Raw material processing equipment

Abstract

To enable processing of raw materials in batches without wasting time. [Solution] A raw material processing apparatus 100 that stirs, mixes, or crushes raw materials introduced into a tank 10 and discharges them from the tank, is equipped with a first raw material depletion sensor 80 that outputs a first completion signal indicating that the raw materials have finished being discharged from the tank 10.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a raw material processing device.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional raw material processing device, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is a device called a grinder or a chopper that minces and discharges, for example,块状 raw meat put into a tub.

[0003] This type of raw material processing device is provided with a photoelectric sensor that detects that the raw material in the tub has decreased to a certain level, and by inputting the raw material契机 the signal from the photoelectric sensor, there is a device that enables continuous processing without depleting the raw material in the tub.

[0004] By the way, recently, from the perspective of traceability and others, there is a desire not to mix the raw material put into a tub with the raw material put into the next tub, and to process the raw material in batches rather than continuously.

[0005] However, the conventional raw material processing device can only detect that the raw material has decreased, and does not know whether the raw material has been completely discharged from the tub. As a result, if the operator does not notice that the discharge has ended, unnecessary waiting time will occur, leading to a decrease in productivity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to enable the processing of raw materials in batch units without wasting time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In other words, the raw material processing apparatus according to the present invention is a raw material processing apparatus that stirs, mixes, or crushes raw materials introduced into a tank and discharges them from the tank, and is characterized by being equipped with a first raw material depletion sensor that outputs a first completion signal indicating that the raw materials have finished being discharged from the tank.

[0009] With a raw material processing apparatus configured in this way, the first completion signal output from the first raw material depletion sensor indicates that the raw material has finished being discharged from the tank, making it possible to process the raw material in batches without creating unnecessary waiting time.

[0010] Preferably, the apparatus further includes a cylinder that communicates with the tank and into which the processed raw material discharged from the tank is introduced and which discharges the raw material to the outside of the apparatus, and a second raw material depletion sensor that outputs a second completion signal indicating that the raw material has finished being discharged from the cylinder. With this configuration, since at least two types of raw material depletion sensors are used, it is possible to more reliably detect when the processing of one batch of raw materials has been completed.

[0011] It is preferable to include a notification unit that outputs a notification signal indicating that it has received the first completion signal output from the first raw material depletion sensor and the second completion signal output from the second raw material depletion sensor. This configuration increases the reliability of the notification signal indicating that processing is complete.

[0012] It is preferable that the notification unit can output the notification signal to an operator located away from the tank. With this configuration, workers can know when the processing of raw materials is complete even when they are away from the tank, thus improving work efficiency.

[0013] The system is provided with a conveying and processing means that is installed in the tank and conveys the raw material introduced into the tank toward a raw material discharge port formed in the inner wall of the tank while stirring, mixing, or crushing the raw material, and it is preferable that the first raw material depletion sensor is a photoelectric sensor that detects whether or not the raw material is present near the upstream side of the raw material discharge port. With this configuration, conventional sensors can be used to detect when the raw material has decreased to a certain level, eliminating the need for major modifications to the equipment.

[0014] Preferably, the second raw material depletion sensor is a current sensor that detects the current applied to the drive source of the screw, and the screw is provided with a screw inside the cylinder for dispensing the raw material. With this configuration, it is possible to know not only when the raw material has finished being discharged from the cylinder, but also when the screw is running idle because the raw material has run out, which also helps to prevent the screw from running idle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention configured in this way, raw materials can be processed in batch units without wasting time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example of a food production line in which a raw material processing apparatus of one embodiment is used. [Figure 2] A diagram showing a raw material processing apparatus according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the cover and cutting means in the raw material processing apparatus of the same embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the conveying and processing means in the raw material processing apparatus of the same embodiment. [Figure 5]Figure showing an enlarged charging box and cylinder in the raw material processing apparatus of the same embodiment. [Figure 6] Block diagram showing the control functions of the raw material processing apparatus in the same embodiment. [Figure 7] Showing the inspection light from the first raw material depletion sensor in the same embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure showing the first raw material depletion sensor or the second raw material depletion sensor in the same embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure showing the first raw material depletion sensor or the second raw material depletion sensor in the same embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a raw material processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] The raw material processing apparatus is used to process块状 raw material meat into minced meat and is called a grinder or a chopper, etc.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, this raw material processing apparatus 100 constructs a food production line Z for producing a predetermined food together with another second raw material processing apparatus 200 and a raw material transfer apparatus 300 interposed between these raw material processing apparatuses 100 and the second raw material processing apparatus 200.

[0020] The second raw material processing apparatus 200 is, for example, a mixer that mixes a plurality of types of raw materials, and here it is for mixing minced meat, seasonings, breadcrumbs, etc. to process them into hamburger materials. However, the use of the second raw material processing apparatus 200 is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate.

[0021] Furthermore, the raw material transfer device 300 receives the raw materials discharged from the raw material processing device 100 and transfers them to the second raw material processing device 200. For example, it may be a vertical conveyor that transports the received raw materials upwards and then slides them down to a predetermined location. However, the configuration of the raw material transfer device 300 is not limited to this, and may be modified as appropriate, for example, to transport the received raw materials horizontally.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the raw material processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention stirs, mixes, or crushes the raw material introduced into the tank 10 and discharges it from the tank 10. In this embodiment, chunky raw meat is crushed (cut) to produce minced meat, which is then discharged.

[0023] Specifically, the raw material processing apparatus 100 comprises a tank 10 into which raw materials are fed, a feeding mechanism 20 for feeding raw materials into the tank 10, a conveying and processing means 30 for processing the raw materials while conveying them within the tank 10, a cylinder 40 into which processed raw materials flow, a discharge screw 50 provided inside the cylinder 40, and a control device 60 for controlling the operation of the conveying and processing means 30 and the discharge screw 50.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the tank 10 automatically or manually receives raw materials from a raw material inlet 10a formed at the top of the rear wall 11, and discharges processed raw materials from a raw material discharge port 10b formed at the bottom of the front wall 12. The positions of the raw material inlet 10a and raw material discharge port 10b are not limited to these and may be changed as appropriate.

[0025] The tank 10 in this embodiment has an opening 10c that faces upward and is open, allowing raw materials other than chunks of meat to be introduced through this opening 10c. This opening 10c is closed by a plate-shaped cover 13 during processing of raw materials, from the viewpoint of preventing foreign matter from entering the tank 10 and preventing the scattering of raw materials.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the feeding mechanism 20 automatically feeds chunks of raw material (meat) into the tank 10 from the raw material inlet 10a. It includes a lifter 21 on which the chunks of meat are placed and which raises the chunks of meat to a position facing the raw material inlet 10a, and a pusher 22 which pushes the chunks of meat that are facing the raw material inlet 10a toward the raw material inlet 10a. However, the specific configuration of the feeding mechanism 20 is not limited to this, and may be modified as appropriate, for example, by using a Cartesian robot or an articulated robot.

[0027] The conveying and processing means 30 conveys the raw material introduced into the tank 10 toward the raw material discharge port 10b formed on the inner wall of the tank 10 while stirring, mixing, or crushing it.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the raw material processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a cutting means 70 located above the tank 10, which cuts or crushes the chunks of meat fed into the tank 10 by the feeding mechanism 20 while feeding them into the tank 10.

[0029] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the cutting means 70 has a rotor 71 that rotates around a predetermined axis and a plurality of cutting blades 72 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 71, and is configured to cut a block of raw meat into smaller pieces by the cutting blades 72 that rotate together with the rotor 71.

[0030] In this configuration, the conveying and processing means 30 of this embodiment consists of a stirring unit 31 that stirs the cut raw material introduced into the tank 10, and a conveying unit 32 that sends the stirred raw material to the raw material discharge port 10b, as shown in Figure 2.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the stirring unit 31 rotates around a predetermined axis 31x to agitate the raw materials introduced into the tank 10. In this case, the stirring unit 31 agitates multiple types of raw materials introduced into the tank 10, but it may also agitate only one type of raw material, such as a group of pre-cut meat pieces.

[0032] This stirring unit 31 rotates around an axis 31x set along the direction from the raw material input side to the raw material discharge side (in other words, the direction from the rear wall 11 to the front wall 12 of the tank 10). In this case, it is a two-axis type with a left stirring unit 31L that rotates around the left axis 31x and a right stirring unit 31R that rotates around the right axis 31x when viewed from the raw material input side to the raw material discharge side.

[0033] However, the stirring unit 31 may be a single-axis type that rotates around a single axis, or it may rotate around three or more axes. Furthermore, the axis of rotation of the stirring unit 31 does not necessarily have to be parallel to the direction from the raw material input side to the raw material discharge side, and may be set along a direction intersecting this direction.

[0034] In this embodiment, the left stirring section 31L and the right stirring section 31R are arranged so that their rotational trajectories partially overlap, but they do not interfere with each other during rotation.

[0035] A specific configuration of this stirring section 31 is one in which a serpentine rotation axis 31y rotates around an axis 31x as if it were meandering when viewed from above, and one end and the other end are positioned eccentrically from the axis 31x. In this configuration, the serpentine rotation axis 31y of the left stirring section 31L and the serpentine rotation axis 31y of the right stirring section 31R are arranged so that their rotational trajectories partially overlap, but they do not interfere with each other during rotation.

[0036] Another configuration of the stirring section 31, although not shown in the diagram, includes a rotating shaft that rotates around an axis and a plurality of stirring blades provided on the outer surface of the rotating shaft. In this configuration, the stirring blades of the left stirring section and the stirring blades of the right stirring section are arranged so that their rotational trajectories partially overlap, but they do not interfere with each other during rotation.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the conveying section 32 is located directly above the bottom of the tank 10 and below the stirring section 31. Specifically, it is a spiral screw that extends in the direction from the raw material input side to the raw material discharge side (in other words, in the direction from the rear wall 11 to the front wall 12 of the tank 10).

[0038] In other words, as shown in Figure 2, the height position of the rotation axis 32x of the conveying unit 32 is lower than the height position of the rotation axis 31x of the stirring unit 31 described above. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the rotation axis 32x of the conveying unit 32 is located between the rotation axis 31x of the left stirring unit 31L and the rotation axis 31x of the right stirring unit 31R when viewed from above.

[0039] Here, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, a charging box CB filled with raw materials is provided at the discharge point of the raw material discharge port 10b, and the tip of the screw, which is the conveying section 32, is located inside this charging box CB.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the cylinder 40 is cylindrical in shape and discharges processed raw material introduced from the base end from the tip end. The base end communicates with the internal space of the tank 10 via the raw material discharge port 10b described above, while the tip end communicates with the outside of the tank 10.

[0041] In this embodiment, a communication port 41 that opens upward is formed at the base end of the cylinder 40, and this communication port 41 communicates with the internal space of the charging box CB described above. As a result, the raw material conveyed into the charging box CB by the screw, which is the conveying unit 32 described above, is fed into the cylinder 40 through the communication port 41.

[0042] On the other hand, the tip of the cylinder 40 is open in the axial direction, and a hole plate 43 with numerous holes is provided in this opening 42. As a result, the raw material fed into the cylinder 40 is discharged while being pushed out through the holes in the hole plate 43.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, the discharge screw 50 is installed inside the cylinder 40 and has a spiral shape extending from the base end to the tip end of the cylinder 40. As the discharge screw 50 rotates, the raw material is sent from the base end to the tip end of the cylinder 40 and discharged to the outside while being pushed out through the hole in the hole plate 43 described above.

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, the control device 60 is physically a general-purpose or dedicated computer equipped with a CPU, memory, etc., and functions as an operation control unit 61 that controls the operation of the input mechanism 20, conveying and processing means 30, and discharge screw 50 by the cooperation of the CPU and its peripheral devices according to the program stored in the memory.

[0045] Therefore, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, the raw material processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a first raw material depletion sensor 80 that outputs a first completion signal indicating that the raw material has finished being discharged from the tank 10.

[0046] Furthermore, the first completion signal does not necessarily have to indicate that all of the raw material has been discharged from the tank 10 without any residue remaining. It is sufficient if it indicates that no further raw material will be substantially discharged even if the conveying and processing means 30 is operated, and it is acceptable if a small amount of raw material is still adhering to the tank 10 or the conveying and processing means 30 when the first completion signal is output.

[0047] The first raw material depletion sensor 80 detects whether or not there is raw material near the raw material discharge port 10b in the tank 10, that is, near the upstream side of the raw material discharge port 10b, or in other words, whether or not there is raw material near the upstream side of the raw material discharge port 10b, or the distance to the raw material.

[0048] Specifically, the first raw material depletion sensor 80 is a photoelectric sensor having a light emitter that emits inspection light and a light receiver that receives the reflected light that returns when the inspection light is reflected by the raw material.

[0049] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first raw material depletion sensor 80 of this embodiment is attached, for example, to a cover 13 that closes the opening 10c of the tank 10. However, the first raw material depletion sensor 80 may also be attached to the outer wall of the tank 10, although this is not shown.

[0050] From the viewpoint of preventing foreign matter contamination, it is desirable that this first raw material depletion sensor 80 be located outside the tank 10. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, it is preferable that the cover 13 be provided with light-passing holes 13h, such as holes or slits, through which the inspection light passes, so that the inspection light is emitted toward the vicinity of the raw material discharge port 10b.

[0051] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the inspection light emitted from the first raw material depletion sensor 80 passes through the light-passing hole 13h formed in the cover 13, passes between the left-side stirring section 31L and the right-side stirring section 31R described above, and is guided above the downstream end of the screw which is the conveying section 32 described above.

[0052] The first raw material depletion sensor 80 detects the distance to the raw material by receiving reflected light from the raw material, and when the detected distance falls below a predetermined threshold, it outputs a signal to the control device 60 as a first completion signal indicating that the raw material has finished being discharged from the tank 10.

[0053] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the raw material processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment further includes a second raw material depletion sensor 90 that outputs a second completion signal indicating that the raw material has finished being discharged from the cylinder 40 described above.

[0054] In this state, when the raw material has finished being discharged from cylinder 40, the load on the screw inside cylinder 40 is lighter compared to when the raw material remains inside cylinder 40, so the current applied to the screw drive source (not shown) becomes smaller.

[0055] Therefore, in this embodiment, a current sensor that detects the current applied to the screw drive source is used as the second raw material depletion sensor 90. A specific configuration of the current sensor is one that measures the current applied to the screw drive source using a current transformer (CT).

[0056] The second raw material depletion sensor 90 outputs a signal to the control device 60 indicating that the detected applied current falls below a predetermined threshold, and a second completion signal indicating that the raw material has finished being discharged from the cylinder 40.

[0057] The control device 60 is physically a general-purpose or dedicated computer equipped with a CPU, memory, etc., and the CPU and its peripheral devices cooperate according to the program stored in the memory to perform the functions of a first reception unit 62, a second reception unit 63, and a notification unit 64, as shown in Figure 6.

[0058] The first receiving unit 62 receives the first completion signal output from the first raw material depletion sensor 80 and outputs to the notification unit 64, which will be described later, that it has received the first completion signal.

[0059] The second reception unit 63 receives the second completion signal output from the second raw material depletion sensor 90 and outputs to the notification unit 64, which will be described later, that it has received the second completion signal.

[0060] The notification unit 64 outputs a notification signal to indicate that at least the first receiving unit 62 has received the first completion signal. In this case, the notification unit 64 outputs a notification signal to indicate that both the first receiving unit 62 has received the first completion signal and the second receiving unit 63 has received the second completion signal.

[0061] In other words, this notification signal indicates that the raw material that was put into the tank 10 has finished being discharged from the tank 10 and the cylinder 40, and is output when at least the first completion signal is received, and in this case it is output when both the first completion signal and the second completion signal are received.

[0062] More specifically, the notification unit 64 outputs a notification signal when a predetermined first time has elapsed since the first receiving unit 62 received the first completion signal, and a predetermined second time has elapsed since the second receiving unit 63 received the second completion signal.

[0063] Incidentally, if the raw material is soft and the load on the screw inside the cylinder 40 is small, the current applied to the screw's drive source may fall below a threshold even while the screw is discharging the raw material, causing the second completion signal to be unexpectedly output.

[0064] In such cases, it is necessary to stop detecting the current applied to the screw drive source, or to stop outputting the second completion signal.

[0065] Therefore, the notification unit 64 may be configured to switch between a first notification mode in which a notification signal is output only when the first receiving unit 62 receives a first completion signal, and a second notification mode in which a notification signal is output when the first receiving unit 62 receives a first completion signal and the second receiving unit 63 receives a second completion signal.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6, the notification unit 64 of this embodiment is configured to output a notification signal to an operator located away from the tank 10, for example, to transmit the notification signal to a terminal carried by the operator.

[0067] Other embodiments of the notification unit 64 include, for example, outputting a notification signal to emit sound from a speaker (not shown) provided in the control device 60, or to cause a light source (not shown) such as an LED provided in the control device 60 to emit light.

[0068] (Effects and Effects of the Raw Material Processing Apparatus According to the Present Invention) With the raw material processing apparatus 100 configured in this way, the first completion signal output from the first raw material depletion sensor 80 indicates that the raw material has finished being discharged from the tank 10, making it possible to process the raw material in batches without wasting time.

[0069] Furthermore, since it is equipped with a second raw material depletion sensor 90 that outputs a second completion signal indicating that the raw material has finished being discharged from the cylinder 40, at least two types of raw material depletion sensors are used, making it possible to more reliably detect that the processing of one batch of raw materials has been completed.

[0070] Furthermore, since the notification unit 64 outputs a notification signal indicating that it has received both the first completion signal and the second completion signal, the reliability of the notification signal indicating that the processing of raw materials is complete is increased.

[0071] Furthermore, since the notification unit 64 can output a notification signal to an operator located away from the tank 10, the operator can know that the processing of the raw materials is complete even when away from the tank 10, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0072] In addition, since the first raw material depletion sensor 80 is a photoelectric sensor capable of detecting whether or not there is raw material near the upstream side of the raw material discharge port 10b, it is possible to use a conventional sensor for detecting when the raw material has decreased to a certain level, thus eliminating the need for major modifications to the equipment.

[0073] Furthermore, since the second raw material depletion sensor 90 is a current sensor that detects the current applied to the screw drive source, it can detect not only that the raw material has finished being discharged from the cylinder 40, but also that the screw is running idly because the raw material has run out, which helps to prevent the screw from running idly. In other words, the control device 60 may also have a function to stop the screw when it receives the second completion signal.

[0074] (Another embodiment of the raw material processing apparatus according to the present invention) However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0075] For example, the first raw material depletion sensor 80 is not limited to a photoelectric sensor; any device capable of detecting the presence or absence of raw materials may be used, such as one that emits and receives electromagnetic waves like millimeter waves, or it may utilize various detection elements without using electromagnetic waves, such as an image sensor, event-based sensor, or thermopile. Furthermore, the first raw material depletion sensor 80 may also be a weight sensor such as a load cell capable of measuring the weight of the tank 10 and the raw materials inside the tank 10.

[0076] The second raw material depletion sensor 90 does not necessarily have to be a current sensor; for example, an imaging means that captures images of the raw material discharged from the cylinder 40 may be used.

[0077] Furthermore, the first raw material depletion sensor 80 or the second raw material depletion sensor 90 may be provided at the lower part of the tip of the cylinder 40 and capable of detecting the raw material discharged from the cylinder, as shown in Figure 8(a). Alternatively, as shown in Figure 8(b), it may be provided at the upper part of the tip of the cylinder 40 and capable of detecting the raw material discharged from the cylinder. Specifically, examples include photoelectric sensors, fiber sensors, laser sensors, image sensors, ultrasonic sensors, area sensors, laser scanners, or cameras.

[0078] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, a cover 44 may be provided to block part or all of the raw material discharge port of the cylinder 40, and a sensor that detects the position and movement of this cover 44 may be used as the first raw material depletion sensor 80 or the second raw material depletion sensor 90.

[0079] Specifically, while raw material is being discharged, the lid 44 is inverted to a retracted position M, which is moved away from the raw material discharge port. When the discharge of raw material stops, the lid 44 is returned to a closed position N, which covers the raw material discharge port, by means of a torque spring or the like. The lid 44 in the closed position N may be detected by a first raw material depletion sensor 80 or a second raw material depletion sensor 90, such as a photoelectric sensor, fiber sensor, laser sensor, image sensor, ultrasonic sensor, area sensor, laser scanner, or camera.

[0080] In the above embodiment, two types of raw material depletion sensors were used to detect when the raw material in the tank 10 had finished being discharged. However, only the first raw material depletion sensor 80 may be used, or three or more types of raw material depletion sensors may be used.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the raw material processing apparatus 100 cut (crushed) and stirred the raw material, but any apparatus that processes the raw material by at least stirring, mixing, or crushing is acceptable. For example, it could be a flaker that only cuts (crushes) the raw material to make it into flakes, or a molding machine that mixes the raw material and then molds it into a predetermined shape.

[0082] The raw materials are not limited to meat; they can also include various vegetables and fruits, tea leaves, food doughs with flexibility and viscosity, dairy products such as cheese, and are not limited to food ingredients; they can also include ingredients for beverages, cosmetics, and other products.

[0083] 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]

[0084] Z...Food production line 100...Raw material processing equipment 200...Second raw material processing equipment 300...Raw material transfer equipment 10...tank 11...Back wall 10a...Raw material input port 12...Front wall 10b...Raw material discharge port 10c...Aperture 13 ···cover 13h...Light passing hole 20...Loading mechanism 21 ··· Lifter 22... Pusher 30 ···Conveying and processing means 31 ... Stirring section 31L...Left stirring section 31R...Right stirring section 32 ···Transportation Section CB ···Charging Box 40... Cylinder 41...Communication port 42...Aperture 43 ···Hole Plate 50 ···Discharge Screw 60 ···Control device 61 ···Operation Control Unit 62 ···First Reception Department 63 ···Second Reception Department 64 ··· News Department 70...cutting means 71 ···Rota 72...cutting blade 80 ···First raw material depletion sensor 90 ···Second raw material depletion sensor

Claims

1. A raw material processing apparatus that stirs, mixes, or crushes raw materials introduced into a tank and discharges them from the tank, A raw material processing apparatus characterized by comprising a first raw material depletion sensor that outputs a first completion signal indicating that the raw material has finished being discharged from the tank.

2. A cylinder that communicates with the tank and into which the processed raw material discharged from the tank is introduced, and which discharges the raw material to the outside of the apparatus, The raw material processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second raw material depletion sensor that outputs a second completion signal indicating that the raw material has finished being discharged from the cylinder.

3. The raw material processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a notification unit that outputs a notification signal indicating when it receives the first completion signal output from the first raw material depletion sensor and the second completion signal output from the second raw material depletion sensor.

4. The raw material processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the notification unit can output the notification signal to an operator located away from the tank.

5. The tank is provided with a conveying and processing means that stirs, mixes, or crushes the raw material introduced into the tank while conveying it toward a raw material discharge port formed in the inner wall of the tank. The raw material processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first raw material depletion sensor is a photoelectric sensor that detects whether or not the raw material is present near the upstream side of the raw material discharge port.

6. The cylinder is provided with a screw for dispensing the raw material, The raw material processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the second raw material depletion sensor is a current sensor that detects the current applied to the drive source of the screw.

Images