Sushi roll making equipment

Abstract

To provide a rolled sushi manufacturing device that suppresses the occurrence of molding defects by adjusting the pressing force during molding while ensuring manufacturing efficiency. [Solution] A rolled sushi making device that makes rolled sushi by forming supplied sheet-like cooked rice into a cylindrical shape, and is equipped with a forming plate (6) that can deform between a plate-like supply state in which the cooked rice is supplied, a cylindrical forming state in which the cooked rice is formed, and a pressure-increasing state in which the rice is subjected to a higher pressing force than in the forming state, a pressing unit (7) that presses and deforms the forming plate (6), an eccentric wheel unit (9) that has an edge (90) whose radius changes along the circumferential direction and a power unit (94) that rotates the edge (90) along the central axis, and a transmission unit (8) that has an input unit (86) that abuts against a part of the edge (90) and is arranged to be displaceable, and that displaces the pressing unit (7) toward the forming plate (6) depending on the radius of the edge (90) with which the input unit (86) abuts.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sushi roll manufacturing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A method using a sushi roll manufacturing machine is known as an efficient method for manufacturing sushi rolls, which are cylindrically shaped food products made by wrapping ingredients in cooked rice and a wrapping material (such as seaweed or omelet). In the sushi roll manufacturing machine, sheet-like cooked rice is supplied onto the wrapping material placed on a flat forming plate, and after the ingredients are placed on the cooked rice, the forming plate is deformed into a cylindrical shape, thereby forming the wrapping material, cooked rice, and ingredients into a cylindrical shape and manufacturing the sushi roll.

[0003] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a rolled sushi manufacturing device is known that produces square rolled sushi by bending / displacing a forming plate that is formed so as to be able to bend from a plate shape to a cylindrical shape and a displacement member that is arranged on the loading surface of the forming plate and is able to be displaced inward using a bending means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-121580 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a sushi roll manufacturing device, the size of the sushi roll changes depending on the amount (volume) of ingredients and wrapping material. On the other hand, the shape of the cylindrical forming plate remains constant regardless of the amount of ingredients or wrapping material. Therefore, conventional sushi roll manufacturing devices have the problem of insufficient pressing force for forming the sushi roll, resulting in poor forming. Furthermore, with conventional rolled sushi manufacturing equipment, when a displacement member was placed on the forming plate to increase the pressing force used to form the rolled sushi, it was necessary to select and install a displacement member that corresponded to the size of the rolled sushi each time, which posed a problem of reducing manufacturing efficiency.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a rolled sushi manufacturing device that reduces the occurrence of molding defects by adjusting the pressing force during molding while ensuring manufacturing efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides the following means. The rolled sushi manufacturing apparatus disclosed herein is a rolled sushi manufacturing apparatus that manufactures rolled sushi by shaping supplied sheet-like cooked rice into a cylindrical shape, and is equipped with: a forming plate that can deform between a plate-like supply state in which the cooked rice is supplied, a cylindrical forming state in which the cooked rice is shaped, and a pressure-increasing state in which the rice is subjected to a higher pressing force than in the forming state; a pressing section that presses and deforms the forming plate; an eccentric wheel section that has an edge section whose radius changes along the circumferential direction and a power section that rotates the edge section along a central axis; and a transmission section that has an input section that abuts against a portion of the edge section and is displaceable, and displaces the pressing section toward the forming plate depending on the radius of the edge section with which the input section abuts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present disclosure aims to provide a rolled sushi manufacturing device that reduces the occurrence of molding defects by adjusting the pressing force during molding while ensuring manufacturing efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a rolled sushi manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a rolled sushi manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 3]1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a rolled sushi manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a lower housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a forming plate and a forming mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the forming plate and the forming mechanism in a state where cooked rice is being supplied according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the forming plate and the forming mechanism in a state in which the supplied cooked rice is formed into a cylindrical shape according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the forming plate and the forming mechanism in a state in which further pressing force is applied to the formed cooked rice according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the content displayed on the screen of a touch panel of a sushi roll manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A sushi roll manufacturing apparatus M according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In the embodiments, the drawings are schematic diagrams for easily understanding the configuration, and the components and dimensional ratios may differ from the actual ones. The drawings are appropriately labeled with a Z-axis corresponding to the up-down direction Z, an X-axis corresponding to the left-right direction X, and a Y-axis corresponding to the front-rear direction Y.

[0011] The vertical direction Z is the direction in which the forming plates 6 in the supply state P1 face. In the vertical direction Z, the side where cooked rice is supplied is referred to as the upper side Z1, and the opposite side is referred to as the lower side Z2. The state viewed from the vertical direction Z is defined as a "plan view."

[0012] The left-right direction X is perpendicular to the up-down direction Z and is the extension direction of the sushi roll being formed. In the left-right direction X, the side where the eccentric wheel part 9 is located is called the left side X1, and the opposite side is called the right side X2. In addition, the state viewed from the left-right direction X is defined as a "side view."

[0013] The front-to-rear direction Y is a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction Z and the left-to-right direction X. In the front-to-rear direction Y, the side on which the molding plate 6 is arranged is referred to as the front side Y1, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear side Y2. In addition, the state viewed from the front-to-rear direction Y is defined as a "front view."

[0014] [Sushi roll manufacturing equipment] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rolled sushi making apparatus M. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the rolled sushi making apparatus M. Fig. 2 is a view in which the hopper cover M11 and front cover M21 of the rolled sushi making apparatus M of Fig. 1 are not shown. Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the rolled sushi making apparatus M.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the rolled sushi making apparatus M is a machine that shapes cooked rice (for example, cooked rice mixed with seasonings such as vinegar and sugar) into a cylindrical shape and makes rolled sushi. The rolled sushi making apparatus M includes a hopper 1 into which cooked rice is fed, a cooked rice breaker 2 that breaks up the cooked rice supplied from the hopper 1, a feed roller unit 3 that compresses the cooked rice broken up by the cooked rice breaker 2 into a sheet shape and feeds it from the upper side Z1 to the lower side Z2 using rollers 31, a dividing shutter 4 that divides the continuous sheet-like cooked rice fed by the feed roller unit 3 in the front-to-rear direction Y, a forming plate 6 attached to a plate mounting section 5 that receives the sheet-like cooked rice divided by the dividing shutter 4 and moves back and forth on a guide rail 51 extending in the front-to-rear direction Y, a forming mechanism A that deforms the forming plate 6 to form the cooked rice into a cylindrical shape, and a control unit D1 that controls the operation of each part of the rolled sushi making apparatus M.

[0016] The control unit D1 is a programmable device (computer) equipped with, for example, a processor, memory, and storage. Each function of the control unit D1 is realized by one or more processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), executing programs stored in a program memory. However, some or all of these functions may be realized by hardware (e.g., circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Furthermore, some or all of the above functions may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The storage may be realized by a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit D1 is electrically connected to each operating part of the sushi roll making apparatus M.

[0017] The main body of the sushi roll making device M is constructed by connecting a box-shaped upper housing M1 that houses the hopper 1, a box-shaped middle housing M2 that houses the cooked rice breaker 2, delivery roller unit 3, dividing shutter 4 and control unit D1, and a box-shaped lower housing M3 that supports the plate mounting unit 5, forming plate 6 and forming mechanism A. The sushi roll making device M is installed by abutting the lower side Z2 of the lower housing M3 against any installation surface (for example, a desk).

[0018] In the rolled sushi making device M, the hopper 1, cooked rice breaker 2, delivery roller unit 3, and dividing shutter 4 are arranged in this order from the upper side Z1 to the lower side Z2. Also, in the rolled sushi making device M, the plate mounting unit 5, forming plate 6, and forming mechanism A are arranged on the lower side Z2 of the dividing shutter 4.

[0019] A hopper cover M11 is provided on the upper side Z1 of the upper housing M1, and detachably closes the input opening of the hopper 1. When the input opening of the hopper 1 is open, cooked rice is input into the hopper 1 in the rolled sushi making apparatus M. When the input opening of the hopper 1 is closed, the rolled sushi making apparatus M can keep the cooked rice stored inside the hopper 1 warm and moist.

[0020] A front cover M21 that covers the feed roller unit 3 and the dividing shutter 4 is disposed on the lower side Z2 of the front side Y1 of the middle housing M2. A touch panel D2 with an operation function (operation section) and a display function (display section) is disposed on the upper side Z1 of the front cover M21 of the front side Y1 of the middle housing M2. The touch panel D2 is electrically connected to the control unit D1. The rolled sushi making apparatus M is configured so that the control unit D1 can appropriately set the thickness of the sheeted cooked rice, the length of the divided sheeted cooked rice, the pressing force of the forming plate 6, etc., via operation input by the user via the touch panel D2. The control unit D1 controls the rotation speed of the rollers 31, the dividing timing of the dividing shutter 4, the displacement amount of the forming plate 6, etc., based on the settings entered via operation input via the touch panel D2. This allows the rolled sushi making apparatus M to feed a continuous sheeted cooked rice of a thickness according to the setting from the feed roller unit 3 and divide the sheeted cooked rice with the dividing shutter 4 to a length according to the setting. Furthermore, the sushi roll making device M can form the sushi roll with a pressing force that corresponds to the settings.

[0021] A pair of guide rails 51 extending along the front-rear direction Y are disposed on the upper side Z1 of the lower housing M3 and on both ends in the left-right direction X. The pair of guide rails 51 support the ends of the plate mounting unit 5 extending in the left-right direction X. The plate mounting unit 5 is provided so that it can move along the front-rear direction Y, which is the extension direction of the guide rails 51, by the power of a traveling device (not shown) controlled by the control unit D1. An operation unit D3 electrically connected to the control unit D1 and having operation functions such as buttons is also disposed on the front side Y1 of the lower housing M3. The sushi roll making apparatus M is configured so that the thickness of the cooked rice sheet, the length of the divided cooked rice sheets, etc. can be set in the control unit D1 via the user's operation of the touch panel D2. The control unit D1 starts and stops the deformation operation of the forming plate 6 based on the user's operation of the touch panel D2 or the operation unit D3.

[0022] [Molded plate] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the lower housing M3 (with the exterior material not shown). Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the shaping plate 6 and the shaping mechanism A. Fig. 6 is a side view showing the shaping plate 6 and the shaping mechanism A in a state where cooked rice is being supplied. Fig. 7 is a side view showing the shaping plate 6 and the shaping mechanism A in a state where the supplied cooked rice is being shaped into a cylindrical shape. Fig. 8 is a side view showing the shaping plate 6 and the shaping mechanism A in a state where further pressing force is applied to the shaped cooked rice.

[0023] In this embodiment, the state in which cooked rice is supplied as shown in Figure 6 is referred to as the supply state P1, the state in which the supplied cooked rice is shaped into a cylindrical shape as shown in Figure 7 is referred to as the molding state P2, and the state in which further pressing force is applied to the shaped cooked rice as shown in Figure 8 is referred to as the pressure increasing state P3.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the forming plate 6 is formed, for example, from a metal member whose surface is coated with a fluororesin or the like. The forming plate 6 is constructed by connecting multiple rectangular forming plates arranged along the front-rear direction Y via displaceable connectors such as hinges. In the supply state P1, the forming plate 6 has a flat shape along the plane formed by the left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y. On the other hand, in the forming state P2 and the pressure-increasing state P3, the forming plate 6 has a cylindrical shape extending along the left-right direction X. In the supply state P1, the upper side Z1 of the forming plate 6 is a loading surface 6a on which sheet-like cooked rice divided by the dividing shutter 4 is loaded. In the forming state P2 and the pressure-increasing state P3, the lower side Z2 of the forming plate 6 is a back surface 6b that abuts against the pressing unit 7 of the forming mechanism A (described later) in the forming state P2 and the pressure-increasing state P3.

[0025] Some of the shaping plates 6 are detachably fixed to the plate mounting part 5. That is, the shaping plate 6 is fixed to the lower housing M3 (device main body) via the plate mounting part 5 so that it can move in the front-to-rear direction Y. Specifically, the shaping plate 6 is set to move to the lower side Z2 of the dividing shutter 4, i.e., the rear side Y2 of the guide rail 51, when cooked rice is loaded, and to the front side Y1 of the guide rail 51 when shaping the sushi roll. The shaping plate 6 is selected appropriately to correspond to the shape of the sushi roll to be made and is fixed to the plate mounting part 5. That is, by replacing the shaping plate 6, the sushi roll making apparatus M can make sushi rolls of various shapes.

[0026] In this embodiment, the forming plate 6 is composed of a forming bottom plate 64 detachably fixed to the plate mounting portion 5, a first forming plate 61 displaceably connected to the rear side (Y2) end of the forming bottom plate 64 via a first connecting member 611, a second forming plate 62 displaceably connected to the front side (Y1) end of the forming bottom plate 64 via a second connecting member 621, and a third forming plate 63 displaceably connected to the front side (Y1) end of the second forming plate 62 via a third connecting member 631. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, in the forming state P2 and the pressure-increasing state P3, the forming plate 6 forms the bottom of the sushi roll with the forming bottom plate 64, the rear side with the first forming plate 61, the front side with the second forming plate 62, and the top with the third forming plate 63 to produce the sushi roll. That is, the forming plate 6 in the forming state P2 and the pressure-increasing state P3 transitions to a cylindrical shape as the first forming plate 61, the second forming plate 62, and the third forming plate 63 are displaced so as to bend toward the upper side Z1 of the forming bottom plate 64. A small space is formed between the first forming plate 61 and the third forming plate 63 of the cylindrical forming plate 6.

[0027] A strip-shaped first contact extension piece 612 extending toward the pressing unit 7 of the forming mechanism A is formed on the back surface 6b of the first forming plate 61. Similarly, a strip-shaped third contact extension piece 632 extending toward the pressing unit 7 of the forming mechanism A is formed on the back surface 6b of the third forming plate 63. The forming plate 6 is configured to be able to transition from a plate-like form in the supply state P1 to a cylindrical form in the forming state P2 and the pressure-increasing state P3 by the first contact extension piece 612, the back surface 6b of the second forming plate 62, and the third contact extension piece 632 being pressed against the pressing unit 7.

[0028] Block-shaped stoppers 641 are placed on the loading surface 6a of the forming bottom plate 64 at positions corresponding to the left end X1 and the right end X2 of the area where sheet-like cooked rice is supplied. The stoppers 641 are provided so that they can move in the left-right direction X according to the setting of the cooked rice supply area. Since the sushi rolls are formed with both ends in the left-right direction X locked by the stoppers 641, poor forming caused by misalignment in the left-right direction X during forming is suppressed.

[0029] The plate mounting section 5 has a plurality of (two in this embodiment) protruding pieces 52 protruding toward the upper side Z1 at positions corresponding to the end of the rear side Y2 of the area where the sheet-like cooked rice is supplied. An insertion hole 613 through which the protruding pieces 52 are inserted is formed in the middle of the first forming plate 61 in the supply state P1. When placing the enveloping material on the forming plate 6 before the sheet-like cooked rice is loaded, the user of the sushi roll making apparatus M can easily align it by using the protruding pieces 52 as a guide.

[0030] [Forming mechanism] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the forming mechanism A includes a pressing unit 7 that presses and deforms the back surface 6b of the forming plate 6, a transmission unit 8 that moves the pressing unit 7 toward the forming plate 6, and an eccentric wheel unit 9 that inputs power to the transmission unit 8.

[0031] The pressing portion 7 is an arm-shaped member that presses the forming plate 6. The pressing portion 7 includes a main member 7a that is rotatably connected to the lower housing M3 via a rotation shaft 74 that extends along the left-right direction X, and an extension member 7b that is connected to the main member 7a and extends toward the front side Y1.

[0032] The main member 7a is formed in a shape that protrudes toward the first molding plate 61, and has a first abutting portion 71 that abuts against the first abutting extension piece 612 in the molding state P2 and the pressure-increased state P3. The extension member 7b is formed in a shape that protrudes toward the second molding plate 62 and the third molding plate 63, and has a second abutting portion 72 that abuts against the back surface 6b of the second molding plate 62 and a third abutting portion 73 that abuts against the third abutting extension piece 632 in the molding state P2 and the pressure-increased state P3.

[0033] The front side Y1 of the main member 7a and the rear side Y2 of the extension member 7b are connected at the lower sides Z2 of the first contact portion 71, the second contact portion 72, and the third contact portion 73. That is, the pressing portion 7 is formed in a concave shape that opens toward the forming plate 6 in a side view. The space inside the concave shape of the pressing portion 7 is an accommodation space that accommodates the cylindrical forming plate 6 in the forming state P2 and the pressure-increasing state P3.

[0034] The main material 7a has a pushed portion 75 that comes into contact with the transmission portion 8, at a position Z2 below the rotation shaft 74 and at a position Y2 behind the first contact portion 71. When the pushed portion 75 is pushed toward the forming plate 6 by the transmission portion 8, the pressing portion 7 rotates along a fourth rotation direction C4 that is a circumferential direction about the extension direction of the rotation shaft 74, and presses the forming plate 6 with the first contact portion 71, the second contact portion 72, and the third contact portion 73.

[0035] The transmission unit 8 is a member that connects the pressing unit 7 and the eccentric wheel unit 9. The transmission unit 8 includes a connecting shaft member 8a that is a rod-shaped member extending along the front-rear direction Y, an output connecting member 81 that is a connecting portion with the pressing unit 7 located on the front side Y1 of the connecting shaft member 8a, and an input connecting member 84 that is a connecting portion with the eccentric wheel unit 9 located on the rear side Y2 of the connecting shaft member 8a.

[0036] The output connecting member 81 is a block-shaped member. The output connecting member 81 includes an output rotating shaft 82 formed in an axial shape extending along the left-right direction X and rotatably connected to the lower housing M3. An end portion on the front side Y1 of the connecting shaft member 8a is connected to the outer diameter side of the output rotating shaft 82 of the output connecting member 81. The output rotating shaft 82 includes an output portion 83 that abuts against the pushed portion 75 formed in a shape that protrudes radially from the output rotating shaft 82.

[0037] The input connecting member 84 is a block-shaped member. The input connecting member 84 includes an input rotation shaft 85 formed in an axial shape extending in the left-right direction X and rotatably connected to the lower housing M3, and an input portion 86 disposed on a lower side Z2 of the input rotation shaft 85 and abutting against an edge portion 90 of an eccentric wheel portion 9 described below. An end portion of the input connecting member 84 on the rear side Y2 of the connecting shaft member 8a is connected to the lower side Z2 of the input portion 86.

[0038] When the position of the input portion 86 is displaced in accordance with the radius of the edge portion 90 of the eccentric wheel portion 9, the input connecting member 84 rotates in a second rotation direction C2, which is a circumferential direction around the extension direction of the input rotating shaft 85. At this time, the connecting shaft member 8a connected to the lower side Z2 of the input connecting member 84 moves in the front-to-rear direction Y in response to the rotation of the input connecting member 84. Similarly, the output connecting member 81 connected to the front side Y1 of the connecting shaft member 8a rotates in a third rotation direction C3, which is a circumferential direction around the extension direction of the output rotating shaft 82 in response to the movement of the connecting shaft member 8a in the front-to-rear direction Y. The output portion 83, which abuts against the pushed portion 75, pushes the pushed portion 75 in response to the rotation of the output connecting member 81. In other words, the transmission unit 8 is configured to output power input from the eccentric wheel portion 9 via the input portion 86 to the pressing unit 7 via the output portion 83.

[0039] The eccentric wheel unit 9 is a power part of the forming mechanism A and is a member having a so-called cam mechanism that converts rotational motion into displacement motion. The eccentric wheel unit 9 includes a cam 9a formed in an eccentric disk shape having an edge 90 whose radius (the distance from the rotation center H to the edge 90) changes along the circumferential direction, an operating shaft 95 that is connected to the rotation center (central axis) H of the cam 9a and extends along the left-right direction X, a power unit 94 that is a motor that rotates the operating shaft 95 in a first rotation direction (circumferential direction) C1, which is a circumferential direction around the extension direction of the operating shaft 95, and a detection sensor (not shown) that detects the amount of rotation of the operating shaft 95, i.e., the current position of the cam 9a.

[0040] The edge 90 of the cam 9a includes a first edge 91 with a first radius L1 corresponding to the supply state P1, a second edge 92 with a second radius L2 corresponding to the forming state P2, and a third edge 93 with a third radius L3 corresponding to the pressure-increasing state P3. Specifically, the first radius L1 is set to a length that satisfies the condition under which the pressing portion 7 does not contact the forming plate 6. The second radius L2 is set to a length that satisfies the condition under which the pressing portion 7 presses the flat forming plate 6 to deform it into a cylindrical shape. In the forming state P2, the third forming plate 63 that forms the top of the sushi roll is tilted downward Z2 by a second angle θ2 with respect to the horizontal plane. The third radius L3 is set to a length that satisfies the condition under which the pressure is increased so as to displace the third forming plate 63 of the cylindrical forming plate 6 of the second radius L2 further downward Z2. In the pressure-increasing state P3, the third shaping plate 63, which shapes the top of the sushi roll, is tilted downward Z2 by a third angle θ3 relative to the horizontal. Specifically, when the diameter of the sushi roll is approximately 46 mm (thick roll), the third angle θ3 is tilted downward Z2 by 4 degrees or more than the second angle θ2. In this embodiment, the edge 90 of the cam 9a is arranged in the first rotation direction C1 with a first edge 91, a second edge 92, and a third edge 93 arranged in this order.

[0041] The right side X2 of the operating shaft 95 is connected to the power unit 94, and the left side X1 is connected to the rotation center H of the cam 9a. The operating shaft 95 is rotated in a first rotation direction C1 by the power unit 94, which operates under the control of the control unit D1, so as to change the position of the edge portion 90 of the cam 9a that abuts against the input portion 86. At this time, the power unit 94 adjusts the amount of rotation as appropriate based on the current position of the cam 9a detected by the detection sensor.

[0042] The power unit 94 in the supply state P1 receives an operation command from the control unit D1 to transition to the molding state P2 (or the pressure-increasing state P3), and inputs power to the transmission unit 8 by rotating the cam 9a forward along the first rotation direction C1 so as to bring the input portion 86 into contact with the second edge portion 92 (or the third edge portion 93). Similarly, the power unit 94 in the molding state P2 (or the pressure-increasing state P3) receives an operation command from the control unit D1 to transition to the supply state P1, and rotates the cam 9a backward along the first rotation direction C1 so as to bring the input portion 86 into contact with the first edge portion 91, thereby canceling the input of power to the transmission unit 8. Note that the molding state P2 may transition to the pressure-increasing state P3, for example, when it is determined that the pressing force is insufficient during execution of the molding state P2.

[0043] [How to make sushi rolls] The sushi roll making device M having the forming plate 6 and forming mechanism A configured as described above can make sushi rolls by the following example method.

[0044] First, the operator of the sushi roll manufacturing apparatus M places the enveloping material on the loading surface 6a of the forming plate 6, and then operates the touch panel D2 or the operating unit D3 to start the execution of each operation related to the manufacturing method by the control unit D1.

[0045] The control unit D1 controls the cooked rice breaking unit 2, and feeds the cooked rice stored in the hopper 1 in a warm / moisturized state toward the delivery roller unit 3 while breaking it up by rotating a plurality of breaking blades 21 that the cooked rice breaking unit 2 has.

[0046] Next, the control unit D1 controls the feed roller unit 3, and transfers the cooked rice in a compressed sheet state from the upper side Z1 to the lower side Z2 by rotating multiple pairs of rollers 31 arranged along the feed direction of the cooked rice that the feed roller unit 3 has. At this time, the control unit D1 controls the plate mounting unit 5, and moves the plate-shaped forming plate 6 to the lower side Z2 of the dividing shutter 4, i.e., the rear side Y2 of the guide rail 51.

[0047] Next, based on the thickness and length values ​​of the sheet rice set in advance via the touch panel D2, the control unit D1 supplies a predetermined amount of sheet rice to the loading surface 6a of the plate-shaped forming plate 6 and divides it with the dividing shutter 4. At this time, the control unit D1 moves the forming plate 6 in the front-to-rear direction Y in conjunction with the feeding operation of the sheet rice by the delivery roller unit 3, thereby placing the sheet rice on the upper side Z1 of the enveloping material.

[0048] Next, the control unit D1 moves the plate-shaped forming plate 6 loaded with the sheet-shaped cooked rice to the front side Y1, transitions to the supply state P1, and waits. After placing ingredients on the upper side Z1 of the sheet-shaped cooked rice in the supply state P1, the operator operates the touch panel D2 or the operation unit D3.

[0049] Upon receiving input from the touch panel D2 or the operating unit D3, the control unit D1 rotates the power unit 94 of the eccentric wheel unit 9 in the forward direction based on the pressing force of the forming plate 6 (setting for the forming state P2 or the pressure-increasing state P3) previously set via the touch panel D2, causing the input unit 86 to abut the second edge 92 or the third edge 93. Insufficient pressing force can result in poorly formed sushi rolls, such as collapse, while excessive pressing force can result in poorly formed sushi rolls, such as cracked wrapping material. Therefore, the pressing force of the forming plate 6 is appropriately set depending on the type and amount of ingredients in the sushi roll. The forming plate 6, pressed by the pressing unit 7 displaced by the power unit 94, transforms from a plate-like shape in the supply state P1 to a cylindrical shape in the forming state P2 or the pressure-increasing state P3. As the forming plate 6 deforms, the wrapping material and sheet-like cooked rice placed on the loading surface 6a of the plate-like forming plate 6 are formed into a cylindrical shape that surrounds the ingredients. The control unit D1 continues the molding state P2 or the pressure increasing state P3 for a predetermined time or until an operation by the operator is received.

[0050] In addition, the control unit D1 may be configured to transition to the pressurization state P3 after transitioning to the molding state P2, based on additional operations by the operator who has confirmed the molding state of the sushi roll, i.e., to determine whether or not to perform pressurization depending on the molding status of the sushi roll.

[0051] Once the formation of the sushi roll is complete, the control unit D1 reverses the rotation of the power unit 94 of the eccentric wheel unit 9, bringing the input member 86 into contact with the first edge 91. The power unit 94 releases the forming plate 6 from the pressing unit 7, transforming it from its cylindrical shape in the forming state P2 or pressure-increasing state P3 to the plate shape in the supply state P1. The formed sushi roll is placed on the loading surface 6a of the released, plate-like forming plate 6. When the operator retrieves the sushi roll, the production of the sushi roll is complete.

[0052] The method for making sushi rolls is not limited to the above structure. The steps in the method for making sushi rolls may be performed in a different order, in parallel, or with additions or deletions made as needed.

[0053] As described above, the rolled sushi manufacturing apparatus M of this embodiment is an apparatus for manufacturing rolled sushi by forming supplied sheet-like cooked rice into a cylindrical shape, and is equipped with a forming plate 6 that can deform between a plate-like supply state P1 in which the cooked rice is supplied, a cylindrical formed state P2 in which the cooked rice is formed, and a pressure-increasing state P3 in which the rice is subjected to a higher pressing force than the formed state P2, a pressing unit 7 that presses and deforms the forming plate 6, an eccentric wheel unit 9 having an edge portion 90 whose radius changes along the first rotation direction C1 and a power unit 94 that rotates the edge portion 90 about the center of rotation H, and a transmission unit 8 that has an input unit 86 that abuts against a portion of the edge portion 90 and is arranged to be displaceable, and that displaces the pressing unit 7 toward the forming plate 6 depending on the radius of the edge portion 90 with which the input unit 86 abuts.

[0054] In the sushi roll manufacturing apparatus M, the forming plate 6 can adjust the pressure used to form the sushi roll according to the radius of the edge 90 of the cam 9a of the eccentric wheel 9. This allows the sushi roll manufacturing apparatus M to prevent poorly formed sushi rolls caused by insufficient or excessive pressure from the forming plate 6. Furthermore, adjusting the pressure of the forming plate 6 does not require additional work, such as replacing the forming plate 6 or arranging attachments, resulting in excellent manufacturing efficiency.

[0055] Furthermore, because the sushi roll making device M controls the pressing force by the amount of displacement of the forming plate 6, it can adjust the pressing force regardless of the type and condition (moisture content and hardness) of the ingredients placed inside the sushi roll, compared to methods that control the pressing force by referring to the load (torque or rotation speed) associated with the pressing using, for example, a torque motor, and therefore can form the sushi roll into a consistent shape. Therefore, the sushi roll making device M excels in production precision.

[0056] Furthermore, in the sushi roll making device M, the cam 9a of the eccentric wheel unit 9 is formed in the shape of an eccentric disk, with a first edge 91 corresponding to the supply state P1, a second edge 92 corresponding to the molding state P2, and a third edge 93 corresponding to the pressure-increasing state P3. As a result, the eccentric wheel unit 9 has only two states, the molding state P2 and the pressure-increasing state P3, which exert an appropriate pressing force, making it possible to adjust the pressing force while still achieving a compact cam 9a.

[0057] In addition, in the sushi roll manufacturing apparatus M, the edge 90 of the cam 9a is arranged in the following order along the first rotation direction C1: first edge 91, second edge 92, and third edge 93. In other words, the sushi roll manufacturing apparatus M can transition from the molding state P2 to the pressure-increasing state P3 in stages. This allows the sushi roll manufacturing apparatus M to transition to the pressure-increasing state P3 without passing through the supplying state P1 if the pressing force on the sushi roll is insufficient in the molding state P2, further improving manufacturing efficiency. Furthermore, because the transition from the molding state P2 to the pressure-increasing state P3 does not go through the supplying state P1, which releases the sushi roll, it is possible to prevent molding defects caused by misalignment during release.

[0058] Furthermore, in the sushi roll making apparatus M, the forming plate 6 is detachably fixed to the lower housing M3 via the plate mounting portion 5, which makes it easy to attach and detach the forming plate 6 while still allowing for adjustment of the pressing force. This further enhances the production efficiency of the sushi roll making apparatus M.

[0059] Furthermore, in the sushi roll manufacturing apparatus M, the forming plate 6 is cylindrical, and a small space is formed between the first forming plate 61 and the third forming plate 63. This allows cooked rice to escape between the first forming plate 61 and the third forming plate 63, which are the joints of the enveloping material, even when the pressing force is excessive. This prevents defective shaping due to cracks in the enveloping material. This further improves the production efficiency of the sushi roll manufacturing apparatus M.

[0060] Furthermore, in the sushi roll making apparatus M, the pressing unit 7, which abuts against and deforms the back surface 6b of the forming plate 6, has a storage space that accommodates the deformed cylindrical forming plate 6 in the forming state P2 and the pressure-increasing state P3. This allows the pressing unit 7 to be smaller in size in the vertical direction Z.

[0061] Furthermore, in the sushi roll making apparatus M, the forming plate 6 is equipped with a first contact extension 612 extending from the back surface 6b of the first forming plate 61 toward the first contact portion 71, and a third contact extension 632 extending from the back surface 6b of the third forming plate 63 toward the third contact portion 73. This reduces the amount of displacement required to apply pressure (the lengths of the second radius L2 and the third radius L3 and the amount of rotation of the pressing portion 7), thereby enabling the forming mechanism A to be more compact. Furthermore, the sushi roll making apparatus M allows for more precise adjustment of the pressing force by simply replacing the forming plate 6 with one having a first contact extension 612 and a third contact extension 632 of a different shape and length. This further enhances the production efficiency of the sushi roll making apparatus M.

[0062] Furthermore, in the sushi roll manufacturing device M, the transmission unit 8 has an input unit 86 that abuts against the edge 90 of the cam 9a, and an output unit 83 that abuts against the pushed portion 75 of the pressing unit 7. The forming mechanism A is easy to maintain because the pressing unit 7, transmission unit 8, and eccentric wheel unit 9 are all independent of each other.

[0063] Furthermore, in the sushi roll making apparatus M, the control unit D1 adjusts the position of the edge 90 of the eccentric wheel unit 9 that abuts the input unit 86 of the transmission unit 8 based on the pressure set by inputting operation via the touch panel D2 or operation unit D3. This allows the operator to adjust the pressure used to form the sushi roll by simply operating the touch panel D2 or operation unit D3. This further enhances production efficiency. Furthermore, the operator can instantly change the pressure by operating the touch panel D2 or operation unit D3 without touching the forming plate 6, improving operability and safety.

[0064] [Example] The present invention will be explained in more detail below using Figure 9, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In the examples, we will explain how an operator operates the touch panel D2 of the sushi roll making apparatus M. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the content displayed on the screen of the touch panel D2 of the sushi roll making apparatus M according to the example.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 9, the touch panel D2 displays a winding shape display B1, a discharge button B2, a winding shape button B3, a counter reset button B4, a pressure button B5, a cooked rice supply button B6, a molding button B7, and a setting button B8 in the display area.

[0066] The discharge button B2 is a button that executes the operation of discharging cooked rice stored in the hopper 1. For example, when the required amount of sushi rolls has been produced and there is unwanted cooked rice remaining inside the hopper 1, the operator taps the discharge button B2. When the control unit D1 receives an operation input from the discharge button B2, it controls the operation of the delivery roller unit 3 and discharges the cooked rice inside the hopper 1.

[0067] The roll shape button B3 is used to select the shape of the sushi roll to be produced. By tapping the roll shape button B3, the operator can select, for example, thick roll or thin roll depending on the type of forming plate 6 currently connected to the plate mounting unit 5. The control unit D1 determines the thickness and length of the sheet-like cooked rice to be supplied based on the settings made in the roll shape button B3. The shape of the sushi roll currently being produced, set using the roll shape button B3, is displayed in the roll shape display B1.

[0068] The counter reset button B4 is a button that resets the production number displayed in the center of the touch panel D2. By tapping the counter reset button B4, the operator can reset the number of sushi rolls produced that the control unit D1 has counted.

[0069] The pressure button B5 is a button for selecting the pressure of the forming plate 6. The operator can select standard mode or strong mode by tapping the pressure button B5. For example, when the pressure button B5 is set to standard mode, the control unit D1 transitions to the forming state P2 during the forming operation, and when the pressure button B5 is set to strong mode, the control unit D1 transitions to the increased pressure state P3 during the forming operation. Note that the notation on the pressure button B5 may be different as long as it can indicate the standard pressure (forming state P2) and a pressure stronger than the standard (increased pressure state P3).

[0070] The cooked rice supply button B6 is a button that executes the operation of supplying sheet-like cooked rice onto the loading surface 6a of the plate-shaped forming plate 6. The operator taps the cooked rice supply button B6 after placing the enveloping material on the loading surface 6a of the plate-shaped forming plate 6. When the control unit D1 receives an operation input from the cooked rice supply button B6, it controls the operations of the forming plate 6, the delivery roller unit 3, and the dividing shutter 4, and supplies sheet-like cooked rice onto the upper side Z1 of the enveloping material.

[0071] The forming button B7 is a button that executes the operation of forming a sushi roll. The operator taps the forming button B7 after placing ingredients on the sheet of cooked rice. When the control unit D1 receives an operation input from the forming button B7, it controls the operation of the power unit 94 and transitions the forming plate 6 from the supply state P1 to the forming state P2 or the pressure increase state P3.

[0072] The settings button B8 is used to confirm and change the settings related to each operation of the sushi roll making apparatus M. When the settings button B8 is tapped, the display area of ​​the touch panel D2 transitions to a settings change screen (not shown) that has multiple buttons for selecting settings related to each operation of the sushi roll making apparatus M.

[0073] The position and content of each button displayed on the screen of the touch panel D2 may be changed as appropriate, as long as it can control each operation of the sushi roll making device M.

[0074] The above examples have shown that the sushi roll manufacturing apparatus M according to the present invention can perform various operations, including changing the pressure, by an operator intuitively and easily tapping on the touch panel D2.

[0075] Although the embodiments and examples of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments and examples, and design modifications and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention are also included. Furthermore, the components shown in the above-described embodiments and examples can be configured by appropriately combining them.

[0076] In this embodiment, in order to achieve compactness, the eccentric wheel portion 9 is configured so that three levels of pressing force corresponding to the first edge portion 91, the second edge portion 92, and the third edge portion 93 can be set, but a different configuration may also be used. For example, the eccentric wheel portion 9 may be configured so that the edge portion 90 has four or more different radii and four or more levels of pressing force can be set.

[0077] In addition, in this embodiment, in order to achieve compactness, the eccentric wheel portion 9 has been illustrated as having a configuration in which the input portion 86 is displaced by the radius of the edge portion 90 of the cam 9a, but a different configuration may also be used. For example, the eccentric wheel portion 9 may have another configuration, such as a so-called groove cam structure, in which the input portion 86 is displaced when inserted into an eccentric annular groove formed inside the cam 9a.

[0078] In addition, in this embodiment, the power unit 94 that rotates the operating shaft 95 is illustrated as being a motor because it is easy to control, but a different configuration may also be used. For example, the power unit 94 may be another input device such as an actuator or a torque motor. Note that when a torque motor is used, in addition to a detection sensor that detects the current position of the cam 9a, a configuration may also be used in which torque management is performed to precisely control the pressing force output by the eccentric wheel unit 9.

[0079] In addition, in this embodiment, in order to achieve compactness, the forming plate 6 is configured by displaceably connecting four plate materials, namely, the forming bottom plate 64, the first forming plate 61, the second forming plate 62, and the third forming plate 63, but a different configuration is also possible. The forming plate 6 may be configured with fewer than four plate materials or four or more plate materials as long as it can be deformed into a cylindrical shape when pressed by the pressing portion 7.

[0080] In addition, in this embodiment, in order to improve maintainability, the pressing unit 7, the transmission unit 8, and the eccentric wheel unit 9 of the molding mechanism A are formed independently of one another, but they may have different configurations. For example, the pressing unit 7, the transmission unit 8, and the eccentric wheel unit 9 may be configured so that any one of them is connected to one another, or may be configured so that they are integrally formed.

[0081] In addition, in this embodiment, as an example of a suitable value for suppressing molding defects, the third molding plate 63 of the molding plate 6 in the pressurized state P3 is configured to be inclined by 4 degrees or more toward the lower side Z2 than the third molding plate 63 of the molding plate 6 in the molding state P2, but it may be less than 4 degrees. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 6 Molded Plates 6b Back 7 Pressing part 8 Transmission section 8a Connecting shaft material 9 Eccentric ring part 61 First molded plate 62 Second forming plate 63 Third molded plate 64 Molded bottom plate 71 First contact part 72 Second contact part 73 Third contact part 75 Pushed part 83 Output section 86 Input section 90 Edge 91 First edge 92 Second edge 93 Third edge 94 Power section 612 First contact extension piece 632 Third contact extension piece C1 First rotation direction (circumferential direction) D1 control section D2 Touch Panel D3 Control Panel H Rotation center (central axis) L1 first radius L2 Second radius L3 third radius M Sushi Roll Making Machine M3 lower housing (device body) P1 Supply Status P2 Molding state P3 Pressure increase state

Claims

1. A rolled sushi making device that produces rolled sushi by forming supplied sheet-like cooked rice into a cylindrical shape, a forming plate that can be deformed between a plate-like supply state in which the cooked rice is supplied, a cylindrical forming state in which the cooked rice is formed, and a pressure-increasing state in which a pressing force higher than that in the forming state is applied; a pressing portion that presses and deforms the forming plate; an eccentric wheel portion having an edge portion whose radius changes along a circumferential direction and a power portion that rotates the edge portion along a central axis; a transmission unit having an input unit that is displaceable in contact with a part of the edge portion and displaces the pressing unit toward the forming plate in accordance with the radius of the edge portion that the input unit contacts. Sushi roll making equipment.

2. The edge portion is a first edge portion displacing the pressing portion to deform the forming plate to the supply state; a second edge portion displacing the pressing portion to deform the forming plate to the formed state; and a third edge portion that displaces the pressing portion so as to deform the forming plate to the increased pressure state. The sushi roll making apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The edge portions are arranged in the circumferential direction in this order: the first edge portion, the second edge portion, and the third edge portion. The sushi roll making apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The molded plate is a forming bottom plate that is detachably fixed to the device body and forms the bottom of the sushi roll; a first forming plate displaceably connected to one end of the forming bottom plate and forming the one side of the sushi roll; a second forming plate displaceably connected to the other end of the forming bottom plate and forming the other side of the sushi roll; a third forming plate displaceably connected to the other end of the second forming plate and forming the top of the sushi roll. The sushi roll making apparatus according to claim 2.

5. The pressing portion is a first contact portion that presses the back surface of the first molding plate; A second contact portion that presses the back surface of the second molding plate; a third contact portion that presses the back surface of the third forming plate, A space capable of accommodating the forming plate in the formed state and the pressurized state is provided between the first contact portion and the second contact portion.

5. The apparatus for making sushi rolls according to claim 4.

6. A first abutment extension piece is formed on the back surface of the first molding plate, protruding toward the first abutment portion and abutting against the first abutment portion, A third abutment extension piece is formed on the back surface of the third molding plate, protruding toward the third abutment portion and abutting against the third abutment portion. The sushi roll making apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The pressing portion includes a pushed portion formed on the transmitting portion side of the pressing portion, The transmission portion has an output portion that is displaceably provided in contact with the pushed portion. The sushi roll making apparatus according to claim 2.

8. a control unit that controls the operation of the power unit; an operation unit for operating the control unit, The control unit rotates the eccentric wheel unit based on the content input from the operation unit, and sets the position of the edge unit that abuts against the input unit. The sushi roll making apparatus according to claim 2.

9. The operation unit is an operation button displayed on a touch panel. The sushi roll making apparatus according to claim 8.

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