Food squeezing device

Abstract

To provide a food squeezing device that allows for visually appealing food decoration with a simple configuration. [Solution] In the food squeezing device 10, the nozzle 34 squeezes out viscous food 82. The crank mechanism 16 converts the rotational motion of the motor 14 into oscillating motion, causing the nozzle 34 to oscillate above the food 80 on which the food 82 is placed.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a foodstuff squeezing device.

Background Art

[0002] Various foods such as confectioneries and cakes decorated with viscous foodstuffs such as cream are manufactured. For example, in the case of cakes, skilled workers manually squeeze cream using squeezing tools and apply various decorations to the surface of the cake by hand movements. Patent Document 1 discloses a cream squeezing tool. For example, on the upper surface of a cake called Mont Blanc, a decoration may be applied in which a plurality of slender creams are folded back and layered.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When manufacturing foods such as cakes in a factory or the like, in order to mass-produce foods of uniform quality while suppressing labor costs, it is desirable to automate the operation of squeezing foodstuffs such as cream. It is conceivable that by using a robot arm capable of executing complex operations and a high-precision camera, it is possible to automate the operation of squeezing foodstuffs while maintaining the appearance of the decoration, but the complication, enlargement, and high cost of the device are inevitable.

[0005] One exemplary object of the present disclosure is to provide a foodstuff squeezing device capable of performing a visually appealing foodstuff decoration with a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, or any substitution of the components or expressions of this disclosure between methods, systems, etc., is also valid as a form of this disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, a food squeezing device can be provided that allows for the creation of visually appealing food decorations with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic top view of the food manufacturing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the food manufacturing system. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of the food manufacturing system. [Figure 4] This is a schematic plan view showing the tip of the nozzle in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the relative positions of the nozzle and the food. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is a top view showing the detection position of the product detection sensor in Figure 1, and Figure 6(b) is a side view showing the detection position of the product detection sensor. [Figure 7] This figure shows the functional configuration of the food squeezing device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] Figure 1 is a timing diagram illustrating the operation of the food squeezing device. [Figure 9] Figures 9(a) to 9(d) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the food manufacturing system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 10] Figures 10(a) to 10(d) are diagrams that follow Figures 9(a) to 10(d) and illustrate the operation of the food manufacturing system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 11] Figure 11(a) shows a cake topped with chestnut cream squeezed using the food squeezing device of the embodiment, and a cake topped with chestnut cream squeezed by hand, as in the first comparative example. Figure 11(b) shows two cakes topped with chestnut cream squeezed using the food squeezing device of the second comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this description, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate. The scales and shapes of the illustrated parts are set for convenience to simplify the explanation and are not to be interpreted restrictively unless otherwise specified.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic top view of the food manufacturing system 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the food manufacturing system 1 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the food manufacturing system 1 of Figure 1. The food manufacturing system 1 can be installed, for example, in a food manufacturing plant.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the food manufacturing system 1 includes a food squeezing device 10 and a conveying device 70. The conveying device 70 is, for example, a belt conveyor, which conveys multiple food items 80 arranged in a line in the conveying direction.

[0013] In Figures 1 to 3, the X-axis direction is horizontal and aligned with the transport direction, the Y-axis direction is horizontal and perpendicular to the X-axis direction in the horizontal plane, and the Z-axis direction is vertical. Hereafter, the positive direction of the X-axis may be referred to as the +X direction, and the negative direction as the -X direction. The positive direction of the Y-axis may be referred to as the +Y direction, and the negative direction as the -Y direction. The positive direction of the Z-axis may be referred to as the +Z direction or upward direction, and the negative direction as the -Z direction or downward direction.

[0014] The foodstuff squeezing device 10 automatically squeezes out a viscous foodstuff 82 onto the upper surface of a food 80 conveyed by a conveying device 70. The viscous foodstuff 82 can maintain its shape when squeezed out and can be said to be a foodstuff with shape retention property. The upper surface of the food 80 is decorated according to the pattern and shape formed by the squeezed-out foodstuff 82, which can improve the appearance of the food 80.

[0015] The foodstuff 82 is, for example, a cream-like, gel-like or paste-like foodstuff. The foodstuff 82 includes, for example, creams such as fresh cream, custard cream, whipped cream, butter cream, jams, chocolates, bean pastes, jellies, agar, ice cream, mayonnaise, ketchup, etc. The food 80 can be any food that can be decorated with the foodstuff 82, including Western-style confectionery such as cakes, Japanese confectionery, bread, etc.

[0016] Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the foodstuff 82 is chestnut cream and the food 80 is a cake. By squeezing out the foodstuff 82 onto the food 80, Mont Blanc is manufactured.

[0017] The upper surface of the food 80 includes a convex region 86 and a flat region 84. On the flat region 84, a nappe surface with white cream spread on the sponge of the cake is formed. In the convex region 86, convex white cream is provided. The convex region 86 and the flat region 84 are covered with chestnut cream. The food 80 is placed on glassine paper 90.

[0018] The foodstuff squeezing device 10 is installed on the floor by a frame, legs, etc. not shown in the drawings. The foodstuff squeezing device 10 includes a squeezing implement 12, a motor 14, a crank mechanism 16, a first support member 18, a second support member 20, a first actuator 22, a second actuator 24, and a product detection sensor 26. For clarity of the drawings, the illustration of the second support member 20 is omitted in FIG. 1.

[0019] The squeezing device 12 is located above the conveying surface of the conveying device 70. The food 80 is conveyed passing under the squeezing device 12. The squeezing device 12 has a food supply port 30, a main body 32, and a nozzle 34. A hose (not shown) is connected between a depositor (not shown) and the food supply port 30. The depositor supplies food 82 to the food supply port 30 via the hose. The depositor has a known configuration. Due to the pressure applied from the depositor, the food 82 supplied to the food supply port 30 passes through the hollow main body 32 and reaches the nozzle 34. The nozzle 34 squeezes the food 82 downward from its tip.

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view showing the tip of the nozzle 34 in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a view of the tip of the nozzle 34 from the -Z direction.

[0021] The length of the nozzle 34 in the X-axis direction is shorter than the length of the food 80 in the X-axis direction. The nozzle 34 has multiple holes 50 for squeezing out the food 82 in a linear fashion. The multiple holes 50 include a first row of multiple holes 50a aligned in the X-axis direction and a second row of multiple holes 50b aligned in the X-axis direction. The first and second rows are adjacent. The multiple holes 50a in the first row and the multiple holes 50b in the second row are offset in the X-axis direction. This configuration allows for the neat squeezing of multiple linear strands of chestnut cream. This squeezing method is sometimes called linear squeezing or Mont Blanc squeezing. The nozzle 34 may be replaceable with another nozzle that has a different number or arrangement of holes.

[0022] Return to Figures 1-3. Motor 14 is, for example, a servo motor, which rotates a rotation axis (not shown). The rotation axis of motor 14 is aligned in the +X direction, i.e., the transport direction.

[0023] The crank mechanism 16 converts the rotational motion of the motor 14 into oscillating motion, thereby causing the nozzle 34 to oscillate above the food 80 on which the food ingredients 82 are placed. The crank mechanism 16 in this embodiment is a slot crank mechanism.

[0024] The crank mechanism 16 includes a rotating member 40, a rod 42, and a rocking member 44. The cylindrical rotating member 40 is mounted on the rotation shaft of the motor 14 and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation shaft.

[0025] The rod 42 is mounted on the rotating member 40 parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the motor 14. The rod 42 is mounted at a position offset from the rotation axis of the motor 14. In other words, the central axis (not shown) of the rod 42 does not coincide with the rotation axis of the motor 14.

[0026] The oscillating member 44 is provided so as to be able to swing around a pivot axis 46, which serves as a fulcrum. The oscillating member 44 has a slot 48 formed therein for slidably housing a rod 42. The oscillating member 44 is, for example, an L-shaped flat plate member, having a first portion 44a extending in the Y-axis direction and a second portion 44b extending in the Z-axis direction. The slot 48 is formed in the shape of a rounded rectangle and is provided in the first portion 44a. The pivot axis 46 is attached to a plate-shaped vertical portion of the first support member 18.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, when the motor 14 rotates the rod 42 in the direction of arrow A1, the rod 42 slides within the slot 48, causing the first part 44a to oscillate around the pivot axis 46 in the direction of arrow A2. Consequently, the second part 44b also oscillates around the pivot axis 46.

[0028] The squeezing device 12 is attached to the tip of the second portion 44b of the oscillating member 44. The oscillating of the oscillating member 44 causes the squeezing device 12 and the nozzle 34 to oscillate around the oscillating axis 46 in the direction of arrow A3. In other words, the oscillating axis 46 of the nozzle 34 is aligned with the conveying direction of the food 80. Therefore, the food 82 can be squeezed out along the Y-axis direction, which is the direction intersecting the conveying direction.

[0029] Figure 5 shows the positional relationship between the nozzle 34 and the food 80. Figure 5 corresponds to the front view of Figure 3 and shows a magnified view of the area around the nozzle 34. In Figure 5, the position of the nozzle 34 at the start of the oscillating motion is shown by a solid line. The position of the nozzle 34 at the start of the oscillating motion is also called the origin. Note that in Figures 1 to 3, the position of the nozzle 34 is not at the origin, and the state when the tip of the nozzle 34 is pointing downwards is illustrated. In Figure 5, the solid line shows the state just before the food 82, which has been squeezed out in a line from the nozzle 34, reaches the top surface of the food 80, after the depositor has started filling with food 82. In Figure 5, the glassine paper is omitted.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, at the start of the oscillating motion, the tip of the nozzle 34 is positioned above the edge of the top surface of the food 80. At this time, the central axis of the nozzle 34 (not shown) is tilted with respect to the Z-axis direction. This allows the chestnut cream to be squeezed out from the edge of the top surface of the cake, thus improving the appearance of the cake.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, at the start of the oscillating motion, a portion of the tip of the nozzle 34 extends beyond the edge of the top surface of the food 80. Specifically, the multiple holes 50a in the first row of the nozzle 34 in Figure 4 are located above the food 80, while the multiple holes 50b in the second row are not located above the food 80. As a result, the extruded linear chestnut cream covers the edge of the top surface of the cake and the upper part of the sides, further improving the appearance of the cake.

[0032] Returning to Figures 1-3. The first actuator 22 has a movable part 22a and a fixed part 22b. A drive unit (not shown) of the first actuator 22 moves the movable part 22a relative to the fixed part 22b in the +Y direction or the -Y direction. The motor 14 is mounted on the movable part 22a of the first actuator 22. The fixed part 22b of the first actuator 22 is attached to the plate-shaped horizontal portion of the first support member 18.

[0033] The first actuator 22 is, for example, a robotic cylinder. The first actuator 22 can move the position of the motor 14 in the +Y direction or -Y direction so as to change the distance between the pivot axis 46 of the oscillating member 44 and the rotation axis of the motor 14, for example, in response to the operation of an operation panel (not shown) by an operator. The first actuator 22 moves the position of the motor 14 relative to the first support member 18. By changing the position of the motor 14, the magnitude of the oscillation of the oscillating member 44 and the nozzle 34, i.e., the swing width of the nozzle 34, can be easily and quickly changed. This operation may be performed, for example, during the setting stage of operating conditions before manufacturing. When the type of food 80 is changed, the swing width of the nozzle 34 can be adjusted according to the length of the food 80 in the Y-axis direction.

[0034] The second actuator 24 has a movable part 24a and a fixed part 24b. A drive unit (not shown) of the second actuator 24 moves the movable part 24a relative to the fixed part 24b in the +X direction or the -X direction. The horizontal portion of the first support member 18 is mounted on the movable part 24a of the second actuator 24. The fixed part 24b of the second actuator 24 is attached to a flat plate-shaped second support member 20 that extends horizontally. The second support member 20 is fixed to the floor via a frame and legs (not shown).

[0035] The second actuator 24 is, for example, a robotic cylinder. The second actuator 24 moves the nozzle 34 in the +X direction, i.e., the conveying direction, causing the nozzle 34 to follow the food 80 being conveyed. The distance of movement is predetermined by experiment. Once the movable part 24a has completed the movement distance from its starting point to its ending point, the second actuator 24 moves the movable part 24a in the -X direction back to its starting point. In other words, the second actuator 24 moves the nozzle 34 in the -X direction back to its initial position. The second actuator 24 moves the first support member 18 relative to the second support member 20. Therefore, as the first support member 18 moves, the first actuator 22, motor 14, crank mechanism 16, and squeezing device 12 also move together with the first support member 18.

[0036] As a result, the nozzle 34, while in oscillating motion, can follow the transport of the food 80, allowing the nozzle 34 to oscillate multiple times to squeeze the food 82 onto the food 80 without pausing the transport.

[0037] The conveying speed of the nozzle 34 is less than the conveying speed of the food 80. Therefore, the relative position of the nozzle 34 to the food 80 changes in a wave-like pattern when viewed from above. This allows the chestnut cream to be applied in a way that appears wave-like when the cake is viewed from above. It also allows the entire top surface of the cake to be covered with chestnut cream. As a result, the white cream on top of the cake is not visible, improving its appearance.

[0038] Furthermore, the position of the second support member 20 in the Z-axis and Y-axis directions may be adjustable by actuators (not shown). When the second support member 20 moves in the Z-axis direction, the throttling device 12, motor 14, crank mechanism 16, first support member 18, first actuator 22, and second actuator 24 mounted on the second support member 20 also move in the Z-axis direction. The same applies to movement in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, for example, the position of the nozzle 34 can be adjusted in the Z-axis and Y-axis directions during the setting of operating conditions before manufacturing.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the product detection sensor 26 is located above the conveying surface of the conveying device 70, on the -X side of the nozzle 34, and is fixed to the frame (not shown) of the food squeezing device 10. The product detection sensor 26 detects the food 80 being conveyed by the conveying device 70. As will be described later, the operation of each part of the food squeezing device 10 is controlled in response to the detection of food 80 by the product detection sensor 26.

[0040] Figure 6(a) is a top view showing the detection position P1 of the product detection sensor 26 in Figure 1, and Figure 6(b) is a side view showing the detection position P1 of the product detection sensor 26. In Figure 6(a), the glassine paper 90 is omitted. In Figure 6(b), a cross-section of the glassine paper 90 is shown.

[0041] The product detection sensor 26 is positioned to pass above the flat area 84 of the food 80. Therefore, the detection position P1 is located in the flat area 84. The product detection sensor 26 is, for example, a color sensor and detects the color of the flat area 84 of the food 80. In this case, the product detection sensor 26 detects white. By detecting white, it is possible to avoid detecting the glassine paper 90. Also, since the product detection sensor 26 can detect the flat area 84, false detections can be suppressed. If it were assumed that the product detection sensor 26 was positioned to pass above the convex area 86 of the food 80, false detections would be more likely to occur.

[0042] Figure 7 shows the functional configuration of the food squeezing device 10 shown in Figure 1. The food squeezing device 10 further includes a control device 60 and an origin sensor 62. The control device 60 and origin sensor 62 are not shown in Figure 1 and other figures.

[0043] The origin sensor 62 detects whether the nozzle 34 is at the origin. The control device 60 receives the detection results from the product detection sensor 26 and the origin sensor 62, and controls the depositor 64, the second actuator 24, and the motor 14 based on each detection result. The control device 60 includes a sequencer.

[0044] The control by the control device 60 and the overall operation of the food squeezing device 10 will be explained below with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a timing diagram illustrating the operation of the food squeezing device 10 shown in Figure 1.

[0045] At time t0, the product detection sensor 26 detects the food 80 being transported on the transport device 70.

[0046] In response to the detection of food 80 by the product detection sensor 26, at time t1, which is a predetermined first hour after time t0, the control device 60 operates the depositor 64, and the depositor 64 starts the filling operation of food ingredients 82. From time t1 onward, the depositor 64 maintains a constant filling rate per unit time and fills the squeezing device 12 with a predetermined amount of food ingredients 82 for one batch.

[0047] The first hour is the time from when the product detection sensor 26 detects the food 80 until the transported food 80 reaches below the nozzle 34, and can be determined in advance through experimentation.

[0048] In response to the detection of food 80 by the product detection sensor 26, at time t2, a predetermined second time has elapsed from time t0, the control device 60 operates the second actuator 24 and the motor 14. The second actuator 24 begins tracking, and the motor 14 begins rotating, causing the nozzle 34 to begin oscillating. In other words, the motor 14 begins rotational motion in response to the detection of food 80 by the product detection sensor 26.

[0049] The second time period is longer than the first time period. The second time period is the time from when the depositor 64 starts filling the food ingredients 82 at time t1 until the food ingredients 82 squeezed out from the nozzle 34 reach the top surface of the food 80, and can be determined in advance by experimentation. Therefore, when the squeezed food ingredients 82 reach the top surface of the food 80, the oscillating motion and tracking motion begin.

[0050] When the nozzle 34 begins to oscillate at time t2, the origin sensor 62 changes from detecting that the nozzle 34 is at the origin to not detecting it.

[0051] At time t3, motor 14 completes one rotation, and nozzle 34 finishes its first oscillation and returns to its origin. Around time t3, motor 14 continues to rotate, and nozzle 34 continues to oscillate. When nozzle 34 returns to its origin at time t3, the origin sensor 62 detects that nozzle 34 is at the origin.

[0052] At time t4, the motor 14 completes one more rotation and stops, and the nozzle 34 finishes its second oscillation and returns to the origin and stops. When the nozzle 34 returns to the origin at time t4, the origin sensor 62 detects that the nozzle 34 is at the origin. In response to the second detection of the origin by the origin sensor 62, at time t4, the control device 60 stops the tracking operation of the second actuator 24 and starts the return operation to the initial position.

[0053] The depositor 64 completes the filling operation of one batch of food 82 at time t4. In other words, at time t4, the dispensing of one batch of food 82 from the nozzle 34 is completed. The filling rate per unit time of the depositor 64 and the rotation speed of the motor 14 are determined in advance by experimentation so that the time at which the depositor 64 completes the filling operation of one batch of food 82 is equal to the time at which the nozzle 34 stops oscillating.

[0054] At time t5, the control device 60 returns to the second actuator 24 and stops its operation.

[0055] At time t6, when the product detection sensor 26 detects the next food item 80 that has been transported, the series of operations described above is executed again.

[0056] The number of times the nozzle 34 oscillates back and forth for each food item 80 can be appropriately determined according to the shape of the decoration, and is not limited to two times; it may be one time or three or more times.

[0057] Figures 9(a) to 9(d) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the food manufacturing system 1 shown in Figure 1. Figures 9(a) to 9(d) and 10(a) to 10(d) show an example in which cakes arranged in two rows are transported, and chestnut cream is sequentially piped onto the cakes in one of the rows.

[0058] Figure 9(a) shows the state where the cake has reached below the nozzle 34. This state corresponds to just before time t1 in Figure 8.

[0059] Figure 9(b) shows the state in which the depositor 64 has started the filling operation, following Figure 9(a). This state corresponds to time t1 in Figure 8.

[0060] Figure 9(c), following Figure 9(b), shows the state where the squeezed chestnut cream has reached the top surface of the cake. At this point, the nozzle 34 begins to oscillate, and the second actuator 24 begins to follow. This state corresponds to time t2 in Figure 8.

[0061] Figure 9(d), following Figure 9(c), shows the state in which the nozzle 34 has oscillated from the origin to the endpoint during the first reciprocating motion. This state corresponds to a time midway between time t2 and time t3 in Figure 8.

[0062] Figures 10(a) to 10(d) are diagrams that follow Figures 9(a) to 10(d) and illustrate the operation of the food manufacturing system 1 in Figure 1.

[0063] Figure 10(a), following Figure 9(d), shows the state after the first oscillation has finished and the nozzle 34 has returned to its origin. This state corresponds to time t3 in Figure 8.

[0064] Figure 10(b), following Figure 10(a), shows the state in which the nozzle 34 oscillates from the origin to the endpoint during the second oscillation. This state corresponds to a time midway between time t3 and time t4 in Figure 8.

[0065] Figure 10(c) follows Figure 10(b), showing the state after the second oscillation has finished and the nozzle 34 has returned to its origin. At this point, the filling operation by the depositor 64 is complete, and the squeezing of the chestnut cream from the nozzle 34 has stopped. This state corresponds to time t4 in Figure 8.

[0066] Figure 10(d), following Figure 10(c), shows the state in which the second actuator 24 is performing its return operation. This state corresponds to the period between time t4 and time t5 in Figure 8.

[0067] Figure 11(a) shows a cake topped with chestnut cream piped using the food squeezing device 10 of the embodiment, and a cake topped with chestnut cream piped by hand in the first comparative example. In the first comparative example, a skilled craftsman decorated the cake with chestnut cream using a squeezing tool and hand movements. In the embodiment, it is possible to achieve a visually appealing decoration equivalent to that of the first comparative example.

[0068] Figure 11(b) shows two cakes topped with chestnut cream squeezed using the food squeezing device of the second comparative example. In the food squeezing device of the second comparative example (not shown), an actuator reciprocates the nozzle in the Y-axis direction. The nozzle is moved in the +Y direction, stopped, moved in the -Y direction, stopped, and this is repeated twice. The nozzle moves horizontally while maintaining a generally vertical position. Therefore, the tip of the nozzle reciprocates along the Y-axis direction. In the second comparative example, since the actuator repeatedly operates and stops, the stopping time at the nozzle's return position is longer than in the embodiment.

[0069] Therefore, in the second comparative example, compared to the embodiment, the linear chestnut cream near the edges of the cake has a wavy appearance, which is unsightly. In the embodiment, the stopping time at the folding position of the nozzle 34 is shorter than in the second comparative example, and the stopping time can be substantially eliminated, so the linear chestnut cream does not have a wavy appearance at the edges of the cake, and it can be decorated in an aesthetically pleasing way.

[0070] As described above, by using the crank mechanism 16, the time during which the nozzle 34 is stopped at the turning point of its oscillating motion can be substantially eliminated. This suppresses the disruption of the shape of the food ingredient 82 squeezed out from the nozzle 34 and placed on the food 80 near the turning point, and allows the food ingredient 82 to be squeezed out in a visually appealing shape.

[0071] Compared to a robotic arm capable of performing complex movements, the crank mechanism 16 is simpler, allowing for the aesthetically pleasing decoration of the food ingredients 82 with a simpler configuration. Because there is no need for a robotic arm or a high-precision camera, the complexity, size, and cost of the food squeezing device 10 can be kept to a minimum.

[0072] The present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, that various design changes are possible, and that various modifications are possible, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0073] For example, the conveying device 70 may convey food items 80 arranged in multiple rows. In this case, a food squeezing device 10 may be provided for each row, and each food squeezing device 10 may squeeze food items 82 onto the top surface of the food items 80 in the corresponding row.

[0074] Furthermore, although a slot-crank mechanism was exemplified in the embodiment, a crank mechanism without slots may also be used.

[0075] Furthermore, a sensor (not shown) may be used to detect the position of the food 80 in the Y-axis direction. If the position of the food 80 in the Y-axis direction is deviated from a predetermined position, the position of the second support member 20 in the Y-axis direction may be adjusted by an actuator (not shown) before the oscillation motion of the nozzle 34 begins, thereby adjusting the position of the nozzle 34 in the Y-axis direction at the origin. This makes it possible to squeeze out the ingredients 82 in an aesthetically pleasing manner, even if the arrangement of the food 80 in a row is somewhat disordered, in accordance with the position of each food 80.

[0076] One aspect of this disclosure is as follows:

[0077] [Item 1] A nozzle for squeezing out viscous ingredients, A crank mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the motor into oscillating motion, thereby causing the nozzle to oscillate above the food on which the food is placed, A food ingredient squeezing device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

[0078] [Item 2] The aforementioned crank mechanism is A rotating member provided on the rotating shaft of the motor, A rod provided on the rotating member parallel to the direction of the rotation axis, A pivoting member is provided so as to be pivotable around a pivot axis and has a slot formed therein for slidably housing the rod, It has, The nozzle is attached to the rocking member, The system further includes a first actuator that moves the position of the motor so as to change the distance between the pivot shaft and the rotation shaft of the motor. The food squeezing device described in item 1, characterized by the features described herein.

[0079] [Item 3] The food is transported by a conveying device. The pivot axis of the nozzle is aligned with the direction of food transport. A food squeezing device according to item 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

[0080] [Item 4] The system further includes a second actuator for moving the nozzle in the conveying direction during the oscillating motion. The food squeezing device described in item 3, characterized by the features described herein.

[0081] [Item 5] The speed at which the nozzle moves in the conveying direction is less than the conveying speed of the food. The food squeezing device described in item 4, characterized by the features described herein.

[0082] [Item 6] The nozzle has a plurality of holes for squeezing the food in a linear fashion, The plurality of holes include a plurality of holes in a first row aligned in the conveying direction and a plurality of holes in a second row aligned in the conveying direction. The plurality of holes in the first row and the plurality of holes in the second row are arranged offset from each other in the conveying direction. The food squeezing device described in item 3, characterized by the features described herein.

[0083] [Item 7] The device further includes a sensor for detecting the food being transported by the transporting device, In response to the detection of the food by the sensor, the motor starts rotating. The upper surface of the food includes a convex region and a flat region. The sensor is positioned to pass above the flat area. A food squeezing device according to any one of items 3 to 6, characterized by the above.

[0084] [Item 8] At the start of the oscillating motion, the tip of the nozzle is positioned above the edge of the upper surface of the food. A food squeezing device according to any one of items 1 to 7, characterized by the above.

[0085] [Item 9] At the start of the oscillating motion, a portion of the tip of the nozzle protrudes from the edge of the upper surface of the food. The food squeezing device described in item 8, characterized by the features described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1...Food manufacturing system, 10...Food ingredient squeezing device, 12...Squeezing device, 14...Motor, 16...Crank mechanism, 18...First support member, 20...Second support member, 22...First actuator, 24...Second actuator, 26...Product detection sensor, 34...Nozzle, 40...Rotating member, 42...Rod, 44...Oscillating member, 46...Oscillating shaft, 48...Slot, 50, 50a, 50b...Hole, 60...Control device, 62...Origin sensor, 64...Depositor, 70...Conveying device, 80...Food, 82...Ingredients.

Claims

1. A nozzle for squeezing out viscous ingredients, A crank mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the motor into oscillating motion, thereby causing the nozzle to oscillate above the food on which the food is placed, A food ingredient squeezing device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned crank mechanism is A rotating member provided on the rotating shaft of the motor, A rod provided on the rotating member parallel to the direction of the rotation axis, A pivoting member is provided so as to be pivotable around a pivot axis and has a slot formed therein for slidably housing the rod, It has, The nozzle is attached to the rocking member, The system further includes a first actuator that moves the position of the motor so as to change the distance between the pivot shaft and the rotation shaft of the motor. The food squeezing device according to feature 1.

3. The food is transported by a conveying device. The pivot axis of the nozzle is aligned with the direction of food transport. The food squeezing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The system further includes a second actuator that moves the nozzle in the conveying direction during the oscillating motion. The food squeezing device according to feature 3.

5. The speed at which the nozzle moves in the conveying direction is less than the conveying speed of the food. The food squeezing device according to feature 4.

6. The nozzle has a plurality of holes for squeezing the food in a linear fashion, The plurality of holes include a plurality of holes in a first row arranged in the conveying direction and a plurality of holes in a second row arranged in the conveying direction, The plurality of holes in the first row and the plurality of holes in the second row are arranged offset from each other in the conveying direction. The food squeezing device according to feature 3.

7. The device further includes a sensor for detecting the food being transported by the transporting device, In response to the detection of the food by the sensor, the motor starts rotating. The upper surface of the food includes a convex region and a flat region. The sensor is positioned to pass above the flat area. The food squeezing device according to feature 3.

8. At the start of the oscillating motion, the tip of the nozzle is positioned above the edge of the upper surface of the food. The food squeezing device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. At the start of the oscillating motion, a portion of the tip of the nozzle protrudes from the edge of the upper surface of the food. The food squeezing device according to feature 8.

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