Transfer device

Abstract

This allows for easier movement of the chutes between downhill and non-downhill positions compared to conventional designs. [Solution] A transfer device 100 transfers an object to be transferred, supplied into a cylindrical body, from bottom to top by the rotation of a screw, and slides the object to be transferred down to a target location from a chute 50 provided at the destination. The chute 50 is configured to be rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis X between a sliding posture P, inclined downward towards the tip and allowing the object to be transferred to slide down, and a non-sliding posture, where the tip is located above the sliding posture P. A reversal position M is set on the trajectory between the sliding posture P and the non-sliding posture. A biasing mechanism is provided that biases the chute 50 to the non-sliding posture when it passes the reversal position M while moving from the sliding posture P to the non-sliding posture, and biases the chute 50 to the sliding posture P when it passes the reversal position M while moving from the non-sliding posture to the sliding posture P.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transfer device for transferring food raw materials before processing, etc. in, for example, a food processing factory.

Background Art

[0002] As this type of transfer device, as shown in Patent Document 1, food raw materials supplied into a cylindrical body are transferred from below to above by the rotation of a screw provided in the cylindrical body, and the food raw materials are made to slide down from a chute provided at the transfer destination to a target location.

[0003] This chute needs to be in an inclined posture (sliding-down posture) with the tip facing downward during the transfer of food raw materials, and in a horizontal posture (non-sliding-down posture) when, for example, cleaning the inside of the cylindrical body after transfer. However, it is configured to be manually rotated around a predetermined rotation axis between this inclined posture and the horizontal posture.

[0004] However, when changing the chute from the inclined posture to the horizontal posture, the tip of the chute needs to be lifted. Depending on the machine downstream of the transfer device, the chute may be long and heavy, and moreover, the tip needs to be lifted to a high position, and the operation is not easy.

[0005] In addition, the conventional transfer device is configured such that when the chute is in the horizontal posture, locking means operates to maintain the horizontal posture, and when returning the chute to the inclined posture, the locking means must be released.

[0006] However, this locking means may also be provided at a high position that is difficult to reach without using, for example, a step ladder, and it is also difficult to return the chute from the horizontal posture to the inclined posture.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

[0008] Therefore, the present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems all at once, and aims to make it easier to move the chute between the downhill and non-downhill positions than in the conventional method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In other words, the transfer device according to the present invention is a transfer device that transfers an object to be transferred supplied into a cylindrical body from bottom to top by the rotation of a screw provided in the cylindrical body, and slides the object to be transferred down to a target location from a chute provided at the destination, wherein the chute is configured to be rotatable around a predetermined axis of rotation between a sliding position in which the object to be transferred slides down as it approaches its tip, and a non-sliding position in which the tip is located above the sliding position, and a reversal position is set on the trajectory between the sliding position and the non-sliding position, and the device is equipped with a biasing mechanism that biases the chute to the non-sliding position when it passes the reversal position on its way from the sliding position to the non-sliding position, and biases the chute to the sliding position when it passes the reversal position on its way from the non-sliding position to the sliding position.

[0010] With this type of transport device, when lifting a chute from a sliding position to a non-sliding position, once it passes the reversal position, the biasing mechanism comes into play, and a biasing force acts to move the chute toward the non-sliding position. As a result, the chute can be moved from the sliding position to the non-sliding position more easily than before. Furthermore, since the chute in the non-downhill position is biased to that position by the biasing mechanism, the conventional locking means for maintaining the non-downhill position becomes unnecessary, and as a result, the chute can be returned from the non-downhill position to the downhill position more easily than before.

[0011] It is desirable that the biasing mechanism includes an elastic member that biases the chute, which has moved beyond the reversal position, to the sliding position or the non-sliding position. This allows for the construction of a biasing mechanism in a low cost and with ease.

[0012] It is desirable that the chute further includes a weight attached to the base end of the rotation axis and rotating integrally with the chute around the rotation axis. This way, the weight of the shot and the weight can be balanced, making it easier to lift the shot.

[0013] It is desirable that the weight also serves as a positioning member for positioning the chute at the lower end position where it is in the sliding position, and at the upper end position where it is in the non-sliding position. This eliminates the need for dedicated components to position the chute at its lower and upper ends, thus reducing the number of parts.

[0014] It is desirable that the weight of the aforementioned weight be configured to be changeable. This allows you to adjust the weight to the appropriate level depending on the weight of the shot.

[0015] It is desirable to further provide an auxiliary device for raising and lowering the chute toward the downhill position or the non-downhill position. This allows for easier movement of the chutes between downhill and non-downhill positions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] With the present invention configured in this way, the chute can be moved more easily between the downhill and non-downhill positions than in the conventional method. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1]Schematic diagram showing an example of a food processing factory in which the transfer device of one embodiment is used. [Figure 2] Perspective view showing the overall configuration of the transfer device of the same embodiment. [Figure 3] Schematic diagram showing the chute and biasing mechanism in the sliding-down posture of the same embodiment. [Figure 4] Schematic diagram showing the chute and biasing mechanism in the non-sliding-down posture of the same embodiment. [Figure 5] Schematic diagram showing the chute and weight in the sliding-down posture of the same embodiment. [Figure 6] Schematic diagram showing the chute and weight in the non-sliding-down posture of the same embodiment. [Figure 7] Schematic diagram showing the shock absorption means of the same embodiment. [Figure 8] Schematic diagram showing the auxiliary tool of the same embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the transfer device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] The transfer device of this embodiment transfers an object to be transferred in a predetermined direction, and is also called a vertical conveyor (vertical transfer device) that is used, for example, in a food processing factory to transfer food raw materials before processing along the vertical direction (vertical direction).

[0020] As an example of a meat processing factory, as shown in FIG. 1, it includes a flaker grinder as a first device 101 that cuts frozen块状 meat into small pieces, and a chopper as a second device 102 that extrudes the minced meat in small pieces from a large number of through holes formed in a plate.

[0021] And the transfer device of this embodiment is interposed between the flaker grinder as the above-described first device 101 and the chopper as the second device 102, and supplies the minced meat discharged from the flaker grinder to the chopper.

[0022] The use of the transfer device 100 is not limited to those described above; for example, any device that interposes itself between various first devices 101 and second devices 102 to transfer the material to be transferred between them may be a grinder, mixer, flaker, dicer, etc. Furthermore, the source of raw materials to the transfer device 100 is not limited to the device itself; for example, raw materials may be supplied to the transfer device 100 manually. Similarly, the destination of raw materials from the transfer device 100 is not limited to the device itself; for example, it may be a predetermined area such as a container.

[0023] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the transfer device 100 includes a container 10 for accommodating 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.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the container 10 receives the object to be transported from the first device 101 located upstream of the transport device 100, and also houses the object to be transported. Here, as shown in Figure 2, the container 10 is a box-shaped structure with an open top, and the opposing inner surfaces 11 are inclined so as they gradually move towards each other downwards. As a result, the object to be transported, supplied through the top opening, is collected and housed in the container 10 as it moves towards the bottom.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, a spiral bottom screw 12 is provided at the bottom of the container 10. This bottom screw 12 is made of stainless steel, extends horizontally, and rotates due to the driving force from a power source 13 such as a drive motor. The rotation of this bottom screw 12 causes the object to be transported contained in the container 10 to be transported horizontally and to pass through a through hole 10h (see Figure 1) formed in the wall surface of the destination.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cylindrical body 20 is supplied with the material to be transported through the aforementioned through hole 10h, and extends along the transport direction in which the supplied material is transported. The cylindrical body 20 here is made of stainless steel, extends along the vertical direction, and has a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section on its inner surface.

[0027] The cylindrical body 20 is partially openable in the circumferential direction, and specifically has a plurality of cylindrical body elements 21 divided in the circumferential direction, and is configured to open and close by at least one of these cylindrical body elements 21 rotating around a predetermined axis (not shown) provided along the axial direction of the cylindrical body 20.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the screw 30 is rotatably housed inside the cylindrical body 20 and rotates to transport the object to be transported in the transport direction. This screw 30 is made of stainless steel and extends vertically, and rotates when the driving force from the power source 13, such as the drive motor mentioned above, is transmitted, for example, via a bevel gear. The rotation of this screw 30 transports the object to be transported supplied to the cylindrical body 20 vertically upward. Note that the power sources for the bottom screw 12 and the screw 30 may be separate.

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

[0030] This swivel head 40 can be rotated coaxially with the screw 30 by operating, for example, the operating unit 41, 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 has its base end 50b attached to the swivel head 40 and rotates together with the swivel head 40. It receives the material to be transported from the swivel head 40 and discharges the material to the second device 102 located downstream of the transport device 100.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the discharge chute 50 is configured to rotate around a predetermined axis of rotation X between a sliding posture P, in which the chute tilts downward towards the tip 50t to allow the transported object to slide down, and a non-sliding posture Q, in which the tip 50t is located above the sliding posture P. The axis of rotation X is an axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction, which is the direction from the base end 50b of the discharge chute 50 towards the tip 50t, and also perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0033] The descent posture P is the posture while the object to be transported is being conveyed, or in other words, the posture while the screw 30 is transporting the object upward, and in this case it can also be described as an inclined posture in which the extension direction of the discharge chute 50 is inclined with respect to the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0034] Non-sliding posture Q is the posture when the object being transported is not being transported, for example, the posture when a part of the cylindrical body 20 is opened to clean the screw 30, and in this case it can also be described as a horizontal posture in which the extension direction of the discharge chute 50 is aligned with the horizontal direction. Note that "aligned with the horizontal direction" does not necessarily mean that it is perfectly parallel to the horizontal direction, but is a concept that also includes directions that are slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0035] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the discharge chute 50 has a discharge passage formed by covering an upper member 52 with a lower member 51 that has a U-shaped cross-section and opens upward, and the bottom surface of the lower member 51 functions as a sliding surface for the transported material to slide down. Note that the shapes of the lower member 51 and the upper member 52 are not limited to these and may be changed as appropriate.

[0036] In this embodiment, the discharge chute 50 is equipped with a biasing mechanism 53 that biases the discharge chute 50 to a sliding position P or a non-sliding position Q, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0037] More specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a reversal position M is set on the trajectory between the sliding posture P and the non-sliding posture Q of the discharge chute 50, where the direction of the biasing force by the biasing mechanism 53 is switched.

[0038] Furthermore, the discharge chute 50 is biased towards the downhill posture P when it is on the downhill posture P side of the reversal position M, and biased towards the non-downhill posture Q when it is on the non-downhill posture Q side of the reversal position M.

[0039] In other words, the biasing mechanism 53 biases the discharge chute 50 to the non-downhill position Q when it passes the reversal position M on its way from the downhill position P to the non-downhill position Q, and biases the discharge chute 50 to the downhill position P when it passes the reversal position M on its way from the non-downhill position Q to the downhill position P.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, this biasing mechanism 53 has an elastic member 54, such as a spring, that biases the discharge chute 50 beyond the reversal position M to a sliding position P or a non-sliding position Q, and utilizes the elastic force of this elastic member 54 as the biasing force.

[0041] The elastic member 54 has one end 54a attached to the discharge chute 50, and the other end 54b attached to a separate member that can remain stationary relative to the discharge chute 50.

[0042] Specifically, one end 54a of the elastic member 52 is attached to the side wall of the discharge chute 50, which is the side wall of the lower member described above, and the other end 54b of the elastic member 52 is attached to the circumferential wall of the swivel head 40.

[0043] In the configuration described above, one end 54a of the elastic member 54 is extendable relative to the other end 54b, and the one end 54a of the elastic member 54 is rotatable around the other end 54b.

[0044] Here, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the length from one end 54a to the other end 54b of the elastic member 54 is equal when the discharge chute 50 is in a sliding position P and when it is in a non-sliding position Q.

[0045] In other words, when the discharge chute 50 is in a sliding position P, one end 54a of the elastic member 54 and when the discharge chute 50 is in a non-sliding position Q are located on the same virtual circle C1 centered on the other end 54b of the elastic member 54.

[0046] On the other hand, one end 54a of the elastic member 54 moves integrally with the discharge chute 50, so when the discharge chute 50 is moved between a sliding position P and a non-sliding position Q, it rotates around the rotation axis X of the discharge chute 50. As a result, the actual rotation trajectory C2, which is the trajectory of one end 54a of the elastic member 54 around the rotation axis X, and the virtual circle C1 described above intersect at the position of one end 54a of the elastic member 54 when the discharge chute 50 is in a sliding posture P (hereinafter also referred to as the first position P1), and also at the position of one end 54a of the elastic member 54 when the discharge chute 50 is in a non-sliding posture Q (hereinafter also referred to as the second position P2).

[0047] Furthermore, this actual rotation trajectory C2 is designed to pass outside the virtual circle C1 described above, so that one end 54a of the elastic member 54 rotates around the other end 54b while extending relative to the other end 54b as the discharge chute 50 moves between the sliding position P and the non-sliding position Q.

[0048] Furthermore, on the actual rotation trajectory C2, the position where the length from one end 54a to the other end 54b of the elastic member 54 is longest is set as the inversion position M described above.

[0049] In other words, the inversion position M is set between the first position P1 and the second position P2 on the actual rotation trajectory C2, and here it is set midway between the first position P1 and the second position P2 on the actual rotation trajectory C2.

[0050] As a result, when one end 54a of the elastic member 54 is in the inversion position M, the elastic force of the elastic member 54 is at its maximum. Therefore, if this end 54a is located on the side of the inversion position M towards the first position P1, it will be biased to return to the first position P1, and if it is located on the side of the inversion position M towards the second position P2, it will be biased to return to the second position P2.

[0051] In the configuration described above, the transfer device 100 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, further includes a weight 60 that is directly or indirectly attached to the base end 50b side of the rotation axis X of the discharge chute 50 and rotates together with the discharge chute 50 around the rotation axis X.

[0052] The weight 60 is used to balance the weight between the tip end 50t and the base end 50b of the discharge chute 50, relative to the point where one end 54a of the elastic member 54 is attached.

[0053] The weight of this weight 60 is set such that, for example, even in a configuration where the biasing mechanism 53 is not provided, the discharge chute 50 in the non-downhill position Q does not fall freely into the downhill position P, that is, it is heavy enough to hold the discharge chute 50 in the non-downhill position Q.

[0054] Specifically, this weight 60 is made up of multiple stacked plate members, and the weight of the weight 60 can be changed by changing the number of plates. This makes it possible to adjust the weight of the weight 60 according to the length and weight of the discharge chute 50.

[0055] In this embodiment, the weight 60 is used to position the discharge chute 50 at its lower end position when it is in a sliding position P, and also serves as a positioning member to position the discharge chute 50 at its upper end position when it is in a non-sliding position Q.

[0056] The lower end position is the position of the discharge chute 50 when one end 52a of the elastic member 54 is in the first position P1, and the upper end position is the position of the discharge chute 50 when one end 54a of the elastic member 54 is in the second position P2.

[0057] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the weight 60 has a first surface 61 that faces upward when the discharge chute 50 is in its lower end position, and a first projection 62, such as a bolt, provided on this first surface 61. When the discharge chute 50 is in its lower end position, the first projection 62 is configured to contact a first contact surface 63, such as a part of the swivel head 40 or a member attached to the swivel head 40.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the weight 60 has a second surface 64 that faces downward when the discharge chute 50 is in its upper end position, and a second protrusion 65, such as a bolt, provided on this second surface 64. When the discharge chute 50 is in its upper end position, the second protrusion 65 is configured to contact a second contact surface 66, such as a part of the cylindrical body 20 or a member attached to the cylindrical body 20.

[0059] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the transfer device 100 of this embodiment has shock-absorbing means 70 for absorbing the impact that occurs when the biased discharge chute 50 reaches a sliding position P or a non-sliding position Q.

[0060] This shock-absorbing means 70 is attached to the side wall of the lower member of the discharge chute 50 opposite to the elastic member 54, and specifically, it is an air cylinder provided to connect the side wall of the discharge chute 50 and the peripheral wall of the swivel head 40 described above.

[0061] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the transfer device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with an auxiliary device 80 for raising and lowering the discharge chute 50 toward a sliding position P or a non-sliding position Q.

[0062] This auxiliary device 80 is, for example, elongated in shape, and is configured to lift the tip 50t of the discharge chute 50 in a downhill position P with its tip 81 and push it up to a non-downhill position Q, or to hook its tip 81 onto the tip 50t of the discharge chute 50 in a non-downhill position Q and pull it down to a downhill position P.

[0063] Furthermore, when not in use, this auxiliary device 80 can be hooked onto, for example, a hook portion 82 provided on the peripheral wall of the cylindrical body 20.

[0064] (Effects and effects of the transfer device according to this embodiment) With the transport device 100 configured in this way, when lifting the discharge chute 50 from the sliding position P to the non-sliding position Q, once it passes the reversal position M, the biasing mechanism 53 comes into play, and a biasing force acts to move the discharge chute 50 toward the non-sliding position Q. Therefore, the discharge chute 50 can be moved from the sliding position P to the non-sliding position Q more easily than before.

[0065] Furthermore, since the discharge chute 50 in the non-downhill position Q is biased to the non-downhill position Q by the biasing mechanism 53, the conventional locking means for maintaining the non-downhill position Q becomes unnecessary, and as a result, the discharge chute 50 can be returned from the non-downhill position Q to the downhill position P more easily than before.

[0066] Furthermore, since the biasing mechanism 53 is constructed using an elastic member 54, the biasing mechanism 53 can be constructed inexpensively and easily.

[0067] Furthermore, since the weight 60 is attached to the base end 50b side of the rotation axis X in the discharge chute 50, the weights of the discharge chute 50 and the weight 60 can be balanced, making it easier to lift the discharge chute 50.

[0068] In addition, since the weight 60 also serves as a positioning member for positioning the discharge chute 50 at its lower and upper ends, a dedicated member for positioning the discharge chute 50 at its lower and upper ends is not required, thus reducing the number of parts.

[0069] Furthermore, since the weight of this weight 60 is adjustable, it can be adjusted to the appropriate weight according to the weight of the discharge chute 50.

[0070] Furthermore, since it is equipped with an auxiliary device 80 for raising and lowering the discharge chute 50 between the downhill position P and the non-downhill position Q, the discharge chute 50 can be moved more easily between the downhill position P and the non-downhill position Q.

[0071] (Another embodiment of the transfer device) However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0072] For example, in the above embodiment, the elastic member 54 was configured to stretch the most at the inversion position M, but it may also be configured to contract the most at the inversion position M.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the weight 60 was adjustable, but it may also be fixed in a predetermined weight that cannot be changed.

[0074] Furthermore, the transfer device 100 according to the present invention may also be provided with positioning members for positioning the discharge chute 50 at its lower and upper ends, separate from the weight 60.

[0075] Furthermore, the transfer device 100 does not necessarily need to be equipped with the auxiliary device 80.

[0076] The transfer device 100 according to the present invention is not limited to one that transfers meat, but may also be used to transfer processed products or seafood, for example, and is not limited to food raw materials, but may also be used, for example, at civil engineering work sites to transfer soil and sand.

[0077] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 100...Transfer device 10 ···Containment 20 ···Cylindrical body 30 ··· Screw 40 ···Swivel head 50 ··· Discharge Chute 50b...Proximal end 50t...tip P ··· Downhill skiing position Q... Non-skiing posture X ··· Rotation axis 53...Biasing mechanism M ···Reversed position 54 ···Elastic member 54a...One end 54b...Other end C1 ···Virtual Yen C2 ·· Actual rotation trajectory P1...1st position P2...2nd position 60 weights 61...Front page 62...1st protrusion 63...1st abutted surface 64...2nd page 65...Second protrusion 66...Second abutted surface 70...Shock absorption means 80 ···Assistive devices 81...Tip 82 ···Hook part

Claims

1. A transfer device that transfers an object to be transferred, supplied into a cylindrical body, from bottom to top by the rotation of a screw provided inside the cylindrical body, and slides the object to be transferred down to a target location via a chute provided at the destination, The aforementioned chute, The device is configured to rotate around a predetermined axis of rotation between a sliding posture in which the device is inclined downward towards the tip and slides the object to be transported, and a non-sliding posture in which the tip is positioned above the sliding posture. A reversal position is set on the trajectory between the downhill posture and the non-downhill posture. A transfer device characterized by comprising a biasing mechanism that biases the chute to the non-sliding position when the chute passes the reversal position while moving from the sliding position to the non-sliding position, and biases the chute to the sliding position when the chute passes the reversal position while moving from the non-sliding position to the sliding position.

2. The biasing mechanism, The transfer device according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member that biases the chute beyond the inversion position to the sliding position or the non-sliding position.

3. The transfer device according to claim 1, further comprising a weight attached to the base end of the chute than the rotation axis, which rotates integrally with the chute around the rotation axis.

4. The transfer device according to claim 3, characterized in that the weight is also used as a positioning member for positioning the chute at the lower end position where it is in the sliding position and at the upper end position where it is in the non-sliding position.

5. The transfer device according to claim 3, characterized in that the weight of the aforementioned weight can be changed.

6. The transfer device according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary device for raising and lowering the chute toward the sliding position or the non-sliding position.

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