Cleaning device for an extension roller

Abstract

A cleaning device (1) according to the present invention is for cleaning the surfaces (26A) of extension rollers (26) in a dough extension apparatus (2), and comprises: a cleaning device body (11) which is to be attached to the dough extension apparatus; and a flexible, belt-like cleaning member (13) which is to be attached to the cleaning device body. The cleaning member comprises end parts (13A) and a cleaner part (13B) having a cleaning surface (13C). The cleaning member is configured such that: one end or both ends thereof are fixed to the cleaning device body so as to have the cleaner part hanging downward; and the cleaning surface of the cleaner part comes into abutment with the surfaces of the extension rollers of the dough extension apparatus and is capable of being bent and deformed so as to conform to the surfaces of the extension rollers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device and a cleaning method for the surface of a stretching roller in a food dough stretching device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cleaning device and a cleaning method for cleaning the surface of such a stretching roller by removing deposits adhering thereto.

Background Art

[0002] Various proposals have been made so far for a cleaning device for the surface of a stretching roller in a food dough stretching device. The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes deposit removing means for removing deposits adhering to the outer peripheral surface of a rolling roller for a noodle belt in a noodle making machine, and imaging means for imaging the outer peripheral surface of the rolling roller. The device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a roller freely rotatably attached to a shaft moving along an elliptical orbit and a conveyor arranged opposite to the elliptical orbit and conveying dough in a dough stretching device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the position of the rotating shaft of the rolling roller on which the deposit removing means is used is fixed, and the rolling roller is concentric with the rotating shaft. Therefore, such deposit removing means cannot remove deposits adhering to the outer peripheral surface of a rolling roller that moves along a predetermined orbit, a rolling roller that is eccentric with respect to the rotating shaft, or the outer peripheral surface of a rolling roller whose radius from the center of the rotating shaft is not constant, for example, the outer peripheral surface of a rolling roller that is not circular but polygonal or elliptical. Further, in the rolling apparatus described in Patent Document 2, cleaning means for pressing a brush against the surface of a roller that moves (revolves) along an elliptical orbit to clean the surface of the roller is used, but there are problems that deposits on the surface of the roller cannot be efficiently removed, and it takes time and effort to attach and detach the brush and to clean the brush itself.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device capable of efficiently removing deposits on the surface of a rolling roller in a food dough rolling apparatus. Further, preferably, an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device in which attachment, detachment, and cleaning of a cleaning member are easy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of a rolling roller of a dough rolling apparatus, the cleaning device including a cleaning device main body and a belt-shaped cleaning member, and detachably fixing one end or both ends of the cleaning member to the cleaning device main body so that the cleaning portion of the cleaning member hangs down, and contacting the cleaning surface of the cleaning portion with the surface of the rolling roller to clean the surface of the rolling roller.

[0007] Further, the cleaning member has flexibility, and is characterized in that unevenness is formed on the cleaning surface.

[0008] Further, the cleaning device includes a biasing member that biases the cleaning member from the back side of the cleaning surface and presses the cleaning surface against the surface of the rolling roller.

[0009] Further, the stretching roller is configured to orbit along an oval orbit, which is characterized.

[0010] Further, the stretching roller is configured to orbit along a circular orbit, which is characterized.

[0011] Further, the stretching roller is configured to reciprocate along a predetermined orbit, which is characterized.

[0012] Further, it includes a stretching roller rotating device that rotates the stretching roller at least in a part of the range where the stretching roller moves along the orbit in a state of being in contact with the cleaning member.

[0013] Further, the stretching roller is an eccentric roller, which is characterized.

[0014] Further, the stretching roller is a polygonal roller, which is characterized.

[0015] Further, it is a cleaning method for cleaning the surface of the stretching roller of a fabric stretching device. One end or both ends of a strip-shaped cleaning member are fixed to the cleaning device main body, the cleaning part of the cleaning member is hung down, and the cleaning surface of the cleaning part is abutted against the surface of the stretching roller to clean the surface of the stretching roller, which is characterized.

[0016] Further, the cleaning surface that forms irregularities of the flexible cleaning member is abutted against the surface of the stretching roller for cleaning, which is characterized.

[0017] Further, the cleaning member that forms irregularities on the cleaning surface and has flexibility is bent and deformed along the surface of the stretching roller to make surface contact, thereby cleaning the surface of the stretching roller, which is characterized.

[0018] Further, it is a biasing member provided in the cleaning device, which biases the cleaning member from the back side of the cleaning surface and presses the cleaning surface against the surface of the stretching roller, which is characterized.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently remove the deposits on the surface of the stretching roller in the food dough stretching device. Furthermore, in the case of a detachable cleaning member, since the attachment / detachment and cleaning of the cleaning member are easy, the cleaning working time of the stretching device (machine) and the cleaning member can be shortened, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the cleaning device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the fabric stretching device 2 including the same will be described. In the following description, detailed descriptions of known configurations will be omitted. The cleaning device 1 is a device for cleaning the deposits W adhering to the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26 in the fabric stretching device 2 for stretching the food fabric D. In this specification, the food fabric D will be described as bread dough, and the deposits W will be described as dough scraps of bread dough and powder scattered on the surface of the dough.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fabric stretching device 2 is a device that stretches the food fabric D carried in from the upstream conveyor JC and discharges it to the downstream conveyor KC, and includes a gantry 2A, a conveying device 21 attached to the gantry 2A, and a stretching device 22 disposed above the conveying device 21.

[0023] The conveying device 21 includes a first conveyor 23 having an endless conveyor belt 23A, a second conveyor 24 disposed adjacent to the downstream side thereof and having an endless conveyor belt 24A, and a third conveyor 25 disposed adjacent to the downstream side thereof and having an endless conveyor belt 25A. These three conveyors 23, 24, and 25 each have an opposing surface that faces the stretching device 22, and the opposing surfaces of the first conveyor 23 and the second conveyor 24 are adjustable in angle. The conveying device 21 is configured to convey the fabric D in the conveying direction R shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] The stretching device 22 includes a plurality of stretching rollers 26 and a stretching roller driving device 27 that circulates (moves) the plurality of stretching rollers 26 in the direction of arrow S shown in FIG. 1 along an endless oval track. The stretching roller driving device 27 includes a pair of frames 27A, a pair of driving sprockets 27B, a pair of driven sprockets 27C, a pair of chains 27D, a plurality of stretching roller shafts 27E, a pair of guide rails 27F for the stretching rollers 26, and a driving motor M1.

[0025] A pair of frames 27A are arranged above the gantry 2A and on both the left and right sides of the conveying device 21. Inside each of the pair of frames 27A, a driving sprocket 27B, a driven sprocket 27C, and a guide rail 27F are arranged. A chain 27D is wound around the driving sprocket 27B and the driven sprocket 27C, and an elliptical orbit of the stretching roller 26 is formed. Both ends of the stretching roller shaft 27E are respectively fixed to the left and right chains 27D. A plurality of stretching roller shafts 27E are fixed to the chain 27D at predetermined intervals. The pair of driving sprockets 27B and the pair of driven sprockets 27C are respectively attached (externally fitted) to a driving shaft and a driven shaft, and are configured to integrally circulate (move) the pair of left and right chains 27D by a driving motor M1 connected to the driving shaft.

[0026] Each of the plurality of stretching rollers 26 is rotatably supported (axially supported) by a stretching roller shaft 27E, and is configured to circulate (move) in the direction of arrow S shown in FIG. 1 along the elliptical orbit of the chain 27D. The stretching roller 26 is configured to stretch the fabric D between the stretching roller 26 and the opposing surface of the conveying device 21 when it moves on the straight portion (stretching region SA) on the lower side of the elliptical orbit, and is configured to clean the deposits W adhering to the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26 by the cleaning device 1 when it moves on the straight portion (cleaning region CA) on the upper side of the elliptical orbit.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cleaning device 1 is arranged above the fabric stretching device 2, and includes a cleaning device main body 11, a cleaning member 13, a biasing member 15, and a stretching roller rotating device 17.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device main body 11 includes a base 11A and a pair of side plates 11B, 11C. The base 11A is a plate-like member that extends (is laid) between a pair of frames 27A of the stretching device 22 and is disposed on the upper end side thereof, and has (is provided with) a rectangular hole 11D in its central portion. The side plates 11B, 11C are plate-like members, and are disposed parallel to each other on the upper surface of the base 11A outside the rectangular hole 11D and along the conveying direction R. That is, the cleaning device 1 is disposed (correspondingly) along the straight portion on the upper side of the elliptical orbit around which the stretching roller 26 orbits.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning member 13 is a belt-like (sheet-like) member, includes one end portion 13A in the longitudinal direction and the other cleaning portion 13B, and its material is desirably made of urethane having flexibility and elasticity. However, the material of the cleaning member 13 is not limited thereto and can be appropriately selected. The cleaning portion 13B has a cleaning surface 13C that abuts against the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26. The cleaning surface 13C desirably has an uneven shape. The uneven shape of the cleaning surface 13C is desirably a shape in which concave portions (groove portions) are formed (engraved) in a lattice pattern, but is not limited thereto. For example, a shape in which concave portions are formed (engraved) in parallel or a shape in which convex portions are frustum of a pyramid or frustum of a cone may be used. The form such as the shape, depth, and width of the concave portion, and the form such as the shape and height of the convex portion are preferably appropriately selected according to conditions such as the properties of the fabric to be stretched.

[0030] One end 13A of the cleaning member 13 is fixed to the plate 13D. The plate 13D is configured such that after inserting one end side thereof into the mounting hole 11F of the side plate 11B and inserting the other end side thereof into the mounting groove 11G of the side plate 11C, it is fixed to the side plate 11C by the knob bolt 11E. By attaching or detaching the knob bolt 11E to / from the side plate 11C, the cleaning member 13 and the plate 13D can be integrally and easily attached to and detached from the side plates 11B and 11C. That is, one end 13A of the strip-shaped (sheet-shaped) cleaning member 13 is detachably fixed to the cleaning device main body 11 via the plate 13D, the cleaning part 13B hangs down through the rectangular hole 11D of the base 11A, and the cleaning surface 13C is configured to abut against the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26, whereby the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26 is cleaned. In FIG. 3, an example where the cleaning part 13B abuts against three consecutive stretching rollers 26 is shown.

[0031] The biasing member 15 is configured to press the cleaning part 13B of the cleaning member 13 against the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26 by biasing it from the opposite side of the cleaning surface 13C. The biasing member 15 is strip-shaped (sheet-shaped), includes one end 15A in the longitudinal direction and the other biasing part 15B, and its material is preferably made of urethane having flexibility and elasticity. However, the material of the biasing member 15 is not limited to this and can be appropriately selected.

[0032] One end 15A of the biasing member 15 is fixed to the plate 15D. The plate 15D is configured such that after inserting one end side thereof into the mounting hole 11F of the side plate 11B and the other end side thereof into the mounting groove 11G of the side plate 11C, it is fixed to the side plate 11C by the knob bolt 11E. By attaching or detaching the knob bolt 11E to / from the side plate 11C, the biasing member 15 and the plate 15D can be integrally and easily attached to and detached from the side plates 11B and 11C in a detachable manner. Further, the biasing portion 15B has a biasing surface 15C that abuts against the surface (back side) opposite to the cleaning surface 13C, and is configured to press the cleaning portion 13B against the surface 26A of the extension roller 26. That is, one end 15A of the strip-shaped (sheet-shaped) biasing member 15 is detachably fixed to the cleaning device main body 11 via the plate 15D, and the biasing portion 15B hangs down through the rectangular hole 11D of the base 11A and biases the cleaning portion 13B from the opposite (back) side of the cleaning surface 13C, whereby the cleaning surface 13C is configured to be pressed against the surface 26A of the extension roller 26.

[0033] The method of attaching and detaching the cleaning member 13 and the biasing member 15 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and for example, a fixing method using a toggle clamp may be used, and a configuration that allows an operator to easily attach and detach can be appropriately selected.

[0034] The flexibility of the cleaning member 13 can be changed by selecting its material and thickness, whereby the amount by which the cleaning member 13 bends along the surface 26A of the extension roller 26 and the strength with which the cleaning member 13 abuts against the extension roller 26 can be changed. Also, the plate 13D (i.e., one end 13A of the cleaning member 13) is preferably fixed to the cleaning device main body 11 in the vertical direction. However, the strength with which the cleaning member 13 abuts against the extension roller 26 may be changed by changing the direction (angle) of the plate 13D and fixing it. Although an example in which two biasing members 15 are arranged in the conveying direction has been shown, the number of biasing members 15 is not limited thereto and can be appropriately changed.

[0035] Further, the flexibility of the biasing member 15 can be changed by selecting its material and thickness, thereby changing the strength with which the cleaning surface 13C of the cleaning unit 13B is pressed against the stretching roller 26. Further, the cleaning member 13 may be biased by the weight of the biasing portion 15B.

[0036] The stretching roller rotating device 17 is a device that rotates (self-rotates) the stretching roller 26 when the stretching roller 26 moves in a cleaning area CA where the cleaning member 13 contacts the stretching roller 26 and cleans its surface 26A, and includes a pair of friction plates 17A. The friction plates 17A generally have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and inclined surfaces are formed at both longitudinal ends thereof. The pair of friction plates 17A are arranged in parallel on the upper surfaces of a pair of guide rails 27F at positions contacting both ends of the stretching roller 26 and along the conveying direction R. While the stretching roller 26 moving in the direction of the arrow S shown in FIG. 3 (revolves), both ends of the stretching roller 26 contact the friction plates 17A while moving through the area where the friction plates 17A are arranged, whereby the stretching roller 26 can be rotated (self-rotated) in the direction of the arrow T shown in FIG. 3 with respect to the stretching roller shaft 27E. In order to surely cause such self-rotation, that is, in order to make the frictional force between the stretching roller 26 and the friction plates 17A larger than the frictional force between the stretching roller 26 and the cleaning member 13, it is desirable that the friction plates 17A be formed of a material such as rubber having a relatively large coefficient of friction.

[0037] The stretching roller rotating device 17 is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment. Instead of the rubber friction plates 17A, a rack gear may be arranged, gears may be provided at both ends of the stretching roller 26, and the stretching roller 26 moving in the cleaning area CA may be configured to rotate (self-rotate) by meshing the rack gear with the gears.

[0038] Further, the range in which the stretching roller 26 is rotated (self-rotated) by the stretching roller rotating device 17 is desirably substantially the same as or longer than the cleaning area CA, but is not limited thereto and may be a part of the cleaning area CA.

[0039] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. The continuous food dough D is conveyed from a dough supply device (not shown) arranged on the upstream side to the dough stretching device 2. The food dough D is stretched between the stretching roller 26 and the opposing surface of the conveying device 21 in the straight portion (stretching region) SA on the lower side of the elliptical orbit, and is carried out to a downstream molding device (not shown). Then, when the stretching roller 26 rotates while moving in the straight portion (cleaning region) CA on the upper side of the elliptical orbit, the cleaning device 1 cleans the deposit W adhering to the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26. At this time, the cleaning member 13 deforms so as to bend along the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26, and the cleaning surface 13C is in surface contact with the portion located above the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26.

[0040] While moving the stretching roller 26 in the direction of arrow S by the stretching roller driving device 27 so as to be in contact with the upper surface of the friction plate 17A of the stretching roller rotating device 17, the stretching roller 26 rotates in the direction of arrow T shown in FIG. 3. That is, since the surface 26A that moves (revolves) and rotates (rotates) slides in a state of being in surface contact with the cleaning surface 13C, the cleaning surface 13C can clean the entire circumference of the surface 26A. Further, the cleaning surface 13C of the cleaning member 13 is urged by the urging member 15 from the back side toward the stretching roller 26 and strongly pressed against the surface 26A, whereby the deposit W can be efficiently cleaned over the entire circumference of the surface 26A. Further, since the friction plate 17A has inclined surfaces on the upstream side and the downstream side in the moving direction of the stretching roller 26 (the direction of arrow S), when the stretching roller 26 moves from the guide rail 27F to the friction plate 17A and when it moves from the friction plate 17A to the guide rail 27F, the impact can be alleviated and the generation of noise can be suppressed.

[0041] It has been difficult for a conventional fixed plate-shaped scraper to clean the entire surface 26A of the moving stretching roller 26. Also, in the case of a brush, since the brush hairs only make point contact with the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26, it is impossible to clean the non-contact portions, resulting in uneven cleaning. Moreover, the attachment and detachment of the brush and the cleaning of the brush itself were time-consuming, imposing a heavy burden on the operator. However, according to the configuration of the present invention, since the cleaning surface 13C of the cleaning member 13 makes surface contact with the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26 that rotates while orbiting (moving) along an elliptical orbit, there is no uneven cleaning, and the adhered matter W can be efficiently cleaned. Also, the attachment and detachment of the cleaning member 13 are easy, and the cleaning of the cleaning member 13 itself is also facilitated, thus reducing the burden on the operator.

[0042] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a cleaning device 3 according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a fabric stretching device 4 including the same will be described. The same reference numerals as those in the previously described configuration are given to the previously described configuration, and redundant explanations are omitted. The cleaning device 3 is a device for cleaning the adhered matter W attached to the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26 in the fabric stretching device 4 that stretches the food fabric D. The fabric stretching device 2 of the first embodiment was a device in which the stretching roller 26 orbited (moved) along an elliptical orbit, while the fabric stretching device 4 of the present embodiment is a device in which the stretching roller 26 orbits (moves) along a circular orbit.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the fabric stretching device 4 includes a gantry 4A, a conveying device 41 attached to the gantry 4A, and a stretching device 42 disposed above the conveying device 41.

[0044] The conveying device 41 includes a first conveyor 43, a large-diameter roller 44 disposed adjacent to the downstream side thereof, and a second conveyor 45 disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the large-diameter roller 44.

[0045] The stretching device 42 includes a plurality of stretching rollers 26 and a stretching roller driving device 47 that moves (circulates) the plurality of stretching rollers 26 along an endless circular orbit in the direction of arrow S shown in FIG. 4. The stretching roller driving device 47 includes a pair of frames 47A, a driving shaft 47B, a pair of roller bases 47C and 47D, a plurality of stretching roller shafts 27E, and a driving motor (not shown). The stretching roller 26 and the stretching roller shaft 27E are integrally fixed. The pair of frames 47A are arranged on the left and right sides of the conveying device 41 above the pedestal 4A.

[0046] The pair of frames 47A rotatably support the driving shaft 47B on their opposing inner sides, and the driving shaft 47B is inserted (passed through) and fixed to the pair of roller bases 47C and 47D. The pair of roller bases 47C and 47D rotatably support eight stretching roller shafts 27E at equal intervals in the circumferential direction therebetween. Eight gears 47E are fixed (externally fitted) to the ends of each of the stretching roller shafts 27E on the side of the roller base 47D and mesh with a gear 47F that is concentric with and rotatably attached to the driving shaft 47B. A first driving motor for driving the driving shaft 47B and another second driving motor for driving the gear 47F are provided, whereby the stretching roller 26 can rotate (spin) in the direction of arrow T while circulating (moving) in the direction of arrow S shown in FIG. 4 along the circular orbit.

[0047] Each of the plurality of stretching rollers 26 is configured to stretch the fabric between the stretching roller 26 and the opposing surface of the conveying device 41 when moving in the lower part (stretching area SA) of the circular orbit, and to clean the deposits W adhering to the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26 by the cleaning device 3 when moving in the upper part (cleaning area CA) of the circular orbit.

[0048] The cleaning device 3 is arranged above the fabric stretching device 4 and includes a cleaning device main body 11, a cleaning member 13, a biasing member 15, and a stretching roller rotating device 37.

[0049] The configurations of the cleaning device body 11, the cleaning member 13, and the biasing member 15 are the same as those of the cleaning device 1 in the first embodiment, so the description of such configurations is omitted. In the present embodiment, the stretching roller rotating device 37 is constituted (shared) by the above-described gears 47E and 47F and a second drive motor that drives the gear 47F. By controlling the rotational speed of the first drive motor that orbits (revolves) the stretching roller 26 along a circular orbit and the rotational speed of the second drive motor that rotates (rotates) the stretching roller 26, that is, by controlling the difference in the rotational speeds of the two drive motors, it is possible to adjust the rotational speed of the rotation of the stretching roller 26.

[0050] Since the operation of the second embodiment is the same as the operation of the first embodiment, the detailed description thereof is omitted. Note that since the cleaning member 13 and the biasing member 15 are flexible, they can be deformed according to the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26 that orbits (moves) along a circular orbit. Thereby, the cleaning surface 13C can clean over the entire circumference of the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26.

[0051] Next, referring to FIG. 5, a cleaning device 5 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same reference numerals as those of the previously described configurations are given to the previously described configurations, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fabric stretching device 6 as viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. The cleaning device 5 is a device that cleans the deposit W adhering to the surface 66A of the stretching roller 66 in the fabric stretching device 6 that stretches the food fabric D. The fabric stretching device 2 of the first embodiment is a device in which the stretching roller 26 orbits a long circular orbit, but the fabric stretching device 6 of the present embodiment is a device in which the stretching roller 66 reciprocates (moves) along a linear orbit extending in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, the fabric stretching device 6 has a frame 6A extending in the width direction above the conveying device 61. The fabric stretching device 6 includes a slider 6B, a rack gear 6C, and a pinion gear 6D inside the frame 6A, and the slider 6B is configured to reciprocate at a predetermined distance by a driving transmission mechanism such as a driving motor and a chain (not shown). The rack gear 6C is fixed to the frame 6A. The pinion gear 6D is fixed (inserted) to an upper shaft 6E rotatably supported by the slider 6B and meshes with the rack gear 6C. Further, an idler gear 6F is fixed (externally fitted) to the upper shaft 6E. A stretching roller 66 disposed at the lower portion of the slider 6B is fixed (inserted) to a lower shaft 6G rotatably supported by the slider 6B, and a gear 6H fixed (externally fitted) to the lower shaft 6G meshes with the idler gear 6F. Thus, when the slider 6B reciprocates in the width direction by the driving motor, the stretching roller 66 is configured to alternately perform a left-rotating rotation and a right-rotating rotation while reciprocating integrally with the slider 6B.

[0053] The cleaning device 5 is disposed on the fabric stretching device 6 and includes a cleaning device main body 11, a cleaning member 53, three biasing members 55, and a stretching roller rotating device 57.

[0054] The base 11A of the cleaning device main body 11 is a plate-like member disposed on the lower surface of the frame 6A and has a rectangular hole 11D (is bored) in its central portion. The side plates 11B and 11C are plate-like members that extend along the width direction on the upper surface of the base 11A and are arranged parallel to each other.

[0055] The cleaning member 53 is a strip-shaped (sheet-shaped) member similar to the cleaning member 13 of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, both ends 53A of the cleaning member 53 are respectively fixed to the plate 53D. The plate 53D has the same configuration as the plate 13D of the first embodiment and is detachably fixed to the pair of side plates 11B and 11C. That is, both ends 53A of the strip-shaped cleaning member 53 are detachably fixed to the cleaning device main body 11 via the plate 53D, and the cleaning portion 53B between both ends 53A hangs down through the rectangular hole 11D of the base 11A, and the cleaning surface 53C of the cleaning portion 53B is configured to contact the upper portion of the surface 66A of the extension roller 66, whereby the surface 66A of the extension roller 66 is cleaned.

[0056] The three biasing members 55 are arranged along the width direction inside the hanging cleaning member 53. The biasing member 55 is a member similar to the biasing member 15 of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, both ends 55A of the biasing member 55 are respectively fixed to the plate 55D, and by the same configuration as the cleaning member 53, it is detachably fixed to the pair of side plates 11B and 11C. Therefore, in this embodiment, the biasing portion 55B of the biasing member 55 is in a state of curving downward and hanging down, and the biasing surface 55C of the biasing portion 55B contacts the surface (back side) opposite to the cleaning surface 53C, whereby the cleaning portion 53B is pressed against the surface 66A of the extension roller 66. That is, both ends 55A of the biasing member 55 are detachably fixed to the cleaning device main body 11 via the plate 55D, and the biasing portion 55B hangs down and biases the cleaning portion 53B from the back side, whereby the cleaning surface 53C is configured to be pressed against the surface 66A of the extension roller 66. In this embodiment, the extension roller rotating device 57 is constituted (shared) by the above-described rack gear 6C, pinion gear 6D, and the drive motor that drives them.

[0057] Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. The continuous food dough D is conveyed from a dough supply device (not shown) arranged on the upstream side to the dough stretching device 6. The food dough D is stretched between the reciprocating stretching roller 66 in the width direction and the opposing surface of the conveying device 61, and is carried out to a downstream molding device (not shown). Then, the cleaning device 5 cleans the deposits W adhering to the surface 66A of the stretching roller 66 that rotates while reciprocating on a linear track. Since both end portions 53A of the cleaning member 53 are fixed to the cleaning device main body 11, no matter which direction the stretching roller 66 moves, the cleaning member 53 deforms so as to bend along the surface 66A of the stretching roller 66 without falling off, and the cleaning surface 53C is in surface contact with the surface 66A. The stretching roller 66 moves in the width direction (direction of arrow S) while rotating in the direction of arrow T shown in FIG. 5. That is, since the rotating and moving surface 66A slides in a state of being in surface contact with the cleaning surface 53C, the cleaning surface 53C can clean the entire circumference of the surface 66A. Further, the cleaning member 53 is urged by the urging member 55 toward the stretching roller 66 from its back side, and is strongly pressed against the surface 66A, whereby the deposits can be efficiently cleaned over the entire circumference of the surface 66A.

[0058] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the cleaning device 7 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention and the dough stretching device 8 including the same will be described. The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the above-described configuration, and redundant descriptions are omitted. The cleaning device 7 is a device that cleans the deposits W adhering to the surface 86A of the stretching roller 86 in the dough stretching device 8 that stretches the food dough D.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, the dough stretching device 8 is a device that stretches the food dough D flowing down from the hopper 8B and conveys it downstream by the conveying device 81 arranged below, and includes a gantry 8A, a conveying device 81, and a stretching device 82.

[0060] The stretching device 82 includes a pair of stretching rollers 86, and the stretching rollers 86 are eccentric rollers that are eccentric with respect to the rotation axis. The pair of stretching rollers 86 are arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined interval and with the eccentric directions being different by 180 degrees, and are configured to be interlocked with each other and rotate in opposite directions by a drive motor (not shown). Therefore, when the stretching rollers 86 are rotated, the gap between the pair of stretching rollers 86 repeatedly increases and decreases.

[0061] The cleaning device 7 is arranged obliquely above the stretching roller 86 and includes a cleaning device main body 11, a cleaning member 53, and a biasing member 55. The cleaning device main body 11 includes a base 11A and a pair of side plates 11B, 11C. The base 11A holds the plate-shaped side plates 11B, 11C so that they are arranged parallel to each other. Since the configurations of the cleaning member 53 and the biasing member 55 are the same as those in the third embodiment, the description of such configurations is omitted.

[0062] Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described. The food dough D is supplied from the hopper 8B to the stretching device 82, stretched between the pair of stretching rollers 86, and carried out by the conveying device 81 to a downstream molding device (not shown). Since the stretching roller 86 is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis, the radius from the rotation axis of the surface 86A of the stretching roller 86 in contact with the food dough D is constantly changing. The cleaning part 53B of the cleaning member 53 deforms according to the change of the surface 86A of the stretching roller 86, thereby maintaining the surface contact between the cleaning surface 53C and the surface 86A and cleaning the deposit W adhering to the surface 86A of the stretching roller 86. Further, since the cleaning member 53 is biased by the biasing member 55 toward the stretching roller 86 from its back side, it is strongly pressed against the surface 86A of the stretching roller 86, thereby cleaning the entire circumference of the surface 86A of the stretching roller 86 and efficiently cleaning the deposits.

[0063] As a modification of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, instead of the stretching roller 86, a stretching roller 96 arranged concentrically with the rotation axis and having a polygonal surface may be used. Even in this case, the cleaning portion 53B of the cleaning member 53 deforms according to the variation of the surface 96A of the stretching roller 96, thereby maintaining surface contact between the cleaning surface 53C and the surface 96A and cleaning the deposit W adhering to the surface 96A of the stretching roller 96. In addition to this, even if the stretching roller is an elliptical roller, a roller having undulations on its surface, etc., by appropriately selecting the material of the cleaning member, it is possible to maintain surface contact between the cleaning surface and the surface of the stretching roller and clean the deposit on the surface of the stretching roller.

[0064] Although the molding apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention has been schematically described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible according to the description in the claims, and it goes without saying that such modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the circumferential orbit of the stretching roller is an oval orbit or a circular orbit has been shown, but the circumferential orbit of the stretching roller may be, for example, a triangular or elliptical circumferential orbit. Even in this case, it is possible for the cleaning member to make surface contact along the surface of the stretching roller and clean the surface of the stretching roller.

[0066] Further, as a modification of the cleaning apparatus according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a configuration may be adopted in which both end portions 53A of the cleaning member 53 are detachably fixed to the cleaning apparatus main body 11. With such a configuration, it is possible to clean the deposit on the surface 26A of the stretching roller 26 regardless of the circumferential (moving) direction and / or the rotational (rotating) direction of the stretching roller 26.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0067] 1, 3, 5, 7: Cleaning apparatus 2, 4, 6, 8: Fabric stretching apparatus 11: Cleaning apparatus main body 13, 53: Cleaning member 13A, 53A: End portion 13B, 53B: Cleaning portion 13C, 53C: Cleaning surface 15, 55: Biasing member 17, 37, 57: Extension roller rotating device 26, 66, 86, 96: Extension roller 26A, 66A, 86A, 96A: Surface D: Food dough

Claims

1. A cleaning device for cleaning the surface of an extending roller of a fabric extending device, comprising: a cleaning device body attached to the fabric extending device; and a sheet-shaped cleaning member attached to the cleaning device body, wherein the cleaning member includes an end portion and a cleaning portion having a cleaning surface, and one end or both ends of the cleaning member are fixed to the cleaning device body, the cleaning portion hangs down, and the cleaning surface of the cleaning portion is configured to bend and deform to conform to the surface of the extending roller of the fabric extending device when in surface contact with the surface of the extending roller.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member for biasing the cleaning member from the opposite side of the cleaning surface to press the cleaning surface against the surface of the extending roller.

3. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is detachably fixed to the cleaning device body.

4. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning surface has an uneven shape.

5. A fabric extending device to which the cleaning device according to claim 1 is attached, wherein the extending roller of the fabric extending device is configured to orbit a circumferential orbit or reciprocate along a predetermined orbit, and the cleaning surface is in surface contact with the surface of the extending roller in a cleaning area that is part of the circumferential orbit or the predetermined orbit.

6. The fabric extending device according to claim 5, further comprising an extending roller rotating device for rotating the extending roller in the cleaning area.

7. A fabric extending device to which the cleaning device according to claim 1 is attached, wherein the extending roller of the fabric extending device is an eccentric roller or a polygonal roller.

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