Seaweed roasting machine
The seaweed roasting machine simplifies the structure and reduces costs by using fixedly installed rollers and a lifting device with movable rollers to adjust the clamping belt's position, enabling efficient production of flat and folded seaweed.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NISHIHATSU SANGYO
- Filing Date
- 2021-10-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing seaweed roasting machines have complex structures and high manufacturing costs due to the need for intricate mechanisms to adjust the distance between conveyors and clamping belts, which complicates the production of both flat and folded roasted seaweed.
A seaweed roasting machine with a conveyor belt and clamping belt system that uses fixedly installed rollers and a lifting device with movable rollers to adjust the distance between the belts, simplifying the structure and reducing costs while maintaining constant belt tension.
The simplified structure reduces manufacturing costs and allows for efficient production of both flat and folded roasted seaweed by adjusting the clamping belt's position without altering the belt tension.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a seaweed roasting machine that can roast dried seaweed to a state of excellent aroma, flavor, and texture while transporting it under desired conditions. [Background technology]
[0002] Dried seaweed purchased by seaweed processing companies is usually folded in groups of 10 and tied with a band. Therefore, it was common practice to use a specific machine to remove the folds and flatten the dried seaweed before transporting it to a seaweed roasting machine for roasting. On the other hand, roasted seaweed, which is made by roasting dried seaweed that still retains its creases and other folds, sometimes has value as a product. Therefore, processors own both seaweed roasting machines (flattening machines) that can roast dried seaweed flat, and seaweed roasting machines (non-pressing machines) that can roast dried seaweed while retaining its creases and other folds, and they use them interchangeably depending on the purpose and circumstances. Therefore, there has long been a demand from processing companies for the development of a nori roasting machine that can produce both types of roasted nori in a single unit, and patent applications have been filed for such a machine.
[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 (microfilm of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-154090) describes a seaweed heating device in which an upper heater (16) is provided on the lower inner surface of an upper conveyor (11) and a lower heater (17) is provided on the upper inner surface of a lower conveyor (12), and a sheet of seaweed (15) can be heated while being transported between the upper and lower conveyors (11) and (12), and the proximity distance between the upper and lower conveyors (11) and (12) can be arbitrarily changed by the vertical movement of the upper conveyor (11) (see in particular pages 3 to 19 and Figure 2 of the specification). Furthermore, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-169637) describes a heating device for sheet seaweed in which an infrared heater (10) is provided on the back side of opposing conveyor belts (3) and clamping belts (8), and the clamping belt (8) can be raised and lowered. When the clamping belt (8) is lowered, the sheet seaweed can be conveyed and heated while being clamped between the conveyor belt (3), thereby correcting the flatness of the sheet seaweed. When the clamping belt (8) is raised and the sheet seaweed is not being clamped, the clamping belt (8) may be stopped (see paragraphs 0011, 0015-0018, and Figures 1-4 in particular).
[0004] However, as seen in Figure 2, the upper conveyor (11) of the seaweed heating apparatus described in Patent Document 1 appears to move up and down along with the two rollers on both sides of the upper conveyor (11) and the upper heater (16). Moreover, the specification and drawings do not describe what mechanism causes these components to move up and down. Furthermore, as described in paragraph 0011 and Figures 1 and 3, the heating device for sheet seaweed described in Patent Document 2 has a drive roller (9a) and a driven roller (9b) installed in the longitudinal direction of the upper frame (7), an endless clamping belt (8) wrapped around the drive roller (9a) and the driven roller (9b), an infrared heater (10) provided on the back side of the clamping belt (8), and the upper frame (7) is movable up and down by the meshing of a rack (5) and a pinion (6). In other words, in the heating device for sheet seaweed described in Patent Document 2, in order to raise and lower the clamping belt (8), it is necessary to raise and lower not only the clamping belt (8) but also the entire upper frame (7) including the drive roller (9a), driven roller (9b), and infrared heater (10). Therefore, the upper frame (7) has a complex structure, which increases manufacturing costs. Furthermore, it is necessary to adjust the height on both sides by operating two sets of lifting mechanisms (rack (5), pinion (6), lever (12), stopper (13), and sliding member (13a)) on the left and right sides of Figure 1, which has prevented its widespread adoption. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0005] [Patent Document 1] Microfilm of Utility Model Application No. 58-47089 (Utility Model Publication No. 59-154090) [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-169637 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0006] The present invention aims to simplify the structure and reduce manufacturing costs in a seaweed roasting machine having a conveyor belt on the lower side and a clamping belt on the upper side, with the clamping belt being able to move up and down. Furthermore, the second objective is to simplify the constant-speed drive mechanism for the conveyor belt and the clamping belt, and the third objective is to enable the lower surface of the clamping belt to be raised and lowered even if the clamping belt is not elastic, while keeping the tension of the clamping belt almost unchanged. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The seaweed roasting machine according to claim 1 is A conveyor belt that is wrapped around two conveyor rollers and can transport dried seaweed placed on top, A clamping belt is wrapped around two clamping rollers, and the lower surface is capable of clamping the dried seaweed being transported. A constant-speed drive device that drives at least one of the two conveying rollers and the two clamping rollers, and drives the conveying belt and the clamping belt at a constant speed in one direction, A heating device is provided, which is positioned in the area within the clamping belt surrounded by the clamping belt and the two clamping rollers, and is capable of heating dried seaweed while it is being transported. In a seaweed roasting machine equipped with a lifting device that moves the lower surface of the clamping belt up and down relative to the upper surface of the conveying belt, The two transport rollers, the two clamping rollers, the Constant velocity The drive unit and the heating unit are fixedly installed. The lifting device is Two lower movable rollers respectively arranged on the lower side between the two clamping rollers and the heating device in the area inside the clamping belt, and It has a vertical movement mechanism for vertically moving the two lower movable rollers to bring the lower surface of the clamping belt into contact with and separate from the upper surface of the conveying belt. When the length that the two lower movable rollers can move up and down is D, the height of the lower ends of the two clamping rollers is Hu, and the lower limit height of the two lower movable rollers is hu, It is characterized in that it is set within the range of hu + D ≤ Hu ≤ hu + 2D.
[0008] The nori baking machine according to the invention of claim 2 is A conveying belt wound around two conveying rollers and capable of carrying dried nori on its upper surface for conveying, and A clamping belt wound around two clamping rollers and capable of clamping the dried nori being conveyed on its lower surface, and Among the two conveying rollers and the two clamping rollers, at least one conveying roller and one clamping roller are driven, and a constant-speed driving device for driving the conveying belt and the clamping belt at a constant speed in one direction, and A heating device arranged in the area inside the clamping belt surrounded by the clamping belt and the two clamping rollers and capable of heat-treating the dried nori being conveyed, and In a nori baking machine provided with a lifting device for vertically moving the lower surface of the clamping belt relative to the upper surface of the conveying belt, The two conveying rollers, the two clamping rollers, the Constant velocity Driving device and the heating device are fixedly installed, The lifting device has two sets of lower movable rollers and upper movable rollers respectively arranged between the two clamping rollers and the heating device in the area inside the clamping belt, It has a vertical movement mechanism for vertically moving the two sets of lower movable rollers and upper movable rollers to bring the lower surface of the clamping belt into contact with and separate from the upper surface of the conveying belt. The two sets of lower movable rollers and upper movable rollers are in contact with the inner surface of the clamping belt at any position from the lower limit position to the upper limit position by the vertical movement mechanism. A laver baking machine characterized by the above.
[0009] The invention according to claim 3 , request In the laver baking machine according to claim 1 or 2, The constant-speed drive device is, The system comprises one drive motor, a transport sprocket provided on the shaft end of the transport roller, a clamping sprocket provided on the shaft end of the clamping roller, and a transmission member wrapped between the drive motor, the transport sprocket, and the clamping sprocket. The ratio of the diameter of the conveying roller to the diameter of the clamping roller is equal to the ratio of the diameter of the conveying sprocket to the diameter of the clamping sprocket. It is characterized by the above.
Effect of the Invention
[0010] The laver baking machine of the invention according to claim 1 includes a conveyor belt wound around two conveyor rollers, a clamping belt wound around two clamping rollers, a constant-speed driving device for driving the conveyor belt and the clamping belt at a constant speed in one direction, a heating device, and a lifting device for moving the clamping belt up and down. In the laver baking machine, the two conveyor rollers, the conveyor belt, the two clamping rollers, the constant-speed driving device, and the heating device are fixedly installed, and the lifting device is provided with two lower movable rollers respectively arranged on the lower side between the two clamping rollers and the heating device in the inner region of the clamping belt, and a vertical movement mechanism for moving the two lower movable rollers up and down to make the lower surface of the clamping belt contact and separate from the upper surface of the conveyor belt. Therefore, the structure of the vertical movement mechanism can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Furthermore, if D is the length over which the two lower movable rollers can move up and down, Hu is the height of the lower ends of the two clamping rollers, and hu is the lower limit height of the two lower movable rollers, then the range hu+D≦Hu≦hu+2D is set, which helps to minimize the difference between the maximum and minimum lengths of the clamping belt 2.
[0011] The invention according to claim 2 The nori roasting machine, like the nori roasting machine of the invention according to claim 1, can simplify the structure of the vertical movement mechanism and reduce manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the lifting device has two sets of lower movable rollers and upper movable rollers positioned between the two clamping rollers and the heating device in the area within the clamping belt. The vertical movement mechanism moves the two sets of lower movable rollers and upper movable rollers up and down. Since the lower movable rollers and upper movable rollers are in contact with the inner surface of the clamping belt at any position from the lower limit to the upper limit by the vertical movement mechanism, the lower surface of the clamping belt can be raised and lowered even if the clamping belt does not have elasticity. In addition, the tension of the clamping belt can be kept almost unchanged even when the lower movable rollers and upper movable rollers are moved up and down.
[0012] According to the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the laver baking machine of the invention according to claim 1 or 2 In addition to the effect of the laver baking machine of the invention according to claim 1, The constant-speed drive system comprises a single drive motor, a transport sprocket provided at the shaft end of the transport roller, a clamping sprocket provided at the shaft end of the clamping roller, and a transmission member wrapped between the drive motor, the transport sprocket, and the clamping sprocket. Since the ratio of the diameter of the transport roller to the diameter of the clamping roller and the ratio of the diameter of the transport sprocket to the diameter of the clamping sprocket are equal, the constant-speed drive system for the clamping belt and the transport belt can be simplified.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0013] [Figure 1] A side sectional view of the laver baking machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Plan view of a seaweed roasting machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] An enlarged view of the upper left side of the side cross-sectional view shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Enlarged side cross-sectional view when the movable roller is in its uppermost position. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the positional relationship between the left clamping roller and the two movable rollers in the embodiment. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the positional relationship between the left clamping roller and one movable roller in a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to examples. [Examples]
[0015] Figures 1 and 2 are side cross-sectional views and plan views of a seaweed roasting machine according to an embodiment, and Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the upper left side of the side cross-sectional view shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1-3, the nori roasting machine of this embodiment places processed dried nori on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 1 from the left side of the drawing and conveys it to the right side, and while conveying it by clamping it on the lower surface of the clamping belt 2 as needed, the dried nori can be heated by heating devices 3 which are installed inside the clamping belt 2 along the conveying direction. The conveyor belt 1 is wrapped around the left conveyor roller 4 and the right conveyor roller 5, which are installed at the left and right ends of the seaweed roasting machine, and the clamping belt 2 is wrapped around the left clamping roller 6 and the right clamping roller 7, which are installed on the left and right sides of the seaweed roasting machine. Furthermore, both ends of the left conveyor roller 4 and the right conveyor roller 5 protrude outside the conveyor belt 1, and similarly, both ends of the left clamping roller 6 and the right clamping roller 7 protrude outside the clamping belt 2. Furthermore, the central axes of the left conveyor roller 4, the right conveyor roller 5, the left clamping roller 6, and the right clamping roller 7 are rotatably fixed by bearings provided at two locations on each of the four legs, which extend upward from the floor surface and have sides parallel to the opposing side walls of the seaweed roasting machine. Furthermore, a conveying sprocket 8 and a clamping sprocket 9 are provided near the shaft end on one side (the lower side in Figure 2) of the left conveying roller 4 and the left clamping roller 6, respectively. Below and around the conveying sprocket 8, a drive motor 10 and four auxiliary sprockets 11, 12, 13, and 14 are provided, respectively. Furthermore, as shown on the left side of Figure 1, a transmission belt 15 is wrapped around the transport sprocket 8, the clamping sprocket 9, the drive motor 10, and the four auxiliary sprockets 11-14. The diameter of the left transport roller 4 and the left clamping roller 6 are equal, and the diameter of the transport sprocket 8 and the clamping sprocket 9 are also equal. Therefore, when the drive motor 10 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 1, the transport sprocket 8 and the left transport roller 4 rotate clockwise, and the clamping sprocket 9 and the left clamping roller 6 rotate counterclockwise. Moreover, their rotational speeds are equal, so the upper surface of the transport belt 1 and the lower surface of the clamping belt 2 move to the right at a constant speed. Therefore, in this specification, these configurations will be referred to as constant-speed drive devices.
[0016] Within the area inside the conveyor belt, surrounded by the conveyor belt 1, the left conveyor roller 4, and the right conveyor roller 5, three auxiliary heating devices 16, each having a vertically elongated flat surface on its upper surface as shown in Figure 2 and containing a heater (not shown), and six holding devices 17, each having a vertically elongated flat surface as shown in Figure 2, are arranged to keep the upper surface of the conveyor belt 1 flat. Furthermore, in the area within the clamping belt enclosed by the clamping belt 2, the left clamping roller 6, and the right clamping roller 7, excluding the areas near the left clamping roller 6 and the right clamping roller 7, 18 heating devices 3 capable of radiating heat rays toward the underside of the clamping belt 2 are arranged along the conveying direction (left-right direction in Figure 1). The 9 rows on the left and the 9 rows on the right are housed in left heating boxes 18 and right heating boxes 19, respectively, which have openings on their undersides. Therefore, the dried seaweed, which is being transported from the left end to the right end between the upper surface of the conveyor belt 1 and the lower surface of the clamping belt 2, can be heat-treated during transport. The left heating box 18 and the right heating box 19 are fixed to the opposing side walls of the seaweed roasting machine by appropriate means (screws in Figure 1), and their inner surfaces are mirror-finished so that the heat rays from the heating device 3 are reflected downwards.
[0017] In the area within the clamping belt, a left-downward movable roller 20 and a left-upward movable roller 21 are positioned near the left side of the left heating box 18, and similarly, a right-downward movable roller 22 and a right-upward movable roller 23 are positioned near the right side of the right heating box 19, both of which are movable in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the shafts of the left lower movable roller 20 (left lower shaft 24), the left upper movable roller 21 (left upper shaft 25), the right lower movable roller 22 (right lower shaft 26), and the right upper movable roller 23 (right upper shaft 27) all protrude outside the clamping belt 2. One side of the left lower shaft 24 and the other side of the left upper shaft 25 (the lower and upper sides in Figure 2) are rotatably fixed to a left sliding member 28 and a left sliding member 29, respectively, which are slidable in the vertical direction. Similarly, one side of the right lower shaft 26 and the right upper shaft 27 are rotatably fixed to a right sliding member 30 and a right sliding member 31, respectively, which are slidable in the vertical direction. Each sliding member 28-31 is configured to slide vertically by fitting tenons 47, 48, 49, and 50, which are formed on one side of each sliding member 28-31, into vertical dovetail grooves formed in the sliding member holding frame provided in the housing of the seaweed roasting machine. Furthermore, the left sides of the left sliding member 28 on one side and the left sliding member 29 on the other side are provided with a left rack 32 on one side and a left rack 33 on the other side, respectively. A left gear 34 on one side meshes with the left rack 32, and a left gear 35 on the left rack 33, and the left gear 34 and the left gear 35 are connected by a single left gear shaft 36 so that they rotate in conjunction with each other. Similarly, the right sides of the right sliding member 30 on one side and the right sliding member 31 on the other side are provided with a right rack 37 on one side and a right rack 38 on the other side, respectively. A right gear 39 on one side meshes with the right rack 37, and a right gear 40 on the right rack 38, and the right gear 39 and the right gear 40 are connected by a single right gear shaft 41 so that they rotate in conjunction with each other. Furthermore, a left helical member 42 and a right helical member 43 are meshed with the upper surfaces of the left gear 34 and the right gear 39, respectively. The left helical member 42 and the right helical member 43 are connected by a single operating shaft 44 so that they rotate in conjunction with each other, and a manual operating part 45 is provided at the right end of the operating shaft 44 to manually rotate the operating shaft 44.
[0018] With this configuration, when the manual operating unit 45 is rotated clockwise, the left gear 34 on one side, which is meshed with the left helical member 42, rotates clockwise in Figure 1, and the left gear 35 on the other side, which rotates in conjunction with the left gear 34, also rotates clockwise by the same angle. As a result, the left rack 32 on one side and the left rack 33 on the other side move downward in sync, and the lower left shaft 24 and the upper left shaft 25 also move downward. Furthermore, when the manual operating unit 45 is rotated clockwise, the right gear 39 on one side, which is meshed with the right helical member 43, rotates counterclockwise by the same angle as the left gear 34 on one side, and the right gear 40 on the other side, which rotates in conjunction with the right gear 39 on one side, also rotates counterclockwise by the same angle. As a result, the right rack 37 on one side and the right rack 38 on the other side move downward in sync, and the lower right shaft 26 and the upper right shaft 27 also move downward. Since the above series of movements are performed simultaneously by the rotation of the operating shaft 44, all movable rollers 20-23 can be lowered by a predetermined length by rotating the manual operating unit 45 clockwise by a predetermined angle, and conversely, all movable rollers 20-23 can be raised by a predetermined length by rotating the manual operating unit 45 counterclockwise by a predetermined angle. In other words, by simply rotating the manual operation unit 45 clockwise or counterclockwise, the left lower movable roller 20 and the right lower movable roller 22 can be moved up and down synchronously by a length corresponding to the rotation angle while keeping them horizontal, so that the lower surface of the clamping belt 2 can be brought into contact with and away from the upper surface of the conveyor belt 1 while maintaining a state parallel to it. Therefore, in this specification, these components will be referred to as the vertical movement mechanism.
[0019] The upper right of Figure 1 and the lower right of Figure 2 illustrate the operation parts of the vertical movement mechanism. A manual operation unit 45 is provided at the right end of the operating shaft 44 to move the movable rollers 20-23 up and down. Furthermore, a rotation degree indicator 46 is provided between the manual operation unit 45 and the housing of the seaweed roasting machine, which displays a value corresponding to the rotation angle of the manual operation unit 45. The displayed value should, for example, be set to "0000" when the rotation angle is such that the gap between the lower ends of the left lower movable roller 20 and the right lower movable roller 22 and the upper surface of the conveyor belt 1 is the same as the thickness of the clamping belt 2, and to "0100" when the rotation angle is such that the gap is the thickness of the clamping belt 2 + 1 mm. In other words, the value shown in Figure 2 indicates that the gap is the thickness of the clamping belt 2 + 0.31 mm. Furthermore, in the nori roasting machine of the embodiment, when the manual operation unit 45 is rotated to its maximum extent clockwise, the setting is "0000" (the gap between the upper surface of the conveyor belt 1 and the lower surface of the clamping belt 2 is 0 mm), and when it is rotated to its maximum extent counterclockwise, the setting is "1000" (the same gap is 10 mm). In the former state, dried nori with creases or other folds can be roasted flat while being pressed, and in the latter state, it can be roasted while retaining the creases or other folds.
[0020] Figure 4 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the embodiment when the movable rollers 20-23 are in their uppermost position (when the rotation degree indicator 46 displays "1000"). Figure 5 shows the positional relationship between the left clamping roller 6 and the two movable rollers (the lower left movable roller 20 and the upper left movable roller 21) in the embodiment. Figure 5(A) shows the movable rollers 20 and 21 at their lower limit position, Figure 5(B) shows the movable rollers 20 and 21 at their central position, and Figure 5(C) shows the movable rollers 20 and 21 at their upper limit position. As can be seen in Figure 5, the height of the central axis of the left clamping roller 6 is the same as the height of the center of the range in which the movable rollers 20 and 21 can move up and down. When the lower left movable roller 20 is at its lower limit position, the height of the upper left movable roller 21 is higher than the height of the upper left movable roller 6. When the lower left movable roller 20 is at its upper limit position, the height of the lower left movable roller 20 is lower than the height of the lower left movable roller 6. Furthermore, the right clamping roller 7 and the two movable rollers (the lower right movable roller 22 and the upper right movable roller 23) are arranged symmetrically with the left clamping roller 6 and the movable rollers 20 and 21. Due to this arrangement, the lower ends of the lower movable rollers 20 and 22 and the upper ends of the upper movable rollers 21 and 23 are always in contact with the inner surface of the clamping belt 2, regardless of their height. Then, in Figures 5(A) to (C), the lengths of the clamping belt 2 connecting the left clamping roller 6 and the lower end of the left lower movable roller 20 are A1, B1, and C1, respectively, and the lengths of the clamping belt 2 connecting the left clamping roller 6 and the upper end of the left upper movable roller 21 are A2, B2, and C2, respectively. When L is the distance between the central axis of the left clamping roller 6 and the plane passing through the central axes of the two movable rollers 20 and 21, R is the radius of the left clamping roller 6, M is half the length of the range in which the two movable rollers 20 and 21 can move up and down, D is the length in which one movable roller 20 can move up and down, and r is the radius of the two movable rollers 20 and 21, then A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2 can be approximated by the following equations (1) to (6), and the relationships in equations (7) and (8) hold. Equation (1): A1={L2 +(M - R) 2} 1 / 2 Equation (2): A2 = {L 2 +(M - R - D) 2} 1 / 2 Equation (3): B1 = {L 2 +(M - R - D÷2) 2} 1 / 2 Equation (4): B2 = {L 2 +(M - R - D÷2) 2} 1 / 2 Equation (5): C1 = {L 2 +(M - R - D) 2} 1 / 2 Equation (6): C2 = {L 2 +(M - R) 2} 1 / 2 Equation (7): A1 > A2, B1 = B2, C1 < C2, A1 = C2, A2 = C1 Equation (8): A1 + A2 = C1 + C2 > B1 + B2 Then, in the states of FIGS. 5(A) and 5(C), the length of the pressing belt 2 wound around the left pressing roller 6, the right pressing roller 7, and the four movable rollers 20 to 23 becomes the maximum, and in the state of FIG. 5(B), the length of the same pressing belt 2 becomes the minimum. However, as the two movable rollers 20 and 21 rise from the lower limit position, the length of the pressing belt 2 connecting the lower end of the left pressing roller 6 and the movable roller 20 shrinks from A1 to B1 and C1, and the length of the pressing belt 2 connecting the upper end of the left pressing roller 6 and the movable roller 21 extends conversely from A2 to B2 and C2. Therefore, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the length of the pressing belt 2 becomes very small. Note that R ≤ M - D, the value of r hardly affects the length of the pressing belt 2, and the lengths of the winding portions of the pressing belt 2 on the left pressing roller 6 and the right pressing roller 7 and the connecting portions between the movable rollers 20 and 22 and between the movable rollers 21 and 23 do not change. Therefore, the difference E between the maximum value and the minimum value of the length of the pressing belt 2, combined with the difference in the right pressing roller 7 and the movable rollers 22 and 23 where the length of the pressing belt 2 changes similarly, can be approximated by the following Equation (9). Equation (9): E=(A1+A2-B1-B2)×2=(C1+C2-B1-B2)×2 For example, in the embodiment, L=240mm, R=60mm, M=95mm, and D=10mm, and A1+A2=C1+C2=242.54+241.3=483.84 is calculated, and B1+B2=241.87+241.87=483.74, so the difference E between the maximum and minimum lengths of the clamping belt 2 is 0.2mm, which is very small.
[0021] The following are variations of the nori roasting machine described in the example. (1) In the embodiment, the constant-speed drive device has a single transmission belt 15 wrapped around a transport sprocket 8, a clamping sprocket 9, a drive motor 10, and four auxiliary sprockets 11 to 14. The diameter of the left transport roller 4 and the diameter of the left clamping roller 6 are equal, and the diameter of the transport sprocket 8 and the diameter of the clamping sprocket 9 are also equal, so that the upper surface of the transport belt 1 and the lower surface of the clamping belt 2 move at a constant speed to the right. If the ratio of the diameter of the left transport roller 4 to the diameter of the left clamping roller 6 and the ratio of the diameter of the transport sprocket 8 to the diameter of the clamping sprocket 9 are equal, the upper surface of the transport belt 1 and the lower surface of the clamping belt 2 will move at a constant speed to the right. Note that "diameter" may be replaced with "PCD (pitch dial)" or "number of teeth". Alternatively, the left conveyor roller 4 and the left clamping roller 6 may be rotated by separate drive mechanisms, and their respective rotation speeds may be adjusted so that the upper surface of the conveyor belt 1 and the lower surface of the clamping belt 2 move at a constant speed to the right. Furthermore, although the right transport roller 5 and the right clamping roller 7 were not driven, they may be driven. (2) In the embodiment, the constant speed drive device had one transmission belt 15 wrapped around the transport sprocket 8, the clamping sprocket 9, the drive motor 10, and the four auxiliary sprockets 11 to 14. However, the first transmission belt may be wrapped around the transport sprocket 8 and the drive motor 10, and the second transmission belt may be wrapped around the clamping sprocket 9 and the drive motor 10, so that the left transport roller 4 and the left clamping roller 6 rotate in opposite directions. Furthermore, transmission components other than the transmission belt 15, such as chains, may also be wrapped around it. Furthermore, the central axes of the left conveying roller 4, the right conveying roller 5, the left pressing roller 6, and the right pressing roller 7 were rotatably fixed by bearings provided at two locations on the four legs, but they may also be rotatably fixed by bearings provided at one location on the eight legs, or eight bearings may be provided and fixed on the opposing side wall surfaces of the nori grilling machine.
[0022] (3) In the embodiment, L = 240 mm, R = 60 mm, M = 95 mm, D = 10 mm, and r = 25 mm, but these values can be appropriately changed as long as the conditions of L ≧ R + r, R ≦ M - D, and r < M - D are satisfied. However, R should be 20 mm or more to obtain driving torque, M should be 40 mm or more to accommodate the heating device 3 in the inner region of the pressing belt, and D can be selected from the range of 3 mm or more and 15 mm or less. To reduce E, it is advisable to reduce R and D and increase M. For example, when the arrangement of the left pressing roller 6 and the movable rollers 20 and 21 is the same as in the embodiment, with R = 20 mm, M = 95 mm, D = 10 mm, and r = 5 mm, and L is set to the lower limit of 25 mm, it is calculated that A1 + A2 = C1 + C2 = 79.06 + 69.64 = 148.7 and B1 + B2 = 74.33 + 74.33 = 148.66, and E = 0.08 mm. (4) In the embodiment, the height H of the central axes of the left pressing roller 6 and the right pressing roller 7 was set to be the same as the central height h within the range where the movable rollers 20, 21 and the movable rollers 22, 23 can move up and down (H = h), but it is sufficient that h - D ≦ H ≦ h + D, and it is better if h - D÷2 ≦ H ≦ h + D÷2 (however, 2D < M - R). For example, using the values of L, R, M, and D in the example, if H = h - 10, the calculations are A1 + A2 = 241.3 + 242.54 = 483.84, B1 + B2 = 240.83 + 243.31 = 484.14, and C1 + C2 = 240.47 + 244.18 = 484.65. The difference between the maximum and minimum values is 0.81, so E = 1.62 mm. If H = h - 5, the calculations are A1 + A2 = 241.87 + 241.87 = 483.74, B1 + B2 = 241.3 + 242.54 = 483.84, and C1 + C2 = 240.83 + 243.31 = 484.14. The difference between the maximum and minimum values is 0.4, so E = 0.8 mm.
[0023] (5) In the embodiment, the left lower movable roller 20 and left upper movable roller 21, and the right lower movable roller 22 and right upper movable roller 23 are arranged to constantly contact the inner surface of the clamping belt 2 and move up and down together with it. However, if the clamping belt 2 is made of a material that can stretch to some extent, only the left lower movable roller 20 and the right lower movable roller 22 may be arranged, as shown in Figures 6(A) and (B). In such cases, A5 and B5 remain unchanged, and A4 with the movable roller 20 in the lower limit position is A4 = {L 2 +(MR) 2} 1 / 2 When the movable roller 20 is in the upper limit position, B4 is B4 = {L 2 +(MRD) 2} 1 / 2 This can be approximated as follows, with A4 being the maximum value and B4 being the minimum value. Then, using the values of L, R, M, and D in the example, A4 = 242.54 and B4 = 241.3 are calculated, and the difference between them is 1.24, so E = 2.48 mm. Furthermore, when only the left lower movable roller 20 and the right lower movable roller 22 are arranged, if the height Hu of the lower ends of the left clamping roller 6 and the right clamping roller 7 is set to be D higher than the lower limit height hu of the left lower movable roller 20 and the right lower movable roller 22 (setting Hu = hu + D), the difference between the maximum and minimum lengths of the clamping belt 2 can be minimized. For example, using the values of L and D in the embodiment, C4 = 240.2 and D4 = L = 240 are calculated, and the difference between them is 0.2, so E can be kept to 0.4 mm. Furthermore, by setting the range to hu+D≦Hu≦hu+2D, it is highly likely that a commonly used clamping belt can be wrapped around and used. For example, using the values of L and D in the example, and setting Hu=hu+20, C4=240.83 and D4=240.2 are calculated, and the difference between them is 0.63, so E=1.26mm.
[0024] (6) In the embodiment, as a vertical movement mechanism, one side and the other side of the parallel left lower shaft 24 and left upper shaft 25 are rotatably fixed to the left sliding member 28 on one side and the left sliding member 29 on the other side, respectively, and the parallel right lower shaft 26 and right upper shaft 27 are rotatably fixed to the right sliding member 30 on one side and the right sliding member 31 on the other side, and a left helical member 42 and a right helical member 43 connected by a single operating shaft 44 are provided, a left gear 34 on one side that meshes with the left helical member 42, a left gear 35 on the other side that is connected to the left gear 34 on one side, a right gear 39 on one side that meshes with the right helical member 43, and a right gear 40 on the other side that is connected to the right gear 39 on one side, and the left gear 34 on one side, the left gear 35 on the other side, the right gear 39 on one side and the right gear 40 on the other side are each connected to the left rack on one side 32. The mechanism used involves engaging the left rack 33 on the other side, the right rack 37 on one side, and the right rack 38 on the other side, and simultaneously moving the four sliding members 28-31 up and down by the rotation of the operating shaft 44. However, instead of the left helical member 42 and the right helical member 43 connected by a single operating shaft 44, rack sections provided at two locations on a single operating rod may be used, and by moving the operating rod in the longitudinal direction, the left gear 34 on one side and the right gear 39 on one side may be rotated synchronously. Alternatively, an electric motor may be provided to rotate the left gear 34 on one side and the right gear 39 on one side independently, and a rotation control mechanism may be provided to rotate both by the same angle. Alternatively, an electric mechanism may be provided to slide the four sliding members 28-31 independently, and a lifting control mechanism may be provided to raise and lower them by the same amount. Alternatively, the left helical member 42 and the right helical member 43 may be rotated by separate operating axes, causing the two sliding members 28 and 29 and the two sliding members 30 and 31 to slide independently, so that the lower surface of the clamping belt 2 is ultimately parallel to the upper surface of the conveyor belt 1. (7) In this embodiment, 18 rows of heating devices 3 were arranged in the area within the clamping belt, and 3 auxiliary heating devices 16 and 6 small holding devices 17 were arranged in the area within the conveyor belt. However, the number of rows of heating devices 3 and the number of auxiliary heating devices 16, etc. can be set as appropriate, and the auxiliary heating devices 16 may be omitted, and additional holding devices 17 may be added. (8) In the embodiment, a manual operation unit 45 for manually rotating the operating shaft 44 and a rotation degree indicator 46 were provided, but instead of these, or in addition, an electric operation unit capable of controlling the operating shaft 44 to rotate to a desired position electrically may be provided. [Explanation of symbols]
[0025] 1: Conveyor belt 2: Clamping belt 3: Heating device 4: Left conveyor roller 5: Right conveyor roller 6: Left clamping roller 7: Right clamping roller 8. Conveyor sprocket 9. Clamping sprocket 10. Drive motor 11-14: Auxiliary sprocket 15: Transmission belt 16: Auxiliary heating device 17: Holding device 18: Left heating box 19: Right heating box 20: Lower left movable roller 21: Upper left movable roller 22: Lower right movable roller 23: Upper right movable roller 24: Lower left axis 25: Upper left axis 26: Lower right axis 27: Upper right axis 28: Left sliding member on one side 29: Left sliding member on the other side 30: Right sliding member on one side 31: Right sliding member on the other side 32: Left rack on one side 33: Left rack on the other side 34: Left gear on one side 35: Left gear on the other side 36: Left gear shaft 37: Right rack on one side 38: Right rack on the other side 39: Right gear on one side 40: Right gear on the other side 41: Right gear shaft 42: Left helical member 43: Right helical member 44: Operating shaft 45: Manual operation section 46: Rotation degree indicator 47~50: Tenon section A1, B1, C1: Length of the clamping belt connecting the left clamping roller and the lower end of the left lower movable roller. A2, B2, C2: Length of the clamping belt connecting the left clamping roller and the upper end of the left upper movable roller. D: Length at which one movable roller can move up and down E: Difference between the maximum and minimum lengths of the clamping belt H: Height of the central axis of the left and right clamping rollers h: The central height within the range of vertical movement of the left lower movable roller and the left upper movable roller. Hu: Height of the lower ends of the left and right clamping rollers hu: Lower limit height of the left lower movable roller and the right lower movable roller L: Distance between the plane passing through the central axis of the left clamping roller and the central axes of the two movable rollers. M: Half the length of the range in which the left lower movable roller and the left upper movable roller can move up and down. R: Radius of the left clamping roller r: Radius of the movable roller
Claims
1. A conveyor belt that is wrapped around two conveyor rollers and can transport dried seaweed placed on top, A clamping belt is wrapped around two clamping rollers, and the lower surface is capable of clamping the dried seaweed being transported. A constant-speed drive device that drives at least one of the two conveying rollers and the two clamping rollers, and drives the conveying belt and the clamping belt at a constant speed in one direction, A heating device is provided, which is positioned in the region within the clamping belt surrounded by the clamping belt and the two clamping rollers, and is capable of heating dried seaweed while it is being transported. In a seaweed roasting machine equipped with a lifting device that moves the lower surface of the clamping belt up and down relative to the upper surface of the conveying belt, The two transport rollers, the two clamping rollers, the constant-speed drive device, and the heating device are fixedly installed. The aforementioned lifting device is Two downward movable rollers are respectively positioned below the area between the two clamping rollers and the heating device within the clamping belt region, The two lower movable rollers are moved up and down, and the lower surface of the clamping belt is moved in and out of contact with the upper surface of the conveying belt, When D is the length over which the two lower movable rollers can move up and down, Hu is the height of the lower ends of the two clamping rollers, and hu is the lower limit height of the two lower movable rollers, The range is set to hu + D ≤ Hu ≤ hu + 2D. A seaweed roasting machine characterized by the following features.
2. A conveyor belt that is wrapped around two conveyor rollers and can transport dried seaweed placed on top, A clamping belt is wrapped around two clamping rollers, and the lower surface is capable of clamping the dried seaweed being transported. A constant-speed drive device that drives at least one of the two conveying rollers and the two clamping rollers, and drives the conveying belt and the clamping belt at a constant speed in one direction, A heating device is provided, which is positioned in the region within the clamping belt surrounded by the clamping belt and the two clamping rollers, and is capable of heating dried seaweed while it is being transported. In a seaweed roasting machine equipped with a lifting device that moves the lower surface of the clamping belt up and down relative to the upper surface of the conveying belt, The two transport rollers, the two clamping rollers, the constant-speed drive device, and the heating device are fixedly installed. The lifting device has two sets of lower movable rollers and upper movable rollers, respectively, which are positioned between the two clamping rollers and the heating device in the area within the clamping belt. The two sets of lower and upper movable rollers are moved up and down, and the lower surface of the clamping belt is moved in and out of contact with the upper surface of the conveying belt, The two sets of lower and upper movable rollers are in contact with the inner surface of the clamping belt at any position from the lower limit to the upper limit as determined by the vertical movement mechanism. A seaweed roasting machine characterized by the following features.
3. The constant-speed drive device is, The system comprises one drive motor, a transport sprocket provided on the shaft end of the transport roller, a clamping sprocket provided on the shaft end of the clamping roller, and a transmission member wrapped between the drive motor, the transport sprocket, and the clamping sprocket. The ratio of the diameter of the conveying roller to the diameter of the clamping roller is equal to the ratio of the diameter of the conveying sprocket to the diameter of the clamping sprocket. The seaweed roasting machine according to feature 1 or 2.