Dried bonito flake machine

Abstract

To provide a shaving machine which can be used by one hand, enables easy replacement and cleaning etc. of a shaving blade, and can shave an edible work material, such as dried bonito shavings, in a strip or powdery form.SOLUTION: A shaving machine includes: a cylindrical case 2 which may house a bar-like edible work material S; a shaving blade part 4 which is provided at a tip of the cylindrical case and can contact with a tip of the edible work material to cut the edible work material; and a rotary driving mechanism 3 which is provided within the cylindrical case and may rotate the edible work material housed in the cylindrical case relative to the shaving blade part. The shaving blade part is detachably provided at the tip of the cylindrical case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shaving machine capable of producing shaved bonito flakes by shaving dried bonito or the like. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Shaved bonito flakes such as those made from dried bonito are sold pre-shaved in packages and the like, but they lack aroma, so freshly shaved bonito flakes are preferred in households, restaurants, and the like. Conventionally, shaving work has been performed manually using a plane-type dried bonito shaving machine, but since the shaving work is troublesome and labor-intensive, electrically driven devices for producing shaved bonito flakes have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a household dried bonito shaving machine for shaving rod-shaped dried bonito, which includes a cutter that revolves around a dried bonito insertion hole while rotating on its axis, and a drive mechanism that drives the cutter.

[0003] In this household dried bonito shaving machine, when rod-shaped processed dried bonito is inserted into the dried bonito insertion hole, the dried bonito is shaved by a cutter having a helical blade rotated by the drive mechanism, and the shaved bonito flakes are stored in a lower shaved flake receiving box. That is, the household dried bonito shaving machine of Patent Document 1 is a machine that shaves rod-shaped dried bonito in the same manner as a conventionally known electric pencil sharpener. [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0004] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 55-80197 [[Summary of Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0005] The following problems remain in the above conventional technology. In other words, conventional bonito flake shaving machines have a configuration similar to a pencil sharpener, making them large overall. Furthermore, it is necessary to insert the rod-shaped bonito flakes into the insertion holes with a hand other than the one supporting the device, making it difficult to hold the machine in one hand and shave the flakes with just one hand. Furthermore, the cutter with a spiral blade was built into the grinding machine, making it difficult to remove and replace, and thus posing a problem for cleaning and washing. Furthermore, conventional shaving machines use spiral-shaped cutters, which, like pencil sharpeners, sharpen the tip of the shaved bonito flakes, resulting in a thread-like texture. This makes it difficult to shave the bonito flakes into strips or powder, which is a significant drawback.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a shaving machine that can be used with one hand, allows for easy replacement and cleaning of the shaving blade, and can further shave edible materials such as bonito flakes into strips or powder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention employs the following configuration. Specifically, the shaving machine according to the first invention comprises a cylindrical case capable of storing a rod-shaped edible material, a shaving blade provided at the tip of the cylindrical case that contacts the tip of the edible material and cuts the edible material, and a rotational drive mechanism provided inside the cylindrical case that allows the edible material stored in the cylindrical case to rotate relative to the shaving blade, wherein the shaving blade is detachably provided at the tip of the cylindrical case.

[0008] In this shaving machine, the shaving blade is detachably attached to the tip of the cylindrical case, allowing for easy removal and cleaning, as well as easy replacement with various types of shaving blades depending on the edible material being shaved. Furthermore, since all components, including the edible shavings, are housed within the cylindrical case, it can be made compact and has a handy shape that is easy to hold with one hand. It is also easy to sprinkle the shaved bonito flakes directly onto food from the tip of the cylindrical case while holding it in one hand. In addition, it can use a flat blade or other type of shaving blade instead of a conventional spiral blade cutter, allowing for the production of shaved bonito flakes in strip or powder form. Furthermore, by removing the shaving blade from the cylindrical case and allowing edible shavings to be inserted and removed from the tip of the cylindrical case, edible shavings such as dried bonito flakes processed into rod shapes can be easily stored and replaced.

[0009] The shaving machine according to the second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the cylindrical case is composed of a tip-side cylinder portion capable of housing the edible shavings and a base-side piston portion that can move back and forth within the tip-side cylinder portion, the tip of the base-side piston portion can contact the base end of the edible shavings housed in the tip-side cylinder portion directly or via another member, and the tip of the edible shavings can be brought into contact with the shaving blade portion in a pressed state by pushing the base-side piston portion into the tip-side cylinder portion. In other words, in this shaving machine, by pushing the piston at the base end against the cylinder at the tip end, the tip of the edible material to be shaved can be pressed against the shaving blade, allowing the rotating edible material to be pressed against the shaving blade and making it easy to obtain shaved bonito flakes.

[0010] The third invention relates to a shaved bonito flake machine, characterized in that, in the second invention, retaining steps are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the base piston portion and the inner circumferential surface of the tip cylinder portion, which can lock together when the base piston portion protrudes a certain length from the tip cylinder portion. In other words, in this shaving machine, retaining steps are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the base piston and the inner circumferential surface of the tip cylinder, which can lock the base piston into place when it protrudes a certain length from the tip cylinder. This prevents the base piston from coming loose from the tip cylinder.

[0011] The fourth invention relates to a shaved bonito flake machine, characterized in that, in any of the first to third inventions, the rotational drive mechanism comprises a motor and an attachment part that is fixed to the rotational shaft of the motor and housed in the cylindrical case, allowing the edible shaved bonito to rotate together with the rotational shaft and to contact the base end of the edible shaved bonito. In other words, this shaving machine has an attachment part that is fixed to the motor's rotating shaft and houses the edible material in a cylindrical case, allowing it to rotate together with the rotating shaft and making contact with the base end of the edible material. This attachment part prevents the edible material from slipping relative to the rotating shaft.

[0012] The shaved bonito flake machine according to the fifth invention is characterized in that, in the fourth invention, the rotational drive mechanism is provided with a switch at the base end of the cylindrical case that drives the motor when pressed. In other words, in this shaving machine, the rotation drive mechanism has a switch at the base of the cylindrical case that drives the motor when pressed. Therefore, when holding the cylindrical case in one hand, the switch at the base of the cylindrical case can be pressed with the thumb or index finger, making it possible to easily switch the rotation on and off with one hand.

[0013] The shaving machine according to the sixth invention is characterized in that, in the fourth invention, it comprises a base member attached to the base end of the edible shavings, at least one of the base member and the attachment part has a magnet, the other of the base member and the attachment part has a magnet or metal that can be attracted to the magnet, the attachment part is capable of attaching the base member and is capable of being attracted to the base member by the magnetic force of the magnet. In other words, in this shaving machine, the attachment part can be fitted to a base member and can be attracted to the base member by magnetic force. Therefore, when the piston part at the base end is removed, the edible material is attracted by magnetic force, making it less likely for the edible material to fall off the attachment part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the following effects are obtained. That is, according to the dried bonito shaving machine of the present invention, the shaving blade unit is detachably provided at the tip end of the cylindrical case, so that the shaving blade unit can be removed for easy cleaning and washing, and it is also possible to replace it with various types of shaving blade units according to the edible workpiece to be shaved. Further, the shaving machine can be used while being held in one hand, a shaving blade unit such as a flat blade can be used, and an edible workpiece can be shaved into a strip shape, a powder shape or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the dried bonito shaving machine according to the present invention. [Figure 2] In the present embodiment, it is a front view showing the dried bonito shaving machine. [Figure 3] In the present embodiment, they are a top view (a) and a bottom view (b) showing the dried bonito shaving machine. [Figure 4] In the present embodiment, it is a cross-sectional view of the dried bonito shaving machine showing a state when a proximal piston portion is removed to take out an edible workpiece. [Figure 5] In the present embodiment, it is a cross-sectional view of the dried bonito shaving machine showing a state when the shaving blade unit is removed to take out an edible workpiece. [Figure 6] In another example of the present embodiment, they are a perspective view (a) showing a workpiece case housing an edible workpiece and a perspective view (b) showing an attachment unit. [Figure 7] In another example of the present embodiment, they are a plan view (a) showing a base member and a longitudinal cross-sectional view (b) of a workpiece case housing an edible workpiece. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the dried bonito shaving machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 5.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the shaved bonito flake machine 1 in this embodiment includes a cylindrical case 2 capable of storing a rod-shaped edible material S, a shaving blade 4 provided at the tip of the cylindrical case 2 that contacts the tip of the edible material S and cuts the edible material S, and a rotational drive mechanism 3 provided inside the cylindrical case 2 that allows the edible material S stored in the cylindrical case 2 to rotate relative to the shaving blade 4.

[0018] The cutting blade portion 4 described above is detachably attached to the tip of the cylindrical case 2. The cylindrical case 2 described above consists of a tip-side cylinder portion 2A capable of housing edible shaved material S, and a base-side piston portion 2B that can move back and forth within the tip-side cylinder portion 2A. The tip of the base piston portion 2B can contact the base end of the edible workpiece S housed in the tip cylinder portion 2A, either directly or via another member. By pushing the base piston portion 2B into the tip cylinder portion 2A, the tip of the edible workpiece S can be brought into contact with the cutting blade portion 4 in a pressed state.

[0019] In this embodiment, the tip of the base piston portion 2B can contact the base end of the edible workpiece S housed in the tip cylinder portion 2A via other members (the attachment portion 3b, coupling member 3n, and shaved bonito stage member 3p, which will be described later). The outer circumferential surface of the base piston portion 2B and the inner circumferential surface of the tip cylinder portion 2A have retaining stepped portions 2a and 2b formed thereon, which can lock the base piston portion 2B into place when it protrudes a certain length from the tip cylinder portion 2A.

[0020] Furthermore, the retaining steps 2a and 2b are not formed around the entire circumference, but rather protrude partially in the circumferential direction. By rotating the base piston portion 2B and the tip cylinder portion 2A relative to each other until the retaining steps 2a and 2b are no longer facing each other, it becomes possible to remove the base piston portion 2B from the tip cylinder portion 2A towards the base end, as shown in Figure 4. In other words, by removing the piston part 2B at the base end from the cylinder part 2A at the tip end, the edible material S that was stored inside can be removed.

[0021] The above-described rotary drive mechanism 3 comprises a motor 3a and an attachment part 3b that is fixed to the rotation shaft of the motor 3a and housed in a cylindrical case 2, allowing the edible workpiece S to rotate together with the rotation shaft and to contact the base end of the edible workpiece S. The motor 3a described above is a geared motor that rotates the edible workpiece S around its axis. Furthermore, the rotary drive mechanism 3 is equipped with a switch 3c at the base end of the cylindrical case 2, which drives the motor 3a when pressed. In other words, switch 3c is a push switch that turns motor 3a ON / OFF.

[0022] The edible material S mentioned above is, for example, a shaved product such as dried bonito flakes, kamaboko flakes, or dried chicken flakes, which have been processed into rod-shaped forms such as prisms or cylinders. The above-described rotary drive mechanism 3 includes a battery section 3d housed in a battery case containing, for example, three AA dry cell batteries, which are housed in the base piston section 2B and drive the motor 3a, and a boost circuit 3e electrically connected to the battery section 3d and the motor 3a.

[0023] The switch 3c is mounted so as to protrude outward from a through hole in the switch cover 3f, which is attached to the base end of the base piston portion 2B. On the underside of the switch 3c, a negative electrode portion 3g is installed, positioned opposite the switch 3c and spaced apart, in contact with the negative end of the battery portion 3d. A positive electrode portion 3h is installed at the tip of the battery portion 3d, facing the battery portion 3d and spaced apart from it.

[0024] Furthermore, a coil spring 3i that biases the battery section 3d in a direction that separates the battery section 3d from the positive electrode section 3h, and a spring guide 3j that supports the coil spring 3i are attached to the tip of the battery section 3d. Therefore, when the switch 3c is pressed down, the battery section 3d is pushed down towards the tip against the biasing force of the coil spring 3i, and the positive end of the battery section 3d comes into contact with the positive electrode section 3h, thereby creating electrical conductivity and supplying power to the motor 3a via the boost circuit 3e, which can then rotate the motor 3a.

[0025] A motor retaining member 3k is installed between the positive electrode portion 3h and the motor 3a. Furthermore, the base piston portion 2B is equipped with a motor cover 3l at its tip that houses the motor 3a together with the boost circuit 3e. Furthermore, a retaining step portion 2a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the motor cover 3l. The tip of the motor 3a is supported by the motor holder 3m, and a coupling member 3n is fixed to the rotation shaft of the motor 3a.

[0026] A shaved bonito stage member 3p is fixed to the tip side of the coupling member 3n, and the attachment part 3b is fixed to the tip side of the shaved bonito stage member 3p. The attachment portion 3b described above has a projection 3q at its tip that can be inserted into an insertion hole S1 formed on the base end surface of the edible workpiece S. In this embodiment, two insertion holes S1 are formed on the base end surface of the edible workpiece S, and two protrusions 3q corresponding to the two insertion holes S1 are formed on the attachment portion 3b. This allows the edible workpiece S to be rotated without shifting relative to the rotating attachment portion 3b.

[0027] Alternatively, an insertion hole S1 with a polygonal cross-section (such as a triangular or rectangular shape) may be formed on the base end surface of the edible workpiece S, and a projection 3q with a polygonal cross-section corresponding to the insertion hole S1 may be formed on the attachment portion 3b. The attachment portion 3b is designed such that the projection 3q fits snugly into the insertion hole S1 to the extent that the edible workpiece S does not easily fall out. Alternatively, the edible workpiece S may be processed into a polygonal cross-sectional shape such as a rectangular prism, and an attachment part having a polygonal cross-sectional recess into which the base end of the edible workpiece S can be fitted may be used.

[0028] The tip of the front cylinder section 2A is equipped with an annular shaved bonito guide 5 that supports the outer circumference of the stored edible shaved bonito S, and a guide holder 6 that supports the area around the shaved bonito guide 5. The guide holder 6 described above has a male threaded portion that can be screwed into a female threaded hole formed on the inner circumferential surface of the tip of the tip-side cylinder portion 2A, and is detachably screwed onto the tip of the tip-side cylinder portion 2A. Furthermore, the cutting blade portion 4 has a male threaded portion that can be screwed into a female threaded hole formed on the inner circumferential surface of the guide holder 6, and is detachably screwed to the tip side of the guide holder 6 while the cutting guide 5 is sandwiched between them.

[0029] The above-mentioned cutting blade section 4 comprises three flat blades 4a that can contact the tip of the edible workpiece S, a blade holder 4b that supports these flat blades 4a from the outer circumference, and a blade retaining member 4c that supports the three flat blades 4a from the tip side. The blade holder 4b has a male threaded portion formed on its upper part and is detachably screwed onto a female threaded portion formed on the lower part of the guide holder 6. In other words, by rotating the blade holder 4b and removing it from the guide holder 6, the cutting blade portion 4 can be removed from the tip-side cylinder portion 2A together with the cutting guide 5, as shown in Figure 5.

[0030] The blade retaining member 4c has an opening 4d directly below the flat blade 4a, allowing the shaved bonito flakes to fall out through the opening 4d. In this embodiment, the cutting blade section 4 has three flat blades 4a, but a cutting blade section with one blade or a cutting blade section with multiple blades other than 3 may also be used.

[0031] In the shaved bonito flake machine 1 of this embodiment, the removal and replacement of the edible material S is performed as follows. First, the base piston portion 2B and the tip cylinder portion 2A are rotated relative to each other around their axes until the retaining steps 2a and 2b are no longer facing each other, thereby releasing the retaining mechanism. Next, as shown in Figure 4, the base piston portion 2B is removed from the tip cylinder portion 2A from the base end. At this time, the edible workpiece S that was attached to the tip of the base piston portion 2B is also removed and can be replaced with another edible workpiece S.

[0032] When replacing and storing a different edible workpiece S, the procedure is reversed from the above. That is, the base piston section 2B, with the new edible workpiece S attached to its tip via the attachment section 3b, is inserted into the tip cylinder section 2A. Furthermore, by rotating the base piston section 2B and the tip cylinder section 2A relative to each other until the retaining steps 2a and 2b face each other, the base piston section 2B is secured and the edible workpiece S at the tip is stored inside the tip cylinder section 2A. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the shaved bonito flake machine 1 of this embodiment allows edible shaved material S to be inserted into and removed from the tip of the cylindrical case 2 even when the shaving blade 4 is removed from the cylindrical case 2.

[0033] As described above, in the shaved bonito flake machine 1 of this embodiment, the shaving blade 4 is detachably provided at the tip of the cylindrical case 2, so that the shaving blade 4 can be easily removed for cleaning and washing, and it is also easy to replace it with various types of shaving blades 4 depending on the edible material S. Furthermore, since all components, including the edible shaved material S, are housed within the cylindrical case 2, it can be made smaller and has a handy shape that is easy to hold with one hand, making it easy to sprinkle the shaved bonito flakes directly onto food from the tip of the cylindrical case 2 while holding it in one hand. In addition, instead of using a conventional cutter with a spiral blade, a shaving blade 4 such as a flat blade can be used, making it possible to obtain shaved bonito flakes in strip or powder form.

[0034] Furthermore, by pushing the base piston portion 2B against the tip cylinder portion 2A, the tip of the edible material S can be pressed against the cutting blade portion 4, allowing the rotating edible material S to be pressed against the cutting blade portion 4, making it easy to obtain shaved bonito flakes. Furthermore, since retaining steps 2a and 2b are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the base piston portion 2B and the inner circumferential surface of the tip cylinder portion 2A, which can lock the base piston portion 2B into place when it protrudes a certain length from the tip cylinder portion 2A, it is possible to prevent the base piston portion 2B from coming loose from the tip cylinder portion 2A.

[0035] Furthermore, since the device is equipped with an attachment part 3b that is fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor 3a and housed in a cylindrical case 2, allowing the edible workpiece S to rotate together with the rotating shaft and contacting the base end of the edible workpiece S, the attachment part 3b prevents the edible workpiece S from slipping relative to the rotating shaft. Furthermore, since the rotation drive mechanism 3 has a switch 3c at the base end of the cylindrical case 2 that drives the motor 3a when pressed, when the cylindrical case 2 is held in one hand, the switch 3c at the base end of the cylindrical case 2 can be pressed with the thumb or index finger, making it possible to easily switch the rotation on and off with one hand.

[0036] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0037] For example, in the above embodiment, the rod-shaped edible workpiece is rotated and brought into contact with the blade of the fixed cutting blade to shave it, but any configuration in which the edible workpiece is rotated relative to the cutting blade is acceptable. That is, the cutting blade is rotated and brought into contact with the fixed rod-shaped edible workpiece to shave it, or the edible workpiece and the cutting blade are rotated in opposite directions and brought into contact with each other to shave it.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rod-shaped edible workpiece S is attached to the tip of the base piston part 2B via the attachment part 3b. However, as another example of the above embodiment, for example as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a base member 23a having a magnet 23g is attached to the base end of the edible workpiece S in advance, and a magnetic or metal attachment part 23b that can be magnetically attached to the base member 23a is attached to the tip of the base piston part, so that the edible workpiece S can also be attached to the tip of the base piston part by magnetic force.

[0039] In other words, in another example of the above embodiment, the shaving machine includes a base member 23a attached to the base end of the edible shaving material S, at least one of the base member 23a and the attachment part 23b has a magnet 23g, the other of the base member 23a and the attachment part 23b has a magnet or metal that can be attracted to the magnet 23g, the attachment part 23b can be attached to the base member 23a and can be attracted to the base member 23a by the magnetic force of the magnet 23g. Furthermore, this attachment part 23b is made of a magnet or metal.

[0040] As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the base member 23a has a projection 23q on its tip side that can be fitted into an insertion hole S1 formed at the base end of the edible workpiece S, and a magnet 23g is fixed in the center at the base end, with four rectangular base-side protrusions 23c formed around it. Cross-shaped grooves 23d are formed between these four base-side protrusions 23c. As shown in Figure 6(b), the attachment portion 23b has four attachment-side protrusions 23e formed on its tip surface, corresponding to the cross-shaped groove portion 23d. In other words, the four attachment-side protrusions 23e are fitted into the cross-shaped groove portion 23d in a cross-screw-like manner, so that rotational force can be transmitted efficiently. In this way, the four attachment-side protrusions 23e fit into the cross-shaped groove 23d, thereby attaching the base member 23a to the attachment part 23b, and the two parts are attracted to each other by the magnetic force of the magnets 23g.

[0041] Furthermore, the edible shaved material S removed from the shaving machine can be stored in the edible shaved material case 25 with the base member 23a attached, as shown in Figure 6(a). The edible material case 25 described above has a rectangular tube shape with a closed tip, and the base opening can be closed with the base member 23a.

[0042] Thus, in this alternative example of a shaved bonito flake machine, the attachment part 23b can be fitted with the base member 23a, and can be attracted to the base member 23a by the magnetic force of the magnet 23g. Therefore, when the base piston part is removed, the edible material S is attracted by the magnetic force, making it difficult for the edible material S to fall off the attachment part 23b. Furthermore, by placing the edible shaved material S with the base member 23a attached over the edible shaved material case 25, which has a closed tip, from the tip side, and closing the base end opening of the edible shaved material case 25 with the base member 23a, it becomes possible to store the edible shaved material S inside the edible shaved material case 25, protecting the edible shaved material S and allowing it to be stored properly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1... Shaving machine, 2... Cylindrical case, 2A... Tip cylinder section, 2B... Base piston section, 2a, 2b... Retaining step section, 3... Rotary drive mechanism, 3a... Motor, 3b, 23b... Attachment section, 3c... Switch, 4... Shaving blade section, 23a... Base member, S... Edible shavings

Claims

1. A cylindrical case capable of storing rod-shaped edible shavings, A cutting blade portion is provided at the tip of the cylindrical case and is capable of cutting the edible workpiece by contacting the tip of the edible workpiece, The system comprises a rotational drive mechanism provided within the cylindrical case, which allows the edible material stored in the cylindrical case to rotate relative to the cutting blade, The cutting blade portion is detachably provided at the tip of the cylindrical case, The aforementioned rotational drive mechanism includes a motor and The motor is fixed to the rotating shaft and the edible workpiece, housed in the cylindrical case, is rotatable with the rotating shaft and comprises an attachment part that contacts the base end of the edible workpiece. The aforementioned rotational drive mechanism is provided with a switch at the base end of the cylindrical case that drives the motor when pressed, The base member is attached to the base end of the edible workpiece, At least one of the base member and the attachment part has a magnet, The other of the base member and the attachment part has a magnet or metal that can be attracted to the magnet, A shaving machine characterized in that the attachment part is capable of attaching the base member and is capable of being attracted to the base member by the magnetic force of the magnet.

2. In the shaving machine described in claim 1, The cylindrical case comprises a tip-side cylinder portion capable of storing the edible shaved material, It consists of a base end piston portion that can move back and forth within the tip end cylinder portion, The tip of the base piston portion is capable of contacting the base end of the edible workpiece housed in the tip cylinder portion, either directly or via another member. A shaving machine characterized in that the tip of the edible material to be shaved can be brought into contact with the shaving blade in a pressed state by pushing the base piston portion into the tip cylinder portion.

3. In the shaving machine described in claim 2, A shaving machine characterized in that a retaining step portion is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the base piston portion and the inner circumferential surface of the tip cylinder portion, which can lock the base piston portion into place when it protrudes a certain length from the tip cylinder portion.

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