Meat separator and device for removing meat from bones

Abstract

To provide a meat separator which can efficiently and stably peel a meat part from a bone part of meat with a bone and a meat part peeling device for meat with a bone.SOLUTION: A meat separator contacts a peripheral face of a bone part b of meat with a bone which is relatively moved, for peeling a meat part m adhered to the bone part b. The meat separator has a plurality of clamp blocks. The clamp blocks each has a chipping off and contacting part 15At, 15Bt for contacting the peripheral face of the bone part b, and the respective chipping off and contacting parts 15At, 15Bt cooperate for holding the peripheral face of the bone part b. At least one clamp block has an energizing function part for allowing at least a part of the chipping off and contacting parts of the clamp block, to be displaced in a plurality of directions along an outer shape of the bone part b, and elastically pushing back the displacement in a direction separated from the bone part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a meat separator for separating meat from bones of meat on the bone, such as chicken thighs, and a meat separating device for meat on the bone. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, meat peeling devices have been developed that mechanically peel meat from the bone of bone-in meat such as chicken thighs. This type of meat peeling device preliminarily makes cuts in the meat of the bone-in meat at appropriate positions using a cutting device, and then peels the meat from the bone using a meat separator while raising a clamper holding the end of the bone. The meat separator has scraping claws that are inserted into the cuts in the meat so as to come into contact with the outer periphery of the bone of the bone-in meat. The meat peeling device can peel the meat from the bone by raising the bone while pressing the scraping claws of the meat separator against the outer periphery of the bone of the bone-in meat (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The meat separator described in Patent Document 1 includes a fixed clamp (fixed separator) that is fixed to a factory facility, and a movable clamp (movable separator) that moves toward and away from the fixed clamp. The fixed clamp and the movable clamp have scraping claws at their opposing tips. Each scraping claw has a concave bone receiving portion that can receive the outer circumferential surface of the bone of meat. When the movable clamp is displaced in a direction approaching the fixed clamp, the side edges of the bone receiving portion of the fixed clamp and the bone receiving portion of the movable clamp overlap with each other facing each other. As a result, the two bone receiving portions surround the outer periphery of the bone of meat, and when the bone rises in this state, the meat is torn off from the bone. The movable clamp is biased in a direction approaching the fixed clamp by a biasing means such as a spring member, an air cylinder, etc. With this configuration, the meat separator can follow the change in the outer shape of the bone and separate the meat, even if there is a portion in the middle of the bone where the outer diameter changes or a bulge such as a knee joint in the longitudinal direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4190705 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the meat separator described in Patent Document 1 clamps the bone of the bone-in meat, the clamping load from the two bone receiving parts acts on the bone from only one direction (the moving direction of the movable clamp). Therefore, it is difficult to press the bone receiving parts accurately against the outer shape of the bone of the bone-in meat, and depending on the shape of the bone, there is a concern that a large amount of meat may remain on the bone, or conversely, part of the bone may peel off together with the meat and remain as a residual bone on the meat.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE The present invention provides a meat separator and a device for removing meat from bone-in meat, which can efficiently and stably remove meat from the bone of meat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the meat separator and the meat portion peeling device for bone-in meat according to the present invention employ the following configuration. In other words, the meat separator of the present invention is a meat separator that separates meat adhering to a bone portion of a bone-in meat that moves relatively to the bone, and is equipped with a plurality of clamp blocks, each having a scraping-off abutment portion that abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion, and each of the scraping-off abutment portions cooperate to clamp the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion, and at least one of the clamp blocks is characterized in that at least a portion of the scraping-off abutment portion of the clamp block is displaceable in multiple directions along the outer surface shape of the bone portion, and is equipped with a biasing function portion that elastically pushes back the displacement in the direction away from the bone portion.

[0008] With the above configuration, when meat is peeled off from the bone of the bone-in meat, each scraping abutment portion of the clamp blocks abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the bone of the bone-in meat, and in this state, the bone moves relative to the meat separator. At this time, at least one of the clamp blocks displaces in multiple directions along the outer surface shape of the bone while at least a part of the scraping abutment portion receives a biasing force from the biasing function portion. This causes the scraping abutment portions of the clamp blocks to be elastically pressed against the outer surface of the bone from multiple directions. As a result, the meat adhering to the periphery of the bone is peeled off from the bone from a position close to the bone with little remaining meat and little peeling of the bone.

[0009] The meat separator further includes an approach device for displacing at least one of the clamp blocks closer to the other clamp blocks, and at least one of the clamp blocks includes a pair of clamp claws that can be displaced in a direction intersecting the approach displacement direction for displacing the at least one clamp block closer to the other clamp blocks, and a spring member that biases the pair of clamp claws in a direction toward each other, and the pair of clamp claws are provided with abutment blades that form a concave bone receiving portion between them that receives the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion, the spring member may constitute the biasing function portion, and the abutment blades of each of the clamp claws may constitute the scraping abutment portion.

[0010] In this case, at least one clamp block and the other clamp blocks are displaced relative to each other in a direction approaching each other by the approaching device, and the scraping abutment portion of each clamp block abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the bone part. At this time, the abutment blades of the pair of clamp claws constituting the scraping abutment portion of at least one clamp block abut against the outer peripheral surface of the bone part, and the outer peripheral surface of the bone part is received in a concave bone part receiving portion formed between the two abutment blades. The two abutment blades are subjected to the biasing force of a spring member that biases the pair of clamp claws in a direction approaching each other, and are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the bone part in a direction intersecting the direction of the approaching displacement. As a result, the scraping abutment portions of the multiple clamp blocks abut against the outer peripheral surface of the bone part from multiple directions.

[0011] The meat separator further includes an approach device that displaces at least one of the clamp blocks closer to the other clamp blocks relative to each other, and the scraping abutment portion of at least one of the clamp blocks is made of an elastic material that elastically deforms to follow the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion by abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion, and the biasing function portion may also be made of the elastic material.

[0012] In this case, when at least one clamp block and the other clamp block are displaced relative to each other in a direction approaching each other by the proximity device, the elastic member provided on at least one clamp block abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the bone, and elastically deforms to follow the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the bone. At this time, the elastic member is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the bone from multiple directions by its own elasticity. As a result, the scraping abutment portions (including the elastic member) of the multiple clamp blocks abut against the outer peripheral surface of the bone from multiple directions.

[0013] The proximity device may include a biasing means for biasing at least one of the clamp blocks and another of the clamp blocks in a direction in which they approach each other.

[0014] In this case, at least one clamp block and the other clamp blocks are biased toward each other by the biasing means. Therefore, the scraping abutment parts of the clamp blocks are pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the bone from multiple directions, and the entire clamp block is displaced to flexibly follow the outer surface shape of the bone. As a result, the scraping abutment parts are not pressed against the bone with excessive force, and it is possible to prevent damage or scratches to the bone.

[0015] The meat peeling device for bone-in meat according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a bone holding device that holds the bone of the bone-in meat, any of the meat separators described above, and a moving device that moves the bone holding device and the meat separator relatively approximately along the longitudinal direction of the bone held by the bone holding device. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The meat separator and meat peeling device for bone-in meat according to the present invention are structured such that at least a part of the scraping contact part of the clamp block is displaceable in multiple directions along the outer surface shape of the bone, and displacement in a direction away from the bone is elastically pushed back by the biasing function part. Therefore, when peeling meat from the bone of meat, the scraping contact parts of the multiple clamp blocks are pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the bone from multiple directions. Therefore, when the meat separator and meat peeling device for bone-in meat according to the present invention are used, the scraping contact parts come into closer contact with the outer circumferential surface of the bone, making it possible to peel meat from the bone of meat efficiently and stably. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of the meat peeling device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the meat separator of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a view of the movable clamp block of the first embodiment taken along the line III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the behavior of the meat separator of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the same behavior as FIG. 4 of the meat separator of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view showing another behavior of the meat separator of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the same behavior as FIG. 6 of the meat separator of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the meat separator of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the meat separator of the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the meat separator of the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified. In addition, in each embodiment described below, the same parts are denoted by common reference numerals, and some overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0019] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a side view of a meat peeling device 1 for bone-in meat according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "meat peeling device 1"). The meat peeling device 1 is a device for peeling meat m from a bone b of bone-in meat 2 such as chicken thigh meat. In the following, chicken thigh meat will be described as an example of bone-in meat 2. In chicken thigh meat (bone-in meat 2), the femur b1 and tibia b2 are connected by a knee joint b3, and the ankle b4 is connected to the end of the tibia b2.

[0020] The meat peeling device 1 shown in Figure 1 includes a clamper 10 (bone holding device) that holds the ankle b4 (bone b) of the bone-in meat 2 facing downward, a lifting device 11 (moving device) that raises and lowers the clamper 10, and a meat separator 12 that peels the meat m from the bone b of the bone-in meat 2 in cooperation with the lifting movement of the clamper 10. 1 shows the meat peeling device 1 disposed in a processing station for peeling meat m from the vicinity of the knee joint b3 of the bone-in meat 2. In reality, as a preliminary step to carrying out the above processing in the meat peeling device 1 shown in Fig. 1, incision processing of the meat m around the ankle b4 side end of the tibia b2, incision processing of the meat m along the longitudinal direction of the bone b, peeling processing of the meat m around the tibia b2, etc. are carried out in another processing station. A common clamper 10 moves between each processing station while holding the ankle b4 of the bone-in meat 2.

[0021] The clamper 10 is structured so as to be able to hold the ankle b4 of the bone-in meat 2 and release the hold. The lifting device 11 lifts the clamper 10 holding the bone portion b (ankle b4) of the bone-in meat 2 at a predetermined speed, thereby moving the bone portion b of the bone-in meat 2 vertically relative to the meat separator 12. In this embodiment, the lifting device 11 lifts the bone portion b of the bone-in meat 2 upwardly relative to the meat separator 12, whose vertical position is fixed, thereby enabling the meat separator 12 to peel off the meat portion m. However, it is also possible to fix the bone part b of the bone-in meat 2 with the clamper 10 and move the meat separator 12 side downward. It is also possible to arrange the bone-in meat 2 sideways so that the longitudinal direction of the bone part b is approximately horizontal, and move the bone part b of the bone-in meat 2 and the meat separator 12 relatively in the approximately horizontal direction.

[0022] The meat separator 12 includes a fixed clamp block 15A that is fixed to the factory equipment, and a movable clamp block 15B that is displaceable in the direction toward and away from the fixed clamp block 15A. For convenience of explanation, in the left-right direction in FIG. 1, the side on which the fixed clamp block 15A is arranged is referred to as the "inside of the equipment i," and the side on which the movable clamp block 15B is arranged is referred to as the "outside of the equipment o."

[0023] The fixed clamp block 15A and the movable clamp block 15B are provided at their respective opposing tips with scraping abutment parts 15At, 15Bt that abut against the outer circumferential surface of the bone portion b of the bone-in meat 2. The scraping abutment parts 15At, 15t of both crank blocks 15A, 15B are pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the bone portion b of the bone-in meat 2, and clamp the outer circumferential surface of the bone portion b by cooperation with each other.

[0024] The movable clamp block 15B is supported by a substantially L-shaped rotating arm 16. The movable clamp block 15B swings and displaces around a rotation shaft 16a at the base end of the rotating arm 16 so as to approach and move away from the fixed clamp block 15A. In this embodiment, the rotation shaft 16a of the rotating arm 16 is disposed below the fixed clamp block 15A and is rotated by an air cylinder 17 having a biasing means such as a spring member. The rotating arm 16 swings and displaces around the rotation shaft 16a by the operation of the air cylinder 17, thereby displacing the movable clamp block 15B at the tip end in a direction approaching (towards the inside of the equipment i) or in a direction moving away (towards the outside of the equipment o) from the fixed clamp block 15A.

[0025] When the movable clamp block 15B is in close proximity to the fixed clamp block 15A and the scraping contact portion 15Bt comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the bone portion b of the bone-in meat 2 and receives a reaction force from the bone portion b, the movable clamp block 15B is pushed back in the separating direction (toward the outside o of the equipment) against the biasing force of the biasing means of the air cylinder 17. At this time, the movable clamp block 15B is displaced in the direction toward the outside o of the equipment along the outer surface shape of the bone portion b, and the scraping contact portion 15Bt is pressed against the outer surface of the bone portion b by an appropriate biasing force. In this embodiment, the air cylinder 17 and the rotating arm 16 constitute an approach device that displaces the movable clamp block 15B closer to the fixed clamp block 15A relative to the fixed clamp block 15A. However, the approach device is not limited to this configuration, and may have another configuration as long as it can displace the movable clamp block 15B closer to the fixed clamp block 15A relative to the fixed clamp block 15A. For example, the approach device may be a device that moves the movable clamp block 15B horizontally in a linear manner toward the inside i of the equipment and toward the outside o of the equipment.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the meat separator 12, and Fig. 3 is a view of the movable clamp block 15B as seen from the arrow III in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the behavior of the meat separator 12, and Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the same behavior of the meat separator 12 as in Fig. 4. In the following description of the fixed clamp block 15A and the movable clamp block 15B, the direction in which the fixed clamp block 15A and the movable clamp block 15B face each other is referred to as the "direction in which the blocks approach and move away from each other," and the up-down direction and the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the blocks approach and move away from each other are referred to as the "width direction." The fixed clamp block 15A has a plate-shaped fixed clamp claw 20 extending substantially horizontally from a fixed wall of the factory facility toward the outside o of the facility. The fixed clamp claw 20 has a concave bone receiving portion 21 formed at its tip (extending end portion) that opens toward the outside o of the facility. As shown in FIG. 5, the bone receiving portion 21 is formed, for example, in a substantially U-shaped shape in plan view that opens gently outward in the width direction. The bone receiving portion 21 receives the outer peripheral surface of the bone b of the bone-in meat 2 suspended and supported by the clamper 10. The scraping abutment portion 15At on the fixed clamp block 15A side is formed by the bone receiving portion 21.

[0027] The movable clamp block 15B comprises a thick support plate 22 connected to the tip of the pivot arm 16, a pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b rotatably supported on the support plate 22, and a pair of spring members 24 that urge the pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b in a direction toward each other. The support plate 22 includes a rectangular plate base 22a and side cover walls 22b that extend in a generally L-shape from both ends in the width direction of the plate base 22a.

[0028] When the tip of the rotating arm 16 stands vertically upward, the support plate 22 is in an upright position such that the plate base 22a is aligned with the tip of the rotating arm 16. Hereinafter, the side of the plate base 22a that faces the fixed clamp block 15A at this time will be referred to as the "front side" and the opposite side will be referred to as the "rear side." A pair of pivot shafts 25 that rotatably support the clamp claws 23a, 23b and a pair of regulating shafts 26 that regulate the rotational displacement of the clamp claws 23a, 23b are protruding from the front surface of the plate base 22a. The pivot shafts 25 and the regulating shafts 26 protrude in a direction perpendicular to the front surface of the plate base 22a. In addition, a connecting block 27 to which the tip of the rotating arm 16 is connected is attached at the center position in the width direction of the back surface of the plate base 22a, as shown in Figures 2, 4, 6, etc.

[0029] Each of the clamp claws 23a, 23b has a thin, rectangular claw body 28 extending in the direction of approach and separation of the blocks when the tip of the rotating arm 16 is in an upright position, and a thick, rectangular support piece 29 to which one longitudinal end of the claw body 28 is connected. The side of the claw body 28 that is connected to the support piece 29 is referred to as the "base end" and the opposite side is referred to as the "tip". A connecting portion 28a bent into a substantially L-shape is integrally formed at the base end of the claw body 28. The connecting portion 28a is fastened with a bolt to one longitudinal end of the support piece 29. In this state, each of the clamp claws 23a, 23b is an integral block having a substantially L-shape in side view.

[0030] The pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b are rotatably connected to the corresponding pivot shaft 25 of the support plate 22 at the other end side in the longitudinal direction (the lower end side in FIG. 3) of each support piece 29. The pair of pivot shafts 25 on the support plate 22 side are arranged side by side in the width direction at two positions separated in the width direction on the front side of the plate base 22a. The two support pieces 29 supported by each pivot shaft 25 are arranged side by side in the width direction on the front side of the plate base 22a of the support plate 22. The pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b are displaceable between a close position where the respective claw bodies 28 are close to each other in the width direction and a separated position where the respective claw bodies 28 are separated from each other in the width direction by rotating around the pivot shaft 25.

[0031] Each of the clamp claws 23a and 23b has a notch 30 formed on the side edge (hereinafter referred to as the "inner side edge") adjacent to the other claw body 28, which extends from the vicinity of the base end toward the tip end. The width of the notch 30 of the two adjacent claw bodies 28 in the width direction is constant from the base end side to a predetermined position closer to the tip end, and gradually increases from the predetermined position toward the tip end. The region of the two adjacent claw bodies 28 where the width of the notch 30 gradually increases toward the tip end is a concave bone receiving portion 31 that receives the outer circumferential surface of the bone b of the bone-in meat 2 between the two adjacent claw bodies 28. The thickness of the side edge forming the bone receiving portion 31 of the two adjacent claw bodies 28 gradually decreases toward the terminal portion forming the edge of the notch 30. This portion of the claw body 28 is a contact blade 32 that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat 2. The bone receiving portion 31 is formed by the abutment edges 32 of the two clamping jaws 23a, 23b. In this embodiment, the contact edges 32 of the two clamp claws 23a, 23b form a scraping contact portion 15Bt of the movable clamp block 15B.

[0032] Moreover, a restricting piece 33 is attached to one of the clamp claws 23a, extending in the width direction so as to straddle the notched portions 30 of the two clamp claws 23a, 23b. The restricting piece 33 restricts the bone portion b and the meat portion m from being bitten deep into the base side of the notched portions 30 of the two clamp claws 23a, 23b when the meat separator 12 is performing an operation of peeling the meat portion m of the bone-in meat 2.

[0033] 2 and 3, the support piece 29 of each clamp claw 23a has a circular insertion hole 34 formed therein that penetrates the support piece 29 in the thickness direction. Each regulating shaft 26 protruding from the plate base 22a of the support plate 22 is inserted into the insertion hole 34 of each support piece 29. The outer surface of the corresponding regulating shaft 26 abuts against the inner wall of the insertion hole 34 when the pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b are displaced to the most distant position and when they are displaced to the most approximate position. This regulates the displacement of the pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b in the direction away from each other and in the direction approaching each other. The outer surface of the regulating shaft 26 may be configured to abut against the inner wall of the insertion hole 34 only when the pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b are displaced to the farthest position.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, spring locking projections 35a and 35b are provided on the support piece 29 of each of the clamp claws 23a and 23b. The spring locking projection 35a of one of the clamp claws 23a projects toward the rear side of the clamp claw 23a, and the spring locking projection 35b of the other of the clamp claws 23b projects toward the front side of the clamp claw 23b. A pair of spring locking projections 36a and 36b are provided on the front side of the plate base 22a of the support plate 22. The spring locking projection 36a is disposed at a position spaced apart from the support piece 29 of the other of the clamp claws 23a on the outer side in the width direction (the side spaced apart from the support piece 29 of the other of the clamp claws 23b). The other spring locking projection 36b is disposed at a position spaced apart from the support piece 29 of the other of the clamp claws 23b on the outer side in the width direction (the side spaced apart from the support piece 29 of the one of the clamp claws 23a).

[0035] The spring locking projection 35a of one clamp claw 23a and the spring locking projection 36b of the plate base 22a are engaged with the respective ends of a spring member 24 such as a compression coil spring. The spring locking projection 35b of the other clamp claw 23b and the spring locking projection 36a of the plate base 22a are engaged with the respective ends of a similar spring member 24 such as a compression coil spring. The two spring members 24 urge the two clamp claws 23a, 23b in a direction in which the two clamp claws 23a, 23b approach each other. Specifically, since the two clamp claws 23a, 23b are each rotatably supported by a pivot shaft 25 on the support plate 22, the two spring members 24 urge the clamp claws 23a, 23b so as to narrow the opening angle between the two clamp claws 23a, 23b. In this embodiment, the two clamp claws 23a, 23b are each biased toward each other by two spring members 24, one end of which is supported by the support plate 22. Alternatively, both ends of one spring member 24 may be connected to each of the two clamp claws 23a, 23b.

[0036] Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams showing the behavior of the meat separator 12 when peeling off the meat portion m around the tibia b2 of the bone-in meat 2, and Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams showing the behavior of the meat separator 12 when peeling off the meat portion and membrane around the knee joint b3 of the bone-in meat 2. Figure 6 is a side view of the meat separator 12 similar to Figure 4, and Figure 7 is a plan view of the meat separator 12 similar to Figure 5. Hereinafter, the treatment of bone-in meat 2 by the meat peeling apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 7 and Fig. 1 as appropriate.

[0037] First, the air cylinder 17 is operated to separate the movable clamp block 15B from the fixed clamp block 15A. In this state, the bone-in meat 2, which has been subjected to the cutting process around the ankle b4 and the scoring process along the bone b, is held by the clamper 10 and lowered toward the meat separator 12. When the cut portion of the meat portion m of the bone-in meat 2 is lowered to the height position of the fixed clamp block 15A of the meat separator 12, the movable clamp block 15B is displaced to approach the fixed clamp block 15A by the operation of the air cylinder 17. As a result, the bone receiving portion 21 (scraping abutment portion 15At) of the fixed clamp block 15A and the bone receiving portion 31 (scraping abutment portion 15Bt) of the movable clamp block 15B come into contact with the outer surface of the bone b (tibia b2) of the bone-in meat 2 so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the bone b.

[0038] At this time, the operation of the air cylinder 17 stops, and the biasing force of the biasing means of the air cylinder 17 presses the bone receiving portion 31 (the scraping abutment portion 15Bt) of the movable clamp block 15B against the outer circumferential surface of the bone b. In addition, since the bone receiving portion 31 (scraping abutment portion 15Bt) of the movable clamp block 15B is formed by the abutment blades 32 of the clamp claws 23a, 23b, the pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b receive a reaction force in the separating direction from the bone b while receiving the biasing force of the spring member 24. Therefore, the abutment blades 32 of the pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b constituting the bone receiving portion 31 are elastically pressed against the outer surface of the bone b in the approach / separation direction and the width direction of the block.

[0039] In this state, the bone-in meat 2 held by the clamper 10 is raised by the operation of the lifting device 11. At this time, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, with the bone receiving parts 21, 31 of the fixed clamp block 15A and the movable clamp block 15B pressed against the outer surface of the tibia b2, only the bone b is pulled upward. As a result, the meat m adhering to the periphery of the tibia b2 is peeled off from the periphery of the tibia b2 by the meat separator 12. At this time, the clamp claws 23a, 23b of the movable clamp block 15B are elastically pressed against the outer surface of the bone b in the direction of approach and separation of the blocks and in the width direction, so that they are reliably in close contact with the outer surface of the tibia b2 even if the outer diameter and shape of the tibia b2 change slightly in the longitudinal direction. In this way, the flesh m peeled off from the tibia b2 overlaps with the outer surface of the flesh m on the femur b1 side in an inverted state.

[0040] After that, when the bone-in meat 2 held by the clamper 10 is further elevated by the operation of the lifting device 11, the bone receiving portions 21, 31 of the fixed clamp block 15A and the movable clamp block 15B reach the large bulging portion of the knee joint b3 of the bone-in meat 2. At this time, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b of the movable clamp block 15B receive a contact reaction force from the bulging portion of the knee joint b3, and are displaced backward in the direction of approaching or separating the blocks against the force of the biasing means of the air cylinder 17, and are displaced apart in the width direction against the biasing force of the spring member 24.

[0041] After this, when the bone-in meat 2 held by the clamper 10 is further raised by the operation of the lifting device 11, the bone receiving portions 21, 31 of the fixed clamp block 15A and the movable clamp block 15B are pressed against the outer surface of the femur b1 of the bone-in meat 2, and the meat portion m is peeled off from around the femur b1.

[0042] As described above, the meat separator 12 of this embodiment is structured such that the scraping contact portion 15Bt (the contact blades 32 of the clamp claws 23a, 23b) of the movable clamp block 15B can be displaced in multiple directions along the outer surface shape of the bone portion b of the bone-in meat 2, and the displacement in the direction away from the bone portion b is elastically pushed back by the spring member 24, which is the biasing function portion. Therefore, when the meat portion m is peeled off from the bone portion b of the bone-in meat 2, the scraping contact portions 15At, 15Bt of the fixed clamp block 15A and the movable clamp block 15B are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion b from multiple directions. Therefore, when the meat separator 12 of this embodiment is employed, the scraping contact portions 15At, 15Bt are in closer contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion b, and the meat portion m can be peeled off efficiently and stably from the bone portion b of the bone-in meat 2. As a result, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of a phenomenon in which a large portion of meat m remains attached to the bone b, or a portion of the detached bone b remains as a remnant in the meat m.

[0043] The meat separator 12 of this embodiment also includes an approaching device (air cylinder 17 and rotating arm 16) that moves the movable clamp block 15B closer to the fixed clamp block 15A. The movable clamp block 15B includes a pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b that can be displaced relatively in the width direction, and a spring member 24 (biasing function unit) that biases the pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b in the approaching direction. The pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b are provided with abutment blades 32 that form a concave bone receiving portion 31 that receives the outer circumferential surface of the bone b between them. Therefore, when each of the abutment blades 32 of the clamp claws 23a, 23b is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the bone b in the approaching / moving away direction of the block by the approaching device, the two abutment blades 32 abut against the outer circumferential surface of the bone b from the width direction while receiving the biasing force of the spring member 24. Therefore, when the meat separator 12 of this embodiment is adopted, the scraped-off abutment portion 15At of the fixed clamp block 15A and the scraped-off abutment portion 15Bt of the movable clamp block 15B can be made to conform to the outer surface shape of the bone portion b to ensure abutment from multiple directions. Furthermore, in the meat separator 12 of this embodiment, the pressing force of the abutting blade 32 against the outer circumferential surface of the bone portion b can be easily changed by appropriately changing the spring member 24 to one having a different spring constant.

[0044] Furthermore, in the meat separator 12 of this embodiment, the air cylinder 17 constituting the proximity device incorporates a biasing means for biasing the movable clamp block 15B in the direction of the fixed clamp block 15A. Therefore, while the scraping abutment portion 15Bt (abutment blade 32) of the movable clamp block 15B is pressed against the outer surface of the bone portion b, the scraping abutment portion 15Bt (abutment blade 32) flexibly follows the outer surface shape of the bone portion b and displaces in the approach / removal direction and width direction of the block. As a result, the scraping abutment portions 15At, 15Bt are not pressed against the bone portion b with excessive force, and it is possible to prevent damage or scratches to the bone portion b.

[0045] <Second embodiment> FIG. 8 is a plan view of the meat separator 112 of the second embodiment. In the meat separator 12 of the first embodiment described above, the movable clamp block 15B is configured with a pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b that are relatively displaceable in the width direction, and the fixed crank block 15A is configured with one fixed clamp claw 20. In contrast, the meat separator 112 of this embodiment is configured with a pair of clamp claws 20a, 20b on the fixed clamp block 115A side that are also relatively displaceable in the width direction. The pair of clamp claws 20a, 20b are biased by a spring member 24 in a direction approaching each other, similar to the movable clamp block 15B side.

[0046] The clamp claws 20a, 20b of the fixed clamp block 115A are shaped similarly to the clamp claws 23a, 23b of the movable clamp block 15B. That is, the tip end of each of the clamp claws 20a, 20b is provided with an abutment blade 32 that forms a concave bone receiving portion 121 between them.

[0047] In the case of the meat separator 112 of this embodiment, when the scraping abutment portion 15Bt of the movable clamp block 15B and the scraping abutment portion 115At of the fixed clamp block 115A are pressed against the outer surface of the bone portion b by the operation of the proximity device, each pair of clamp claws 20a, 20b, 23a, 23b of both clamp blocks 115A, 15B are displaced in the width direction against the biasing force of the spring member 24. As a result, the scraping abutment portions 115At, 15Bt (clamp claws 20a, 20b, 23a, 23b) of both clamp blocks 115A, 15B are elastically pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion b from more directions. Therefore, when the meat separator 112 of this embodiment is adopted, the scraping contact portions 115At, 15Bt of both clamp blocks 115A, 15B are in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion b from more directions, making it possible to more efficiently and stably peel the meat portion m from the bone portion b of the bone-in meat 2.

[0048] <Third embodiment> FIG. 9 is a plan view of the meat separator 212 of the third embodiment. In the meat separator 212 of this embodiment, two movable clamp blocks 15B, 15C are arranged around the center of the bone part b, shifted by approximately 120°, so as to face the tip of one fixed clamp block. The two movable clamp blocks 15B, 15C have the same structure as the movable clamp block 15B of the first embodiment. The two movable clamp blocks 15B, 15C are moved in a direction approaching the fixed clamp block 15A by an approaching device (not shown). As a result, the scraping abutment parts 15Bt, 15Ct of the movable clamp blocks 15B, 15C clamp the outer peripheral surface of the bone part b together with the scraping abutment part 15At of the fixed clamp block 15A. At this time, the pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b of each movable clamp block 15B, 15C are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the bone part b by the biasing force of the spring member 24, and are displaced in the width direction following the outer surface shape of the bone part b.

[0049] The meat separator 212 of this embodiment has the same structure as the first embodiment, except that the two movable clamp blocks 15B, 15C are arranged around the center of the bone part b with a shift of approximately 120°. Therefore, the meat separator 212 of this embodiment can obtain the same basic effects as the first embodiment, but can also clamp the outer circumferential surface of the bone part b from three directions by one fixed clamp block 15A and two movable clamp blocks 15B, 15C. In the meat separator 212 of this embodiment, the pair of clamp claws 23a, 23b of each movable clamp block 15B, 15C flexibly follows the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion b while receiving the biasing force of the spring member 24, so that the numerous scraping contact portions 15At, 15Bt, 15Ct can be brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion b from more directions. Therefore, the meat portion m can be peeled off from the bone portion b of the bone-in meat 2 more efficiently and stably.

[0050] <Fourth embodiment> FIG. 10 is a plan view of the meat separator 312 of the fourth embodiment. The meat separator 312 of this embodiment includes a fixed clamp block 15A fixed to a factory facility, and a movable clamp block 315B that is displaceable in a direction toward and away from the fixed clamp block 15A. The movable clamp block 315B is operated in the approaching direction by an approaching device, similar to the first embodiment described above.

[0051] The fixed clamp block 15A has the same structure as in the first embodiment. The movable clamp block 315B has a pair of holding arms 50a extending from a connecting plate 50 held by a proximity device so as to form a generally U-shape in plan view. Both ends of a metal wire 55, which is a linear elastic member, are fixed to the pair of holding arms 50a. The metal wire 55 is held by the pair of holding arms 50a in a tensile state.

[0052] In this embodiment, the metal wire 55, which is a linear elastic member, constitutes the scraping contact part of the movable clamp block 315B. When the metal wire 55 held by the holding arm 50a is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the bone part b of the bone-in meat, it elastically deforms along the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the bone part b and adheres closely to the outer circumferential surface of the bone part b. When the bone part b moves relative to the meat separator 312 in the longitudinal direction in this state, the meat part can be peeled off from the bone part b by the metal wire 55. In this embodiment, the metal wire 55 also constitutes a biasing function part that elastically pushes back the displacement of the scraping contact part in the direction away from the bone part b. In addition, the proximity device (not shown) that displaces the movable clamp block 315B toward the fixed clamp block 15A is equipped with a biasing means such as a spring member that biases the movable clamp block 315B in a direction approaching the fixed clamp block 15A, similar to the first embodiment.

[0053] As described above, the meat separator 312 of this embodiment is structured such that the metal wire 55, which is the scraping contact portion of the movable clamp block 315B, can be displaced in multiple directions along the outer surface shape of the bone portion b of the bone-in meat 2, and displacement in a direction away from the bone portion b is pushed back by the elasticity of the metal wire 55 itself. Therefore, when meat is peeled off from the bone portion b of the bone-in meat 2, the scraping contact portion 15At of the fixed clamp block 15A and the metal wire 55 (scraping contact portion) of the movable clamp block 315B are pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the bone portion b from multiple directions. Therefore, when the meat separator 312 of this embodiment is used, the scraping contact portion 15At on the fixed clamp block 15A side and the metal wire 55 on the movable clamp block 315B side are in closer contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion b, making it possible to efficiently and stably peel the meat portion from the bone portion b of the bone-in meat. 10, the metal wire 55 (elastic member) is used as the scraping contact portion only for the movable clamp block 315B, but the same metal wire 55 may also be used for the scraping contact portion of the fixed clamp block 15A. In this case, the scraping contact portions of the fixed clamp block 15A and the movable clamp block 315B come into closer contact with the outer circumferential surface of the bone, making it possible to more efficiently and stably peel the meat portion from the bone portion b of the bone-in meat.

[0054] Furthermore, the meat separator 312 of this embodiment includes an approach device that displaces the movable clamp block 315B closer to the fixed clamp block 15A, and the scraping contact portion of the movable clamp block 315B is made of an elastic member (metal wire 55), and the elastic member (metal wire 55) also constitutes a biasing function portion that elastically pushes back the displacement in the direction away from the bone portion b. Therefore, while the number of parts is reduced and the structure can be made compact and lightweight, the scraping contact portion can be made to adhere more closely to the outer circumferential surface of the bone portion b of the bone-in meat, and the meat portion can be more efficiently and stably separated from the bone portion b.

[0055] Moreover, the meat separator 312 of this embodiment employs the metal wire 55 as an elastic member used in the scraping contact portion. Therefore, a high load resistance can be easily obtained when peeling the meat from the bone portion b, and the meat can be peeled from the bone portion b more reliably.

[0056] Furthermore, in the meat separator 312 of this embodiment, the proximity device that displaces the movable clamp block 315B is provided with a biasing means such as a spring member that biases the movable clamp block 315B in the direction of the fixed clamp block 15A. Therefore, the metal wire 55 of the movable clamp block 315B is reliably pressed against the outer surface of the bone part b, and the entire metal wire 55 is displaced flexibly following the outer surface shape of the bone part b. As a result, the scraping contact part 15At and the metal wire 55 are not pressed against the bone part b with excessive force, and it is possible to prevent the bone part b from being damaged or scratched.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in the first to third embodiments described above, the concave scraping contact portion is formed by the contact blades of a pair of displaceable clamp claws, but the scraping contact portion is not limited to this configuration. The scraping contact portion may be formed by the contact blades of three or more displaceable clamp claws, and the three or more clamp claws may be biased by a spring member in a direction in which they approach each other. In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a metal wire 55 is used as the elastic member used in the scraping contact portion, but the elastic member is not limited to this. The elastic member may be made of a wire material other than metal, such as resin. For example, the elastic member may be made of a material such as elastomer that is harmless when it comes into contact with food and has excellent washability. The shape of the elastic member is not limited to a linear shape. The elastic member may be, for example, a band-like shape. In addition, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, one movable clamp block 315B is arranged opposite the fixed clamp block 15A, but three or more clamp blocks may be arranged in a ring shape around the bone portion, as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the scraping abutment portion of the clamp block (clamp claws 23a, 23b and metal wire 55) is capable of being displaced only in the radial direction centered on the bone portion, but the displacement direction of the scraping abutment portion may be a direction intersecting the radial direction centered on the bone portion. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, a fixed clamp block that is fixed to factory equipment is combined with several movable clamp blocks that move toward and away from the fixed clamp block, but all clamp blocks may be configured as movable clamp blocks that move toward and away from the bone portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1... meat peeling device, 2... bone-in meat, 10... clamper, 11... lifting device (moving device), 12, 112, 212, 312... meat separator, 15A, 115A... fixed clamp block (clamp block), 15B, 15C, 315B... movable clamp block (clamp block), 15At, 15Bt, 115At... scraping abutment, 16... rotating arm, 17... air cylinder (proximity device), 20a, 20b... clamp claws, 23a, 23b... clamp claws, 24... spring member (biasing function part), 31... bone receiving part, 32... abutment blade, 55... metal wire (elastic member, scraping abutment, biasing function part), m... meat, b... bone

Claims

1. A meat separator that separates meat adhering to a bone by contacting an outer peripheral surface of a bone of meat that moves relatively, a plurality of clamp blocks each having a scraping-off contact portion that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion, the scraping-off contact portions working together to clamp the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion; an approach device for displacing at least one of the clamp blocks relatively closer to another of the clamp blocks, At least one of the clamp blocks includes: a pair of clamp claws displaceable in a direction intersecting a direction in which the clamp claws are displaced relatively toward the other clamp block; a spring member that biases the pair of clamp claws in a direction in which the clamp claws approach each other, The pair of clamping jaws are provided with abutment blades that form a concave bone receiving portion between them to receive the outer peripheral surface of the bone portion, The abutment blade constitutes the scraping abutment portion, Each of the clamp claws is formed in an approximately L-shape when viewed from the side, the abutment blade is provided on one side of the approximately L-shape, and the other side of the approximately L-shape is rotatably supported on a pivot axis that is approximately parallel to the extension direction of the one side.

2. 2. The meat separator according to claim 1, wherein the proximity device includes a biasing means for biasing at least one of the clamp blocks and another of the clamp blocks in a direction in which they approach each other.

3. A bone holding device for holding a bone of meat; The meat separator according to claim 1 or 2, a moving device that moves the bone holding device and the meat separator relatively along approximately the longitudinal direction of the bone held by the bone holding device.

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