Noodle line cut-out / conveyance device

Abstract

To provide a noodle line cut-out / conveyance device capable of automating (mechanizing) preparation of handmade-like noodles (raw noodles) and a sorting operation thereof, and downsizing the whole device.SOLUTION: There is provided a noodle line cut-out / conveyance device 1 comprising: a first conveyor 2 for conveying a noodle belt 10 as dough for raw noodles on a first conveyance face 2b; cut-out means 4 for sequentially cutting out string-like noodle lines 11 by being cut in a direction of crossing the noodle belt 10 on the first conveyor 2; a second conveyor 3 arranged below the first conveyor 2 and having a second conveyance face 3b for conveying the noodle lines 11 falling from a terminal 2E of the first conveyor 2 in a state of being received and suspended so as to extend in a width direction; receiving means 5 arranged below a terminal 3E of the second conveyor 3 and receiving the noodle lines 11 falling from the terminal 3E of the second conveyor 3; and a control part 6 for controlling conveyance speed of each of the first conveyor 2 and the second conveyor 3, and an operation of cut-out means 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a noodle string cutting and conveying device that sequentially cuts out noodle strings from a noodle band, which is raw noodle dough, and divides the cut out noodle strings into desired amounts and forms them into a single bundle. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART In the technical field of noodle production such as udon and soba, a method known as "hand-made noodles" has been known in which a noodle band, which is raw noodle dough, is cut in the transverse direction to sequentially cut out string-like noodle strands. Compared to noodles that are extruded or noodles that are made by cutting a strip of noodle with a rotating cutting blade parallel to the direction of its extension, noodles produced using this method can have noodle strands with a three-dimensional shape that is closer to a rectangular column, which results in a good texture (particularly chewy texture) when eaten after boiling. For this reason, hand-made noodles are less productive than the above-mentioned extrusion-molded noodles or noodles cut by a rotary blade, but they remain very popular and in demand. Furthermore, with the aim of improving the productivity of such hand-made noodles, a "hand-made style noodle-making device" is known, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, which is a prior application that mechanizes the manufacturing process of hand-made noodles.

[0003] The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 mentioned above makes it possible to cut noodle strands by cutting a strip-shaped noodle band in the transverse direction, but it requires manpower to separate the cut noodle strands into portions for one meal, for example, and it is necessary to install separate equipment for separating the noodle strands, which poses the problem of increased costs for securing manpower and investing in equipment. At present, no prior application has been found that has the same problem to be solved as the present invention, but as a prior application in the related technical field, for example, Patent Document 2 shown below is known.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses an invention entitled "Device for cutting and measuring dried noodles," which relates to a device for cutting and measuring dried noodles. The invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 comprises a means for cutting dried noodles oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction to a predetermined length, a first conveying means consisting of multiple conveyors that transport each cut piece of dried noodles and are equipped with a mechanism for widening the gap between them during conveyance, a second conveying means equipped with a multi-speed mechanism that receives the dried noodles from the first conveying means and initially transports the dried noodles at a faster speed than the first conveying means and then sends them to the weighing means at a slower speed, and a weighing means that weighs the dried noodles transported by the second conveying means, and is characterized by the fact that the cutting and weighing processes for dried noodles can be carried out automatically and continuously. The invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 with the above configuration can provide an apparatus that can prevent tangling of highly curled dried noodles while enabling accurate weighing, and can also automatically and continuously perform the processes from cutting to weighing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Jitszen No. 54-11988 Publication [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-117907 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, in order to measure and separate the cut noodle strips into desired amounts, it is necessary to provide a hopper (5; see Figure 6 in Patent Document 2) that has a width (or length) at least the same as the length of the cut noodle strips. In other words, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 requires a first belt conveyor (2) that transports noodle strands, which are dried noodles cut to a desired length, a second belt conveyor (4) that receives the dried noodles dropping from the first belt conveyor (2) and transports them at a speed faster than the first belt conveyor (2) to untangle the noodle strands, and a weighing hopper (5) and weighing unit (11) that accurately weigh the untangled dried noodles, so the entire device for accurately weighing and sorting dried noodles cut to a desired length tends to be complex and large. For this reason, for example, in restaurants and the like that serve freshly made handmade-style noodles (raw noodles), it has been impractical to use a combination of the devices disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 to automate (mechanize) the production of handmade-style noodles (raw noodles) and the sorting process to reduce labor.

[0007] The present invention has been made in response to these conventional problems, and its purpose is to provide a noodle string cutting and conveying device that can automate (mechanize) the production of hand-made-look noodles (fresh noodles) and the sorting process, while also enabling the overall device to be made smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The noodle string cutting and conveying device, which is a first invention for solving the above problems, is characterized by comprising: a first conveyor that conveys a noodle band, which is raw noodle dough, on a first conveying surface; cutting means that cuts the noodle band in a direction across the first conveyor and sequentially cuts out string-like noodle strings; a second conveyor that is arranged below the first conveyor and has a second conveying surface that receives the noodle strings that drop from the end of the first conveyor so that they span the width of the noodle strings and convey them in a hanging down state; receiving means that is arranged below the end of the second conveyor and receives the noodle strings that drop from the end of the second conveyor; and a control unit that controls the conveying speeds of the first conveyor and second conveyor, and the operation of the cutting means. The first invention having the above configuration is equipped with a combination of a first conveyor, cutting means, and a control unit, and has the effect of sequentially producing noodle strands, which are string-like raw noodles formed by cutting the noodle sheet in a transverse direction. Furthermore, the first invention is equipped with a combination of a first conveyor and a second conveyor that transport the cut noodle strips, and a control unit that appropriately controls the transport speed of these conveyors, allowing the noodle strips to be separated as desired. Furthermore, by providing a combination of the second conveyor, receiving means, and a control unit that appropriately controls the conveying speed of the second conveyor, the separated noodle strings can be served as a single unit.

[0009] A second invention is the above-mentioned first invention, characterized in that it includes a measuring means capable of measuring the weight or number of noodle strings, and the control unit outputs a first control signal to increase the conveying speed of the second conveyor when the measuring means detects that the increase in the weight or number of noodle strings transported by the second conveyor has reached a preset value. The second invention having the above configuration specifies the control content in the first invention more specifically. The second invention has the effect of increasing the conveying speed of the second conveyor in response to the first control signal output from the control unit, and sorting the noodle strings conveyed by the second conveyor into groups based on a preset weight or number.

[0010] A third invention is the above-mentioned first invention, further comprising a measuring means capable of measuring the weight or number of noodle strings, and wherein the control unit, when the measuring means detects that the increase in the weight or number of noodle strings transported by the second conveyor has reached a preset value, stops transport by the first conveyor and outputs a second control signal to stop the operation of the cutting means. The third invention having the above configuration specifies the control content in the first invention more specifically. In the third aspect of the present invention, the second control signal output from the control unit stops the operation of the cutting means and stops the conveyance by the first conveyor, thereby operating only the second conveyor, thereby achieving the effect of sorting the noodle strings conveyed by the second conveyor into groups according to a preset weight or number.

[0011] The fourth invention is the second or third invention described above, characterized in that a center line C1 extending in the conveying direction at the widthwise central portion of the first conveying surface and a center line C2 extending in the conveying direction at the widthwise central portion of the second conveying surface are coincident. In the fourth aspect of the invention having the above configuration, by aligning the center line C1 of the first conveying surface with the center line C2 of the second conveying surface, it is possible to convey the individual noodle strings while approaching a state of line symmetry with respect to the center line C2 on the second conveying surface. In this case, when the noodle strings drop from the first conveyor onto the second conveyor, the time that the ends of the noodle strings hanging down from the side edges of the second conveyor sway can be shortened compared to when the noodle strings transported by the second conveying surface are not symmetrical with respect to the center line C2. This has the effect of preventing a measurement error from increasing when the weight of the noodle strings is measured by the measuring means, or preventing the time required for accurate measurement from becoming longer.

[0012] A fifth invention is the second or third invention described above, characterized in that the measuring means is a load cell capable of measuring the weight of the entire second conveyor and the weight of all noodle strings transported on the second transport surface. In the fifth aspect of the present invention having the above configuration, the combination of the second conveyor and the load cell can be used as a measuring device for measuring the weight of the cut noodle strings.

[0013] The sixth invention is any one of the first to third inventions described above, characterized in that the cutting means is equipped with a cutting blade located on the first conveyor, vertically above the axis of a roller arranged at the end of the first conveyor, and arranged in a direction crossing the noodle sheet. In the sixth aspect of the invention having the above configuration, the cutting means is disposed in a position close to the end of the first conveyor, so that the noodle strings cut out by the cutting means are immediately sent to the second conveyor. That is, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, all of the noodle strings cut out by the cutting means can be easily sent to the second conveyor and collected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to each of the first to third aspects of the present invention, raw noodle strands are sequentially cut out from a noodle band, and the cut noodle strands can be sorted into desired amounts or numbers. In other words, in each of the first to third inventions, the conveying speed when conveying the cut out noodle strands can be adjusted appropriately to separate the noodle strands as desired, so when separating the cut out noodle strands, there is no need to provide a separate container for temporarily storing the noodle strands, or equipment for measuring the weight of the noodle strands stored together with this container, which allows each of the first to third inventions to be made more compact. Furthermore, in each of the first to third inventions, the second conveyor transports the individual noodle strands so that they straddle the width of the second transport surface, with each end of the individual noodle strands hanging down from each side edge of the second transport surface (a drooping state), and the noodle strands in this state are dropped into receiving means, making it possible to collect and separate the noodle strands sorted into desired amounts or numbers. In other words, according to each of the first to third inventions, when collecting the sorted noodle strands into a single noodle strand, there is no need to provide a separate collection means that grabs and collects the sorted noodle strands. This also makes it possible to reduce the size of each of the first to third inventions. Therefore, according to each of the first to third aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a noodle string cutting and conveying device that can automate (mechanize) the production of hand-made-style noodles (fresh noodles) and the process of sorting them, and that has a reduced overall size.

[0015] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent problems such as large errors when measuring the weight of individual noodle strings or a long time required for accurate measurement. Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a noodle string cutting and conveying device in which the weight of each separated noodle string is made uniform, or in which the speed at which the noodle strings are separated is high.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the entire second conveyor can be used as a weighing device when measuring the weight of the noodle strands. Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when dividing the noodle strands into desired sections, there is no need to provide a separate weighing device that stores the noodle strands to be divided and measures their weight. Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the noodle strand cutting and conveying device can be made smaller in size.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the noodle strands that have been cut out by the cutting means for some time from becoming mixed with the noodle strands that have just been cut out by the cutting means among the multiple noodle strands that have been separated and grouped together. If cut noodle strings are left in the air, moisture will gradually evaporate from the cut surfaces, causing the noodles to dry out, which will lengthen the boiling time required to make them edible. For this reason, if a mixture of noodle strings that have been cut out by the cutting means for some time and noodle strings that have just been cut out by the cutting means is boiled for a desired period of time and served as a cooked food, there is a high possibility that the hardness of the noodle strings will be uneven when eaten, significantly reducing their value as a food product. Therefore, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the combination of the second conveyor and the receiving means makes it possible to homogenize the quality of the multiple noodle strings that have been sorted and grouped together, i.e., the noodle balls. Therefore, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, homogenized noodle balls can be produced efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a noodle string cutting and conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the side; [Figure 2] 3 is a plan view of a connecting portion between a first conveyor and a second conveyor in the noodle string cutting and conveying device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view of a connecting portion between a first conveyor and a second conveyor in the noodle string cutting and conveying device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a noodle string cutting and conveying device according to a modified example of the present embodiment, as viewed from the side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A noodle string cutting and conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.

[0020] [1; Basic configuration of the present invention] A noodle string cutting and conveying device according to a representative embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present embodiment) will be described below. Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the noodle string cutting and conveying device according to this embodiment as seen from the side, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the connection between the first conveyor and the second conveyor in the noodle string cutting and conveying device, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the connection in the noodle string cutting and conveying device. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment includes a first conveyor 2 having a first conveying surface 2b that conveys a noodle sheet 10, which is, for example, raw noodle dough; cutting means 4 that cuts the noodle sheet 10 on this first conveyor 2 in a direction transverse to the width direction of the noodle sheet 10 to sequentially cut out string-like noodle strings; a second conveyor 3 that is arranged below the first conveyor 2 and has a second conveying surface 3b that receives and conveys the noodle strings 11 that drop from a terminal end 2E of the first conveyor 2; and receiving means 5 that is arranged below a terminal end 3E of the second conveyor 3 and receives the noodle strings 11 that drop from the second conveyor 3. The noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment also includes a control unit 6 that controls the operations of the first conveyor 2, the second conveyor 3, and the cutting means 4.

[0021] 2, the width W2 of the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3 is set smaller than the width W1 of the first conveying surface 2b of the first conveyor 2. More specifically, the width W2 of the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3 is set smaller than the width W3 of the noodle strip 10 conveyed on the first conveying surface 2b. As a result, the individual noodle strings 11 that have dropped from the terminal end 2E of the first conveyor 2 are transported from the starting end 3S side of the second conveying surface 3b toward the terminal end 3E side so as to straddle the width direction of the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3, with each end 11a of the individual noodle strings 11 hanging down (pendulging) from the side edge 3f of the second conveying surface 3b (see Figure 3).

[0022] Furthermore, the receiving means 5 according to this embodiment can be, for example, a hollow container as shown in FIG. 1, more specifically, a deep strainer such as a "tebo" (a colander). Alternatively, although not specifically shown, the receiving means 5 may be a large hollow container with an opening at the top, such as a food container, or may be a combination of a cylindrical chute and a hollow container such as a food container.

[0023] [2; Details of each component of the present invention] The first conveyor 2 in the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment may be, for example, a circular endless belt 2a having a drive roller 2c at a starting end 2S and a driven roller 2d at a terminal end 2E. The first conveyor 2 drives the drive roller 2c by a control signal output from the control unit 6, and transports the noodle sheet 10 from its starting end 2S side to its ending end 2E side (see the direction indicated by symbol A in Figures 1 to 3). The noodle sheet 10 is a raw noodle dough obtained by kneading grain flour, such as wheat flour, water, and salt, by machine or the like, and then rolling the kneaded mixture into a sheet or strip. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a noodle sheet for udon noodles is used as the noodle sheet 10, but noodle sheets for Japanese soba noodles or Chinese noodles other than udon noodles may also be used.

[0024] The cutting means 4 is made of a flat plate made of, for example, a metal such as steel or a hard ceramic, and is located on the first conveying surface 2b of the first conveyor 2 and is equipped with a cutting blade 4a arranged in a direction crossing the noodle sheet 10. The operation of the extraction means 4 is also controlled by a control signal output from the control unit 6. That is, the control signal output from the control unit 6 causes the cutting blade 4a to move up and down on the first conveying surface 2b of the first conveyor 2 at a substantially constant speed, so that the noodle belt 10 is cut across its width direction on the first conveying surface 2b of the first conveyor 2, and noodle lines 11, which are string-like raw noodles, are sequentially cut out and generated.

[0025] The second conveyor 3 may be provided with a driving roller 3c on the starting end 3S side of an endless belt 3a forming an annular shape, for example, and a driven roller 3d on the terminal end 3E side. The second conveyor 3 conveys the noodle lines 11 cut out from the starting end 3S side toward the terminal end 3E side (refer to the direction indicated by the reference sign C in FIGS. 1 to 3) by driving the driving roller 3c by the control signal output from the control unit 6.

[0026] When the receiving means 5 is, for example, a hollow container such as a tebo (refer to FIG. 1) or a chute (not shown) made of a cylindrical body or the like, and the noodle lines 11 are placed in parallel one by one on the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3, that is, when a plurality of noodle lines 11 do not overlap on the second conveying surface 3b, the width W4 of the receiving port 5a of the receiving means 5 only needs to satisfy (W2 + 2D) ≦ W4 (where W2 is the width of the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3 and D is the thickness of the noodle belt 10). In this case, the noodle lines 11 falling from the terminal end 3E of the second conveyor 3 can be reliably received by the receiving means 5.

[0027] Furthermore, for example, when the width W4 of the receiving port 5a of the receiving means 5 satisfies (W2 + 2D) ≦ W4 < W1, the width W4 of the receiving port 5a of the receiving means 5 can be made smaller than the width W1 of the first conveying surface 2b of the first conveyor 2. In this case, the size of the receiving means 5 for receiving the cut noodle lines 11 in the width direction of the second conveyor 3 can be made smaller than the width W1 of the first conveying surface 2b, which is advantageous for miniaturizing the noodle line cutting and conveying device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0028] Furthermore, when the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment is viewed from the edge side of the endless belt 2a of the first conveyor 2 or from the side edge 3f side of the endless belt 3a of the second conveyor 3, that is, when the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 is viewed from the side, the vertical position (level) of the receiving port 5a of the receiving means 5 may be positioned below the end 11a of the noodle string 11 hanging down from the side edge 3f of the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3. This structure is also useful for ensuring that the noodle strings 11 dropping from the terminal end 3E of the second conveyor 3 are received by the receiving means 5.

[0029] In the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment, for example, when the conveying speed of the first conveyor 2 and the conveying speed of the second conveyor 3 are set to be the same, and the conveying speed of the second conveyor 3 is temporarily increased by a control signal (control signal I) output from the control unit 6, the noodle strings 11 conveyed by the second conveyor 3 can be divided as desired. Alternatively, for example, in a state in which the conveying speed of the first conveyor 2 and the conveying speed of the second conveyor 3 are set to be the same, the control signal (control signal II) output from the control unit 6 can be used to stop conveyance by the first conveyor 2 and stop the operation of the cutting means 4, thereby allowing the noodle strings 11 conveyed by the second conveyor 3 to be divided as desired.

[0030] In the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment, the noodle string group 12 separated on the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3 is dropped onto the receiving means 5 by the control signal I or control signal II as described above, so that the desired amount or number of noodle strings 11 can be separated as a single unit.

[0031] [3; Effects of the present invention] The noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment as described above is equipped with the first conveyor 2, cutting means 4, and a control unit 6 that controls the operation of these components, and is therefore able to cut the noodle sheet 10 across its width to sequentially cut out and produce string-like noodle strings 11, which are raw noodles. Compared to conventionally known extrusion-molded noodles or noodles made by cutting a strip of noodle with a rotating cutting blade parallel to the direction of its extension, the three-dimensional shape of these noodle strands 11 is closer to a prismatic shape. Furthermore, these noodle strands 11 have a particularly good texture (especially chewiness) when boiled and eaten. In other words, the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment can efficiently produce raw noodles that have a quality similar to or equivalent to so-called "hand-made noodles."

[0032] Furthermore, the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a first conveyor 2, a second conveyor 3, and a control unit 6 that controls the conveying speeds thereof, so that the cut noodle strings 11 can be divided as desired to produce noodle string groups 12. In other words, with the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment, the conveying speeds of the first conveyor 2 and the second conveyor 3 that convey the cut out noodle strings 11 can be appropriately adjusted using control signals (e.g., control signal I, control signal II, etc.) output from the control unit 6, thereby making it possible to separate the noodle strings 11 by widening the distance between the noodle strings 11 placed in parallel on the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3 at desired positions. In this case, when forming the separated noodle string groups 12, there is no need to provide a separate container for temporarily storing the cut-out noodle strings 11, or a measuring device for measuring the noodle strings 11 stored in this container together with this container, which allows the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment to be made smaller.

[0033] Furthermore, the individual noodle strings 11 constituting the noodle string group 12 are transported so as to straddle the width direction of the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3, with the ends 11a of the individual noodle strings 11 hanging down (drooping) from the side edges 3f of the second conveying surface 3b, and the noodle strings 11 are dropped from the terminal end 3E of the second conveyor 3 onto the receiving means 5, so that the separated noodle string group 12 can be separated in a single mass. In other words, with the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment, there is no need to provide a separate noodle string collecting means for grasping and gathering the noodle string groups 12 in order to separate the separated noodle string groups 12 in a gathered state. Therefore, this also makes it possible to reduce the size of the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0034] According to the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment as described above, the production of hand-made-look noodles (fresh noodles) and the work of separating them can be automated (mechanized), and the size of the entire device can be reduced. That is, the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment can provide a small noodle string cutting and conveying device that can be permanently installed in restaurants and the like that serve freshly made, handmade-style noodles.

[0035] [4;Detailed configuration of the present invention]

[0036] (Method of measurement) The noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment may be equipped with a load cell 7 as measuring means capable of measuring the weight of the entire second conveyor 3 and the weight of all noodle strings 11 conveyed on the second conveying surface 3b of this second conveyor 3, for example, as shown in FIG. In this case, the entire second conveyor 3 can be used as a weighing device for measuring the weight of the noodle strings 11 being transported on the first transport surface 2b. Therefore, by configuring the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment as described above, the size of the entire device can be further reduced.

[0037] (Regarding control signals) Furthermore, in the case where the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a load cell 7 as a measuring means, and the load cell 7 (measuring means) detects that the increase in weight of the noodle strings 11 conveyed by the second conveyor 3 has reached a preset value, the control unit 6 may be configured to output a control signal Ia that increases the conveying speed of the second conveyor 3. In this case, the weight of the noodle strings 12 conveyed on the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3 can be made to match or approximate a preset value. Therefore, when the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a load cell 7 (measuring means) and is configured to output a control signal Ia, it is possible to efficiently produce a group of noodle strings 12 having a desired weight.

[0038] Alternatively, if the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a load cell 7 as a measuring means, and the load cell 7 (measuring means) detects that the increase in weight of the noodle strings 11 being conveyed by the second conveyor 3 has reached a preset value, the control unit 6 may be configured to stop conveyance by the first conveyor 2 and output a control signal IIa that stops the operation of the cutting means 4. In this case as well, the weight of the noodle strings 12 conveyed on the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3 can be made to match or approximate a preset value. Therefore, even when the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a load cell 7 (measuring means) and is configured to output a control signal IIa, it is possible to efficiently produce a group of noodle strings 12 having a desired weight.

[0039] The noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment may be provided with a counter (not shown) that counts the number of noodle strings 11 conveyed by the second conveyor 3, instead of the load cell 7 (measuring means). In this case, when a counter (measuring means) not shown detects that the increase in the number of noodle strings 11 being transported on the second conveyor 3 has reached a preset value, the control unit 6 may be configured to output a control signal Ib to increase the transport speed of the second conveyor 3, or alternatively, the control unit 6 may be configured to stop transport by the first conveyor 2 and output a control signal IIb to stop the operation of the cutting means 4. In either case, the number of noodle strings 12 conveyed on the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3 can be made to match or approximate a preset value. In either case, when the weight of each noodle string 11 can be considered to be approximately the same, a group of noodle strings 12 having the desired number of strings and bunched together can be efficiently produced.

[0040] Furthermore, the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment may be equipped with both the above-mentioned weighing device (for example, the load cell 7 or the like) and a counter (not shown) as measuring means. In this case, for example, when the value measured by the weighing device reaches a predetermined value, or when the value measured by the counter reaches a predetermined value, whichever occurs first, the control unit 6 may be configured to output a control signal Ic to increase the conveying speed of the second conveyor 3, or the control unit 6 may be configured to stop conveyance by the first conveyor 2 and output a control signal IIc to stop the operation of the cutting means 4. In either case, the same effect as above is achieved.

[0041] (About extraction method) As shown in Figure 1 above, the cutting blade 4a of the cutting means 4 may be positioned on the first conveyor 2 and vertically above the axis 2f of a roller (e.g., driven roller 2d) arranged at the end 2E of the first conveyor 2, more specifically, directly above the axis 2f of the roller (e.g., driven roller 2d). In this case, by arranging the cutting means 4 at a position close to the terminal end 2E of the first conveyor 2, the noodle strings 11 cut out by the cutting means 4 can be sent to the second conveyor 3 immediately.

[0042] In this case, for example, when the control unit 6 outputs a control signal (such as the above-mentioned control signal II, control signals IIa to IIc, etc.) to the cutting means 4 to stop its operation, and the operation of the cutting means 4 and the transportation by the first conveyor 2 are stopped, the cut noodle strings 11 can be prevented from being left behind on the first transport surface 2b of the first conveyor 2. In other words, by arranging the cutting blades 4a of the cutting means 4 as described above, it becomes easy to reliably send all of the noodle strings 11 cut out by the cutting means 4 to the second conveyor 3 and collect them. In this case, it is possible to prevent the noodle strings 11 that have been cut out by the cutting means 4 for some time from being mixed with the noodle strings 11 that have just been cut out by the cutting means 4 among the plurality of noodle strings 11 that have been divided and grouped together and are supplied to the receiving means 5.

[0043] If the cut noodle strings 11 are left in the air, the moisture gradually evaporates from the cut surfaces, etc., and the noodle strings dry out. The longer the noodle strings 11 are left after being cut, the longer they will need to be boiled to be edible. For this reason, if a mixture (noodle balls) of noodle strands 11 that have been cut out by the cutting means 4 for some time and noodle strands 11 that have just been cut out by the cutting means 4 is boiled for a desired period of time and served as a cooked food, there is a high possibility that the hardness of the noodle strands 11 will be uneven when eaten, and the value of the food (for example, the texture and taste when eaten) will be significantly reduced. Therefore, by specifying the arrangement of the cutting blades 4a of the cutting means 4 in the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment as described above, it is possible to homogenize the quality of the noodle balls, which are made up of multiple noodle strings 11 that have been sorted and grouped together and are supplied to the receiving means 5. According to the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment as described above, uniform noodle balls can be produced efficiently.

[0044] (Regarding the placement of the first and second conveyors) As shown in FIG. 3, in the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment, a center line C1 extending in the conveying direction (see the direction indicated by symbol A in FIG. 2) at the widthwise central portion of the first conveying surface 2b of the first conveyor 2 may be aligned with a center line C2 extending in the conveying direction (see the direction indicated by symbol B in FIG. 2) at the widthwise central portion of the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3.

[0045] In this case, the noodle strings 11 conveyed by the second conveyor 3 can be brought close to being in line symmetry with respect to the center line C2 of the first conveying surface 2b. In this case, when the noodle strings 11 drop from the first conveyor 2 onto the second conveyor 3, the time that the end 11a of the noodle strings 11 hanging down from the side edge 3f of the second conveyor surface 3b sways can be made shorter than when the noodle strings 11 transported by the second conveyor surface 3b are not symmetrical with respect to the center line C2. This prevents problems such as large measurement errors or a long time required to measure the accurate weight when the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a measuring means, such as a load cell 7, to measure the weight of the noodle strings 11.

[0046] Therefore, when the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 according to this embodiment is configured as described above, it has the effect of making the weight of the separated noodle string groups 12 uniform, or of quickly separating the noodle strings 11 cut by the cutting means 4 into noodle string groups 12.

[0047] (Modification of the second conveyor) FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a noodle string cutting and conveying device according to a modified example of this embodiment, viewed from the side. A noodle string cutting and conveying device 1' according to a modified example may include a second conveyor 3' in which the plurality of noodle strings 11 conveyed on the second conveying surface 3b are only one section (for example, one serving), as shown in FIG. In Figure 4, a total of 10 noodle strands 11, consisting of one noodle strand 11 immediately after being cut out by the cutting means 4 on the first conveyor 2 and nine noodle strands 11 being transported on the first transport surface 2b of the second conveyor 3', make up one section (e.g., one serving) of noodle strands 12.

[0048] Furthermore, if the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1' according to the modified example is equipped with, for example, a load cell 7 as measuring means capable of measuring the weight of the entire second conveyor 3' and the weight of one section (for example, one serving) of noodle strings 12 conveyed on the second conveying surface 3b of this second conveyor 3', the control unit 6 may perform control such as the following. That is, in the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1' according to the modified example, for example, when the conveying speed of the first conveyor 2 and the conveying speed of the second conveyor 3' are set to be the same (however, the cutting means 4 is also operating), and the load cell 7 (measuring means) detects that the increase has reached one section (for example, one serving), the operation of the cutting means 4 and the conveyance by the first conveyor 2 may be stopped, and a control signal IIIa may be output from the control unit 6 to increase the conveying speed of the second conveyor 3 for a desired time, that is, for the time required for all of one section (for example, one serving) of noodle strings 12 to be supplied to the receiving means 5.

[0049] In this case, the control logic of the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1' according to the modified example can be simplified compared to using a noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 equipped with a second conveyor 3 (see, for example, Figures 1 to 3 above) that can convey multiple sets of noodle string groups 12 (noodle balls) that are arranged in series with desired intervals between them on the second conveying surface 3b. More specifically, when using the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3, when supplying one section (e.g., one serving) of noodle string groups 12 to the receiving means 5 provided downstream of the second conveyor 3, it is necessary to control the operation of the second conveyor 3 while taking into account the positional information of each noodle string group 12 placed on the second conveying surface 3b. In contrast, in the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1' according to the modified example, only one set (one section) of noodle strings 12 is conveyed by the second conveying surface 3b of the second conveyor 3', so there is no need to take into account position information of the noodle strings 12 when controlling the operation of the second conveyor 3'. Therefore, the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1' according to the modified example does not need to be equipped with a means (such as a sensor) for obtaining position information of the noodle string groups 12 conveyed by the second conveyor 3', and therefore the structure and control logic of the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1' can be simplified accordingly. Therefore, the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1' according to the modified example is advantageous in reducing the size of the entire device.

[0050] Furthermore, although not specifically shown, the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1' according to the modified example may be equipped with a counter (not shown) that counts the number of noodle strings 11 supplied to the second conveyor 3' instead of the load cell 7 (measuring means). In this case, for example, when a counter (measuring means) not shown detects that the number of noodle strings 11 supplied to the second conveyor 3' has reached the number for one section, the operation of the cutting means 4 and the conveyance by the first conveyor 2 may be stopped, and the control unit 6 may be configured to output a control signal IIIb that increases the conveying speed of the second conveyor 3' for a desired time, that is, for the time required for all of one section (e.g., one serving) of noodle strings 12 to be supplied to the receiving means 5. In this case as well, the control logic and the overall structure of the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1' according to the modified example can be simplified.

[0051] Alternatively, the noodle string cutting and conveying device 1' according to the modified example may be equipped with both the above-mentioned weighing device (for example, the load cell 7) and a counter (not shown) as the measuring means. In this case, for example, when the value measured by the scale reaches the weight of one portion (e.g., one serving), or when the value measured by the counter reaches the number of pieces for one portion (e.g., one serving), whichever comes first, the operation of the cutting means 4 and the conveyance by the first conveyor 2 may be stopped, and the control unit 6 may output a control signal IIIc to increase the conveyance speed of the second conveyor 3' for a desired time, that is, for the time required for all of the noodle strings 12 for one portion (e.g., one serving) to be supplied to the receiving means 5. In this case, the same effect as above can be achieved.

[0052] Although the case where the conveying speed of the second conveyor 3' is increased for a desired time when the control signals IIIa to IIIc are output has been described as an example, it is not always necessary to increase the conveying speed of the second conveyor 3'. In this case, although it takes a little longer to obtain the noodle strings 12 (noodle balls) that have been separated and grouped together, the same effect as above can be achieved. [Industrial Applicability]

[0053] As described above, the present invention provides a noodle string cutting and conveying device that can automate (mechanize) the production of hand-made-look noodles (fresh noodles) and the process of sorting them, and that can reduce the size of the entire device, and can be used in technical fields related to noodle-making machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1, 1'... Noodle string cutting and conveying device 2... First conveyor 2a... Endless belt 2b... First conveying surface 2c... Drive roller 2d... Driven roller 2f... Shaft center 2S... Starting end 2E... Ending end 3, 3'... Second conveyor 3a... Endless belt 3b... Second conveying surface 3c... Drive roller 3d... Driven roller 3f... Side edge 3S... Starting end 3E... Ending end 4... Cutting means 4a... Cutting blade 5... Receiving means 5a... Receiving port 6... Control unit 7... Load cell (measuring means) 10... Noodle sheet 11... Noodle string 11a... End 12... Noodle string group

Claims

1. a first conveyor that conveys a noodle sheet, which is raw noodle dough, on a first conveying surface; cutting means for cutting the noodle sheet in a transverse direction on the first conveyor to successively cut out string-like noodle strands; a second conveyor disposed below the first conveyor and having a second conveying surface that receives the noodle strings dropping from the end of the first conveyor so as to straddle the noodle strings in the width direction and conveys the noodle strings in a hanging down state; receiving means disposed below the terminal end of the second conveyor and configured to receive the noodle strings dropping from the terminal end of the second conveyor; a control unit that controls the conveying speeds of the first conveyor and the second conveyor, and the operation of the cutting means.

2. a measuring means capable of measuring the weight or number of the noodle strings, 2. The noodle string cutting and conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs a first control signal to increase the conveying speed of the second conveyor when the measuring means detects that an increase in the weight or number of the noodle strings conveyed by the second conveyor has reached a preset value.

3. a measuring means capable of measuring the weight or number of the noodle strings; 2. The noodle string cutting and conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, when the measuring means detects that an increase in the weight or number of the noodle strings conveyed by the second conveyor has reached a preset value, the control unit stops conveyance by the first conveyor and outputs a second control signal to stop operation of the cutting means.

4. 4. The noodle string cutting and conveying device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a center line C1 extending in the conveying direction at a widthwise central portion of the first conveying surface and a center line C2 extending in the conveying direction at a widthwise central portion of the second conveying surface are aligned.

5. 4. The noodle string cutting and conveying device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the measuring means is a load cell capable of measuring the weight of the entire second conveyor and the weight of all the noodle strings conveyed on the second conveying surface.

6. The cutting means is Located on the first conveyor and vertically above the axis of a roller disposed at the end of the first conveyor, The noodle string cutting and conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a cutting blade disposed in a direction transverse to the noodle sheet.

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