Food cutting device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a food cutting device that is easy to wash and clean. [Solution] This food cutting device 1 comprises: a main body 10; a food placement table 30 on which food is placed; a drive mechanism which moves the food placement table and is provided to the main body; cutting blades 42 which cut the food into round slices; a discharge part 12 which discharges the cut food; a front cover 21 connected to the main body; and a safety cover 22 which is rotatably connected to the front cover and opens / closes the discharge part, wherein the drive mechanism includes a drive part 63, a placement table connection part 62 which raises the food placement table in conjunction with driving of the drive part, and a first cam B which rotates in conjunction with the driving of the drive part, the first cam has, on one end thereof, a cover support part B3 supporting a lower part of the safety cover, the cover support part is lowered in conjunction with rotation of the first cam, and the safety cover rotates relative to the front cover in conjunction with the lowering of the cover support part.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a food cutting device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, sushi rolls, which are sold at supermarkets, convenience stores, conveyor belt sushi restaurants, etc., are formed into a rod shape and cut into slices of a predetermined width.

[0003] Previously, for example, a cutting device for sushi rolls and the like has been disclosed, which has a front cover fixed in front of the cutting blade and an upper cover arranged at the upper outlet for the cut product, which opens and closes in synchronization with the up and down movement of the receiving table on which the cut product is placed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] The food cutting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has an openable safety cover attached to the top opening through which the cut sushi rolls are ejected. A front cover is also fixed to the front of the device. The safety cover and front cover cannot be removed for cleaning, making the device unsanitary. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-103283 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to provide a food cutting device that is easy to wash and clean. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The food cutting device of the present invention comprises a main body, a food placing table on which food is placed, a drive mechanism arranged on the main body and moves the food placing table, a cutting blade that is fixed within the path of the food as it is moved together with the food placing table by the drive mechanism and thereby cuts the food into slices, a discharge section that discharges the cut food, a front cover connected to the main body, and a safety cover that is rotatably connected to the front cover and opens and closes the discharge section, the drive mechanism comprises a drive section, a table connecting section that is connected to the food placing table and raises the food placing table as the drive section is driven, and a first cam that rotates as the drive section is driven, the first cam having a cover support section at one end that supports the lower part of the safety cover, the cover support section descending as the first cam rotates, and the safety cover rotates relative to the front cover as the cover support section descends. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention provides a food cutting device that is easy to wash and clean. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a food cutting device according to the present invention, showing a food tray positioned below the food cutting device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the food cutting device, showing the food tray moved to the top of the food cutting device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the food cutting device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic partial perspective view of the food cutting device as seen from the bottom side. [Figure 5] (a) is an oblique view of the cutter unit provided in the food cutting device, (b) is an oblique view of the cutter unit from another angle, and (c) is an enlarged partial oblique view showing the cutter unit and the food placing table in an assembled state. [Figure 6]1A is a plan view of the cutter unit, (b) a right side view, (c) a front view, (d) a left side view, (e) a bottom view, and (f) a rear view. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the food cutting device, showing part of the internal structure with the side panels omitted. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the food cutting device, showing part of the internal structure with the side panels omitted. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the food cutting device, showing the safety cover in a closed state. [Figure 10] 10 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the food cutting device, showing the state in which the cover support portion of cam B moves away from the safety cover and the protrusion of cam B abuts against the safety cover. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the food cutting device, showing the safety cover in an open state. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the cutter unit and the food platform. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing yet another embodiment of the cutter unit and the food platform. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a food cutting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the width direction of the food cutting device 1 will be referred to as the x-direction, the depth direction as the y-direction, and the vertical direction as the z-direction. The +z direction will also be referred to as the upper side, and the -z direction as the lower side.

[0011] ●Outline of food cutting equipment As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in food cutting device 1, opening 11 at the bottom of the front is the supply section for the product to be cut (hereinafter simply referred to as "food"), and the upper end is the food discharge section 12. The front of food cutting device 1, excluding the supply section and discharge section 12, is covered by cover 20. Cover 20 has front cover 21 and an openable safety cover 22 connected to the upper end of front cover 21. Both left and right sides of food cutting device 1 are covered by side covers 23.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, before the food cutting device 1 starts operating, a food platform 30 is placed in the opening 11. Food, such as a cylindrical nori roll made of sushi rice wrapped in nori seaweed, is placed horizontally on this food platform 30. When a start switch 24 is pressed, the food platform 30 moves toward the top of the device by a drive mechanism, which will be described in detail later. In this embodiment, a pair of start switches 24 are provided on the left and right front sides of the food cutting device 1. When the pair of start switches 24 are pressed simultaneously, the food platform 30 begins to rise.

[0013] As food placing table 30 moves, food is cut into slices by cutting blade 42 (see FIG. 3) fixed within the path of movement of food placing table 30, and the slices are discharged into discharge section 12. As shown in FIG. 2, safety cover 22 opens as food placing table 30 rises, exposing food placing table 30 and the cut food to discharge section 12. Safety cover 22 also closes as food placing table 30 moves downward toward opening 11.

[0014] ●Exploded perspective view of food cutting device As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the food cutting device 1 has a main body 10, a food placing table 30, a cutter unit 40, and a cover 20. The main body 10 is a member that forms the framework of the food cutting device 1. The main body 10 has a base 13, a pair of left and right side panels 14, a back panel 15, and a tray 16.

[0015] As shown in Figure 4, the base 13 is a plate that forms the bottom surface of the main body 10 and supports the side plates 14. The pair of left and right side plates 14 are joined parallel to each other at both left and right ends of the base 13 and stand upright in a substantially vertical direction. A rod-shaped member 17 is disposed between the pair of side plates 14 across the width of the opening 11. Both ends of the rod-shaped member 17 are connected to the inner surfaces of the pair of side plates 14, respectively, on the lower front side.

[0016] Back plate 15 connects the lower ends of each side plate 14 slightly forward, and extends to the bottom surface of food cutting device 1. As shown in Figure 4, back plate 15 has a protrusion 15a at its lower end that extends toward the front of food cutting device 1.

[0017] Tray 16 is a plate-like member that forms the bottom surface of opening 11. Tray 16 is supported by protrusion 15a and rod-like member 17. Tray 16 can be removed and washed. This configuration allows opening 11 to be kept hygienic.

[0018] In the main body 10 of this embodiment, the inside surfaces of the side panels 14 and back panel 15 are exposed when the cover 20, food placement table 30, and cutter unit 40 are removed. The drive mechanism is housed inside the side cover 23 on the outside surfaces of the side panels 14. Therefore, the main body 10 is easy to clean, such as by wiping it down.

[0019] The food placement table 30 is a table on which food is placed before being cut. The food placement table 30 is a roughly L-shaped member in a side view. The food before being cut is placed on the corner formed by the horizontal and vertical sides of the L-shaped portion 31. Furthermore, the upper end 31a of the L-shaped portion 31 of the food placement table 30 is folded downward. Furthermore, the lower end 31b of the L-shaped portion 31 is folded diagonally toward the +y and -z directions. A mating portion 32 is disposed on the back side of the food placement table 30, and it mates with the table support portion 51 of the main body 10. The mating portion 32 is a recess with depths in the z and -y directions. Furthermore, a groove is formed in the table support portion 51. The groove connects with the mating portion 32 and restricts movement of the food placement table 30 in the x direction. In this embodiment, two mating portions 32 are arranged side by side along the width direction (x direction). The mating portions 32 grip the table support portions 51 to fix the food placing table 30 inside the main body 10.

[0020] A plurality of slits 33 are formed in the L-shaped portion 31 of the food placing table 30. The slits 33 are arranged side by side at approximately equal intervals in the width direction of the L-shaped portion 31. The slits 33 correspond to the positions of the cutting blades 42 disposed in the cutter unit 40. That is, as the food placing table 30 rises inside the main body 10, the cutting blades 42 pass through the slits 33 and cut the food at the positions of the slits 33.

[0021] 5(a) and 6, the cutter unit 40 is a member that cuts food. The cutter unit 40 mainly includes a cutter frame 41 and a plurality of cutting blades 42.

[0022] The cutter frame 41 is a substantially rectangular frame. The cutter frame 41 holds both ends of the cutting blade 42 at the upper and lower ends, and the cutting blade 42 is stretched across the opening 41a of the cutter frame 41. The cutting blade 42 is a long, thin, flat member. The cutting portion of the cutting blade 42 is fixed facing the bottom side (+y, -z side) of the cutter frame 41. In the figure, there are seven cutting blades 42. There are seven slits 33 in the food placing table 30, the same number as the cutting blades 42. Therefore, the food is cut into eight pieces by this cutter unit 40.

[0023] The cutter frame 41 has annular grip portions 43 on the front side in the attached state. The grip portions 43 are arranged in pairs on the left and right end edges of the cutter frame 41. The grip portions 43 are gripped by an operator when attaching or detaching the cutter unit 40.

[0024] 5(a) to (c), 6(a) and (e), the lower edge of the cutter frame 41 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 44 that protrude toward the rear side when attached to the main body 10. In this embodiment, the protrusions 44 are substantially triangular, but may also be other polygonal, rectangular, or have a shape obtained by cutting a circle or ellipse in a linear manner. The plurality of protrusions 44 are provided at intervals from one another.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5(c), protrusion 44 extends into the movement path of food platform 30. Protrusion 44 is located in a position corresponding to slit 33 of food platform 30. In other words, protrusion 44 is located on an imaginary line extending in the longitudinal direction of one of the multiple cutting blades 42. As a result, protrusion 44 passes through slit 33 of food platform 30.

[0026] One of the protrusions 44 is located approximately in the widthwise center of the cutter frame 41. With this configuration, if the attachment position of the food platform 30 is misaligned in the widthwise direction of the main body 10, the protrusion 44 cannot pass through the slit 33 and will come into contact with the food platform 30 and stop. Because the protrusion 44 is located below the cutting blade 42, the food platform 30 can be stopped before the cutting blade 42 comes into contact with the food platform 30. In other words, with this configuration, damage to the cutting blade 42 due to improper attachment of the food platform 30, etc., can be prevented.

[0027] Here, using Figures 12 and 13, we will explain another embodiment of a cutter unit and food tray that can be assembled to the food cutting device 1 of the present invention. Note that the same components as those described above are assigned the same reference numerals. The cutter unit 140 in Figure 12 has five cutting blades 42. The food tray 130 in the same figure has five slits 33, the same number as the cutting blades 42. The cutter unit 240 in Figure 13 has nine cutting blades 42 and the food tray 230 has nine slits 33. Note that the shape of the cutter units 140 and 240 is the same as the cutter unit 40 shown in Figure 5, except for the number of cutting blades 42 and the position of the protrusions 44.

[0028] Cutter units 40 and food trays 30, each having the same number of slits 33 and cutting blades 42, are connected to the main body 10, so that the cutting blades 42 are inserted into the slits 33 to cut the food. The cutter unit 40 in FIG. 12 cuts the food into six pieces. The cutter unit 40 in FIG. 13 cuts the food into ten pieces. By changing the cutter units 40 and food trays 30, the food cutting device 1 can cut food into various numbers of pieces.

[0029] Cutter unit 40 has multiple protrusions 44. Cutter unit 140 has multiple protrusions 144. Cutter unit 240 has multiple protrusions 244. The multiple protrusions 44, 144, 244 are located at the same widthwise position as one of the cutting blades 42 stretched across the corresponding cutter unit 40, 140, 240. The multiple protrusions 44, 144, 244 are located at different positions relative to each cutter frame 41, 141, 241. As a result, when a food platform 30 having a different number of slits 33 than the number of cutting blades 42 is assembled to the main body 10, the protrusions 44, 144, 244 of cutter unit 40, 140, 240 will come into contact with the food platform 30. The motor driver that controls the motor that drives drive pulley 63 detects this inhibition and controls the drive to stop. This inhibition occurs because food platform 30 does not rise.

[0030] In a configuration without protrusions 44, if the cutting blade 42 and the slit 33 are misaligned, there is a risk that the cutting blade 42 will come into contact with the food platform 30 and be damaged. In contrast, in this embodiment, protrusions 44 provided below the cutting blade 42 stop the food platform 30 from moving upward before the cutting blade 42 comes into contact with the food platform 30. Therefore, this configuration makes it possible to assemble cutter units 40 and food platforms 30 with various numbers of cuts, and even if an incorrect combination is assembled, damage to the cutting blade 42 can be prevented and the platform can be stopped safely.

[0031] The cutter frame 41 has a pair of connecting portions 41b and a pair of recessed portions 41c as components for connecting to the main body 10. The pair of connecting portions 41b are convex portions that protrude in the +x direction and the -x direction from the side walls of the cutter frame 41, respectively. The connecting portions 41b are fitted into notches 54b of a locking member 54 provided on the side plate 14 of the main body 10. The recessed portions 41c are fitted into cutter upper support portions 52 that protrude from the side plate 14.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, cover 20 is a member that covers the front and top surfaces of main body 10. Cover 20 has front cover 21 and safety cover 22. Front cover 21 is connected to the front of main body 10. Safety cover 22 is a cover that opens and closes in accordance with the up and down movement of food placing table 30. Front cover 21 and safety cover 22 are connected by hinge 25. As such, cover 20 does not have an electrical drive unit. Therefore, with this configuration, cover 20 can be easily cleaned after being removed from main body 10.

[0033] 9, the cover 20 has locking member contact portions 21a that protrude toward the rear side (+y direction). The locking member contact portions 21a are elongated, flat members disposed on the left and right ends of the rear surface of the front cover 21. When the cover 20 is attached to the main body 10, the locking member contact portions 21a extend into the space to the side of the cutter unit 40. When the cover 20 is attached to the main body 10, the tip of the locking member contact portion 21a comes into contact with a locking member 54, which will be described later.

[0034] ●Connection mechanism between the main body and each component The main body 10, cover 20, food placement table 30, and cutter unit 40 are each detachably connected. The main body 10, cover 20, food placement table 30, and cutter unit 40 are each connected by fittings, so that an operator can easily attach and detach them by hand without using tools.

[0035] The main body 10 has, as components for connection with each member, a base support portion 51, a cutter upper support portion 52, a cutter lower support portion 53, a locking member 54, and a cam B. The cam B is an example of a first cam.

[0036] The platform support portion 51 is a member that supports the food placement table 30. The platform support portion 51 is a rod-shaped member. In this embodiment, the platform support portion 51 is composed of two rod-shaped members 51a and 51b that are long in the width direction and spaced apart in the height direction. Both ends of the platform support portion 51 are connected to the inner surfaces of the pair of left and right side panels 14, respectively. The platform support portion 51 engages with the engagement portion 32 of the food placement table 30 described above. A magnet 51c is also disposed approximately in the center of the rod-shaped member 51b. The magnet 51c is attracted to the back surface of the food placement table 30 by magnetic force, fixing the position of the food placement table 30.

[0037] The cutter upper support portion 52 and the cutter lower support portion 53 are members that support the cutter unit 40. The pair of cutter upper support portions 52 face each other and protrude from the side plate 14 toward the inside of the main body 10. The cutter upper support portions 52 are fitted into a pair of recesses 41c disposed on the upper side surfaces of the cutter unit 40, respectively.

[0038] The cutter lower support portion 53 is a rod-shaped member. Both ends of the cutter lower support portion 53 are connected to the inner surfaces of the pair of left and right side plates 14, respectively. The cutter lower support portion 53 fits into a recess 41d (see FIG. 5(a)) provided at the lower end of the cutter unit 40. The cutter lower support portion 53 also engages with a pair of first recesses 21c formed in the front cover 21 to support the cover 20. The first recesses 21c are recesses shaped to correspond to the cutter lower support portion 53. The cutter lower support portion 53 is an example of a cover holding portion.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 and 9 to 11, the locking member 54 is a member that is connected to the connecting portion 41b of the cutter unit 40. The locking member 54 is a flat plate that has a generally flat shape in a plan view. The locking member 54 has a rotating shaft 54a at its lower part. The end of the rotating shaft 54a is rotatably connected to the inner surface of the side plate 14. The rotating shaft 54a engages with a pair of second recesses 21b formed in the front cover 21 to support the cover 20. The second recesses 21b are recesses that have a shape corresponding to the rotating shaft 54a. The rotating shaft 54a is another example of a cover holding portion.

[0040] The locking member 54 has a notch 54b that fits with the connecting portion 41b of the cutter unit 40. When the notch 54b opens diagonally upward, the cutter unit 40 is in a state where it can be attached to and detached from the locking member 54, i.e., an unlocked state. When the lower end 54c of the locking member 54 rotates in the depth direction (+y direction), the locking member 54 and the cutter unit 40 are locked together.

[0041] In the unlocked state described above, the lower end 54c protrudes forward (in the -y direction). Therefore, when the front cover 21 is brought close from the front in this state, the locking member contact portion 21a of the front cover 21 comes into contact with the lower end 54c, causing the lower end 54c to rotate in the depth direction. That is, when the front cover 21 is attached to the main body 10, the locking member contact portion 21a pushes and rotates the locking member 54, reliably locking the cutter unit 40 and the locking member 54. In other words, in the food cutting device 1 according to the present invention, the front cover 21 cannot be attached if the cutter unit 40 and the locking member 54 are in an unlocked state. Therefore, with this configuration, the main body 10 can reliably hold the cutter unit 40.

[0042] Cam B is a flat plate having a substantially L-shape. Cam B is connected at its approximate center by an axis B1. This axis B1 passes through side plate 14 and is connected to axis A1 of cam A (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, at approximately the center of cam B, above the outer periphery of axis B1, a notch B2 that opens to the front side is formed. Notch B2 is formed along the rotation direction of cam B. In other words, the center line of notch B2 is shaped along an imaginary arc centered on axis B1. This notch B2 engages with hinge 25 of cover 20, particularly when safety cover 22 is in the open state.

[0043] ●Internal mechanism of food cutting device As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the internal mechanism of the food cutting device 1 mainly includes a timing belt 61, a table connector 62, multiple pulleys 63, cams A, B, and C, a motor and motor driver (not shown) that rotates the drive pulley 63, an upper sensor 64a, a lower sensor 64b (see Figure 7), and a cover sensor 64 (see Figure 8). Cam C is an example of a second cam. The timing belt 61, table connector 62, multiple pulleys 63, cams A, B, and C, and the motor constitute a drive mechanism for the food table 30. Note that the above-mentioned components, except for the upper sensor 64a, the lower sensor 64b, the cover sensor 64, the motor, and the motor driver, are provided symmetrically on each of the left and right side panels 14.

[0044] The timing belt 61 is an endless circulating belt stretched around multiple pulleys 63. The timing belt 61 is stretched approximately linearly on the side plate 14 in the +y and +z directions connecting at least the opening 11 and the discharge section 12. The multiple pulleys 63 are connected to the side plate 14. At least one of the multiple pulleys 63 is connected to a drive unit and rotated by an electric driving force. In this embodiment, the number of multiple pulleys 63 is four, but it may be three or less, or five or more. The timing belt 61 is rotated by the driving force of the pulleys 63, causing the food placing table 30 to move approximately linearly back and forth between the opening 11 and the discharge section 12.

[0045] The platform connectors 62 are flat members formed on both ends of the food platform 30. The platform connectors 62 may be integral with the food platform 30, or may be connected to separate members. The ends of the platform connectors 62 are inserted into slots 14a that penetrate the side panels 14 and are connected to the timing belt 61. The slots 14a are drilled along the timing belt 61. When the platform connectors 62 move in conjunction with the rotation of the timing belt 61, the food platform 30 moves together with the platform connectors 62. More specifically, the timing belt 61 rotates within a predetermined range, and the platform connectors 62 move up and down within the slots 14a. Upper and lower sensors 64a and 64b (see FIG. 8) detect when the platform connectors 62 reach the upper and lower parts of the slots 14a, respectively.

[0046] The cam C is a flat, narrow member that is elongated in the vertical direction. The lower end of the cam C is connected to the side plate 14 by an axis C1. The cam C is connected to the side plate 14 on the upper front side by a spring 65. The spring 65 urges the cam C backward (in the +y direction). As the cam C moves upward, it protrudes above the elongated hole 14a. As the mounting platform connecting portion 62 rises, it abuts against the cam C, causing it to rotate toward the front in the figure (in the -y direction). The shape of the contact surface of the cam C with the mounting platform connecting portion 62 affects the opening and closing speed and acceleration / deceleration of the safety cover 22. In other words, by appropriately adjusting the contact curve of the cam C with the mounting platform connecting portion 62, the safety cover 22 can be opened and closed smoothly and quietly.

[0047] A protrusion C2 that protrudes laterally in the width direction (+x direction) is provided at the rotating end of cam C that extends upward from shaft C1. Protrusion C2 is inserted into elongated hole A2 of cam A. In other words, cam A and cam C are rotatably connected.

[0048] Cam A is an oval flat plate with one end connected to cam C. The other end of cam A is provided with shaft A1, which is rotatably connected to side plate 14. Shaft A1 also penetrates the inner surface of side plate 14 and is connected coaxially with shaft B1 of cam B. In other words, the rotation of the rotating end of cam C is transmitted to cam B via cam A.

[0049] The cover sensor 64 is a component that detects when the front cover 21 has been separated from the main body 10. The cover sensor 64 is, for example, a proximity sensor that utilizes magnetism. A metal plate is provided on the front cover 21 at a portion close to the cover sensor 64. As a result, the cover sensor 64 detects a change in magnetic force caused by the separation of the metal plate. The drive mechanism stops operating when the cover sensor 64 detects that the front cover 21 has been separated. This configuration ensures safety because the drive mechanism will not operate when the cover 21 is removed.

[0050] Furthermore, when the safety cover 22 is in the closed state, the front cover 21 is only loosely engaged with and held by the cutter lower support portion 53 and the rotation shaft 54a of the locking member 54, but is not fixed in place. Therefore, the front cover 21 can easily be separated by unintended resistance, such as a force from below. For example, if an obstacle such as a human hand becomes caught between the front cover 21 and the rising food placing platform 30, the front cover 21 will separate from the main body 10 and rise upward. When the cover sensor 64 detects the front cover 21 being lifted, the drive mechanism stops. In other words, this configuration ensures safety because the drive mechanism stops when unintended resistance is generated on the front cover 21.

[0051] ●How the food cutting device works 7 to 11, the behavior of each component when the food cutting device 1 is in operation will be described. 7, table connector 62 is disposed at the bottom of food cutting device 1 together with food table 30. When timing belt 61 rotates clockwise (+y direction) in the figure by drive pulley 63, table connector 62 rises along slot 14a.

[0052] 9 shows the state in which the food platform 30 is positioned in the center of the food cutting device 1. In this state, the lower part of the safety cover 22 is supported by a cover support part B3 provided on the cam B. The cover support part B3 is, for example, a bearing.

[0053] As the timing belt 61 continues to rotate, the mounting table connecting portion 62 shown in Figure 7 rises further. As a result, cam C is pressed by the mounting table connecting portion 62 and rotates forward. As cam C rotates, cam A rotates counterclockwise (-y direction) in Figure 7. Then, cam B, which is coaxial with and interlocks with cam A, rotates counterclockwise (-y direction) together with cam A in the figure.

[0054] FIG. 10 shows the state in which the food placing table 30 has risen further and cam B has rotated a certain amount. As shown in the figure, the cover support portion B3 of cam B descends as cam B rotates. The safety cover 22, whose lower part is supported by the cover support portion B3, rotates around hinge 25 due to its own weight as cover support portion B3 descends, opening the discharge portion 12. Note that FIG. 10 shows the state in which the safety cover 22 is fixed by friction or the like and does not follow the descent of cover support portion B3. In this case, the protrusion B4 of cam B abuts against the recess 22a of the safety cover 22, and cam B opens the safety cover 22 as it rotates.

[0055] In this way, with the configuration in which cam C is disposed vertically along the movement path of food platform 30, cam C begins to rotate when food platform 30 is near the bottom end of main body 10. Therefore, safety cover 22 begins to open from that point on. In other words, with this configuration, even if the rising speed of food platform 30 is fast, safety cover 22 can be opened in accordance with the rising speed.

[0056] 10, the hinge 25 of the cover 20 is located at the opening of the notch B2 of the cam B.

[0057] Figure 11 shows that, compared to Figure 10, food platform 30 has risen to the top of its drive range and is exposed from discharge section 12. Cam B rotates in the -y direction in conjunction with the rise of food platform 30. As this rotation occurs, notch B2 guides hinge 25 to the back of notch B2. As a result, cam B and cover 20 are connected.

[0058] Convex portion B4 of cam B abuts against recess 22a of safety cover 22. As a result, cam B pushes open safety cover 22 as it rotates. Notch B2 of cam B connects with hinge 25 before convex portion B4 of cam B presses against safety cover 22 when food placing table 30 rises. This configuration prevents cover 20 from falling off main body 10 even if convex portion B4 exerts a force pushing safety cover 22 forward.

[0059] In this way, the mechanism for opening and closing the safety cover 22 is provided in the main body 10. That is, the cover 20 removed from the main body 10 does not have a drive mechanism and can therefore be easily cleaned.

[0060] When food placing table 30 descends, cam C rotates in the -y direction due to the biasing force of spring 65. Cover support portion B3 of cam B rises as cam C rotates. By configuring cam B's notch B2 to engage with hinge 25, cover 20 can be prevented from falling off main body 10 even if cover support portion B3 exerts a force pushing safety cover 22 forward.

[0061] As shown in the figure, when the safety cover 22 is in contact with the protrusion B4, a gap D is provided between the safety cover 22 and the upper end of the front cover 21. This configuration is safer than a configuration in which the protrusion B4 of the cam B pushes open the safety cover 22 and the front cover 21 without any gap between them, because fingers or the like will not get caught between the safety cover 22 and the front cover 21.

[0062] Thus, the food cutting device according to the present invention is easier to wash and clean than conventional types that have a fixed cover, while still ensuring safety. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 food cutting equipment 10 Main Unit 11 Aperture 12 Discharge section 20 Cover 21 Front cover 22 Safety Cover 30 Food Stand 40 Cutter unit 42 Cutting blade 62 Mounting table connection part A Cam B cam (first cam) B3 Cover support part C cam (second cam)

Claims

1. The main body and a food placement table on which food is placed; a drive mechanism disposed on the main body for moving the food tray; a cutting blade that is fixed within a path of movement of the food that is moved together with the food placing table by the drive mechanism, thereby cutting the food into round slices; a discharge section for discharging the cut food; a front cover connected to the main body; a safety cover rotatably connected to the front cover for opening and closing the discharge section; Equipped with The drive mechanism includes: A drive unit; a food platform connecting section connected to the food platform and configured to raise the food platform in response to the drive section; a first cam that rotates in response to the driving of the driving unit; Equipped with The first cam has a cover support portion at one end that supports a lower portion of the safety cover, the cover support portion descends as the first cam rotates, and the safety cover rotates relative to the front cover as the cover support portion descends. Food cutting equipment.

2. the main body includes a cover holding portion that engages with the front cover and the safety cover; The cover holding portion is disposed on an inner surface of the main body, The front cover and the safety cover have recesses each having a shape corresponding to the cover holding portion.

2. The food cutting device of claim 1.

3. the drive mechanism further includes a second cam connected to the main body at a lower end thereof and transmitting rotation of a rotating end portion extending upward to the first cam; the second cam is a member disposed within a movement path of the mounting table connector, and the second cam rotates when pressed by the mounting table connector as it rises.

3. The food cutting device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the first cam has a notch that engages with a rotation shaft that connects the front cover and the safety cover; The notch is formed along the rotation direction of the first cam, The rotation shaft is guided to the back of the notch as the first cam rotates.

4. The food cutting device according to claim 1.

5. the first cam has a protrusion on the other end, and the protrusion presses the end of the safety cover in a direction to open the safety cover as the first cam rotates.

5. A food cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. When the safety cover is in contact with the protrusion, a gap is provided between the safety cover and the upper end of the front cover.

6. The food cutting device of claim 5.

7. a sensor that detects that the front cover has been separated from the main body, and the drive mechanism stops in response to the detection by the sensor; 7. A food cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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