Slicing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a slicing device that is suitable for properly pressing down on the upper surface of a fence when the fence is soft during slicing. [Solution] The slicing device of the present invention sequentially slices an object to be sliced ​​with a blade while feeding it, and includes a first pressing mechanism that contacts the object to be sliced ​​from above and suppresses the movement of the object to be sliced ​​according to the shape of the upper surface of the object to be sliced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slicing device that is particularly useful for cutting sashimi-like slices from fresh fish fences.

Background Art

[0002] In the seafood processing industry, the mechanization of processes such as fish scaling, filleting, and slicing fish meat into sashimi is being promoted.

[0003] Among these, for example, in Patent Document 1, a device has been proposed that enables divided cutting into a plurality of desired weight portions as sashimi when the fish body, which is the object to be cut, is irregular when cutting sashimi from a fence.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in recent years, the demand for sushi has been increasing both at home and abroad. However, all the processing of sushi ingredients is done manually and there has been no progress in mechanization. Especially in the sushi industry, due to the decrease in the working population and the shortage of skilled workers, there is a shortage of labor, and there is a situation where it is difficult to produce the desired processing volume even during non-peak seasons. Sushi chain stores also have problems in securing such personnel.

[0006] One reason why the automation of sushi topping processing hasn't progressed is that sushi toppings need to be especially fresh, so the fish cannot be sliced ​​while frozen or semi-thawed, and its softness makes slicing difficult. In addition, because sushi toppings are meant to bend and cover the rice when placed on top, unlike sashimi, the length and width of the slices need to be relatively large to achieve a fixed weight. Furthermore, the cutting method must be changed depending on the shape of the fillet.

[0007] To achieve consistent weight cuts when using soft blocks of meat, conveying the blocks on a conveyor C, as shown in Figure 12, is a possible solution to prevent deformation of the blocks during transport. In addition, one measure is to provide a holding mechanism D to prevent the blocks A from moving around during slicing. In this case, the holding mechanism D requires a mechanism to hold the vicinity of the blade 21 that generates the cuts a in order to suppress deformation (variation due to deformation) of the tip of the blocks caused by the blade 21 during slicing.

[0008] Therefore, in the case of a fence holding mechanism D using a pull-cutting method with a flat blade (slicing blade), it is conceivable that the holding mechanism D comprises a holding mechanism D1 that holds the top surface of fence A with a top wall, and a holding mechanism D2 that holds the side of fence A (the side on which the fence is about to move due to the pull-cutting) with a side wall.

[0009] However, when a metal plate is provided as the holding mechanism D1 to hold down the top surface of the fence A during constant-weight slicing, and the blade is inserted and moved while the top surface of the fence A is held down by the metal plate as shown in Figure 13, the fence A cannot be securely fixed. Therefore, as shown in Figure 14(a), when the blade is moved after being inserted into the fence A, the fence A moves in the direction of the blade's movement as shown in Figure 14(b), resulting in the problem that the shape of the fence A is unstable.

[0010] The first objective of the present invention is to provide a slicing device that is suitable for properly pressing down on the upper surface of a fence when slicing, especially when the fence is soft.

[0011] Furthermore, as a holding mechanism D2, a side guide is provided as a wall in front of the moving blade and is brought into contact with the side of fence A. This prevents fence A from moving in accordance with the movement of the blade when the blade is inserted and moved. However, if the side guide is fixed, as shown in Figure 15(a), when fence A is transported on the conveyor C, fence A rubs against the side guide, causing the fence shape to deform as shown in Figure 15(b), resulting in the problem that fence A cannot be transported stably. In addition, although fence A was set along the side guide to determine the initial position for shape recognition of fence A, if the fence shape deforms, there is a problem that slicing cannot be performed properly based on the shape recognition of fence A.

[0012] A second objective of the present invention is to realize a slicing device that is suitable for stably transporting fences when the fence material is soft. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In other words, the slicing apparatus according to the present invention sequentially slices an object to be sliced ​​with a blade while feeding it, and is characterized by comprising a first pressing mechanism that contacts the object to be sliced ​​from above and suppresses the movement of the object to be sliced ​​according to the shape of the upper surface of the object to be sliced.

[0014] Therefore, even when slicing soft fillets like salmon, the holding belt deforms to conform to the shape of the fillet, increasing the contact area and contact resistance with the top and sides of the fillet, thus improving the holding power. As a result, variations in slicing can be suppressed, and it is possible to create fillets that match the predetermined weight.

[0015] In the slicing apparatus according to the present invention, the first pressing mechanism comprises a support member having a first support portion and a second support portion positioned away from the first support portion, a flexible pressing belt stretched between the first support portion and the second support portion, and a lifting mechanism for moving the support member in the vertical direction, wherein the pressing belt preferably deforms to conform to the shape of the upper surface of the object to be sliced ​​when it comes into contact with the object to be sliced ​​from above.

[0016] Therefore, the pressing belt flexes to conform to the shape of the top surface of the object to be sliced, allowing it to wrap around and secure the object during slicing.

[0017] In the slicing apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable to have an elastic member disposed between one end of the pressing belt and the first support portion, and between the other end of the pressing belt and the second support portion.

[0018] Therefore, by using spring pressure to keep the clamping belt taut, the clamping belt can be deformed to conform to the shape of the top surface of the object being sliced ​​while under appropriate tension.

[0019] In the slicing apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the first support portion and the second support portion has a pulley that the pressing belt contacts and rotates.

[0020] Therefore, when the clamping belt deforms to conform to the shape of the top surface of the object being sliced, changes in load due to stretching and shrinking can be minimized as much as possible.

[0021] The slicing device according to the present invention sequentially slices an object to be sliced conveyed on a conveyance surface with a cutting tool, and includes a slicing mechanism that moves the cutting tool in the blade length direction while inserting the cutting tool into the object to be sliced for slicing, and a second pressing mechanism having a side guide that contacts a side surface on the downstream side in the moving direction of the cutting tool in the object to be sliced. The second pressing mechanism is characterized in that the side guide is movable between a guide position where the side guide contacts the side surface on the downstream side in the moving direction of the cutting tool in the object to be sliced and a guide retracted position where the side guide does not contact the side surface on the downstream side in the moving direction of the cutting tool in the object to be sliced.

[0022] Therefore, when conveying the object to be sliced, by moving the side guide to a guide retracted position where it does not contact the side surface of the object to be sliced, the object to be sliced can be conveyed without touching the side guide. Therefore, by preventing the grid shape from being deformed when conveying the object to be sliced, the object to be sliced grid can be stably conveyed, and it becomes possible to create sliced pieces as per the pre-calculated fixed penetration slicing.

[0023] In the slicing device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the second pressing mechanism moves the side guide at the guide position in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the object to be sliced to move it to the guide retracted position.

[0024] Therefore, when moving the side guide at the guide position to the guide retracted position, it is possible to prevent the grid shape from being deformed.

Effects of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, even when the object to be sliced is a soft grid, variations in slicing can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing a system including a slicing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows the relationship between the blades of the slicing device, the slices, and the cut pieces. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a slicing apparatus. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram of the main parts of the first retaining mechanism. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the first retaining mechanism. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram of the main parts of the second retaining mechanism. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing a slicing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram of the main parts of a modified example of the first retaining mechanism. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram of the main parts of a modified example of the first retaining mechanism. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram of the main parts of a modified example of the second retaining mechanism. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram of the main parts of a modified example of the second retaining mechanism. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram showing a slicing apparatus of a comparative example of the present invention. [Figure 13] This figure illustrates the technical problems of a comparative example slicing apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 14] This figure illustrates the technical problems of a comparative example slicing apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 15] This figure illustrates the technical problems of a comparative example slicing apparatus of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] Hereinafter, a slicing apparatus 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system including a slicing device 2 that generates fillets a from a block A. As shown in Figure 2, the slicing device 2 automatically cuts sushi-sized fillets a from a block A obtained from a fresh fish. In this embodiment, the block A is, for example, salmon that has been filleted into three pieces and processed into a block. Of course, the type of fish that becomes the block A to be sliced ​​is not limited to salmon, and the process of obtaining the block A is not limited to filleting into three pieces.

[0029] In Figure 1, the conveyor 1, which constitutes the continuous track, is driven by the motor M1. The fence A, placed on the conveying surface 1a of the conveyor 1, is transported toward the slicing device 2 in the direction of arrow V0, and then subjected to slicing by the slicing device 2. Each time the slicing device 2 operates and cuts out a slice, the conveyor 1 intermittently feeds the fence A by an amount equivalent to the thickness of the slice a, preparing to slice the next slice a. The control means 3 controls the motor M1 and the slicing device 2.

[0030] The control means 3 is configured to include a microcomputer unit consisting of a CPU, memory, and interface, with the memory storing the required programs and necessary data. The CPU sequentially reads the programs and works in cooperation with peripheral hardware resources to execute various controls in this embodiment. Various setting values ​​Z, such as slicing conditions, are input to the control means 3 through the setting unit 30. The control unit 3 calculates parameters such as the starting and ending positions of the blade 21 crossing the transport path 1 (conveyor 1), the cutting angle of the blade 21, and the slicing angle for each slice a (or for each fence A) based on the information of the fence A to be sliced ​​acquired by the camera 9 and the information such as the dimensions required for the slice a input from the setting unit 30, and sends control signals to each of the motors M1, the drive unit (not shown) of the slicing device 2, etc.

[0031] In the slicing device 2, the blade 21 is positioned such that the direction in which it cuts intersects with the conveying direction of the conveyor 1 is the direction in which it cuts. In other words, the slicing device 2 has a cut-off mechanism 5 (slicing mechanism) that cuts the slice a from the fence A in basically one scan of the blade 21 while inserting the blade 21 into the fence A and moving it in the direction of the blade length.

[0032] Figure 2(a) shows the fence A and the blade 21, Figure 2(b) is a view of the slice a cut by the blade 21 from above the conveying surface 1a, and Figure 2(c) is a view of the slice a cut by the blade 21 from the side of the conveying surface 1a. In Figure 2(b), arrow V indicates the direction of the fence A in the longitudinal direction, which usually coincides with the conveying direction V0 of the conveying surface 1a. As shown in these figures, the blade length direction (blade length direction, X direction) of the blade 21 becomes the longitudinal direction (longitudinal dimension L) of the slice a, the blade width direction (body width direction, cutting edge direction, Y direction) of the blade 21 becomes the short direction (short dimension W) of the slice a, and the feed pitch of the fence A for each pass is the thickness dimension D of the slice a. The length L, width W, and thickness D of fillet a must satisfy the predetermined dimensions L0, W0, and D0 as a fixed weight size, because when fillet a is placed on top of the rice B, it is designed to bend so as to cover the rice B.

[0033] Therefore, in case the dimensions are insufficient, the slicing device 2 is configured to achieve an appropriate longitudinal dimension L0 of sliced ​​slice a by setting a first relative angle θ1 between the conveying direction V of the fence A and the blade length direction (X direction) of the blade 21, an appropriate short-side dimension W0 of sliced ​​slice a by setting a second relative angle θ2 between the conveying direction V of the fence A and the blade width direction Y of the blade 21, and an appropriate thickness dimension D0 of sliced ​​slice a by setting the conveying pitch of the fence A.

[0034] By the way, even if you can set the appropriate size for slice a, the block A that will be used for sushi is fresh and soft, so when cutting thin slices a from block A for sushi, it is not possible to slice it as smoothly as a frozen block.

[0035] Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, the slicing device 2 has a first pressing mechanism N1 that presses a pressing belt 33 from above to restrain the movement of the fence A, which is the object to be sliced ​​and is being transported by the conveyor C.

[0036] As described above, the slicing device 2 sequentially slices the leading edge of the fence A, which has been transported by a conveyor belt or the like and reached the end of the conveyor path 1, using a blade 21. The device is controlled to send the fence A out to the discharge side by an amount equivalent to the thickness of the sliced ​​piece a beyond the slicing position of the blade 21. A cutting groove is formed in the conveying surface 1a on which the fence A is transported, so that the blade 21 can cut the sliced ​​piece from the fence A.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the first pressing mechanism N1 includes a support member 30, a pressing belt 33 supported by the support member 30, and a lifting mechanism 40 (see Figure 3).

[0038] As shown in Figure 4(a), the support member 30 has a support body portion 30a. A first support portion 31 is connected vertically downward to one end of the support body portion 30a, and a second support portion 32 is connected diagonally downward to the other end of the support body portion 30a. The second support portion 32 is inclined so as it approaches its lower end portion 32a, it moves away from the first support portion 31. Therefore, the lower end portion 32a of the second support portion 32 is positioned at approximately the same height as the lower end portion 31a of the first support portion 31, at a distance from it.

[0039] The retaining belt 33 is flexible and can deform when its belt surface is pressed down. One end 33a of the retaining belt 33 is attached to the vicinity of the upper end of the outer surface of the first support portion 31a by a bolt 34. The other end 33b of the retaining belt 33 is attached to a fixing portion 35 located near the upper end of the outer surface of the second support portion 32. The fixing portion 35 is part of the second support portion 32. The retaining belt 33 is stretched across the opening 30T formed between the lower end 31a of the first support portion 31 and the lower end 32a of the second support portion 32. The inner space of the opening N is set to a depth that does not hinder the deformation of the retaining belt 33.

[0040] The other end 33b of the retaining belt 33 is attached to the fixing part 35 via a spring 36 (elastic member). Therefore, when the retaining belt 33 is in the retracted position, it is always pulled with a predetermined tension.

[0041] A pulley 32T is attached to the lower end portion 32a of the second support portion 32. Therefore, the retaining belt 33 moves as the pulley 32T rotates while in contact with the outer surface of the pulley 32T.

[0042] The lifting mechanism 40 is driven by a DC motor and raises and lowers the support member 30 and the retaining belt 33 supported by it. The lifting mechanism 40 is configured to allow the retaining belt 33 to move vertically between a retracted position (Figure 4(a)) where it is moved upward away from the fence A so as not to obstruct the pitch feeding of the transport path 1, and a retaining position (Figure 4(b)) where it presses against the upper surface of the fence A. In other words, the retaining belt 33 is configured to retract upward when the fence A enters and to descend when it presses against the fence A.

[0043] Therefore, as shown in Figure 4(a), when the retaining belt 33 stretched across the opening 30T is lowered from above the fence A so as to contact the upper surface of the fence A, the retaining belt 33 deforms to conform to the shape of the upper surface of the fence A, as shown in Figure 4(b). In other words, the retaining belt 33 flexes to conform to the shape of the upper surface of the fence A, creating a structure that can hold the fence A in place. Specifically, it is a structure that allows you to imagine a person slicing something and hold the fence A with their hand to prevent it from deforming too much.

[0044] Furthermore, in the slicing device 2 of this embodiment, the retaining belt 33 stretched across the opening 30T is in contact with the outer surface of the pulley 32T at the lower end 32a of the second support portion 32, and moves as the pulley 32T rotates. Therefore, the retaining belt 33 is easily deformed to conform to the shape of the upper surface of the fence A.

[0045] The control unit 3 in Figure 1 sequentially controls the lifting and lowering of the support member 30, the feeding of the transport surface 1a, the slicing of the blade 21, and other operations in a synchronized manner.

[0046] With the support member 30 in the retracted position, as shown in Figure 5(a), when the fence A is moved along the transport path 1 at a predetermined pitch (thickness), as shown in Figure 5(b), the support member 30 descends and fixes the fence A, which is the part to be sliced, with the retaining belt 33. In this state, as shown in Figure 5(c), slicing is performed by the blade 21, and as shown in Figure 5(d), the sliced ​​piece a is separated. After that, the blade 21 moves back to its original position, the support member 30 rises and releases the restraint of the fence A by the retaining belt 33, and then, as shown in Figure 5(a), the transport path 1 intermittently repeats the operation of advancing the fence A by the thickness of the next slice a until slicing of one fence A is completed.

[0047] As described above, the slicing device 2 of this embodiment slices sequentially with a blade while feeding the fence A, and includes a first pressing mechanism N1 that contacts the fence A from above and suppresses the movement of the fence A according to the shape of the upper surface of the fence A.

[0048] Therefore, even when the object to be sliced ​​is a soft block A such as salmon, the holding belt 33 deforms to conform to the shape of block A, increasing the contact area and contact resistance with the top and sides of block A, thereby improving the holding force. As a result, variations in slicing can be suppressed, and it is possible to create fillets that match the predetermined weight slices.

[0049] In the slicing apparatus 2 of this embodiment, the first pressing mechanism N1 includes a support member 30 having a first support portion 31 and a second support portion 32 positioned away from the first support portion 31, a flexible pressing belt 33 stretched between the first support portion 31 and the second support portion 32, and a lifting mechanism 40 for moving the support member 30 in the vertical direction. The pressing belt 33 deforms to conform to the shape of the upper surface of the fence A when it comes into contact with the fence A from above.

[0050] Therefore, the pressing belt 33 flexes along the shape of the upper surface of the fence A, allowing it to wrap around and press down on the fence A, and properly secure the fence A during slicing.

[0051] In the slicing apparatus 2 of this embodiment, a spring 36 is provided located at least on one side between one end 33a of the presser belt 33 and the first support portion 31, and between the other end 33b of the presser belt 33 and the second support portion 32.

[0052] Therefore, by using spring pressure to keep the retaining belt 33 taut, the retaining belt 33 can be deformed to conform to the shape of the upper surface of the fence A while under appropriate tension.

[0053] In the slicing apparatus 2 of this embodiment, at least one of the first support portion 31 and the second support portion 32 has a pulley 32T that the press belt 33 contacts and rotates.

[0054] Therefore, when the retaining belt 33 deforms along the shape of the upper surface of the fence A, changes in load due to stretching and contracting can be minimized as much as possible.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the slicing device 2 of this embodiment has a second pressing mechanism N2 in which a side guide 50 is movable, which contacts the fence A, which is the object to be sliced, from the side to suppress its movement.

[0056] As described above, the slicing device 2 is configured to cut out a slice of meat a from the fence A with basically one scan of the blade 21 while moving the blade 21 in the direction of the blade length (X direction) as it cuts into the fence A from the fence A. For this reason, the slicing device 2 has side guides 50 as walls in front of the blade to prevent the fence A from moving in accordance with the movement of the blade when slicing.

[0057] The slicing device 2 sequentially slices the leading edge of the fence A, which has been transported by a conveyor belt C or the like and reached the end of the conveyor path 1, with a blade 21. Each time the fence A is sliced, the device is controlled to move the fence A outwards by an amount equivalent to the thickness of the sliced ​​piece a, beyond the slicing position of the blade 21.

[0058] As shown in Figure 6, the second holding mechanism N2 includes a side guide 50 positioned at the side end of the conveyor C and a drive mechanism 60 for moving the side guide 50.

[0059] The side guide 50 is a plate-shaped member and is positioned along the side of the fence A being transported by the conveyor C. The side guide 50 is pivotable with a shaft member 50a at its lower end as the pivot point. The side guide 50 is configured to be movable between a guide position in contact with the side of the fence A, as shown in Figure 6(a), and a guide retraction position completely away from the side of the fence A, as shown in Figure 6(b).

[0060] The drive mechanism 60 has a solenoid 61 for lowering the drive member 61a. The upper end of the drive member 61a, driven by the solenoid 61, is connected to the back surface of the side guide 50 via members 62 and 63. One end of member 62 is attached to the back surface of the side guide 50, and the other end of connecting member 62 is rotatably connected to one end of member 63. The other end of member 63 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the drive member 61a. The drive mechanism 60 also has a spring (not shown) attached so as to act as a restoring force on the drive member 61a when the guide is retracted.

[0061] The control unit 3 in Figure 1 sequentially controls the movement of the side guide 50, the feeding operation of the transport surface 1a, the slicing operation of the blade 21, and other related actions in a synchronized manner.

[0062] As shown in Figure 6(a), when current is applied to the solenoid 61 while the side guide 50 is in the guide position, the electromagnetic force generated by the solenoid 61 causes the upper end of the drive member 61a to descend, as shown in Figure 6(b). As a result, member 63 rotates clockwise around its lower end as a pivot point, and at the same time, member 62 rotates clockwise around the upper end of member 63 as a pivot point. Then, the side guide 50 rotates clockwise around the shaft member 50a at its lower end as a pivot point. At that time, the upper end of the side guide 50 moves in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the fence A, and the side guide 50 moves to a guide retraction position where it is completely away from the side surface of the fence A.

[0063] Furthermore, when the current to the solenoid 61 is stopped while the side guide 50 is in the guide retracted position, the electromagnetic force that lowers the drive member 61a is eliminated. At that time, the drive member 61a is pushed up by the spring (not shown) and rises, and the side guide 50 moves to the guide position.

[0064] In this embodiment, when cutting slice a from the fence A by moving the blade 21 in the blade length direction (X direction) while inserting it into the fence A, the side guide 50 is positioned as a guide. When the fence A is transported along the transport path 1 at a predetermined pitch after slicing, the side guide 50 is positioned as a guide retraction position.

[0065] As described above, the slicing device 2 of this embodiment sequentially slices the fence A being transported on the transport surface 1a with a blade, and comprises a pull-cutting mechanism 5 that slices by moving the blade 21 in the direction of the blade length while inserting it into the fence A, and a second pressing mechanism N2 having a side guide 50 that contacts the side surface of the fence A on the downstream side in the direction of movement of the blade 21, and the second pressing mechanism N2 is capable of moving the side guide 50 between a guide position in which the side guide 50 contacts the side surface of the fence A on the downstream side in the direction of movement of the blade 21, and a guide retraction position in which the side guide 50 does not contact the side surface of the fence A on the downstream side in the direction of movement of the blade 21.

[0066] Therefore, when transporting fence A, the side guide 50 can be moved to a guide retraction position where it does not come into contact with the side of fence A, allowing fence A to be transported without touching the side guide 50. This prevents deformation of the fence shape during transport, enabling stable transport of fence A and allowing for the creation of slices according to the predetermined weight calculations.

[0067] In the slicing apparatus of this embodiment, the second holding mechanism N2 moves the side guide 50, which is in the guide position, in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the fence A, thereby moving the side guide 50 to the guide retraction position.

[0068] Therefore, when moving the side guide 50 from the guide position to the guide retraction position, deformation of the fence shape can be prevented.

[0069] (Second Embodiment) As shown in Figure 7, the slicing device 102 of this embodiment includes a conveyor C1 for transporting the fence A, a conveyor C2 for transporting the sliced ​​pieces a, and a pull-cutting mechanism 5 that moves the blade 21 in the direction of the blade length while inserting it into the fence A to slice.

[0070] Conveyor C1, a belt conveyor, has a belt 161 wrapped around pulleys 161a, 161b, and 161c, forming a first conveying surface 111, which is a substantially horizontal surface, between pulleys 161a and 161b. Conveyor C2, a belt conveyor, has a belt 162 wrapped around pulleys 162a, 162b, and 162c, forming a second conveying surface 112, which is a substantially horizontal surface, between pulleys 162a and 162b.

[0071] The second conveying surface 112 is positioned downstream of the first conveying surface 111 in the conveying direction, and pulleys 161b and 162a are positioned in close proximity. The first conveying surface 111 and the second conveying surface 112 are positioned on substantially the same plane, and a groove 103 is formed between conveyors C1 and C2. If the groove 103 between conveyors C1 and C2 is large, deformation of the fence A will occur when transferring between conveyors C1 and C2, so a shaft 104 is positioned in the groove 103. The shaft 104 is a cylindrical member that is supported so as to be freely rotatable. The upper end of the shaft 104 is positioned on substantially the same plane as the first conveying surface 111 and the second conveying surface 112.

[0072] In the slicing device 102, the fence A is brought to the slicing position of the blade 21 by the conveyor C1. As the fence A is transported by the conveyor C1, the leading edge of the fence A is transported to near the end of the conveyor C1. As the fence A continues to be transported by the conveyor C1, the leading edge of the fence A moves onto the shaft 104. As the fence A continues to be transported by the conveyor C1, the leading edge of the fence A moves onto the second transport surface 112 on the conveyor C2.

[0073] In the slicing device 102, the conveyor C1 positions the fence A for slicing the blade 21. Each time the blade 21 operates and cuts out a slice, the conveyor C1 intermittently feeds the fence A by an amount equivalent to the thickness of the slice a, preparing for the next slice of slice a. The cut slices a are then transported downstream by the conveyor C2 and then free-fall from the second transport surface 112.

[0074] The slicing device 102 sequentially slices the area near the tip of the fence A, which has been transported from the first transport surface 111 to the second transport surface 112 and arrived at the slicing position for the blade 21, using the blade 21. In the slicing device 2 of the first embodiment, a cutting groove for the blade 21 was formed in the transport surface 1a that transports the fence A, but in the slicing device 102, a cutting groove for the blade 21 is not formed in the second transport surface 112. Therefore, in the slicing device 102, the blade 21 is moved in a direction intersecting the transport direction on the cutting board-shaped conveyor C2 (the blade 21 is moved in a direction intersecting the transport direction while in contact with the surface of the second transport surface 112) to slice the fence A.

[0075] As shown in Figure 7, the slicing device 102 of this embodiment has a first pressing mechanism N1 that presses against the fence A, which is the object to be sliced, from above with a pressing belt 33 to restrain its movement, and a second pressing mechanism N2 in which a movable side guide 50 presses against the fence A, which is the object to be sliced, from the side to restrain its movement. The configurations of the first pressing mechanism N1 and the second pressing mechanism N2 are the same as those of the slicing device 2 of the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

[0076] The control unit 3 of the slicing device 102 sequentially controls the lifting and lowering of the support member 30, the movement of the side guide 50, the feeding of the transport surfaces 111 and 112, and the slicing of the blade 21, in a synchronized manner.

[0077] However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0078] In the first and second embodiments described above, a first pressing mechanism N1 having a pressing belt 33 that deforms along the shape of the upper surface of the object to be sliced ​​when it comes into contact with the object to be sliced ​​from above was described, but the invention is not limited thereto. The present invention is not limited to a first pressing mechanism that comes into contact with the object to be sliced ​​from above and restrains the movement of the object to be sliced ​​according to the shape of the upper surface of the object to be sliced.

[0079] For example, the first restraining mechanism may have a structure that prevents the lateral movement of the fence A by having a rod member that falls down in accordance with the shape of the upper surface of the fence A, as shown in Figure 8. More specifically, as shown in Figure 8(a), the support member 530 has a horizontal plate-shaped support portion 531 arranged along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The support portion 531 has a plurality of through holes 531a arranged along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Inside the plurality of through holes 531a, rod members 532 are each arranged so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Each rod member 532 has a fall prevention member 532a located at its center in the height direction. Therefore, the rod members 532 arranged inside the plurality of through holes 531a of the support portion 531 are supported by the support portion 531 without falling. At that time, the lower ends of the plurality of rod members 532 are at the same height.

[0080] In this state, as shown in Figure 8(b), when the support portion 531 is lowered so that the lower ends of the multiple rod members 532 come into contact with the upper surface of the fence A, the multiple rod members 532 each descend together with the support portion 531 until their lower ends come into contact with the upper surface of the fence A. As a result, the lower ends of the multiple rod members 531 press downwards at different positions on the upper surface of the fence A, thereby restricting the movement of the fence A according to the shape of the upper surface of the fence A.

[0081] Furthermore, the first restraining mechanism may have a structure that prevents the lateral movement of the fence A with a curtain-like restraining arm structure that conforms to the shape of the upper surface of the fence A, as shown in Figure 9. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9(a), the support member 630 has a plate-shaped support portion 631 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The support portion 631 is pivotable with the shaft 631a as the fulcrum. Multiple restraining arms 632 are attached to the support portion 631, arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (only one restraining arm 632 is shown in Figure 9(a)). The restraining arm 632 is an elastic rod-shaped member that extends in a straight line when not in contact with other members, but is formed to bend when in contact with other members. When the restraining arm 632 bends in contact with other members, it presses against the other members with a force in the direction of returning to a straight line. In Figure 9(a), all of the multiple restraining arms 632 are not in contact with the upper surface of the fence A, so they extend in a straight line.

[0082] In this state, as shown in Figure 9(b), when the support part 631 is swung with the shaft 631a as the pivot point so that multiple pressing arms 632 come into contact with the upper surface of the fence A, the multiple pressing arms 632 bend as their lower surfaces come into contact with the upper surface of the fence A, pressing down on the upper surface of the fence A. In Figure 9(b), the outermost pressing arm 632a is straight because it does not come into contact with the upper surface of the fence A, but the pressing arm 632b located inside it is bent in contact with the upper surface of the fence A. Therefore, the multiple pressing arms 632 press down on different positions on the upper surface of the fence A, thereby suppressing the movement of the fence A according to the shape of the upper surface of the fence A. Note that in Figure 9(b), an example is shown where the outermost pressing arm 632a is straight because it does not come into contact with the upper surface of the fence A, but it is best to suppress the movement of the fence A by making it bend in contact with the upper surface of the fence A, similar to the pressing arm 632b, as this makes the slicing operation easier.

[0083] In the first and second embodiments described above, a second pressing mechanism N2 was described that moves the side guide, which is in the guide position, to the guide retracted position by rotating it clockwise around the shaft member 50a at its lower end as a pivot point. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is sufficient as long as it has a second pressing mechanism that can move the side guide between a guide position that contacts the side surface of the object to be sliced ​​on the downstream side in the direction of movement of the blade 21, and a guide retracted position that does not contact the side surface of the object to be sliced ​​on the downstream side in the direction of movement of the blade 21.

[0084] For example, the second retaining mechanism may be such that the side guide 50 can move up and down along the side of the fence A, as shown in Figure 10. In that case, the drive mechanism 560 has a motor 562 for winding up a member 561 connected to the lower surface of the side guide 50. One end of the member 563 is attached to the back surface of the side guide 50, and the other end of the member 563 is connected to the lower end of the spring 564. The upper end of the spring 564 is fixed.

[0085] As shown in Figure 10(a), when the motor 562 is driven with the side guide 50 in the guide position, the member 561 is wound up. Then, as shown in Figure 10(b), the side guide 50 descends and moves to a guide retraction position where the side guide 50 is completely away from the side of the fence A.

[0086] Furthermore, when the motor is driven in the opposite direction while the side guide 50 is in the guide retraction position, the wound member 561 is released to the outside. At that time, the member 563 is pulled upward by the spring 564, and the side guide 50 moves to the guide position.

[0087] For example, the second retaining mechanism may be one that can move horizontally with the side guide 50 positioned parallel to the side of the fence A, as shown in Figure 11. In that case, the drive mechanism 660 has a solenoid 661 for moving the drive member 661a horizontally. The left end of the drive member 661a, which is driven by the solenoid 661, is connected to the back surface of the side guide 50 via a member 662. One end of the member 662 is attached to the back surface of the side guide 50, and the other end of the member 662 is connected to the left end of the drive member 661a. The drive mechanism 660 also has a spring (not shown) attached so as to act as a restoring force on the drive member 661a when the guide is in the retracted position.

[0088] As shown in Figure 11(a), when current is applied to the solenoid 661 while the side guide 50 is in the guide position, the electromagnetic force generated by the solenoid 661 causes the drive member 61a to move to the right, as shown in Figure 11(b). As a result, the member 662 attached to the back surface of the side guide 50 also moves to the right. At that time, the side guide 50 moves in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the fence A, and the side guide 50 moves to a guide retraction position where it is completely away from the side surface of the fence A.

[0089] Furthermore, when the current to the solenoid 661 is stopped while the side guide 50 is in the guide retracted position, the electromagnetic force that moves the drive member 661a to the right is eliminated. At that time, the drive member 661a is pressed to the left by a spring (not shown) and moves, and the side guide 50 moves to the guide position.

[0090] In the second embodiment described above, the shaft 104, which is positioned between conveyors C1 and C2, is rotatably supported, but is not limited to this. For example, the shaft 104 may be rotationally driven in synchronization with conveyors C1 and C2.

[0091] Furthermore, the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above embodiment, and the present invention Various modifications are possible as long as they do not deviate from the original purpose. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 2 Slicing device 5. Pull-out mechanism 21. Cutlery 30 Support member 31 1st support part 32 Second support part 32T pulley 33 Retaining belt 36. Springs (elastic components) 40 Lifting mechanism 50 Side Guides A. Object to be sliced C Conveyor N1 First pressing mechanism N2 Second retaining mechanism 102 Slicing device 111 First conveying surface (conveying surface) 112 Second conveying surface (conveying surface)

Claims

1. This method involves sequentially slicing the object to be sliced ​​with a blade while it is being fed along. A slicing apparatus characterized by comprising a first pressing mechanism that contacts the object to be sliced ​​from above and suppresses the movement of the object to be sliced ​​according to the shape of the upper surface of the object to be sliced.

2. The first retaining mechanism is, A support member having a first support portion and a second support portion positioned away from the first support portion, A flexible retaining belt stretched between the first support portion and the second support portion, It has a lifting mechanism that moves the support member in the vertical direction, The slicing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing belt deforms to conform to the shape of the upper surface of the object to be sliced ​​when it comes into contact with the object to be sliced ​​from above.

3. The slicing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an elastic member disposed between one end of the retaining belt and the first support portion, and between the other end of the retaining belt and the second support portion.

4. The slicing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the first support portion and the second support portion has a pulley that the flexible belt contacts and rotates.

5. This system sequentially slices objects being transported on a conveying surface using a cutting tool. A pull-cutting mechanism that cuts by moving the blade in the direction of the blade length while inserting it into the object to be sliced, The system comprises a second pressing mechanism having a side guide that contacts the side surface of the object to be sliced ​​on the downstream side in the direction of movement of the blade, The slicing apparatus is characterized in that the second holding mechanism allows the side guide to move between a guide position in which the side guide contacts the side of the object to be sliced ​​on the downstream side in the direction of movement of the blade, and a guide retraction position in which the side guide does not contact the side of the object to be sliced ​​on the downstream side in the direction of movement of the blade.

6. The slicing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the second holding mechanism moves the side guide, which is in the guide position, in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the object to be sliced, to the guide retraction position.

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