ejected from each of the injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78LR while stopping the supply of warm water for a predetermined time at the end. By this post-period, the warm water remaining in various pipes and the like can be removed for confirmation.

[0148] (Operation and Effect of the Food Processing Apparatus According to the Present Embodiment) According to the food processing apparatus which is the flaker mixer grinder 1 configured as described above, the rotor 29 can be entirely cleaned by the overall cleaning step S3, and in addition, the back of the blade which is difficult to clean manually and where dirt hardly falls off in the rotor 29 can also be cleaned by the local cleaning step S2. Therefore, an automatic cleaning function with a high cleaning effect can be exhibited, and the burden of manual cleaning work can be significantly reduced.

[0149] Also, in the local cleaning step S2 and the overall cleaning step S3, the hot water supplied toward the injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, 78R is pressure-fed by air and injected as a gas-liquid mixture. Therefore, for example, even when the processing chamber 28 is at a high place and the original pressure is insufficient with only the hot water, a sufficient cleaning effect can be exhibited, and the burden of manual cleaning work can be reduced.

[0150] Furthermore, since the control device X makes the timing of supplying gas to the first flow path and the timing of supplying gas to the second flow path different in the local cleaning step S2 and the overall cleaning step S3, compared to the case where gas is supplied to both the first flow path and the second flow path all at once, the momentum of the gas-liquid mixture injected from the injection port increases, and a higher cleaning effect can be obtained.

[0151] In addition, since the control device X continuously supplies liquid to both the first flow path and the second flow path for a predetermined period in the local cleaning step S2 and the overall cleaning step S3, for example, compared to a configuration where the supply of liquid to the first flow path and the second flow path is turned on and off, the control program can be simplified. Also, due to the above-described configuration, since hot water flows even while the supply of air has stopped, the hot water is stored in the storage flow paths 103L, 103R, 104L, 104R during that time, and the stored hot water liquid is pressure-fed by air and injected as a gas-liquid mixture. Thereby, by changing the dimensions (length and pipe diameter) of the storage flow paths 103L, 103R, 104L, 104R and the flow rate of the hot water, etc., the storage amount of the hot water in the storage flow paths 103L, 103R, 104L, 104R can be changed, so that it is possible to inject a desired amount of hot water as a gas-liquid mixture with a relatively simple configuration.

[0152] Since the control device X washes while rotating the rotor 29 in the overall washing step S3, the entire rotor 29 can be washed. Moreover, since the rotation speed pattern of the rotor 29 is switched, for example, the washing fluid jetted onto the rotor 29 can be deflected toward another location, a part of the washing fluid jetted toward the back of the blade can be shifted from the back of the blade and directed toward another location, or the washing fluid can be jetted evenly in the circumferential direction of the rotor 29. Thus, various operational effects that cannot be obtained with a configuration that simply continues to rotate the rotor 29 can be achieved.

[0153] Since the control device X stops the rotor 29 in the local washing step S2, power consumption can be suppressed without unnecessarily rotating the rotor 29.

[0154] Furthermore, since the control device X executes a soil floating step S1 for floating the soil adhering to the rotor 29, the washing effect in the overall washing step S3 and the local washing step S2 can be further enhanced.

[0155] Moreover, since the liquid jetted as the washing fluid is warm water, the fat contained in the frozen meat M can be effectively floated or removed in the soil floating step S1, the overall washing step S3, and the local washing step S2. A concern in this case is the temperature drop of the warm water by jetting the warm water as a gas-liquid mixture. However, since air is not continuously supplied but is intermittently supplied as described above, the temperature drop of the warm water can be suppressed, and the washing effect by the warm water can be sustained.

[0156] In addition, since the control device X executes a drying step S4 for drying the rotor 29, not only washing but also drying can be automated, and full automation of the washing mode can be achieved.

[0157] In addition, since the control device X injects a small amount of air from the injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R in the processing mode, it is possible to prevent the food m that has been cut or crushed from flowing back to the injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R during the processing.

[0158] (Another Embodiment of the Food Processing Apparatus) Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0159] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the gas-liquid mixture is injected from the injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R in the local cleaning step S2 and the overall cleaning step S3 has been described. However, for example, in an environment where a liquid with a high original pressure can be used as the cleaning fluid, the liquid may be directly injected from the injection nozzle without mixing with a gas.

[0160] Also, as the control device X, in the overall cleaning step S3, in the above-described embodiment, the rotor 29 was controlled by switching from the first rotation speed pattern to the second rotation speed pattern, but the rotor 29 may be controlled by switching from the second rotation speed pattern to the first rotation speed pattern.

[0161] Furthermore, as the control device X, in the above-described embodiment, the rotation speed of the rotor 29 was controlled while switching to a plurality of rotation speed patterns. However, for example, a rotation speed pattern in which the rotor 29 continues to rotate at a constant speed, or a predetermined rotation speed pattern in which acceleration and deceleration are repeated, etc., may control the rotation speed of the rotor 29 based on one rotation speed pattern.

[0162] As the cleaning fluid, hot water was taken up in the above-described embodiment, but water that has not been heated (cold water or normal temperature water) may be used, or hot water heated to a high temperature may be used. Furthermore, a cleaning fluid containing a detergent may be used.

[0163] Also, when the original pressure of the cleaning fluid such as warm water is low, if air is supplied at a high pressure, the warm water will turn into a mist and its temperature will drop significantly. In this case, as the food processing apparatus 1, it may be configured such that one or both of the supply pressure of the air or the supply time of the air can be changed.

[0164] As an aspect for making it possible to change the supply pressure of the air, an aspect can be cited in which the solenoid type pressure regulating valve 91 provided in the injection air supply passage 90 can be adjusted by the user. Also, as an embodiment for making it possible to change the supply time of the air, an aspect can be cited in which the control device X accepts the air supply time input by the user.

[0165] With such a configuration, according to the original pressure of the cleaning fluid in the environment where the food processing apparatus 1 is installed, the supply pressure and supply time of the air can be appropriately adjusted, and a decrease in the liquid temperature in the gas-liquid mixture can be suppressed.

[0166] Furthermore, in order to further suppress a decrease in the liquid temperature in the gas-liquid mixture, the food processing apparatus 1 may be provided with heating means such as a heater for heating the air. Further, a heat insulating material or the like may be provided in the injection air supply passage 90 through which the heated air passes.

[0167] As the food processing apparatus, the control device X may be configured to execute a standby mode in which warm water with a small flow rate is discharged from each of the injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R for a predetermined time after the processing mode and before the cleaning mode, so that the temperature of the warm water discharged from the injection nozzles reaches a desired temperature. With such a configuration, warm water that has reached a desired temperature can be used from the start point of the cleaning mode.

[0168] As the cleaning mode, in the above embodiment, the dirt floating step S1, the local cleaning step S2, the overall cleaning step S3, and the drying step S4 were included. However, if one or both of the dirt floating step S1 and the drying step S4 are unnecessary, they may not be included in the cleaning mode.

[0169] Also, in the above embodiment, the overall cleaning step S3 was executed after the local cleaning step S2, but the local cleaning step S2 may be executed after the overall cleaning step S3.

[0170] In the injection circuit of the above embodiment, check valves 92LC, 92RC, 93LC, and 93RC are provided in the air supply paths 92L, 92R, 93L, and 93R, and check valves 96LC, 96RC, 97LC, and 97RC are provided in the hot water supply paths 96L, 96R, 97L, and 97R, and the storage flow paths 103L, 103R, 104L, and 104R are formed on the downstream side thereof. However, the check valve provided in one air supply path, the check valve provided in one hot water supply path, and the storage flow paths corresponding to these air supply paths and hot water supply paths may be unitized.

[0171] Further, the food processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention is not limited to one that cuts or crushes food, and for example, one that stirs cut or crushed food with a processing member may be acceptable.

[0172] The food processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention is not limited to one that processes meat, and for example, it may produce foods such as butter, cheese, and tea leaves, or foods such as feed for aquaculture that are foods for fish and animals.

[0173] 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

[0174] 1 ··· Food processing apparatus 28 ··· Processing chamber 29 ··· Rotor (processing unit) 36 ··· Processing blade 45L ··· Left injection nozzle (first injection port) 45R ··· Right injection nozzle (first injection port) 78L ··· Left injection nozzle (second injection port) 78R ··· Right injection nozzle (second injection port) X ··· Control device S1 ··· Dirt floating process S2 ··· Local cleaning process S3 ··· Overall cleaning process S4 ··· Drying process

Claims

1. A processing chamber to which food is supplied, a processing member rotatably provided in the processing chamber and having a plurality of processing blades on its outer peripheral portion, a plurality of injection ports for injecting a cleaning fluid onto the processing member, a control device that switches between a processing mode of cutting or crushing the food by rotating the processing member and a cleaning mode of cleaning the processing member by injecting the cleaning fluid from the injection ports, wherein the control device, in the cleaning mode, executes an overall cleaning step of cleaning the entire processing member and a local cleaning step of cleaning a specific portion of the processing member, the overall cleaning step being different from the local cleaning step in the number, position, or injection direction of the injection ports for injecting the cleaning fluid, and the food processing apparatus characterized by this.

2. The food processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the local cleaning step, the cleaning fluid is injected toward the back of the blade, which is the inner peripheral side of the processing blade.

3. As the plurality of injection ports, a first injection port capable of injecting the cleaning fluid from the rotation axis of the processing member or its vicinity toward the back of the blade and a second injection port capable of injecting the cleaning fluid from above in the processing chamber toward the processing member are provided, The food processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control device injects the cleaning fluid from the first injection port in the local cleaning step and injects the cleaning fluid from the second injection port in the overall cleaning step.

4. The food processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control device continuously supplies liquid to the flow path communicating with the injection port for a predetermined period and intermittently supplies gas to the flow path in at least one of the overall cleaning step and the local cleaning step, thereby intermittently injecting a gas-liquid mixture from the injection port.

5. The food processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control device executes a dirt floating step of injecting only liquid from the injection port onto the processing member to float the dirt attached to the processing member before executing at least one of the overall cleaning step and the local cleaning step.

6. The food processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the liquid injected as the cleaning fluid is warm water.

7. The food processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the control device executes the overall cleaning step and the local cleaning step, a drying step is performed in which only gas is injected from the injection port toward the processing member to dry the processing member.

8. The control device controls the rotation speed of the processing member based on a predetermined rotation speed pattern indicating the change in the rotation speed over time, and in the cleaning mode, switches from one of a first rotation speed pattern and a second rotation speed pattern different from each other to the other. The food processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The food processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first rotation speed pattern is a rotation speed pattern represented by a combination of acceleration, constant speed, and deceleration.

10. In the overall cleaning step, the control device injects the cleaning fluid from the first injection port for a predetermined first period and injects the cleaning fluid from the second injection port in a predetermined second period. The food processing apparatus according to claim 9, which cites claim 3, wherein the control device controls the processing member in the first rotation speed pattern in the first period.

11. The food processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control device stops the processing member in the local cleaning step.

12. The food processing apparatus according to claim 8, which cites claim 7, wherein the control device stops the processing member by braking means in the drying step.

13. A cleaning method for a food processing apparatus, comprising: a processing chamber into which food is supplied; a processing member rotatably provided in the processing chamber and having a plurality of processing blades on its outer peripheral portion; and a plurality of injection ports for injecting a cleaning fluid onto the processing member. An overall cleaning step of injecting the cleaning fluid from the plurality of injection ports to clean the processing member as a whole. The cleaning method for a food processing apparatus, characterized by comprising: a local cleaning step in which the number, position, or injection direction of the injection ports for injecting the cleaning fluid is different from that in the overall cleaning step, and a specific portion of the processing member is cleaned.

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