Transfer apparatus

Abstract

To provide a transfer apparatus which can clean a screw without attaching or detaching the same.SOLUTION: A transfer apparatus 100 for transferring an object to be transferred in a prescribed direction, comprises: a cylindrical body 20 provided along a prescribed direction and fed with the object to be transferred; a screw 30 provided at the inside of the cylindrical body 20 and transferring the object to be transferred to the prescribed direction while rotating; and a cleaning unit 60 waiting at a waiting position X at the outside of the cylindrical body 20 during a normal operation when the screw 30 is transferring the object to be transferred, and arranged at a cleaning position Y where a cleaning fluid can be discharged to the inside of the cylindrical body 20 via a space S made by opening a part of a circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 20 during cleaning when the screw 30 is cleaned.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport device for transporting raw food materials before processing in, for example, a food processing factory. [Background technology]

[0002] As shown in Patent Document 1, this type of transfer device includes a cylindrical member to which raw material is supplied and a screw housed inside the cylindrical member, and by rotating the screw, the raw material supplied to the cylindrical member is transferred along the axial direction of the cylindrical member.

[0003] After using this transfer device, conventionally, a portion of the cylindrical member is opened in the circumferential direction to remove the screw, and the screw is then manually cleaned and reattached to the cylindrical member.

[0004] However, the screw is heavy, and the operation of attaching and detaching it is extremely difficult, requiring skill and the risk of dropping the screw. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-68920 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to make it possible to clean the screw without removing it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In other words, the transfer device of the present invention is a transfer device that transfers an object to be transferred in a predetermined direction, and is characterized by comprising: a cylindrical body that is arranged along the predetermined direction and to which the object to be transferred is supplied; a screw that is arranged inside the cylindrical body and that transfers the object to be transferred in the predetermined direction while rotating; and a cleaning unit that waits at a standby position outside the cylindrical body during normal operation when the screw is transferring the object to be transferred, and that is arranged at a cleaning position where it can eject cleaning fluid into the cylindrical body through a space formed by opening a portion of the cylindrical body in the circumferential direction when cleaning the screw.

[0008] With the transfer device configured in this manner, the cleaning unit, which waits in a standby position outside the cylindrical body during normal operation, can be positioned in a cleaning position where cleaning fluid can be ejected through a space created by opening up part of the circumference of the cylindrical body when cleaning the screw, making it possible to clean the screw without removing it.

[0009] It is preferable that the cleaning unit has a base member that is placed within the space or at a position facing the space, a plurality of cleaning nozzles that are supported by the base member and that face the inside of the cylindrical body when in the cleaning position, and a supply port that is supported by the base member and that faces the outside of the cylindrical body when in the cleaning position and through which the cleaning fluid is supplied. In this case, the plurality of cleaning nozzles and supply ports are unitized via the base member, making it easy to handle the cleaning unit when moving it between the standby position and the cleaning position.

[0010] Preferably, the base member is disposed within the space to close the space. This makes it possible to suppress the cleaning fluid from leaking out through the space during cleaning, and to prevent the cleaning fluid from scattering around.

[0011] It is preferable that the plurality of cleaning nozzles are arranged at intervals along the predetermined direction, and that the cleaning nozzle that discharges the cleaning fluid among the plurality of cleaning nozzles is switchable. In this case, since the plurality of cleaning nozzles are arranged in a predetermined direction, the screw can be cleaned entirely in the predetermined direction. Furthermore, by selectively using some of these cleaning nozzles, it is possible to ensure the momentum of the cleaning fluid ejected from the cleaning nozzles even in environments where a large flow rate of cleaning fluid cannot be secured, thereby preventing a decline in cleaning performance.

[0012] It is preferable that the cylindrical body has a first cylindrical body element that rotates around an axis along the specified direction and a second cylindrical body element to which the free end of the first cylindrical body element moves toward and away from each other, and that the cleaning unit is rotatably supported on a support axis along the specified direction provided on the first cylindrical body element or the second cylindrical body element, and rotates between the standby position and the cleaning position. With this configuration, when setting the cleaning unit to the cleaning position, the closed first cylindrical element is rotated open, and the cleaning unit in the standby position is rotated into the resulting space. On the other hand, after cleaning is completed, the cleaning unit in the cleaning position is rotated back to the standby position, and the first cylindrical element is rotated into the resulting space. In this way, the above-mentioned configuration makes it easy to perform tasks before and after cleaning.

[0013] It is preferable that the cleaning apparatus further comprises a unit holding means for positioning and holding the cleaning unit at the standby position or the cleaning position. This makes it easy to position the cleaning unit at the standby position or the cleaning position, improving workability.

[0014] It is preferable that the screw is rotated during the cleaning. This allows the entire circumference of the screw to be cleaned.

[0015] The cleaning fluid is preferably hot water or a mixture of hot water and air. In this way, when the object to be transferred is meat or the like, the oil and fat contained in the meat or the like can be effectively removed, and chunks of meat or the like can also be removed.

[0016] In addition, the transfer device of the present invention is a transfer device that transfers an object to be transferred in a predetermined direction, and is characterized in that it comprises a cylindrical body that is arranged along the predetermined direction and to which the object to be transferred is supplied, a screw that is arranged inside the cylindrical body and transfers the object to be transferred in the predetermined direction while rotating, and a cleaning unit that ejects cleaning fluid toward the drivable screw inside the cylindrical body to clean the screw. With this configuration, since the cleaning unit that discharges cleaning fluid toward the drivable screw inside the cylindrical body is provided, the screw can be cleaned without being removed or attached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention configured in this manner, it is possible to provide a transfer device that can clean the screw without removing it. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a food processing factory in which a transfer device according to an embodiment is used; [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first tubular element of the transfer device of the same embodiment is opened. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first cylindrical element of the transfer device of the same embodiment is closed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an end view showing a state in which a first tubular element of the transfer device of the same embodiment is opened. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an end view showing a state in which a first cylindrical element of the transfer device of the same embodiment is closed. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cleaning unit and its surrounding structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cleaning unit and its surrounding structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an end view showing the cleaning unit and its surrounding structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the base member and its surrounding structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the base member and its surrounding structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the unit holding means of the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the unit holding means of the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an end view showing the peripheral structure of a cleaning unit according to another embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the peripheral structure of a cleaning unit according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a transfer device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] The transfer device of this embodiment transfers the object to be transferred in a predetermined direction, and is used, for example, in food processing factories to transfer raw food materials before processing in a vertical direction (perpendicular direction), and is also called a vertical conveyor (vertical transfer device).

[0021] An example of a meat processing plant is one that includes a flaker grinder, which is a first device 101 that cuts frozen chunks of meat into small pieces, and a chopper, which is a second device 102 that extrudes the small pieces of minced meat through a number of through holes formed in a plate, as shown in Figure 1.

[0022] The transfer device 100 of this embodiment is interposed between the flaker grinder, which is the first device 101, and the chopper, which is the second device 102, and supplies the minced meat discharged from the flaker grinder to the chopper.

[0023] The use of the transfer device 100 is not limited to the above, but may be any device such as a grinder, mixer, flaker, or dicer that is interposed between the first device 101 and the second device 102 to transfer the object between them. The source of the raw material to the transfer device 100 is not limited to a device, and the raw material may be manually supplied to the transfer device 100, and the destination of the raw material from the transfer device 100 is not limited to a device, and may be a predetermined area such as a container.

[0024] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device 100 comprises a container 10 for containing the object to be transferred, a cylindrical body 20 to which the object to be transferred contained in the container 10 is supplied, a screw 30 provided inside the cylindrical body 20, a swivel head 40 provided at the upper end of the cylindrical body 20, and a discharge chute 50 provided on the swivel head 40.

[0025] 1 and 2, the container 10 receives the objects to be transferred from a first device 101 disposed upstream of the transfer device 100 and stores the objects. As shown in Fig. 2, the container 10 here is box-shaped with an open top, and the inner surfaces 11 facing each other are inclined so that they gradually approach each other as they go downward. As a result, the objects to be transferred supplied through the top opening are collected toward the bottom of the container 10 and stored therein.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2, a spiral bottom screw 12 is provided at the bottom of the container 10. The bottom screw 12 is made of stainless steel and extends horizontally, and is rotated by a driving force from a power source 13 such as a drive motor. As the bottom screw 12 rotates, the objects contained in the container 10 are transferred horizontally and pass through a passage hole 10h (see Fig. 1) formed in the wall of the object to which they are transferred.

[0027] 1 and 2, the cylindrical body 20 is supplied with the object to be transferred through the above-mentioned passage hole 10h and extends along the transfer direction in which the object to be transferred is transferred. The cylindrical body 20 here is made of stainless steel and extends along the vertical direction, and is cylindrical in shape with a circular cross section of the inner circumferential surface.

[0028] 1 and 2, the screw 30 is rotatably housed inside the cylindrical body 20 and transfers the object to be transferred in the transfer direction while rotating. The screw 30 is made of stainless steel and extends vertically, and is rotated by the driving force transmitted from the power source 13, such as the drive motor, via a bevel gear, for example. The rotation of the screw 30 transfers the object to be transferred supplied to the cylindrical body 20 vertically upward.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the swivel head 40 surrounds the upper end of the screw 30 and has a discharge port formed therein for discharging the material transported vertically upward by the screw 30 into a discharge chute 50, which will be described later.

[0030] The swivel head 40 can be switched between a swiveling state and a non-swiveling state by, for example, operating the operating unit A. In the swiveling state, the swivel head 40 can be swiveled coaxially with the screw 30, thereby changing the discharge direction of the discharge chute 50, which will be described later.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the discharge chute 50 is attached to the swivel head 40 and rotates together with the swivel head 40. The discharge chute 50 receives the object to be transferred from the swivel head 40 and discharges the object to a second device 102 located downstream of the transfer device 100.

[0032] Specifically, the discharge chute 50 has a discharge passage formed by, for example, a lower member 51 having a U-shaped cross section that opens upward and is covered by an upper member 52. This discharge passage communicates with the discharge port of the swivel head 40 described above and is inclined so as to gradually descend from the upstream side to the downstream side. Note that the discharge chute 50 here is provided so as to be able to swing up and down, and for example, when not in use, the discharge passage can be kept in a horizontal position; specifically, the state can be switched between a swingable state and a non-swingable state by operating the lever 41.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the transfer device 100 of this embodiment is designed so that a part of the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 20 can be opened.

[0034] More specifically, the cylindrical body 20 is composed of a plurality of cylindrical body elements 21, 22 divided circumferentially, and at least one of these cylindrical body elements 21, 22 is configured to open and close by rotating around a predetermined axis 23 arranged along the axial direction of the cylindrical body 20.

[0035] The cylindrical body 20 of this embodiment consists of a first cylindrical body element 21 that can be opened by rotating around a predetermined axis 23 parallel to the axial direction, and a second cylindrical body element 22 to which the free end of this first cylindrical body element 21 comes into contact and separates.

[0036] The first cylindrical element 21 and the second cylindrical element 22 each have a semi-cylindrical shape, and are provided with a connector 24 such as a plunger for connecting and disconnecting them with a single touch.

[0037] In the above-described configuration, if the first cylindrical element 21 is opened and the screw 30 is removed from the resulting space S, the screw 30 can be washed outside the cylindrical element 20; however, the screw 30 is heavy, requires skill to operate, and is an extremely difficult task that involves the risk of it falling.

[0038] Therefore, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the transfer device 100 according to the present invention further includes a cleaning unit 60 for cleaning the screw 30 while the screw 30 remains housed inside the cylindrical body 20.

[0039] During normal operation when the screw 30 is transferring raw material, the cleaning unit 60 waits at a standby position X outside the cylindrical body 20 as shown in Figures 2 to 5, and during cleaning of the screw 30, it is placed at a cleaning position Y where cleaning fluid can be discharged into the cylindrical body 20 through a space S formed by opening the first cylindrical body element 21 as shown in Figures 6 to 8. Note that when the cleaning unit 60 is placed at the cleaning position Y, a gap is generated between the inner circumferential surface of the first cylindrical body element 21 and the screw 30, but this gap is kept small enough to prevent, for example, an operator's hand from reaching through this gap from above the cylindrical body 20.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 to 8, the cleaning unit 60 of this embodiment is rotatably supported on a support axis Z along the axial direction of the above-mentioned cylindrical body 20 and rotates between a standby position X and a cleaning position Y. Specifically, it has a base member 61, and a plurality of cleaning nozzles 62 and supply ports 63 supported by the base member 61, and the base member 61, cleaning nozzles 62, and supply ports 63 are integrated (unitized).

[0041] The support axis Z extends along the transfer direction of the object inside the cylindrical body 20, in other words, along the vertical direction, and is provided in the first cylindrical body element 21 here. That is, the cleaning unit 60 of this embodiment is attached to the first cylindrical body element 21 via this support axis Z.

[0042] The support shaft Z may be provided on the second cylindrical element 22. In this case, the cleaning unit 60 is attached to the second cylindrical element 22 via the support shaft Z.

[0043] The base member 61 is a plate-like member extending along the axial direction of the cylindrical body 20, in other words, along the vertical direction, and is rotatably supported on the above-mentioned support axis Z. The base member 61 may also be tubular.

[0044] Here, the cleaning position Y in this embodiment is set within the space S formed by opening the first cylindrical element 21 described above, in other words, it is a position that appears when the first cylindrical element 21 is opened.

[0045] As a result, when the cleaning unit 60 is in the cleaning position Y, the base member 61 of this embodiment is disposed in the space S formed by opening the first cylindrical element 21, and closes the space S.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 9, this base member 61 has through holes h formed at multiple locations spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction, in other words, along the vertical direction, and cleaning nozzles 62 are provided corresponding to each of these through holes h.

[0047] The cleaning nozzle 62 is positioned so as to face the inside of the cylindrical body 20 when the cleaning unit 60 is in the cleaning position Y, and here, at least the tip of the cleaning nozzle 62 is located inside the cylindrical body 20 when the cleaning unit 60 is in the cleaning position Y.

[0048] More specifically, as shown in Figure 10, when the cleaning unit 60 is in the cleaning position Y, in other words, when the space S formed by opening the first cylindrical element 21 is blocked by the above-mentioned base member 61, a main pipe 64 through which the cleaning fluid flows is provided outside the base member 61.

[0049] The main pipe 64 extends along the base member 61 , in other words, in the vertical direction, and a plurality of branch pipes 65 branch off from the main pipe 64 toward the base member 61 .

[0050] These branch pipes 65 are inserted into the through holes h of the base member 61 described above, and a cleaning nozzle 62 is attached to the tip of each branch pipe 65.

[0051] These cleaning nozzles 62 are arranged at intervals along the transfer direction of the transferred object inside the cylindrical body 20, in other words, along the vertical direction, and discharge the cleaning fluid radially or in a fan-like manner. However, the specific form of each cleaning nozzle 62 is not limited to this, and may be changed as appropriate, for example, to one that discharges the cleaning fluid linearly.

[0052] The supply port 63 faces the outside of the cylindrical body 20 to supply cleaning fluid when the cleaning unit 60 is in the cleaning position Y, and specifically, a hose (not shown) is attached to it to guide hot water from within the factory as cleaning fluid.

[0053] That is, in this embodiment, hot water at 60°C or higher is used as the cleaning fluid. However, the cleaning fluid is not limited to this, and may be water at a temperature lower than 60°C, a mixture of a liquid such as hot water or water with a gas such as air, or a fluid containing detergent. If a mixture containing air is used as the cleaning fluid, chunks of meat and other particles can be effectively removed.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the supply port 63 here is connected to, for example, the middle portion between the upper end and the lower end of the main pipe 64 described above.

[0055] As a result, the cleaning fluid supplied to the supply port 63 flows upward or downward inside the main pipe 64 from the connection point between the supply port 63 and the main pipe 64 .

[0056] In this configuration, the cleaning unit 60 of this embodiment is configured such that, among the plurality of cleaning nozzles 62 described above, the cleaning nozzle 62 that discharges the cleaning fluid is switchable.

[0057] More specifically, the cleaning nozzle 62 that ejects the cleaning fluid can be switched between a cleaning nozzle 62 located above the connection point between the main pipe 64 and the supply port 63 and a cleaning nozzle 62 located below the same connection point.

[0058] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, opening and closing valves 66 are provided above and below the connection point of the supply port 63 in the main pipe 64 described above, and by selectively opening these opening and closing valves 66, the cleaning nozzle 62 that discharges the cleaning fluid is switched between the upper cleaning nozzle 62 and the lower cleaning nozzle 62.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the transfer device 100 of this embodiment further includes a unit holding means 70 for positioning and holding the cleaning unit 60 at the standby position X or the cleaning position Y.

[0060] The unit holding means 70 has both a standby position holding function for positioning and holding the cleaning unit 60 at the standby position X and a cleaning position holding function for holding the cleaning unit 60 at the cleaning position Y.

[0061] First, the standby position holding function will be described with reference to Fig. 11. However, Fig. 11 shows the state where the cleaning unit 60 is in the cleaning position Y in order to facilitate understanding of the standby position holding function.

[0062] The unit holding means 70 has a first locked portion 71a provided on one of the cleaning unit 60, which is rotatable around the support axis Z, and a first member 81, which is stationary relative to the rotating cleaning unit 60, and a first locking portion 71b provided on the other of the first member 81, which locks the first locked portion 71a. The first locked portion 71a is locked by the first locking portion 71b, so that the cleaning unit 60 is held in a position at the standby position X.

[0063] The first locked portion 71a is provided at a position away from the support axis Z of the cleaning unit 60 and rotates around the support axis Z together with the cleaning unit 60, and is specifically, for example, a spring plunger that can expand and contract up and down.

[0064] The first engaging portion 71b is provided on, for example, a plate-shaped first member 81 attached to the first tubular element 21, and is specifically a hole or recess into which the lower end of the above-mentioned first engaged portion 71a fits.

[0065] The plate-shaped first member 81 is provided with a first guide surface 811 that guides the first locked portion 71a, which rotates around the support axis Z, to the first locking portion 71b. The first guide surface 811 is an inclined surface that is formed so as to gradually rise upward along the movement trajectory of the first locked portion 71a as it approaches the first locking portion 71b.

[0066] Next, the cleaning position maintaining function will be described with reference to Fig. 12. However, Fig. 12 shows a state in which the cleaning unit 60 is in the standby position X in order to facilitate understanding of the cleaning position maintaining function.

[0067] The unit holding means 70 has a second locked portion 72a provided on one of the cleaning unit 60, which is rotatable around the support axis Z, and a second member 82, which is stationary relative to the rotating cleaning unit 60, and a second locking portion 72b provided on the other of the second member 82, which locks the second locked portion 72a. The second locked portion 72a is locked by the second locking portion 72b, so that the cleaning unit 60 is held in a position at the cleaning position Y.

[0068] The second locked portion 72a is provided at a position away from the support axis Z in the cleaning unit 60 and rotates around the support axis Z together with the cleaning unit 60, and is specifically, for example, a spring plunger that is expandable and contractible up and down. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned first locked portion 71a also serves as the second locked portion 72a.

[0069] The second engaging portion 72b is provided on, for example, a plate-shaped second member 82 attached to the first tubular body element 21, and is specifically a hole or recess into which the lower end of the second engaged portion 72a described above fits.

[0070] In this embodiment, the above-described first member 81 also serves as the second member 82. The second member 82 is provided with a second guide surface 821 that guides the second locked portion 72a, which rotates around the support axis Z, to the second locking portion 72b. The second guide surface 821 is an inclined surface that is formed so as to gradually rise upward as it approaches the second locking portion 72b along the movement trajectory of the second locked portion 72a.

[0071] In order to reinforce the cleaning position holding function, the unit holding means 70 of this embodiment has a third locked portion 73a provided on one of the cleaning unit 60, which is rotatable about the support axis Z, and the third member 83, which is stationary relative to the rotating cleaning unit 60, and a third locking portion 73b provided on the other of the cleaning unit 60, which locks the third locked portion 73a. The third locked portion 73a is locked by the third locking portion 73b, so that the cleaning unit 60 is held in a state where it is positioned at the cleaning position Y.

[0072] The third locked portion 73a is provided at a position away from the support axis Z in the cleaning unit 60 and rotates around the support axis Z together with the cleaning unit 60, and is specifically, for example, a spring plunger that can expand and contract up and down. Note that the third locked portion 73a here is provided at a position farther away from the support axis Z than the first locked portion 71a described above.

[0073] Here, the third locking portion 73b is provided on, for example, a plate-shaped third member 83 attached to the second cylindrical body element 22, and specifically is a hole or recess into which the lower end of the above-mentioned third locked portion 73a fits. However, the third member 83 does not necessarily have to be attached to the second cylindrical body element 22, and may be attached to, for example, a support pillar or the like located near the second cylindrical body element 22.

[0074] The plate-shaped third member 83 is provided with a third guide surface 831 that guides the third locked portion 73a, which rotates around the support axis Z, to the third locking portion 73b. The third guide surface 831 is an inclined surface that is formed so as to gradually rise upward along the movement trajectory of the third locked portion 73a as it approaches the third locking portion 73b.

[0075] In the transfer device configured in this manner, first, the operation when moving the cleaning unit 60 from the standby position X to the cleaning position Y will be described, and then the operation when returning the cleaning unit 60 from the cleaning position Y to the standby position X will be described.

[0076] When moving the cleaning unit 60 from the standby position X to the cleaning position Y, first, the connecting device 24 such as a plunger is operated to release the connection between the first cylindrical body element 21 and the second cylindrical body element 22, and the first normal body element is opened.

[0077] Then, the spring plunger serving as the first locked portion 71a is pulled up from the hole serving as the first locking portion 71b to release the standby position holding function of the unit holding means 70, and the cleaning unit 60 is rotated around the support axis Z toward the space S created by opening the first cylindrical element 21. At this time, the first cylindrical element 21 is also rotated toward the second cylindrical element 22.

[0078] As a result, the spring plunger serving as the second engaging portion 72a fits into the hole serving as the second engaging portion 72b, and the spring plunger serving as the third engaging portion 73a fits into the hole serving as the third engaging portion 73b, thereby enabling the unit holding means 70 to perform its cleaning position holding function and positioning and holding the cleaning unit 60 at the cleaning position Y.

[0079] Then, by connecting a hose to the supply port 63 and opening one or both of the opening / closing valves 66, hot water as a cleaning fluid can be discharged from the multiple cleaning nozzles 62.

[0080] Next, the operation when returning the cleaning unit 60 from the cleaning position Y to the standby position X will be explained. First, the spring plunger serving as the second engaging portion 72a is pulled up from the hole serving as the second engaging portion 72b, and then the spring plunger serving as the third engaging portion 73a is pulled up from the hole serving as the third engaging portion 73b, thereby releasing the cleaning position holding function of the unit holding means 70 and rotating the cleaning unit 60 from the cleaning position Y around the support axis Z toward the standby position X.

[0081] As a result, the spring plunger serving as the first locked portion 71a fits into the hole serving as the first locking portion 71b, the standby position holding function of the unit holding means 70 is exerted, and the cleaning unit 60 is positioned at the standby position X and held there.

[0082] Thereafter, if necessary, the open first tubular body element 21 is rotated toward the second tubular body element 22, and the connecting device 24 such as a plunger is operated to connect the first tubular body element 21 and the second tubular body element 22.

[0083] Incidentally, when cleaning the screw 30, it is desirable to discharge the cleaning fluid while rotating the screw 30 in order to improve the cleaning effect.

[0084] On the other hand, from the viewpoint of safety, the transfer device 100 of this embodiment is provided with a detection means 90 that detects whether the first cylindrical body element 21 and the second cylindrical body element 22 are connected, as shown in Fig. 3. When the detection means 90 outputs an ON signal indicating that the first cylindrical body element 21 and the second cylindrical body element 22 are connected, the screw 30 can be rotated, and conversely, when the detection means 90 outputs an OFF signal indicating that the connection between the first cylindrical body element 21 and the second cylindrical body element 22 is released, the screw 30 cannot be rotated.

[0085] More specifically, a detectable object 91 such as a magnet is provided in the first cylindrical element 21, and when the first cylindrical element 21 and the second cylindrical element 22 are connected, a magnetic sensor serving as detection means 90 is provided in a position where the detectable object 91 can be detected.

[0086] As a result, when the first cylindrical element 21 and the second cylindrical element 22 are connected, an ON signal is output from the detection means 90, allowing the screw 30 to rotate, and when the connection between the first cylindrical element 21 and the second cylindrical element 22 is released, an OFF signal is output from the detection means 90, locking the rotation of the screw 30.

[0087] Therefore, when the cleaning unit 60 is in the cleaning position Y, the connection between the first cylindrical element 21 and the second cylindrical element 22 is released, and in this state an OFF signal is output from the detection means 90, and the screw 30 cannot be rotated.

[0088] Therefore, the cleaning unit 60 of this embodiment has a second detection object 92 such as a magnet that is detected by the above-mentioned detection means 90 when the cleaning unit 60 is in the cleaning position Y, as shown in FIG.

[0089] This second detectable object 92 is provided on the first cylindrical body element 21, and is positioned so that by moving the cleaning unit 60 to the cleaning position Y, it becomes the position of the detectable object 91 when the first cylindrical body element 21 and the second cylindrical body element 22 are connected.

[0090] With this configuration, by moving the cleaning unit 60 to the cleaning position Y, the second object to be detected 92 instead of the object to be detected 91 is detected by the detection means 90, and an ON signal is output from the detection means 90, so in this embodiment, the screw 30 is rotated during cleaning.

[0091] In other words, the cleaning unit 60 at the cleaning position Y ejects cleaning fluid toward the drivable (rotatable) screw 30 within the cylindrical body 20 to clean the screw 30, thereby enabling stationary cleaning of the screw 30.

[0092] (Actions and Effects of the Transfer Device According to the Present Embodiment) According to the transfer device 100 configured in this manner, the cleaning unit 60, which waits at a standby position X outside the cylindrical body 20 during normal operation, can be positioned at a cleaning position Y where cleaning fluid can be ejected through a space S formed by opening up a portion of the circumference of the cylindrical body 20 when cleaning the screw 30, making it possible to clean the screw 30 without removing it.

[0093] Furthermore, since the multiple cleaning nozzles 62 and the supply port 63 are unitized via the base member 61, the cleaning unit 60 is easy to handle, for example, when moving the cleaning unit 60 between the standby position X and the cleaning position Y.

[0094] Furthermore, since the base member 61 is placed in the space S formed by opening the first cylindrical element 21 and blocks the space S, it is possible to prevent the cleaning fluid from leaking out to the outside through the space S during cleaning, and to prevent the cleaning fluid from splashing around.

[0095] In addition, since the cleaning nozzles 62 are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction, the screw 30 can be cleaned entirely along the vertical direction.

[0096] Furthermore, since the cleaning nozzle 62 that ejects the cleaning fluid can be switched among the multiple cleaning nozzles 62, the momentum of the cleaning fluid ejected from the cleaning nozzle 62 can be ensured even in an environment where a large flow rate of cleaning fluid cannot be secured, and a decrease in cleaning performance can be prevented.

[0097] Furthermore, since the cleaning unit 60 is provided with a unit holding means 70 for positioning and holding the cleaning unit 60 at the standby position X and the cleaning position Y, the cleaning unit 60 can be easily positioned at the standby position X or the cleaning position Y, thereby improving workability.

[0098] Furthermore, since the screw 30 is rotated during cleaning, it is possible to clean the entire circumference of the screw 30. Moreover, since hot water is used as the cleaning fluid, when the object to be transferred is meat or the like, it is possible to effectively remove oils and fats contained in the meat or the like.

[0099] (Another embodiment of the transfer device) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0100] For example, in the above embodiment, the base member 61 is disposed within the space S formed by opening the first cylindrical element 21 and blocks the space S, but it may be provided in a position facing the space S formed by opening the first cylindrical element 21. In other words, the base member 61 does not necessarily have to block the space S formed by opening the first cylindrical element 21, but may be provided in a position slightly away from the space S and facing the space S.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the transfer device 100 transfers the object along the vertical direction, but it may also transfer the object along the horizontal direction, or it may transfer the object along a diagonal direction that intersects the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the main pipe 64 and the plurality of branch pipes 65 are provided on the base member 61, but the base member 61 may be a manifold or the like having an internal flow path. In other words, a nozzle or the like may be provided on the main pipe 64 without using the base member 61.

[0103] In addition, in the above embodiment, the third locked portion 73a and the third locking portion 73b play a role in reinforcing the function of maintaining the cleaning position, but this role may also be played by the connector 24 such as a plunger.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the cleaning unit 60 is rotatably supported on the support shaft Z, but depending on the positional relationship between the standby position X and the cleaning position Y, it may also be slidable between the standby position X and the cleaning position Y.

[0105] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cleaning unit 60 moves to a predetermined standby position X, but the standby position X may be changed each time as long as it is provided outside the cylindrical body 20. In other words, the cleaning unit 60 may be configured to be detachable from the cylindrical body 20, and the position of the cleaning unit 60 after being removed from the cylindrical body 20 may be set as the standby position.

[0106] Furthermore, the transfer device 100 of the present invention may be one that is capable of fixed-position cleaning, and the cleaning unit 60 does not necessarily have to be detachable from the cylindrical body 20, and may be of a type that is fixed to the cylindrical body 20.

[0107] 13 and 14, an example of such a transfer device 100 is one including a cleaning unit 60 that discharges cleaning fluid toward a drivable screw 30 in a cylindrical body 20 to clean the screw 30. Note that the drivable screw 30 here refers to a screw 30 that is in a state where power is transmitted from a power source 13 such as a drive motor, or in other words, a screw 30 that is in a state where it rotates when the power source 13 is turned on.

[0108] Similar to the above embodiment, this washing unit 60 has a plurality of washing nozzles 62 arranged in the axial direction of the screw 30 and ejecting washing fluid.

[0109] In order to ensure reliable transfer of the object to be transferred, the transfer device 100 is provided with a resistor R that protrudes radially inward from the inner surface of the cylindrical body 20 to a degree that does not interfere with the tip of the screw 30, as shown in Figure 13.

[0110] This resistor R is flat and extends along the axial direction of the screw 30. When the screw 30 rotates, the object to be transferred is transferred from one face plate portion R1 side of this resistor R, and the object is transferred upward along the resistor R while resistance is applied to the object.

[0111] In this configuration, each of the cleaning nozzles 62 is disposed on the other face plate portion R2 side of the resistor R. In other words, each cleaning nozzle 62 is provided at a position where it is behind the resistor R with respect to the transferred object. The positional relationship between the cleaning nozzles 62 and the resistor R is the same as in the previous embodiment.

[0112] With this configuration, the cleaning unit 60 and the screw 30 can be cleaned while being rotated without being detached from the cylindrical body 20 . Moreover, since each cleaning nozzle 62 is disposed on the other face plate portion R2 side of the resistor R, it is possible to reduce the likelihood that these cleaning nozzles 62 will become soiled by the transferred object.

[0113] Furthermore, the transfer device 100 according to the present invention is not limited to being used to transfer meat, but may also be used to transfer processed products, seafood, etc., and is not limited to being used to transfer food raw materials, but may also be used at civil engineering work sites to transfer soil and sand, for example.

[0114] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 100...Transfer device 10. Containment Unit 20 Cylindrical body 21 First cylindrical element 22 Second cylindrical element 23...Predetermined axis 30 screws 40 ··· Swivel head 50 Discharge chute 60 Cleaning unit 61 Base member 62 Cleaning nozzle 63 Supply port Z...support shaft X...standby position Y Cleaning position S...Space 70 Unit holding means

Claims

1. A transfer device that transfers an object in a predetermined direction, a cylindrical body provided along the predetermined direction and into which the object to be transferred is supplied; a screw provided inside the cylindrical body and rotating to transfer the object in the predetermined direction; a cleaning unit that waits at a standby position outside the cylindrical body during normal operation when the screw is transporting the object to be transported, and that is positioned at a cleaning position where cleaning fluid can be ejected into the cylindrical body through a space formed by opening a portion of the cylindrical body in the circumferential direction when cleaning the screw.

2. The cleaning unit a base member disposed within the space or facing the space; a plurality of cleaning nozzles supported by the base member and facing the inside of the cylindrical body at the cleaning position; 2. The transfer device according to claim 1, further comprising a supply port supported by the base member and facing the outside of the cylindrical body when in the cleaning position, through which the cleaning fluid is supplied.

3. 3. The transfer device of claim 2, wherein the base member is disposed within the space to close the space.

4. 3. The transfer device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of cleaning nozzles are arranged at intervals along the predetermined direction, and the cleaning nozzle that discharges the cleaning fluid among the plurality of cleaning nozzles is switchable.

5. the cylindrical body has a first cylindrical element that rotates around an axis along the predetermined direction and a second cylindrical element with which a free end of the first cylindrical element moves toward and away from the first cylindrical element, The transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning unit is rotatably supported on a support shaft along the predetermined direction provided on the first cylindrical element or the second cylindrical element, and rotates between the standby position and the cleaning position.

6. 2. The transfer device according to claim 1, further comprising a unit holding means for positioning and holding the cleaning unit at the standby position or the cleaning position.

7. 2. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the screw is rotated during the cleaning.

8. 2. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning fluid is hot water or a mixture of hot water and air.

9. A transfer device that transfers an object in a predetermined direction, a cylindrical body provided along the predetermined direction and into which the object to be transferred is supplied; a screw provided inside the cylindrical body and rotating to transfer the object in the predetermined direction; a cleaning unit that ejects a cleaning fluid toward the drivable screw in the cylindrical body to clean the screw.

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