Food processing device and washing method for food processing device

Abstract

To attach an automatic washing function for exerting a washing effect even when original pressure of fluid used for washing is low, to a food processing device for cutting or crushing 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. In the washing mode, the control device injects a gas-liquid mixture from the injection ports 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R as washing fluid by pressure-feeding the liquid supplied toward the injection ports 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R by gas.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 such a food processing apparatus discharges the processed meat from the processing chamber, meat scraps remain in the processing chamber, and 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 with a large number of processing blades, it takes a lot of labor and time 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 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, warm water, etc. into the processing chamber after processing was embodied in an intermediate stage.

[0007] However, depending on the usage environment of the device, the water or warm water available for cleaning may be limited to low-pressure fluids such as tap water. Even if such a fluid is directly supplied to the device, there is a problem that the jet force is weak and a sufficient cleaning effect cannot be achieved.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a food processing device that cuts or crushes food with an automatic cleaning function that can exhibit a cleaning effect even when the original pressure of the fluid available for cleaning is low.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] That is, the food processing device according to the present invention includes 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, and a control device that switches between a processing mode for cutting or crushing the food by rotating the processing member and a cleaning mode for cleaning the processing member by injecting the cleaning fluid from the injection ports. In the cleaning mode, the control device pumps the liquid supplied toward the injection ports by gas to inject a gas-liquid mixture as the cleaning fluid from the injection ports.

[0010] According to the food processing device configured as described above, since the liquid supplied toward the injection ports is pumped by gas and injected as a gas-liquid mixture, a sufficient cleaning effect can be exhibited even when the original pressure of the liquid is low, and the burden of manual cleaning work can be reduced.

[0011] Preferably, the liquid supplied toward the injection ports is warm water. If so, the fat contained in meat and the like can be effectively removed.

[0012] When using warm water as described above, there is a concern about a temperature drop of the warm water due to injection as a gas-liquid mixture. Therefore, it is preferable that the control device continuously supplies liquid to the flow path communicating with the injection port over a predetermined period, and intermittently supplies gas to the flow path, so as to intermittently inject a gas-liquid mixture from the injection port. With such a configuration, since gas is intermittently supplied, a decrease in the temperature of the warm water can be suppressed, and the cleaning effect by the warm water can be sustained.

[0013] The processing member has a first flow path communicating with the injection port from one end in the axial direction, and a second flow path communicating with the injection port from the other end in the axial direction and independent of the first flow path. It is preferable that the control device makes the timing of supplying gas to the first flow path and the timing of supplying gas to the second flow path different from each other over the predetermined period. With such a configuration, compared with the case of supplying gas 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, so that a higher cleaning effect can be obtained.

[0014] It is preferable that the control device continuously supplies liquid to both the first flow path and the second flow path over the predetermined period. With such a configuration, compared with a configuration in which 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, with the above-described configuration, since the liquid flows even while the supply of gas is stopped, the liquid is stored in the pipe during that time, and the stored liquid is pumped by the gas and injected as a gas-liquid mixture. Thereby, by changing the dimensions (length and pipe diameter) of the pipe and the flow rate of the liquid, etc., the storage amount of the liquid in the pipe can be changed, so that a desired amount of liquid can be injected as a gas-liquid mixture with a relatively simple configuration.

[0015] It is preferable that the control device executes a drying process for drying the processing member by injecting gas from the injection port to the processing member after the cleaning process of the processing member. With such a configuration, full automation from the cleaning process to the drying process can be achieved.

[0016] It is preferable that the control device injects gas from the injection port in the processing mode. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the cut or crushed food from flowing back to the injection port during the processing.

[0017] 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 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 into the processing member. The method is characterized in that a liquid supplied toward the injection port is pumped by gas to inject a gas-liquid mixture as the cleaning fluid from the injection port. With such a cleaning method, the same operational effects as those of the above-described food processing apparatus can be achieved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to attach an automatic cleaning function that exhibits a cleaning effect even when the original pressure of the fluid that can be used for cleaning is low to a food processing apparatus that cuts or crushes food, and the burden of manual cleaning work can be significantly reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a food processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] (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 plant. 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.

[0022] In addition, based on the direction in which the frozen meat M is supplied to this 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.

[0023] (Body structure of the 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.

[0024] (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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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. As a result, 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.

[0027] (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 side of the rear part 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.

[0028] 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 part of this pushing member 22 is provided with a horizontally wide plate-like member 23, 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 part on the rear side of the plate-like member 23 in this pushing member 22.

[0029] (Transfer of frozen meat from the lifting part to the pushing part) As shown in FIG. 1, place the frozen meat M on the aforementioned lifting table 9, and drive the lifting electric motor 15 to raise this lifting table 9. Immediately before this lifting table 9 reaches the upper limit position, the convex part 12 abuts against a fixed part 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 part 12 drops to a position lower than the lifting table 9, the rear end opening part 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 part.

[0030] (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 body side and a movable wall 27 that can be opened and closed 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.

[0031] 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 rotatable up and down around a left-right opening and closing fulcrum 30 disposed 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.

[0032] (Rotator) 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).

[0033] 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.

[0034] (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 numbers 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.

[0035] (Extrusion unit) The extrusion unit 6 extrudes the 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 portion of this transfer screw 38 is projected forward from a through hole formed in the front wall of the machine body, and this projecting portion is covered with and supported by a bearing by an upper cylindrical member 39.

[0036] The lower opening formed in the lower part of the upper cylindrical member 39 is communicated with the 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 from the transfer screw 38 to the pushing screw 41, and while pressure is applied by the rotation of the 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.

[0037] (Drive unit) In addition to the aforementioned 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 interconnected by a transmission chain 33C.

[0038] (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 drives 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.

[0039] 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 lift / descend switch for raising and lowering the lift table 9 of the lifting unit 2, a stop switch for stopping this lift / descend, 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.

[0040] (Detailed structure of the rotor and the first injection port) Thus, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the basic structure of the aforementioned rotor 29 is adopted, and inside the rotating shaft 33, on the axis of this rotating shaft 33, a left flow path 44L and a right flow path 44R are respectively formed from both the left and right ends to the left side. Branch secondary flow paths 44LS and 44RS from each of these left and right flow paths 44L and 44R and extend them in the outer circumferential direction, and open the terminal ends of the respective secondary flow paths 44LS and 44RS to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 33. The bases of the injection nozzles (the "first injection ports" in the claims) 45L and 45R are respectively screwed and attached to this opening.

[0041] In addition, the series of flow paths from the left flow path 44L to the sub-flow path 44LS is also referred to as the first flow path, and the series of flow paths from the right flow path 44R to the sub-flow path 44RS is also referred to as the second flow path. That is, the rotor 29 of the present embodiment has a first flow path communicating with the injection nozzle 45L from one end in the axial direction, and a second flow path communicating with the injection nozzle 45R from the other end in the axial direction and independent of the first flow path.

[0042] The injection nozzles 45L and 45R, which are the first injection ports, inject the cleaning fluid onto 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 processing blade 36.

[0043] Each of these injection nozzles 45L and 45R is provided corresponding to each processing blade 36 one by one, and the injection directions of each injection nozzle 45L and 45R are directed toward the back of the blade, which is the inner peripheral side of each processing blade 36, and attached. That is, a part of the central support disk 35 among the 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 processing blade 36.

[0044] 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 of 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 fitted 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 a support member 46T so as to be freely changeable in posture.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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 T-shaped cross-section communicating member 51 having a sub-flow path 51L formed at the center of its left end face is joined to the left end face 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.

[0047] 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 communicating member 51. A lid member 56 is abutted against the left-side open face 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.

[0048] 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 discharging the liquid that has leaked into this space and communicates with the space outside the seal 55 is screwed to the outer peripheral portion of the non-rotating member 53.

[0049] 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 open left and right side surfaces 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.

[0050] 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 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.

[0051] 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. On the small-diameter portion of the communication member 68 that protrudes to the right from the lid member 69, 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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 outside 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.

[0054] (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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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, and the direction of each nozzle 78L and 78R may be 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 9, a protective wall 83 for preventing the intrusion of meat scraps into each of the 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.

[0059] (Injection circuit) The injection circuit is a circuit for injecting a cleaning fluid from the plurality of injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R described above to the rotor 29. Here, an example will be described in which air is used as the gas and warm water is used as the liquid. 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] Also, in the hot water supply path 97R, a pilot-operated normally closed valve 97RN and a check valve 97RC are provided in series connection. Furthermore, in the hot water supply path 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 path 89 and operate to open and close-switch the normally closed valves 96LN, 96RN, 97LN, and 97RN respectively.

[0064] Then, the downstream ends of the air supply paths 92L, 92R, 93L, and 93R and the downstream ends of the hot water supply paths 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 paths 44L, 44R, 80L, and 80R are connected by storage flow paths 103L, 103R, 104L, and 104R having a predetermined volume respectively.

[0065] In the configuration described above, the flaker mixer grinder 1 of the present embodiment includes a control device X that controls the operations of various fluid devices constituting the injection circuit as shown in FIG. 13.

[0066] Subsequently, 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 aforementioned injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R.

[0067] (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 the 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.

[0068] During this processing operation, the control device X allows 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.

[0069] This air reaches the left-side flow paths 44L and 80L and the right-side flow paths 44R and 80R from the storage flow paths 103L, 103R, 104L, and 104R, passes through the left-side sub-flow paths 44LS and 80LS and the right-side sub-flow paths 44RS and 80RS, and flows out at a low flow rate from the left-side injection nozzles 45L and 78L and the right-side injection nozzles 45R and 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.

[0070] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, meat scraps mt that flow around as the rotor 29 rotates 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.

[0071] (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 automatically shifted from the processing mode to the cleaning mode by detecting that the processing mode has ended.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] In the cleaning mode of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a soil 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 each step is set as a cleaning mode, the order of each step, or the execution time of each step, etc. may be changed as appropriate, or it may be configured to be changeable by the user.

[0076] (Soil floating step) The soil floating step S1 is a step of floating dirt such as meat scraps and fats 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.

[0077] In this soil 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] In addition, in this soil 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.

[0080] The hot water ejected from the injection nozzles 45L, 45R hits the underside of the blade on the inner periphery of the processing blade 36 of the rotor 29. In addition, as shown in Fig. 12, by ejecting hot water from the injection nozzles 78L, 78R while the rotor 29 is rotating, the hot water also hits the rotation axis 33 of the rotor 29 or its vicinity.

[0081] Since there is a limit to the flow rate of hot water that can be supplied from the hot water source 94, it is advisable to alternately connect the left solenoid switching valves 99L, 100L and the right solenoid switching valves 99R, 100R. As a result, hot water is alternately sprayed from the left injection nozzles 45L, 78L and the right injection nozzles 45R, 78R, as shown in Figure 15.

[0082] As shown in Figures 15 to 17, the control device X of this embodiment is configured to control the rotation speed of the rotor 29 based on a predetermined rotation speed pattern that indicates changes in the rotation speed over time, and in this dirt lifting process S1, the rotor 29 is rotated and stopped in an alternating manner.

[0083] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the control device X first ejects hot water from the left injection nozzle 45L for a first predetermined time while the rotor 29 is stopped, and then, again while the rotor 29 is stopped, ejects hot water from the right injection nozzle 45R for a first predetermined time.

[0084] Next, the control device X controls the rotor 29 based on a predetermined first rotation speed pattern to eject hot water from the left injection nozzle 45L for a second predetermined time, and then, similarly controls the rotor 29 based on the first rotation speed pattern to eject hot water from the right injection nozzle 45R for a second predetermined time.

[0085] The first rotation speed pattern is a rotation speed pattern represented here by a combination of acceleration, constant speed, and deceleration, as shown in Fig. 16. More specifically, this first rotation speed pattern is a pattern obtained by repeating the following operations: rapid acceleration to a predetermined speed in a short time (e.g., 1 second), constant speed rotation while maintaining that predetermined speed, and then stopping after a short time (e.g., 1 second).

[0086] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, the control device X controls the rotor 29 by switching it from the first rotation speed pattern to the second rotation speed pattern, while discharging hot water from the left injection nozzle 78L for a third predetermined time, and thereafter controls the rotor 29 based on the second rotation speed pattern, while discharging hot water from the right injection nozzle 78R for a third predetermined time.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 17, the second rotation speed pattern is a rotation speed pattern that represents a constant speed, and this constant speed is, for example, the rotation speed during constant rotation included in the above-mentioned first rotation speed pattern.

[0088] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, the control device X stops the rotation of the rotor 29 for a fourth predetermined time period and also stops the discharge of hot water.

[0089] In this way, by applying warm water to the rotor 29 and then leaving it as it is, the meat pieces m adhering to various parts of the rotor 296 are softened, and the oil and fat of the meat pieces m adhering to various parts of the rotor 29 are caused to float from the adhering surface.

[0090] Here, the second and third predetermined times are longer than the first predetermined time, the second and third predetermined times are the same length, and the fourth predetermined time is longer than the second and third predetermined times. However, the length of each predetermined time may be changed as appropriate.

[0091] (Local cleaning process) The local cleaning step S2 is a step of cleaning a specific part of the rotor 29. Here, it is a step of cleaning the back of the blade, which is the inner circumferential side of the processing blade 36. Note that the specific part is not limited to the back of the blade, and it may be, for example, the connection part between the processing blade 36 and the support disk 35, or the seal 65 (see Fig. 7) provided at the bearing part that supports the end of the rotating shaft 33 of the rotor 29.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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, instantaneously or at predetermined intervals, alternately switches the normally closed valves 92LN and 92RN between the communicating state and the closed state.

[0095] As a result, warm water is continuously supplied to the storage flow paths 103L and 103R, and high-pressure air is intermittently supplied. The warm water stored in the storage flow paths 103L and 103R is pushed out by the high-pressure air.

[0096] 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.

[0097] By repeating this intermittent supply of air, the hot water and air supplied to the storage channels 103L and 103R are ejected as a gas-liquid mixture from the injection nozzles 45L and 45R in a pulsed manner or at predetermined intervals, and the ejected gas-liquid mixture hits the back of the processing blade 36 of the rotor 29.

[0098] It is preferable to alternately communicate the left normal closed valve 92LN and the right normal closed valve 92RN. Thereby, when the left normal closed 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 closed valve 92RN is closed, the flow rate of the hot water flowing into the left storage channel 103L can be increased.

[0099] 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. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, hot water is alternately ejected from the left injection nozzle 45L and the right injection nozzle 45R.

[0100] In this local cleaning step S2, the control device X maintains the solenoid switching valves 100L and 100R and the normally closed valves 93LN and 93RN in a closed state and stops the rotation of the rotor 29.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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 or the like can be suppressed, making it hygienically suitable.

[0103] (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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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 above-described local cleaning step S2. 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 a predetermined interval.

[0107] 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.

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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-described rotor 29 and the timing of supplying air to the second flow path different 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.

[0110] Different from the above-described local cleaning step S2, the control device X in the first control mode of the overall cleaning step S3 rotates the rotor 29 in a predetermined rotation speed pattern.

[0111] 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.

[0112] In this way, by rotating the rotor 29 while repeatedly accelerating and decelerating it, and injecting the gas-liquid mixture from the injection nozzles 45L and 45R, for example, the gas-liquid mixture injected onto the rotor 29 can be bounced off from the rotor 29 toward another location.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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.

[0115] In this second control mode, the control device X switches the solenoid switching valves 100L and 100R to the communicating state to supply and store warm water in the storage flow paths 104L and 104R, and in this state, instantaneously or at a predetermined interval, the normally closed valves 93LN and 93RN are alternately switched between the communicating state and the closed state.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] In other words, as shown in FIG. 19, the control device X may 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, similar to the local cleaning process S2. 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.

[0121] 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.

[0122] 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, a rotation speed pattern representing a constant speed as described above (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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] In this way, by injecting the gas-liquid mixture from the injection nozzles 78L and 78R while rotating the rotor 29, the gas-liquid mixture also hits the rotation axis 33 of the rotor 29 or the vicinity thereof.

[0125] 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 cleaning the inner surface of the processing chamber 28 can also be expected.

[0126] 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 a predetermined interval thereafter.

[0127] 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 can be suppressed, making it hygienically suitable.

[0128] (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. 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 it is completely free of water droplets. 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.

[0129] 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 paths 92L, 92R, 93L, and 93R.

[0130] 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 paths 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.

[0131] As a result, 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 shaft 33 of the rotor 29 or the vicinity thereof.

[0132] By applying air in this manner, the warm water on the rotor 29 can be dried, and also meat scraps mt adhering to various parts of the rotor 29 can be blown away.

[0133] It is preferable to alternately switch the left normally closed valves 92LN, 93LN and the right normally closed valves 92RN, 93RN to a communicating state. This causes air to be sprayed alternately from the left injection nozzles 45L, 78L and the right injection nozzles 45R, 78R. As a result, hot water that has been sprayed onto the other side of the rotor 29 by spraying air onto one side of the rotor 29 can be dried by air that is then sprayed onto the other side of the rotor 29, allowing the rotor 29 to be dried efficiently.

[0134] In this drying step S4, the control device X is configured to control the rotation speed of the rotor 29 while switching among a plurality of different rotation speed patterns, as shown in FIG.

[0135] More specifically, the control device X here first starts rotating the rotor 29 at a first rotation speed pattern for a predetermined first period.

[0136] Then, after the first period has elapsed, 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 at the second rotation speed pattern for a predetermined second period.

[0137] Then, after the second period has elapsed, 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 speed pattern, and the rotor 29 is rotated at the third rotation speed pattern for a predetermined third period.

[0138] Note that 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.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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 is for forcibly and instantaneously stopping 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.

[0141] 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.

[0142] Note that 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, 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.

[0143] (Function 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 cleaned entirely by the overall cleaning step S3, and 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.

[0144] Also, in the local cleaning step S2 and the overall cleaning step S3, the warm 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 warm water, a sufficient cleaning effect can be exhibited, and the burden of manual cleaning work can be reduced.

[0145] 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 with the case of supplying gas 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.

[0146] 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 with a configuration in which 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, warm water flows even while the supply of air has stopped. Therefore, during that time, the warm water is stored in the storage flow paths 103L, 103R, 104L, 104R, and the stored warm water liquid is pressure-fed by air and injected as a gas-liquid mixture. As a result, by changing the dimensions (length and pipe diameter) of the storage flow paths 103L, 103R, 104L, 104R and the flow rate of the warm water, etc., the storage amount of the warm water in the storage flow paths 103L, 103R, 104L, 104R can be changed. Therefore, it is possible to inject a desired amount of warm water as a gas-liquid mixture with a relatively simple configuration.

[0147] 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 uniformly in the circumferential direction of the rotor 29, and various operational effects that cannot be obtained with a configuration that simply continues to rotate the rotor 29 can be achieved.

[0148] Since the control device X stops the rotor 29 in the local washing step S2, power consumption can be suppressed without rotating the rotor 29 unnecessarily.

[0149] Furthermore, since the control device X executes a stain-lifting step S1 for lifting the stains adhering to the rotor 29, the washing effects in the overall washing step S3 and the local washing step S2 can be further enhanced.

[0150] Moreover, since the liquid jetted as the washing fluid is warm water, the fats and oils contained in the frozen meat M can be effectively lifted or removed in the stain-lifting 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.

[0151] 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.

[0152] 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 cut or crushed food m from flowing back to the injection nozzles 45L, 45R, 78L, and 78R during the processing.

[0153] (Another Embodiment of the Food Processing Apparatus) Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0154] For example, in the above embodiment, the local cleaning step S2 and the overall cleaning step S3 were included in the cleaning mode. However, if one of these is unnecessary, it may not be included in the cleaning mode. Also, regarding the dirt floating step S1 and the drying step S4, one or both of these may not be included in the cleaning mode if they are unnecessary.

[0155] In addition, as the control device X, in the overall cleaning step S3, in the above embodiment, the rotor 29 was controlled by switching from the first rotation speed pattern to the second rotation speed pattern. However, it may also be possible to control the rotor 29 by switching from the second rotation speed pattern to the first rotation speed pattern.

[0156] Furthermore, as the control device X, in the above 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 that continuously rotates at a constant speed, or a predetermined rotation speed pattern that repeats acceleration and deceleration, etc., may be used to control the rotation speed of the rotor 29 based on one rotation speed pattern.

[0157] As the cleaning fluid, in the above embodiment, warm water was used. However, unheated water (cold water or normal temperature water) may also be used, or hot water heated to a high temperature may be used. Furthermore, a cleaning fluid containing a detergent may also be used.

[0158] 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, the food processing apparatus 100 may be configured such that either or both of the supply pressure of the air or the supply time of the air can be changed.

[0159] As an aspect for making it possible to change the supply pressure of the air, an aspect can be cited in which a 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.

[0160] 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.

[0161] 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.

[0162] 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 the desired temperature can be used from the start point of the cleaning mode.

[0163] As the cleaning mode, in the above-described 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 either or both of the dirt floating step S1 and the drying step S4 are unnecessary, they may not be included in the cleaning mode.

[0164] Also, in the above-described 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.

[0165] In the injection circuit of the above-described 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.

[0166] Moreover, 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.

[0167] The food processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention is not limited to one that processes meat, and for example, it may be one that produces foods such as butter, cheese, and tea leaves, or foods such as feed for aquaculture that are foods for fish and animals.

[0168] Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0169] 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 ··· Stain 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 or a cleaning mode of cleaning the processing member by injecting the cleaning fluid from the injection ports, The food processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the cleaning mode, the control device pumps the liquid supplied to the injection ports by gas to inject a gas-liquid mixture as the cleaning fluid from the injection ports.

2. The food processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supplied to the injection ports is warm water.

3. The food processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control device continuously supplies liquid to a flow path communicating with the injection ports for a predetermined period and intermittently supplies gas to the flow path to intermittently inject a gas-liquid mixture from the injection ports.

4. The processing member has a first flow path communicating with the injection ports from one axial end portion and a second flow path communicating with the injection ports from the other axial end portion and independent of the first flow path, The food processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control device makes the timing of supplying gas to the first flow path different from the timing of supplying gas to the second flow path for the predetermined period.

5. The food processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control device continuously supplies liquid to both the first flow path and the second flow path for the predetermined period.

6. The food processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the cleaning step of the processing member, the control device executes a drying step of injecting gas from the injection ports onto the processing member to dry the processing member.

7. The food processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the processing mode, the control device injects gas from the injection ports.

8. A cleaning method for 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, A cleaning method for a food processing apparatus, characterized in that a liquid supplied toward the injection port is pumped by a gas, and a gas-liquid mixture is injected as the cleaning fluid from the injection port.

Images