Meat cutting device

Abstract

To provide a versatile and user-friendly meat cutting device which can uniformize thickness of a group of cut meat pieces sliced from a lump of raw meat having an unstable shape, as well as, which can adjust the weight of the group.SOLUTION: A meat cutting device 1 comprises: an input section 7 for inputting scheduled cutting information; a weight measuring section 3; a meat-lump-contour measuring section 6; a cutting unit 2; and meat-lump conveying belts 20 and 30. The meat cutting device further comprises feeding amount determining means 4 configured to: calculate cutting thickness for cutting a cut meat for a predetermined purpose, on the basis of meat-lump-contour information and meat-lump-layer weight information measured by the meat-lump-contour measuring section 6 comprising upper and lower sensors 6a and 6b; and determining a feeding amount of the meat-lump conveying belts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a meat cutting device that accurately detects a meat block to be cut and cuts the cut meat for a predetermined purpose, and further relates to an invention of a meat cutting device that can cut different meat blocks such as loin and pork chops simultaneously and can be loaded on a tray with a uniform thickness.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in the meat cutting process, there has been a demand for a cutting device that can accurately cut meat blocks, cut a plurality of meat blocks simultaneously, and can cut continuously in order to improve the working power.

[0003] Conventionally, there has been a cutting device that detects a meat block with a sensor and cuts it as described in Patent Document 1. However, this detection is performed within an illumination frame, and the exact measurement of the outer shape of the meat block is not necessarily made. In addition, it is not possible to cut continuously.

[0004] On the other hand, there is also a prior art as described in Patent Document 2, in which there are two transfer troughs. However, this is for cutting diced meat and is divided into two parts with a partition from one conveyor belt, and does not convey two types of meat blocks separately and independently and cut them with one cutting blade.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0007] The meat serving apparatus of the present invention is a food cutting apparatus that can transport meat blocks independently on multiple parallel meat block conveying belts and cut multiple meat blocks with a single cutting unit, The system includes a meat block shape measuring unit that measures the external shape information of the meat block being conveyed by the meat block conveying belt, and a feed amount determining means that determines the feed amount of the meat block conveying belt based on the total weight information of the meat block and the meat block shape information detected by the meat block shape measuring unit, The meat block shape measuring unit comprises a first measuring unit located above the meat block conveying belt and a second measuring unit located below the meat block conveying belt that measures through the belt opening. The second measuring unit, which is the meat block shape measuring unit, measures through a belt opening that opens across multiple parallel meat block conveying belts, The feed amount determination means determines the feed amount equal to the cutting thickness of one meat block conveying belt and the feed amount equal to the cutting thickness of the other meat block conveying belt. , the amount of meat fed by the conveying belt after cutting. This method is characterized by determining each of these factors individually.

[0009] Furthermore, in a food cutting device in which two meat block conveying belts, consisting of a first meat block conveying belt and a second meat block conveying belt, run parallel to each other and cut two meat blocks with a single cutting unit, it is preferable that a motor is arranged on one side opposite to the conveying direction of the two meat block conveying belts, and the other side opposite to the first side is left open so that the meat block conveying belt can be removed.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the two meat block conveying belts have two rollers arranged in series, consisting of a first roller that enables the conveying of the first meat block conveying belt and a second roller that enables the conveying of the second meat block conveying belt, and that two motors, consisting of a first motor and a second motor, connected to the two rollers, are arranged on one side in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the two meat block conveying belts, and that the conveying belt has a first rotational force transmission means for transmitting rotational force from the first motor to the first roller of the first meat block conveying belt and a second rotational force transmission means for transmitting rotational force from the second motor to the second roller of the second meat block conveying belt.

[0011] Furthermore, a meat cutting device that equalizes the thickness of the cut meat cut from a meat block for each group and adjusts the total weight of the group preferably has an input unit for inputting the planned cutting thickness and the planned weight of the cut group, and a feed amount determination means that calculates the length of each pre-cut group based on the weight per unit volume using meat block shape information and total meat block weight information measured by a meat block shape measuring unit, and determines the feed amount of the meat block conveying belt for each pre-cut group length equalized to the uniform cutting thickness.

[0012] Furthermore, the input unit preferably includes tray length information in the planned cutting information, and further has a cut meat conveying belt that conveys the cut meat cut by the cutting unit. In addition to determining the feed amount of the meat block conveying belt, it is preferable to have a feed amount determination means that determines the feed amount of the cut meat conveying belt so that the stacking length of a group of cut meat is within the tray length information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The invention described in claim 1 allows for the precise measurement of the shape of a meat block by the first and second measuring units positioned above and below each other, thereby obtaining accurate information about the meat block's external shape. This information about the meat block's external shape allows for the calculation of the weight per unit volume from the total weight of the meat block, enabling the determination of a predetermined cutting width or the calculation of the cutting weight for a group of pieces, thus enabling so-called quantitative cutting or pack cutting (tray cutting).

[0014] Furthermore, by transporting multiple meat blocks independently on multiple separate meat block conveying belts, measuring the shape of the meat block at the same position along the conveying direction through a single belt opening, and cutting it with a single cutting unit, a large quantity of cut meat can be continuously measured and cut to a predetermined weight. and transport This makes it possible to do so. In this case as well, by passing the meat through one belt opening at one measuring unit, accurate information on the outer shape of the meat mass is obtained, making it possible to cut a large quantity of meat continuously using multiple belts under predetermined desired cutting conditions.

[0015] Claim 2 The invention described above allows the belt to be removed in a direction perpendicular to the belt's conveying direction when cleaning or performing maintenance, thereby saving space.

[0016] Claim 3 With the invention described above, when multiple belts run parallel, if motors are located on at least both sides, belts must be removed in the conveying direction for belt cleaning and maintenance, which negates space-saving and significantly reduces usability. By adopting the configuration described in this claim, it is possible to provide a meat cutting device that can continuously cut a large amount of meat under predetermined desired cutting conditions using multiple belts, while also saving space.

[0017] Claim 4 The invention described above makes it possible not only to cut meat by volume, but also to pack a group of cut meat into individual packages. Furthermore, it makes it possible to make the thickness of the cut meat in each package uniform, resulting in meat of the same thickness in each package and providing a package of cut meat that looks and feels natural.

[0018] Claim 5 The invention described above allows the feed amount of the cut meat conveying belt to be determined according to the tray length to form a scale-like arrangement, and the cut group of meat can be placed directly into the tray and packaged, thereby significantly improving work efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is an overall perspective view of a meat cutting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view of a meat cutting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing only the part where the meat mass shape measurement unit is located between the first belt and the second belt. [Figure 3] This is a partially enlarged front view showing the periphery of the opening part in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] This is a partially enlarged perspective view near FIG. 3 showing the rotational force transmission means according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state where a part is cut away. [Figure 5] This is a cutting flow diagram involving determination of the feed amount for performing pack cutting of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] An example of the implementation of the present invention will be described along with the drawings. In this description, the upstream side (the front left side in FIG. 1) and the downstream side (the rear right side in FIG. 1) of the conveyor belt will be used for the description. Also, the cut meat refers to the sliced meat pieces for consumption, the meat mass refers to the rod-shaped meat mass (raw log) before cutting, and a group refers to the state of aggregation of one or more cut meats for putting into individual trays.

[0021] The meat cutting device 1 of the present invention includes a cutting unit 2, and two meat mass conveyor belts 20 and 30 for conveying the meat mass toward the cutting unit 2 are arranged in parallel left and right in the conveying direction (the direction of the arrow line X) and run side by side. Among the two meat mass conveyor belts, the one on the side of the conveyor motor box 5 is the first meat mass conveyor belt 20, and the one on the other side, which is not on the side of the conveyor motor box 5, is the second meat mass conveyor belt 30. In this embodiment, two meat mass conveyor belts are running side by side, but three or more meat mass conveyor belts may be running side by side, or a partition plate may be provided between the plurality of meat mass conveyor belts. <​​Furthermore, cut meat conveying belts 40 and 50, which share the same conveying direction as the meat block conveying belts 20 and 30, are positioned behind the cutting unit 2. The cut meat conveying belts 40 and 50 are belts that convey the cut meat cut by the cutting unit. Note that the conveying direction of the cut meat conveying belts 40 and 50 may differ from that of the meat block conveying belts 20 and 30.

[0023] On one side of the meat block conveying belts 20 and 30 shown in Figure 1, perpendicular to the conveying direction X (longitudinal direction), the weight measuring unit 3, the feed amount determination means 4, and the downstream conveying motor box 5 are arranged sequentially from upstream to downstream. The feed amount determination means 4 also houses the first and second motors. On the other hand, the other side of the second meat block conveying belt 30 (the side different from the first meat block conveying belt 20) is open, as these devices are not arranged there. This open design allows the meat block conveying belts 20 and 30 to be removed towards the open side, enabling space-saving cleaning and maintenance.

[0024] The two meat conveying belts 20 and 30 consist of three belts arranged in series from upstream to downstream: upstream belts 21 and 31, midstream belts 22 and 32, and downstream belts 23 and 33. The upstream belts 21 and 31 are driven by a first motor in the feed amount determination means 4, the midstream belts 22 and 32 are driven by a second motor in the feed amount determination means 4, and the downstream belts 23 and 33 are driven by a third motor in the conveying motor box 5, which transmits rotational force to perform the conveying operation. A gap of 30 to 40 millimeters exists between the upstream and midstream belts, and this gap becomes the belt opening section 25, which is the detection position by the downward sensor described later.

[0025] The two upstream belts 21, 31, the midstream belts 22, 32, and the downstream belts 23, 33 have the same length, the same position of their upstream and downstream ends in the conveying direction, and the same direction and angle of inclination, so that belts of the same form run parallel to each other. Therefore, the belt openings 25 of the first meat block conveying belt 20 and the second meat block conveying belt 30 open across multiple parallel meat block conveying belts, and are formed as a single opening where the respective openings are located in parallel at a common position in the conveying direction. It is preferable to provide guide walls on both sides of the downstream belts 23, 33 to guide them from impacts during cutting by the cutting unit 2, but these are omitted in Figure 1 for explanatory purposes.

[0026] The meat block shape measuring unit 6 includes a first measuring unit 6a that extends from the feed amount determination means 4 located on one side, above both of the two meat block conveying belts 20 and 30, and a second measuring unit 6b located below the meat block conveying belts 20 and 30 (specifically described later). In addition, an input unit 7 for inputting predetermined planned cutting information is located on the front right side of the first measuring unit 6a in the drawing.

[0027] The cutting unit 2 is located above the meat block conveying belts 20 and 30 and the cut meat conveying belts 40 and 50. It is a sloping, thin, cylindrical case and contains one or two rotating circular blades. These blades rotate on their own axis while revolving around the meat to perform the cutting. The part that extends upstream from the cutting unit 2 is the upper pressing unit 10, which has an upper pressing belt that holds the meat block from above during cutting. The conveying motors for the cut meat conveying belts 40 and 50 are located on one side (the far side) of the belt, similar to the conveying motor 5, with the other side being open.

[0028] The weight measuring unit 3 is a platform-shaped member located on one side of the meat block conveying belts 20 and 30, on the upstream side. When a user places a meat block on the weight measuring unit 3, the total weight of the entire meat block is measured and displayed on the display unit 3a, and the total weight information of the meat block is sent to the feed amount determination means 4. In this embodiment, by providing the weight measuring unit 3 in the cutting device 1 of this embodiment, there is no need to re-enter information measured by another measuring instrument, thereby improving work efficiency. However, it is also possible to measure the weight with a separate measuring means and input the total weight information of the meat block.

[0029] The feed rate determination means 4 is a control mechanism that determines the feed rate so that the first meat block conveying belt 20 and the second meat block conveying belt 30 can be conveyed separately and independently. It is possible to convey the first meat block conveying belt 20 and the second meat block conveying belt 30 simultaneously by the same feed rate, or to convey them separately and independently by setting a difference in the feed rates between the first meat block conveying belt 20 and the second meat block conveying belt 30.

[0030] Furthermore, the feed amount determination means 4 can also determine the feed amount so that the upstream belts 21, 31, the midstream belts 22, 32, and the downstream belts 23, 33 are transported separately and independently. Specifically, the upstream belts 21, 31 and the midstream belts 22, 32 are operated simultaneously for measurement by the meat block shape measuring unit 6, while the downstream belts 23, 33 transport only the amount corresponding to the specific cutting thickness to be cut by the cutting unit 2.

[0031] Furthermore, the feed amount determination means 4 can also determine the feed amount of the cut meat conveyor belt after cutting. This makes it possible to stack and arrange the cut meat portions at predetermined intervals, improving work efficiency when placing them in trays or packs.

[0032] The specific form of the meat block shape measuring unit 6 will now be described. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 in addition to Figure 1, the meat cutting device 1 of this embodiment uses laser sensors as a pair of upper and lower first and second measuring units 6a and 6b, but image measuring means using a camera function or other measuring instruments may also be used. In this embodiment, the outer shape of the meat block can be accurately measured by the reflection of the laser to obtain meat block shape information, and the feeding amount can be accurately determined. Hereinafter, the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit will be explicitly referred to as sensors.

[0033] As described above, the meat block shape measuring unit 6 includes a first sensor 6a positioned to extend above both of the two meat block conveying belts 20 and 30 from the feed amount determining means 4 located on one side, and a second sensor 6b positioned below the meat block conveying belts 20 and 30. The first sensor 6a, positioned above, is positioned slightly upstream of the opening 25 between the upstream belts 21 and 31 and the midstream belts 22 and 32 in a side view as shown in Figure 2. It measures the shape of the meat block from above by irradiating it with a laser in a diagonal downward direction (arrow line A) in accordance with the inclination of the inclined belt sections 21a and 31a, which will be described later.

[0034] One of the lower second sensors 6b, which is part of the meat mass shape measuring unit, is positioned below the belt opening 25 and measures the shape of the meat mass from below by irradiating it with a laser from below through the belt opening 25. More specifically, the upstream belts 21 and 31 have descending belt sections 21a and 31a that descend once near the belt opening 25, and the laser is irradiated from below at an angle (arrow line B) perpendicular to the inclination direction of the descending belt in a side view.

[0035] In this way, by shifting the irradiation positions and irradiation directions of the first sensor 6a and the second sensor 6b, confusion of the laser sensor information is prevented. Furthermore, by having the descending belt sections 21a and 31a, the drip flowing out from the meat mass can be pre-flowed to improve detection accuracy. In addition, by positioning the wall members 26, 26, which have inclined surfaces that slope inward toward upward, below the belt opening section 25 and within the opening range, drip flowing out from the meat mass is prevented from flowing down to the lower second sensor 6b.

[0036] Furthermore, the midstream belts 22 and 32 are inclined downward in the direction of transport, but this inclination angle is gentler than that of the downward belt sections 21a and 31a of the upstream belts 21 and 31. This makes it easier for the meat chunks being transported on the downward belts 21a and 31a to be transported from the upstream belts to the midstream belts.

[0037] Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a conveying aid 27 to prevent the meat mass to be detected from falling or getting caught in the belt opening 25, which is preferably conveyed through the belt opening 25. In this embodiment, the conveying aid 27, which consists of a small support base, is partially arranged in the width direction of the belt. Alternatively, the conveying aid 27 may consist of auxiliary rollers instead of a support base.

[0038] Conventional systems using only top-mounted or side-mounted sensors could not detect the shape of the underside of the meat placed on the belt. However, by using the top and bottom sensors 6a and 6b in this manner, it becomes possible to accurately measure the shape of the meat block and obtain accurate information about its shape. The top and bottom sensors 6a and 6b can detect either of the parallel meat block conveying belts 20 and 30, and can even detect both simultaneously, enabling continuous cutting operations.

[0039] Next, the multiple parallel meat conveying belts 20 and 30 will be described. Multiple weight measuring units 3, feed amount determination means 4 which also have motors built in, and conveying motor boxes 5 are arranged on one side of the meat conveying belts 20 and 30. This allows the meat conveying belts 20 and 30 to be removed to the other side when cleaning or performing maintenance. While there are food cutting devices that remove the belts in the direction of conveying for cleaning, removing them to the side in the direction of conveying allows for space-saving cleaning and maintenance. In particular, in this embodiment, the two meat conveying belts 20 and 30 run in parallel, and by sequentially removing the belts to the other side which is the open side, it is possible to clean the belt on the far side (the first meat conveying belt 20) in a space-saving manner.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the box of the feed amount determination means 4 houses the first motor 11a and the second motor 11b, which rotate the rollers 13a and 13b of the upstream belts 21 and 31 to enable conveyance, and the first motor 12a and the second motor 12b, which rotate the first roller 14a and the second roller 14b of the midstream belts 22 and 32 to enable conveyance. These motors are positioned on one side of the parallel-running first meat block conveying belt 20, allowing for space-saving cleaning and maintenance by removing the belt from the other side. The motors and rotational force transmission means for rotating the rollers of the downstream belts 23 and 33 are located in the motor box 5, but their configuration is the same as that of the transmission means for the upstream and midstream belts, so their explanation is omitted. Figure 4 shows the state with the upper halves of rollers 13a and 13b cut out in the drawing.

[0041] Regarding the rotational force transmission means for enabling two parallel conveyor belts 20 and 30 to be transported separately and independently, the first motor 11a, the second motor 11b, and the first roller 13a and second roller 13b of the upstream belts 21 and 31 will be explained as examples. The first roller 13a and the second roller 13b, on which the two separate and independent upstream belts 21 and 31 are placed, are connected in series (connected continuously in the longitudinal direction) in the longitudinal direction of the rollers and rotate independently, and the first roller 13a and the second roller 13b share the same axis of rotation 15. The rotating shaft 15 has a first sprocket 16a and a second sprocket 16b located on the side of the first motor 11a and the second motor 11b, arranged in series in the axial direction. These sprockets 16a and 16b are connected to the respective gear parts of the motors 11a and 11b by chains (not shown), and the rotational force of the motors 11a and 11b is transmitted to the rollers 13a and 13b, enabling the meat block conveying belts 20 and 30 to be conveyed.

[0042] First, the first sprocket 16a on the roller side (left side in the upper part of the drawing in Figure 4) is directly connected to the first roller 13a on the motor side (front side in the upper part of the drawing) by screws or the like, transmitting rotational force only to the first roller 13a and enabling the first upstream belt 21 to be transported. On the other hand, the second sprocket 16b on the motor side (right side in the upper part of the drawing) is connected to the second roller 13b on the opposite side of the motor side (back side in the drawing) via the rotating shaft 15, enabling the second upstream belt 31 to be transported. When the second sprocket 16b and the second roller 13b transmit rotational force to the second upstream belt 31, bearings 17, 17 are arranged between the first roller 13a on the motor side (front side in the upper part of the drawing) and the rotating shaft 15, so the second rotational force transmission means does not rotate the first roller 13a. Even if rotational force is transmitted using the first rotational force transmission means to rotate the first roller 13a, rotational force is not transmitted to the second roller 13b. The configuration in which the rollers 14a and 14b that transport the midstream belts 22 and 32 are connected to the rollers 14a and 14b, and the rotational force from the motors 12a and 12b is transmitted to them by the sprockets 18a and 18b, is the same as described above, so the explanation is omitted.

[0043] By adopting the above configuration, one of the multiple rotational force transmission means transmits rotational force to only one of the rollers of the multiple belts, making it possible to place the motor on one side and leave the other side of the belt in the conveying direction as an open side without any auxiliary equipment. This makes it possible to extract and remove the parallel meat block conveying belts 20 and 30 from the open side on the other side, while allowing the two parallel belts 20 and 30 to be conveyed separately and independently. Furthermore, the two independently conveyable meat block conveying belts 20 and 30 can be conveyed by determining the appropriate feed rate using the feed rate determination means 4.

[0044] The basic function of the meat cutting device 1 in this embodiment is to measure the weight of a meat block with a weight measuring unit 3, place the meat block appropriately on the upstream belts 21 and 31 of the meat block conveying belts 20 and 30 and operate the device. As the meat block is conveyed to the midstream belts 22 and 32, the shape of the meat block is measured by the meat block shape measuring unit 6. Further conveyance, the cutting unit 2 cuts the meat block into cut pieces, and the cut meat is discharged on the cut meat conveying belts 40 and 50. At this time, the weight per unit volume is calculated based on the total weight information and meat block shape information of the meat block, and the feed amount determination means 4 determines the feed amount of the downstream belts 23 and 33 to cut the desired cut pieces on individual meat block conveying belts. This makes it possible to cut the desired cut pieces, and it is also possible to convey and cut meat blocks separately on two parallel meat block conveying belts 20 and 30, providing a meat cutting device 1 with improved operational efficiency. At this time, the individual cutting thickness of the meat block is calculated for each desired weight, and the feed amount is determined from the leading edge of the meat block according to the individual cutting thickness. This is what is known as "quantitative cutting."

[0045] Next, we will explain the cutting process, also known as "pack cutting," which involves cutting each group of meat individually. Input unit 7 is a panel for inputting information necessary for placing the meat on a tray. It is used to input information such as the planned cutting weight, planned cutting thickness, planned total weight of the group, and tray length. The planned cutting thickness is the initially planned thickness for each piece of meat, and the planned total weight of the group is the initially planned total weight of the entire group of meat that will be placed in one tray. In addition, the user may be prompted to input the planned number of cuts and other cutting conditions.

[0046] "Pack cutting" is a process that equalizes the cutting thickness and adjusts the weight of a group of packs. The control and determination of the feed amount determination means 4 in this case, and the determination flow, will be explained based on the flowchart in Figure 5.

[0047] First, the user inputs the planned cutting thickness, planned total weight of the group, and tray length into the input unit 7 (input step). The meat block is placed on the weight measuring unit 3, and the weight of the meat block is measured (weight measurement step). At this time, the weight measuring unit 3 sends the measured weight data to the quantity determination means 4.

[0048] The meat blocks are placed on the upstream belts 21 and 31 of the meat block conveying belts 20 and 30 and conveyed, and the shape of the meat blocks is measured by the upper and lower meat block shape measuring units 6 before they reach the midstream belts 22 and 32 (meat block shape measurement step). At this time, the outer shape of the meat block is measured and the shape data is sent to the quantity determination means 4.

[0049] The feed amount determination means 4 calculates the weight per unit volume of the meat block from the weight data and shape data. Then, based on this, it individually calculates the required length of the meat block (a group before cutting) for each planned total weight of the input information (calculation step).

[0050] Furthermore, the feed amount determination means 4 determines the number of cuts according to the planned cutting thickness and planned number of cuts from the input information, calculates a uniform thickness by calculating the number of cuts for the group before cutting calculated in the previous calculation step, and determines the feed amount that results in a uniform thickness (feed amount determination step).

[0051] The actual transported meat chunks are conveyed by the third belts 23 and 33 according to the feed rate determined in the feed rate determination step, and then cut by the cutting unit 2 (cutting step).

[0052] When the tray length is input to the input unit 7, the feed amount determination means 4 adjusts the transport time of the cut meat transport belts 40 and 50 so that a group of cut meat is stacked in a scale-like arrangement along the input tray length (cut meat transport step). In other words, depending on the tray length, if there is a lot of cut meat, the overlapping portion is increased, and if there is a little cut meat, the overlapping portion is reduced. In practice, the individual lengths and number of cut pieces of cut meat from the shape data are calculated, and the feed amount of the cut meat transport belts 40 and 50 is determined so that the meat is partially stacked and arranged in a scale-like arrangement along the tray length.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when different meat blocks are conveyed to two parallel meat block conveying belts 20 and 30, cut, and then arranged on a single tray as groups of two types of cut meat according to a predetermined weight, the planned cutting thickness for each meat block is input in the input step, and the total weight of the entire group and the tray length are also input. Then, in the weight measurement step and shape measurement step, the weight and shape of each meat block are measured. In the calculation step, the specific gravity of each meat block is calculated, and the total cutting length for each meat block is calculated to arrive at the total weight of the group. Then, in the feed amount determination step, the uniform thickness is calculated and the feed amount is determined, and the cutting is performed in the cutting step. If the tray length is also input, the feed amount of the cut meat conveying belt is determined so that the group corresponds to the tray length.

[0054] The accurate measurement by the meat block shape measuring unit 6 of this embodiment allows the feed amount determination means 4 to perform so-called quantitative cutting, where the weight of each cut piece of meat is equal, and so-called pack cutting, where the weight of a group of cut meat in each tray is adjusted to a predetermined weight, and the cutting thickness of a group of cut meat in each tray is made uniform. In the case of pack cutting, the meat can be arranged in a meat sales tray with varying thicknesses from tray to tray, which does not cause any discomfort to the end consumer.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by measuring the shape of two parallel meat block conveying belts 20 and 30 through a common belt opening 25 by a pair of upper and lower meat block shape measuring units 6, and cutting with a single cutting unit 2, the operating speed can be greatly improved, and the meat blocks sent out by the two belts can be cut into fixed quantities, cut into packs, or a group of cut meat, some fixed-quantity cut and some pack-cut, can be placed in a single pack or tray. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 1...Meat cutting device, 2...Cutting unit, 3...Weight measuring unit, 4...Feed amount determination means, 5...Motor box, 6...Meat block shape measuring unit, 6a...First sensor, 6b...Second sensor, 7...Input unit, 11a...First motor, 11b...Second motor, 12a...First motor, 12b...Second motor, 13a...First roller, 13b...Second roller, 14a...First roller, 14b...Second roller, 15...Rotating shaft (rotational force transmission means), 16a...First sprocket (rotational force transmission means), 16b...Second sprocket (rotation 17...Bearing, 18a...First sprocket (rotational force transmission means), 18b...Second sprocket (rotational force transmission means), 20...First meat block conveying belt, 21...Upstream belt, 21a...Downward belt section, 22...Midstream belt, 23...Downstream belt, 25...Belt opening section, 26...Wall member, 27...Conveying aid, 30...Second meat block conveying belt, 31...Upstream belt, 31a...Downward belt section, 32...Midstream belt, 33...Downstream belt, 40...Cut meat conveying belt, 50...Cut meat conveying belt, X...Conveying direction.

Claims

1. A food cutting device that allows meat blocks to be transported independently by multiple parallel meat block conveying belts, and cuts multiple meat blocks with a single cutting unit, The system includes a meat block shape measuring unit that measures the external shape information of the meat block being conveyed by the meat block conveying belt, and a feed amount determining means that determines the feed amount of the meat block conveying belt based on the total weight information of the meat block and the meat block shape information detected by the meat block shape measuring unit, The meat block shape measuring unit comprises a first measuring unit located above the meat block conveying belt and a second measuring unit located below the meat block conveying belt that measures through the belt opening. The second measuring unit, which is the meat block shape measuring unit, measures through a belt opening that opens across multiple parallel meat block conveying belts, A meat cutting apparatus characterized in that the feed rate determination means individually determines the feed rate for the cutting thickness of one meat block conveying belt, the feed rate for the cutting thickness of another meat block conveying belt, and the feed rate of the cut meat conveying belt after cutting.

2. A food cutting device in which two meat block conveying belts, consisting of a first meat block conveying belt and a second meat block conveying belt, run parallel to each other and cut two meat blocks with a single cutting unit, The meat cutting device according to claim 1, characterized in that a motor is arranged on one side opposite to the conveying direction of the two meat conveying belts, and the other side opposite to the one side is an open side so that the meat conveying belt can be removed.

3. The two meat conveying belts consist of two rollers arranged in series: a first roller that enables the conveying of the first meat conveying belt and a second roller that enables the conveying of the second meat conveying belt. Two motors, a first motor and a second motor, connected to the two rollers, are arranged on one side in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the two meat block conveying belts. The meat cutting apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a first rotational force transmission means for transmitting rotational force from the first motor to the first roller of the first meat conveying belt; and a second rotational force transmission means for transmitting rotational force from the second motor to the second roller of the second meat conveying belt.

4. A meat cutting device that equalizes the thickness of cut meat from a block of meat in groups and adjusts the total weight of the group, An input unit for inputting the planned cutting thickness and the planned weight of the cutting group, A meat cutting apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that it has a feed amount determination means that calculates the length of each pre-cut group based on the weight per unit volume using meat block shape information and total meat block weight information measured by a meat block shape measuring unit, and determines the feed amount of the meat block conveying belt for a uniform cutting thickness obtained by making the thickness uniform for each pre-cut group length.

5. The input unit includes tray length information in the planned cutting information, and further has a cut meat conveying belt that transports the cut meat cut by the cutting unit. The meat cutting apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, in addition to determining the feed amount of the meat block conveying belt, it has a feed amount determination means that determines the feed amount of the cut meat conveying belt so that the stacking length of a group of cut meats is within the tray length information.

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