Device for treating cooked rice

Abstract

This device for treating cooked rice for conveying cooked rice along a conveyance path while generating cooked rice lumps includes a loading part having an inlet that is in communication with the conveyance path, a conveyance part that conveys the cooked rice loaded though the inlet along the conveyance path, and a dividing and forming part that divides and forms the cooked rice conveyed by the conveyance part to generate the cooked rice lumps, wherein the conveyance part has rollers that are provided in an upper and lower stage and conveys the cooked rice by means of a rotation operation.

Description

Rice processing device

[0001] This disclosure relates to a rice processing device. This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 710,040 filed in the United States on October 22, 2024, and incorporates its content herein by reference.

[0002] Conventionally, there are rice processing devices that automatically form lumps of rice such as rice balls for onigiri or sushi rice balls. The rice processing device includes, for example, a mechanism that compresses the rice supplied from a hopper and divides it into a predetermined amount, generating rice lumps divided into a predetermined amount.

[0003] As a rice processing device that generates rice lumps divided into a predetermined amount, there is a rice forming device described in Patent Document 1. In the rice forming device described in Patent Document 1, the rice put into a hopper installed at the top of the rice forming device falls along the inner wall surface of a rice supply cylinder arranged at the lower part of the hopper and is sent to a measuring section composed of a pair of three-stage rollers.

[0004] The rice sent to the measuring section is sent downward while being compressed by the rotational movement of the rollers, and is divided by the sliding movement of a movable blade at a timing when it reaches a predetermined weight. The divided rice is accommodated in a forming hole of a turntable arranged below the movable blade, and is pressed vertically by a forming lower die arranged in the forming hole and a forming upper die installed above the turntable, thereby being formed into a rice lump having a predetermined shape.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-149937

[0006] However, a conventional rice processing device such as the rice forming device described in Patent Document 1 has three-stage rollers, a movable blade, a turntable, and a forming upper die arranged vertically, and uses these mechanisms to sequentially perform a compression step (measurement step), a division step, and a forming step on the rice. Therefore, the dimensions in the vertical direction become large, and there is a possibility that the installation location is limited. Therefore, there is a need for a rice processing device that is smaller than conventional rice processing devices.

[0007] Based on the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a rice processing device that is smaller than conventional rice processing devices.

[0008] A rice processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a rice processing apparatus that generates rice lumps while conveying rice along a conveying path, comprising: an input section having an input port communicating with the conveying path; a conveying section that conveys the rice introduced into the input port along the conveying path; and a dividing and molding section that divides and molds the rice conveyed by the conveying section to generate rice lumps, wherein the conveying section is provided in two stages, upper and lower, and has rollers that convey the rice by rotational movement.

[0009] The rice processing apparatus of this disclosure provides a rice processing apparatus that is smaller than conventional rice processing apparatuses.

[0010] This is a perspective view showing the rice processing apparatus according to this disclosure. This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the rice processing apparatus. This is a perspective view showing the rollers of the rice processing apparatus. This is a front view showing the first position of the dividing molding section of the rice processing apparatus. This is a front view showing the second position of the dividing molding section of the rice processing apparatus. This is a cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI in Figure 4. This is a perspective view showing the dividing molding section of the rice processing apparatus. This is a perspective view showing the movable part of the dividing molding section. This is a perspective view showing the slide table of the rice processing apparatus. This is a cross-sectional view showing the initial position of the slide table. This is a cross-sectional view showing the stopping position of the slide table.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the rice processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the rice processing apparatus 100.

[0012] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the vertical direction in the rice processing device 100 is defined as "upward direction Z," the vertically upward direction is defined as "upward Z1" in the upward direction Z, and the vertically downward direction is defined as "downward Z2" in the upward direction Z. Furthermore, among the horizontal directions perpendicular to the upward direction Z, the direction in which the user of the rice processing device 100 is mainly positioned relative to the rice processing device 100 is defined as "forward Y1," the direction opposite to forward Y1 is defined as "backward Y2," and the direction connecting forward Y1 and backward Y2 is defined as "front-back direction Y." Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the upward direction Z and the front-back direction Y is defined as "left-right direction X," one side of the left-right direction X is defined as "rightward X1," and the other side is defined as "leftward X2" in the left-right direction X.

[0013] [Rice Processing Device 100] The rice processing device 100 comprises a housing 10, a storage 20, a feeding 30, a partition 40, a transport 50, a cover member 60, a division molding 70, and a slide table 80. In this embodiment, the rice processing device 100 is a device that produces rice lumps such as sushi rice balls by applying predetermined processes to the supplied rice.

[0014] [Housing 10] As shown in Figure 1, the housing 10 comprises a side section 11, a rear section 12, a top section 13, a first front section 14, a second front section 15, a power switching section 16, an operation section 17, and a control section 18. The side section 11, rear section 12, top section 13, first front section 14, and second front section 15 are mainly components that form the exterior of the rice processing device 100.

[0015] The side portion 11 is a component that forms the exterior of both sides in the left-right direction X of the rice processing device 100. The rear portion 12 is a component that mainly forms the exterior of the rear Y2 of the rice processing device 100.

[0016] The upper portion 13 is a component that mainly forms the upper Z1 exterior of the rice processing device 100. In this embodiment, the upper portion 13 has a first upper portion 13a and a second upper portion 13b.

[0017] The rear end Y2 of the first upper surface portion 13a is connected to the upper end Z1 of the rear surface portion 12 via a hinge structure. As a result, the first upper surface portion 13a is rotatable relative to the rear surface portion 12 with a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction X as the center of rotation.

[0018] The second upper surface portion 13b is provided in front of the first upper surface portion 13a at a distance Y1. The rear end Y2 of the second upper surface portion 13b is connected to the front end Y1 of the first upper surface portion 13a via a hinge structure. As a result, the second upper surface portion 13b is rotatably mounted relative to the first upper surface portion 13a with a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction X as the center of rotation.

[0019] The user can expose the housing section 20 shown in Figure 2 by lifting the front end Y1 of the second upper section 13b upward Z1. For example, the user can expose a part of the housing section 20 by lifting the front end Y1 of the second upper section 13b upward Z1 and rotating the second upper section 13b relative to the first upper section 13a.

[0020] Furthermore, the user can expose the entire housing section 20 by lifting the second upper section 13b and the front end Y1 of the first upper section 13a connected to the second upper section 13b upward Z1, and rotating the entire upper section 13 relative to the rear section 12.

[0021] In this way, the user can switch between a state in which the entire storage section 20 is covered by the top section 13 and a state in which at least a part of the storage section 20 is exposed by opening and closing the top section 13.

[0022] The upper portion 13 may be detachably attached to the rice processing device 100. For example, the upper portion 13 can be removed from the rear portion 12 by releasing the engagement of the hinge structure connecting the upper portion 13 and the rear portion 12.

[0023] The first front portion 14 is a member that extends downward Z2 from the front Y1 end of the second upper portion 13b, and is mainly a member that forms the exterior of the front Y1 of the rice processing device 100. In this embodiment, the first front portion 14 forms a part of the exterior of the front Y1 of the rice processing device 100.

[0024] The first front section 14 is detachably attached to the rice processing device 100. By removing the first front section 14 from the rice processing device 100, the internal structure, such as the cover member 60 shown in Figure 2, is exposed. By removing the first front section 14 from the rice processing device 100, the user can clean the inside of the rice processing device 100 and maintain the various parts installed inside the rice processing device 100.

[0025] The second front portion 15 is a component that forms a part of the exterior of the front Y1 of the rice processing device 100, located below Z2 of the first front portion 14. The second front portion 15 is detachably mounted on the rice processing device 100. By removing the second front portion 15 from the rice processing device 100, the divided molding portion 70 and the slide table 80 shown in Figure 2 are exposed. The second front portion 15 only needs to be attached to the rice processing device 100 in such a way that the divided molding portion 70 and the slide table 80 are exposed. For example, it may be rotatably mounted on the rice processing device 100 by a hinge structure, and the divided molding portion 70 and the slide table 80 may be exposed by rotation. If the second front portion 15 is rotatably mounted by a hinge structure, for example, the second front portion 15 rotates so that its upper end moves forward Y1 by a hinge structure provided below Z2.

[0026] In this embodiment, the front Y1, rear Y2, and upper Z1 ends of the side portion 11 have a flange shape that extends toward the inside of the rice processing device 100. Therefore, both ends in the left-right direction X of the exterior of the front Y1, rear Y2, and upper Z1 of the rice processing device 100 are formed by the ends of the side portion 11.

[0027] The power switching unit 16 is a switch that can turn the power of the rice processing device 100 on and off. For example, when a user uses the rice processing device 100, they connect the power cord (not shown) of the rice processing device 100 to an external power source such as an electrical outlet (not shown) located in the indoor space where the rice processing device 100 is installed, and turn on the power of the rice processing device 100 by operating the power switching unit 16.

[0028] The operation unit 17 is an operation panel that receives various operations for the rice processing device 100. The operation unit 17 may be composed of a plurality of physical switches that receive predetermined operations, or it may be composed of a touch panel. The operation unit 17 may also include lighting or the like to inform the user of the status of the rice processing device 100.

[0029] In this embodiment, the power switching unit 16 and the operation unit 17 are positioned facing forward Y1 of the rice processing device 100. This allows a user positioned in front Y1 of the rice processing device 100 to easily operate the power switching unit 16 and the operation unit 17.

[0030] Furthermore, the power switching unit 16 and the operation unit 17 are positioned on the side portion 11 located on the right side X1, in a part that forms part of the exterior of the front Y1 of the rice processing device 100. Therefore, the user can remove the first front portion 14 and the second front portion 15 from the rice processing device 100 without removing the power switching unit 16 and the operation unit 17 from the rice processing device 100.

[0031] The control unit 18 is a control device capable of controlling part or all of the rice processing device 100. The control unit 18 is located in the internal space of the rice processing device 100, enclosed by the side portion 11, the rear portion 12, the top portion 13, the first front portion 14, and the second front portion 15.

[0032] The control unit 18 is, for example, a program-executable device (computer) equipped with a processor, memory, and storage unit. Each function of the control unit 18 is realized by one or more processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), executing a program stored in program memory. However, all or part of these functions may be realized by hardware (e.g., circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Furthermore, all or part of the above functions may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The storage unit is realized by flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), or RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0033] [Storage section 20] The storage section 20 is a box-shaped component with an opening at the top Z1, and is capable of storing cooked rice in the storage space formed inside. The user exposes the storage section 20 by rotating the top part 13 relative to the rear part 12 to open it, and stores cooked rice in the storage section 20.

[0034] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the roller 51 of the rice processing device 100. Figure 4 is a front view showing the first position P1 of the dividing molding section 70 of the rice processing device 100. Figure 5 is a front view showing the second position P2 of the dividing molding section 70 of the rice processing device 100. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI in Figure 4.

[0035] [Input Section 30] The input section 30 is the component into which the cooked rice stored in the storage section 20 is put. The cooked rice put into the input section 30 is transported along the transport path TR (see Figures 4, 5, and 6) by the transport section 50 shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, the input section 30 is positioned in front of the storage section 20, Y1. The input section 30 has an input opening 30h that opens upward Z1. Cooked rice is introduced into the internal space of the input section 30 through the input opening 30h. The input section 30 has an introduction section 31 and a storage section 32.

[0037] The introduction section 31 is located below the input opening 30h in Z2 and is a component that guides the cooked rice introduced into the input opening 30h downwards in Z2. The cooked rice introduced from the input opening 30h is guided downwards in Z2 by falling through the internal space of the introduction section 31.

[0038] In this embodiment, the input section 30 includes a cylindrical first introduction section 31a formed integrally with the storage section 20, and a second introduction section 31b formed integrally with the storage section 32 and cover member 60 (described later), and positioned below the first introduction section 31a Z2.

[0039] The storage section 32 is located in the input section 30, below the introduction section 31 Z2, and is a component that stores the cooked rice that is put into the input section 30 before it is transported to the transport section 50. The cooked rice put in from the input opening 30h falls through the internal space of the introduction section 31 to reach the storage section 32, and is stored by piling up in the storage section 32. In this embodiment, the storage section 32 is formed integrally with the second introduction section 31b and the cover member 60.

[0040] [Partition Wall 40] As shown in Figure 6, the partition wall 40 is a plate-shaped wall that is provided between the storage section 20 and the input section 30 in the front-rear direction Y, separating the storage section 20 and the input section 30. The cooked rice scooped out from the storage section 20 toward the front Y1 is divided in the front-rear direction Y by the partition wall top 40t, which is the upper end of the partition wall 40.

[0041] In the cooked rice divided in the front-back direction Y, the portion in the rear Y2 remains in the storage portion 20. Further, the cooked rice divided in the front Y1 is introduced into the introduction portion 30 from the introduction port 30h, passes through the internal space of the introduction portion 30, and falls downward Z2.

[0042] [Carriage unit 50] The carriage unit 50 is provided below Z2 of the introduction unit 30, and conveys the cooked rice introduced from the introduction port 30h along the conveyance path TR. The carriage unit 50 conveys the cooked rice by the rotation operation of rollers 51 provided in upper and lower two stages.

[0043] In the following description, among the rollers 51 provided in upper and lower two stages, the roller 51 disposed in the upper Z1 is referred to as the first roller 51a, and the roller 51 disposed in the lower Z2 is referred to as the second roller 51b.

[0044] The first roller 51a is a cylindrical roller having a central axis O1 extending in the front-back direction Y, and is provided rotatably about the central axis O1 as a rotation center. The first roller 51a does not necessarily have to be strictly cylindrical.

[0045] The second roller 51b is a cylindrical roller having a central axis O2 extending in the front-back direction Y, and is provided rotatably about the central axis O2 below Z2 of the first roller 51a. The second roller 51b does not necessarily have to be strictly cylindrical.

[0046] In the following description, as shown in FIG. 4, the side away from the conveyance path TR in the left-right direction X is referred to as the outer side D1, and the side approaching the conveyance path TR in the left-right direction X is referred to as the inner side D2.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the central axis O2 of the second roller 51b is disposed on the inner side D2 rather than the central axis O1 of the first roller 51a. Further, the diameter of the second roller 51b is smaller than the diameter of the first roller 51a.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the conveyance unit has a pair of first rollers 51a and a pair of second rollers 51b. The outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of first rollers 51a are disposed to face each other in the left-right direction X. Further, the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of second rollers 51b are disposed to face each other in the left-right direction X below Z2 of the pair of first rollers 51a.

[0049] The outer surfaces of the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b are formed with a textured surface to facilitate the transport of cooked rice by the rotational movement of the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b.

[0050] [Cover Member 60] The cover member 60 includes a first cover member 61 (see Figure 2) that covers the roller 51 from the front Y1 and a second cover member 62 (see Figures 4, 5, and 6) that covers the roller 51 from the rear Y2.

[0051] The first cover member 61 has a flange shape that extends rearward Y2 from its outer circumference. The second cover member 62 also has a flange shape that extends forward Y1 from its outer circumference.

[0052] The first cover member 61 and the second cover member 62 form an internal space in which the roller 51 is housed, by the connection of their respective flange shapes in the front-rear direction Y.

[0053] In this embodiment, the front surface Y1 of the second introduction section 31b and the storage section 32 is formed integrally with the first cover member 61. The rear surface Y2 of the second introduction section 31b and the storage section 32 is formed integrally with the second cover member 62.

[0054] The second introduction section 31b and the storage section 32 are formed integrally with the cover member 60 and are made up of members that are divided in the front-rear direction Y. Therefore, the internal spaces of the second introduction section 31b, the storage section 32, and the cover member 60 are in communication with each other.

[0055] In the following description, of the second introduction section 31b, the storage section 32, and the cover member 60 which are formed integrally, the member that forms the front surface Y1 will be referred to as the "first member," and the member that forms the rear surface Y2 will be referred to as the "second member."

[0056] The first component is a component that includes a first cover component 61. The second component is a component that includes a second cover component 62. The first component is detachably attached to the rice processing device 100. By removing the first component from the rice processing device 100, the user can expose the roller 51 and perform cleaning and maintenance on the roller 51. The rice processing device 100 shown in Figure 3 is the rice processing device 100 shown in Figure 2 with the first component removed.

[0057] The introduction section 31 has an internal space large enough to allow a quantity of cooked rice equivalent to multiple portions of cooked rice produced by the cooked rice processing device 100 to pass through. In this embodiment, the cylindrical introduction section 31 has a predetermined gradient in which the inner diameter expands from the top Z1 to the bottom Z2.

[0058] In other words, the internal space of the introduction section 31 widens as it moves downward towards Z2. This allows the introduction section 31 to smoothly guide an amount of cooked rice equivalent to multiple portions of cooked rice to the storage section 32.

[0059] The storage section 32 is located below the introduction section 31 by a distance Z2. The lower end of the storage section 32 is at the same height as the central axis O1 in the vertical direction Z. The storage section 32 is formed from the lower end of the introduction section 31 by a distance Z2 to the central axis O1. The internal space of the storage section 32 is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surfaces of a pair of first rollers 51a in the left-right direction X.

[0060] In this embodiment, the lower Z2 end of the introduction section 31 is located at approximately the same height as the upper Z1 end of the first roller 51a. The left-right dimension X of the opening in the lower Z2 of the introduction section 31 is greater than the distance between the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of first rollers 51a facing each other in the left-right direction X. Furthermore, the distance between the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of first rollers 51a narrows as you move from the upper Z1 end of the first roller 51a toward the central axis O1.

[0061] The left-right dimension X of the storage section 32 formed between the pair of first rollers 51a narrows downwards Z2 due to the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of first rollers 51a. Therefore, the cooked rice that passes through the introduction section 31 and falls into the storage section 32 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of first rollers 51a and is stored in the storage section 32.

[0062] The cooked rice, fed into the input section 30 from the input opening 30h, falls downward Z2, passing through the internal space of the introduction section 31 from top Z1 to bottom Z2, and reaching the storage section 32 located below the introduction section 31 Z2. The cooked rice that falls into the storage section 32 is stored by accumulating in the storage section 32 formed between the outer surfaces of a pair of first rollers 51a.

[0063] The pair of first rollers 51a rotate in the first rotational direction R1 shown in Figure 4, thereby sending the cooked rice stored in the storage section 32 downwards Z2. The pair of second rollers 51b rotate in the first rotational direction R3 shown in Figure 4, thereby sending the cooked rice that has been sent downwards Z2 by the first rollers 51a further downwards Z2.

[0064] The rotational movement of the roller 51 is controlled, for example, by the control unit 18. The rice processing device 100 has an electric motor (not shown) that rotates the roller 51. The control unit 18 controls the electric motor that rotates the first roller 51a and the electric motor that rotates the second roller 51b, respectively, and controls the rotation direction and rotation speed of the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b.

[0065] [Divided Molding Section 70] The divided molding section 70 is located below Z2 of the conveying section 50. The divided molding section 70 has a pair of movable parts 71. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the divided molding section 70. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the movable parts 71 in the divided molding section 70. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the movable parts 71 include a mold 72 and a dividing blade 73.

[0066] As shown in Figure 4, the pair of movable parts 71 are arranged on both sides in the left-right direction X of the transport path TR. Furthermore, the pair of movable parts 71 are provided to be movable on the side away from the transport path TR (outer D1) and the side approaching the transport path TR (inner D2).

[0067] The movements of the pair of movable parts 71 are interconnected, and each can perform the following actions: moving outward D1 to a position separated from each other (first position P1), and moving inward D2 to a position closer to each other (second position P2). The movements of the pair of movable parts 71 are controlled, for example, by the control unit 18.

[0068] The mold 72 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the rice mass produced by the rice processing device 100. Specifically, the mold 72 has a concave shape that opens to the inside D2 and below Z2. The movable part 71 is capable of accommodating the rice in the internal space 71s of this concave shape.

[0069] The mold 72 molds the cooked rice placed in the internal space 71s into a shape that conforms to the inner wall of the internal space 71s. In the divided molding section 70, the pair of movable parts 71 are arranged so that their respective internal spaces 71s face each other in the left-right direction X.

[0070] The dividing blade 73 is provided at the upper end of the molding die 72 and has a shape that protrudes toward the transport path TR side (inner side D2). The dividing blade 73, which is provided by a pair of movable parts 71, has a shape that interlocks when the pair of movable parts 71 are in the second position P2, as shown in Figure 7.

[0071] When the pair of movable parts 71 are in the second position P2, the divided blades 73 of the pair of movable parts 71 are arranged so that at least a portion of them overlap in the left-right direction X, and are meshed together in an approaching state in the up-down direction Z.

[0072] [Slide Table 80] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the slide table 80 provided in the rice processing device 100. As shown in Figure 9, the slide table 80 is a plate-shaped member that extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction Z.

[0073] The slide table 80 comprises a mounting section 81, a pressing section 82, a first guide section 83, a second guide section 84, a connecting section 85, and a rail section 86. The slide table 80 is provided below Z2 of the divided molding section 70.

[0074] The mounting section 81 is located on the upper surface of the slide table 80, in the central part in the forward direction Y1 and the left-right direction X. The rice lumps produced by the rice processing device 100 are placed on the mounting section 81 of the slide table 80. The mounting section 81 has a flat surface of a size that can accommodate the rice lumps produced by the rice processing device 100.

[0075] The pressing portion 82 is located on the upper surface of the slide table 80, at a rear Y2 position relative to the mounting portion 81. In this embodiment, the pressing portion 82 is connected to the mounting portion 81 in the front-rear direction Y and forms the same plane as the mounting portion 81. However, the mounting portion 81 and the pressing portion 82 do not necessarily have to form the same plane.

[0076] The first guide section 83 is provided on both sides of the mounting section 81 in the left-right direction X. The second guide section 84 is provided behind the first guide section 83 Y2. The upper surface of the second guide section 84 is located below the upper surface of the first guide section 83 Z2.

[0077] The first guide section 83 and the second guide section 84 are connected in the front-rear direction Y by a connecting section 85. The upper surface of the connecting section 85 forms a slope that inclines downward Z2 from the upper surface of the first guide section 83 toward the upper surface of the second guide section 84.

[0078] In this embodiment, the slide table 80 is a plate-shaped member in which a mounting portion 81, a pressing portion 82, a first guide portion 83, a second guide portion 84, a connecting portion 85, and a rail portion 86 are integrally formed.

[0079] In this embodiment, the slide table 80 has substantially the same thickness across its entire surface. Therefore, on the lower surface of the slide table 80, the lower surface of the second guide portion 84 is located lower Z2 than the lower surface of the first guide portion 83. Furthermore, the lower surface of the connecting portion 85 forms a slope that inclines downward Z2 from the lower surface of the first guide portion 83 toward the lower surface of the second guide portion 84.

[0080] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the initial position P3 of the slide table 80. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the stopping position P4 of the slide table 80. Figures 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views along the line X-X shown in Figure 9.

[0081] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, a rotating roller RR is provided below Z2 of the slide table 80. The rotating roller RR is a cylindrical roller having a central axis O3 extending in the left-right direction X, and is rotatably mounted with the central axis O3 as the center of rotation. The rotating roller RR does not need to be strictly cylindrical in shape.

[0082] The rotating roller RR is positioned below the slide table 80 Z2, at a location corresponding to at least the first guide portion 83 and the second guide portion 84. When the slide table 80 is in the initial position P3, the lower surface of the first guide portion 83 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the rotating roller RR.

[0083] The slide table 80, initially located at position P3, moves forward Y1 when the rotating roller RR rotates in the third rotational direction R5, due to the frictional force generated between the lower surface of the first guide portion 83 and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating roller RR.

[0084] When the slide table 80, which is initially located at position P3, moves forward to Y1, the lower surface of the first guide portion 83, the lower surface of the connecting portion 85, and the lower surface of the second guide portion 84 of the slide table 80 come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the rotating roller RR in that order.

[0085] As the sliding table 80 moves forward Y1 from its initial position P3, the lower surface of the connecting portion 85, which is inclined downward Z2 as it moves backward Y2, is pushed up by the rotating roller RR, causing it to move upward Z1.

[0086] The slide table 80 moves to the stop position P4 shown in Figure 11 as the rotating roller RR, which is in contact with the lower surface of the connecting portion 85, rotates further in the third rotational direction R5.

[0087] The stopping position P4 indicates the position of the slide table 80 when the lower surface of the second guide portion 84 and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating roller RR come into contact. At the stopping position P4, the slide table 80 is located above the initial position P3, where the lower surface of the first guide portion 83 and the rotating roller RR are in contact, because the lower surface of the second guide portion 84, which is located below the lower surface of the first guide portion 83 Z2, is in contact with the rotating roller RR.

[0088] In this way, the slide table 80, which is initially located at position P3, moves forward Y1 as the rotating roller RR rotates in the third rotational direction R5, and the first guide portion 83, connecting portion 85, and second guide portion 84 gradually move upward Z1 as they come into contact with the rotating roller RR in that order, moving to a stopping position P4 which is forward Y1 and upward Z1 from the initial position P3.

[0089] Conversely, the slide table 80, located at the stopping position P4, moves backward Y2 as the rotating roller RR rotates in the fourth rotation direction R6, opposite to the third rotation direction R5. The second guide portion 84, the connecting portion 85, and the first guide portion 83 then gradually move downward Z2 as they come into contact with the rotating roller RR in that order, moving to the initial position P3, which is further back Y2 and downward Z2 than the stopping position P4.

[0090] The rotational movement of the rotating roller RR is controlled, for example, by the control unit 18. By controlling the rotational movement of the rotating roller RR, the control unit 18 can move the slide table 80 back and forth between the initial position P3 and the stop position P4.

[0091] When the slide table 80 is in the initial position P3, the split molding section 70 is facing the mounting section 81 in the vertical direction Z. Also, when the slide table 80 is in the stop position P4, the split molding section 70 is facing the pressing section 82 in the vertical direction Z.

[0092] The rail sections 86 are provided at both ends of the slide table 80 in the left-right direction X. The rail sections 86 are formed from the front end Y1 to the rear end Y2 of the slide table 80.

[0093] The rice processing device 100 is provided with an auxiliary roller (not shown) at a position corresponding to the rail section 86. The auxiliary roller is a roller that is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction X. The upper surface of the rail section 86 is in contact with the outer surface of the auxiliary roller. Note that the rail section 86 does not need to be in strict contact with the auxiliary roller.

[0094] The slide table 80 is mounted sandwiched in the vertical direction Z between a rotating roller RR provided below Z2 and the aforementioned auxiliary roller provided above Z1. In this embodiment, when the slide table 80 moves back and forth in the front-rear direction Y by the rotating roller RR, the rail portion 86 maintains contact with the auxiliary roller while moving back and forth in the front-rear direction Y. The rail portion 86 has a shape that allows it to maintain contact with the outer circumferential surface of the auxiliary roller when the slide table 80 moves in the front-rear direction Y.

[0095] Since the slide table 80 is mounted by being sandwiched in the vertical direction Z by the rotating roller RR and the auxiliary roller, it can move stably along a predetermined path when moving in the front-rear direction Y.

[0096] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, convex shapes projecting upward Z1 are formed on both sides of the mounting section 81 in the left-right direction X. Even if vibration or shock is applied to the rice mass placed on the mounting section 81 due to the moving back and forth motion of the slide table 80, the rice processing device 100 can prevent the rice mass from tipping over in the left-right direction X due to the convex shapes on both sides of the mounting section 81.

[0097] [Operation of the Rice Processing Device 100] Next, the operation of the rice processing device 100 will be described. The operation of the rice processing device 100 described below is to divide cooked rice into a predetermined amount and to produce cooked rice lumps of a predetermined density and shape. In this embodiment, the operation of the rice processing device 100 is controlled by the control unit 18.

[0098] When the rice processing device 100 is used to produce rice lumps, the user opens the top section 13 to expose at least a portion of the storage section 20. Alternatively, the user can remove the second front section 15 to expose the slide table 80 of the rice processing device 100. If the second front section 15 is rotatably mounted by a hinge structure, the user may rotate the second front section 15 to expose the slide table 80 of the rice processing device 100.

[0099] The user operates the power switch 16 to turn on the power to the rice processing device 100. At this time, the user may also operate the control unit 17 to set the weight, density, etc., of the rice lumps to be produced by the rice processing device 100. Alternatively, the control unit 18 may acquire setting information that has been previously stored in the control unit 18's memory unit, etc., and have the rice processing device 100 produce rice lumps based on the acquired setting information.

[0100] Next, the user places cooked rice into the storage section 20. When the user starts the production of cooked rice lumps by the cooked rice processing device 100, the user scrapes the cooked rice contained in the storage section 20 forward Y1 and puts the cooked rice into the input section 30 from the input port 30h.

[0101] At this time, the user uses the partition 40 to divide the required amount of rice from the rice stored in the storage section 20 and puts the divided rice into the input section 30. The rice put into the input section 30 passes through the introduction section 31 and falls downward Z2 and is stored in the storage section 32.

[0102] [Weighing Process] The control unit 18 performs a weighing process on the cooked rice stored in the storage unit 32. In the weighing process, the first roller 51a rotates in the first rotation direction R1 shown in Figures 4 and 5, thereby conveying the cooked rice stored in the storage unit 32 downward Z2 along the conveying path TR.

[0103] For example, the first roller 51a transports only a predetermined amount of cooked rice from the cooked rice stored in the storage section 32 downwards to Z2. As a result, the cooked rice stored in the storage section 32 is connected to the cooked rice transported by the first roller 51a.

[0104] In the weighing process, when the first roller 51a conveys the cooked rice downwards Z2, the second roller 51b is stationary. Therefore, the cooked rice conveyed downwards Z2 by the first roller 51a remains stationary between the first roller 51a, which rotates in the first rotational direction R1, and the stationary second roller 51b.

[0105] When cooked rice is trapped between the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b, the first roller 51a continues to rotate in the first rotational direction R1 for a predetermined time. As a result, more cooked rice is added to the cooked rice trapped between the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b. The cooked rice trapped between the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b is compressed by the added cooked rice.

[0106] As the second roller 51b stops and the first roller 51a continues to rotate in the first rotational direction R1, the cooked rice trapped between the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b is compressed to a predetermined density.

[0107] [Supplying Process] The control unit 18 performs a supplying process to further transport the rice compressed in the weighing process downward Z2. In the supplying process, the second roller 51b rotates in the first rotational direction R3 shown in Figures 4 and 5, thereby transporting the rice compressed to a predetermined density downward Z2. In the supplying process, the first roller 51a also rotates in the first rotational direction R1.

[0108] At this time, the pair of movable parts 71 are located in the first position P1 shown in Figure 4. The pair of movable parts 71 located in the first position P1 are spaced apart from each other outward D1. A molding space 70s is formed between the pair of movable parts 71 located in the first position P1, as shown in Figure 4. The conveying unit 50 supplies cooked rice to the molding space 70s by conveying the cooked rice along the conveying path TR.

[0109] When cooked rice is supplied to the molding space 70s, the slide table 80 moves forward Y1 and upward Z1 from the initial position P3 shown in Figure 10 to the stopping position P4 shown in Figure 11.

[0110] The cooked rice conveyed downward Z2 by the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b is supplied to the molding space 70s. The cooked rice conveyed downward Z2 by the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b is supplied to the molding space 70s while connected to, for example, the cooked rice stored in the storage section 32.

[0111] [Divided Molding Process] The control unit 18 performs a divided molding process on the cooked rice supplied to the molding space 70s. In the divided molding process, the pair of movable parts 71 move inward D2 from each other and move to the second position P2 shown in Figure 5. At this time, the cooked rice supplied to the molding space 70s is contained in the internal space 71s of the pair of movable parts 71.

[0112] A pair of movable parts 71 move from a first position P1 to a second position P2, compressing the cooked rice with the mold 72 and housing the cooked rice in the internal space 71s. As a result, the internal space 71s of the movable parts 71 houses the cooked rice, which has been molded into a predetermined shape along the inner wall of the mold 72.

[0113] At this time, in the slide table 80 located at the stop position P4, the pressing portion 82 is facing the divided molding portion 70 in the vertical direction Z. The pressing portion 82 is in contact with, for example, the lower surface of the cooked rice contained in the internal space 71s of the movable portion 71. The lower surface of the cooked rice that is in contact with the pressing portion 82 is pressed from below Z2 by the pressing portion 82 and shaped into a predetermined form.

[0114] Furthermore, when the pair of movable parts 71 move from the first position P1 to the second position P2, their dividing blades 73 interlock, as shown in Figure 7. The interlocking of the dividing blades 73 of the pair of movable parts 71 divides the cooked rice contained in the internal space 71s of the movable part 71 and the cooked rice located above the movable part 71 Z1 in the vertical direction Z.

[0115] In this way, the dividing and molding unit 70 divides and molds the cooked rice conveyed by the conveying unit 50 by moving a pair of movable parts 71 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, thereby generating lumps of cooked rice.

[0116] When the dividing molding section 70 divides the cooked rice, the rollers 51 rotate in a direction that moves the cooked rice upward Z1. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the first roller 51a rotates in a second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1, and the second roller 51b rotates in a second rotation direction R4 opposite to the first rotation direction R3.

[0117] The rice processing device 100 presses the dividing blades 73 of the pair of movable parts 71 against the outer surfaces D1 of the rice, and further rotates the rollers 51 in the second rotational directions R2 and R4 to pull the rice upward Z1, thereby reliably separating the rice contained in the internal space 71s of the movable part 71 from the rice located above the movable part 71 Z1.

[0118] In the supply process described above, the conveying unit 50 supplies a predetermined amount of cooked rice to the molding space 70s by the rotational movement of the roller 51. In the division molding process, the dividing molding unit 70 generates a predetermined amount of cooked rice lumps by dividing the cooked rice supplied to the molding space 70s.

[0119] In the weighing process described above, the conveying unit 50 compresses the cooked rice that remains between the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b to a predetermined density. In the division molding process, the dividing and molding unit 70 compresses the cooked rice supplied to the molding space 70s using the molding die 72, and molds it into a shape that conforms to the inner wall of the molding die 72. In this way, the cooked rice processing device 100 produces cooked rice lumps of a predetermined quantity, predetermined density, and predetermined shape.

[0120] In the division and molding process, the rice processing device 100 can divide the rice into predetermined amounts and mold them into predetermined shapes by moving a pair of movable parts 71 from a first position P1 to a second position P2. By performing the division and molding processes simultaneously, the rice processing device 100 can shorten the time required to generate rice lumps.

[0121] Furthermore, the rice processing device 100 can perform both a dividing process and a molding process on cooked rice using the dividing and molding section 70, and since it is not necessary to separately provide a component for the dividing process and a component for the molding process, it can be made smaller.

[0122] [Serving Process] The control unit 18 performs the serving process on the rice mass generated by the divided molding unit 70. The rice mass generated by the divided molding unit 70 is held in the internal space 71s of the movable unit 71.

[0123] During the supply process, the control unit 18 moves the slide table 80 from the stop position P4 to the initial position P3 shown in Figure 10. At this time, the slide table 80 moves downward Z2 while moving backward Y2.

[0124] Therefore, the slide table 80 can move to the initial position P3 without contacting the lower surface of the rice mass held in the divided molding section 70. This prevents the shape of the rice mass from being distorted by contact between the rice mass and the slide table 80. When the slide table 80 moves to the initial position P3, the divided molding section 70 and the mounting section 81 are facing each other in the vertical direction Z.

[0125] The control unit 18 moves the pair of movable parts 71 from the second position P2 to the first position P1. As the pair of movable parts 71 move to the first position P1, the rice mass held in the divided molding section 70 is released and placed on the placement section 81.

[0126] The slide table 80, initially located at position P3, moves forward Y1 and upward Z1 when a block of cooked rice is placed on the placement section 81, and then moves to the stopping position P4. As the slide table 80 moves from the initial position P3 to the stopping position P4, it moves upward Z1 with the block of cooked rice placed on the placement section 81 positioned forward Y1 above the dividing and molding section 70. That is, as the slide table 80 moves from the initial position P3 to the stopping position P4, it moves forward Y1 a predetermined distance, then moves upward Z1, and stops at the stopping position P4.

[0127] Therefore, compared to the case where the slide table 80 moves only forward Y1, it is possible to prevent the rice lumps placed on the mounting section 81 from falling forward Y1, and to suppress the deformation of the rice lumps.

[0128] Furthermore, by moving the slide table 80 from the initial position P3 to the stopping position P4, the rice mass placed on the placement section 81 can be moved to a position that is easily accessible to the user located in front of the rice processing device 100 Y1.

[0129] The mounting portion 81 of the slide table 80, when moved to the stopping position P4, is located in front Y1 of the first front portion 14. Therefore, the user can easily remove the rice mass from the slide table 80 without being obstructed by the components of the rice processing device 100.

[0130] As a result, there is no need to provide space between the dividing molding section 70 and the slide table 80 in the vertical direction Z for the user's hand to reach in when removing the rice mass, and the height of the rice processing device 100 in the vertical direction Z can be suppressed.

[0131] The order of the weighing process, supply process, division and molding process, and serving process by the rice processing device 100 is not limited to the order described above. The rice processing device 100 mainly generates multiple rice lumps in succession.

[0132] When the slide table 80 moves to the stop position P4 in the above-described supplying process, the control unit 18 starts a supply process for generating the next rice lumps, thereby enabling the rice processing device 100 to generate multiple rice lumps continuously in a short time.

[0133] For example, the control unit 18 may cause the rice processing device 100 to perform each step in the order of weighing, dividing and molding, serving, and supplying. In this case, each step performed the first time is performed as a preparatory operation for generating rice lumps in the second step.

[0134] In the first weighing process, the control unit 18 rotates the first roller 51a in the first rotational direction R1 while the second roller 51b is stopped, compressing the cooked rice to a predetermined density.

[0135] Next, the control unit 18 performs the first split molding process, rotating the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b in the second rotation directions R2 and R4, and moving the split molding unit 70 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. At this time, since cooked rice is not supplied to the molding space 70s, no cooked rice mass is formed. Also, during the split molding process, the slide table 80 is in the initial position P3.

[0136] Next, the control unit 18 performs the first serving process. At this time, since no rice mass has been generated in the first dividing and molding process, the slide table 80 moves from the initial position P3 to the stop position P4 with no rice mass placed on the placement section 81.

[0137] Next, the control unit 18 performs the first supply process and rotates the roller 51 in the first rotational directions R1 and R3 to supply the cooked rice, which has been compressed to a predetermined density in the first weighing process, into the molding space 70s.

[0138] Next, the control unit 18 performs a second weighing process and a division and molding process. In the second division and molding process, the control unit 18 molds and divides the cooked rice supplied to the molding space 70s in the first supply process, thereby generating lumps of cooked rice.

[0139] The control unit 18 performs the second serving process and places the rice mass generated in the second dividing molding process onto the mounting section 81 of the slide table 80, which has been moved to the initial position P3. The control unit 18 then moves the slide table 80, on which the rice mass is placed, to the stop position P4.

[0140] The control unit 18 performs a second supply process and supplies the rice, which has been compressed to a predetermined density in the second weighing process, into the molding space 70s. In subsequent operations, the control unit 18 repeatedly performs the weighing process, the division and molding process, the serving process, and the supply process in this order, causing the rice processing device 100 to continuously generate multiple rice lumps.

[0141] Thus, the control unit 18 may perform each of the first steps as a preparatory operation for each of the subsequent steps. When the weighing step, dividing and molding step, providing step, and supply step are performed in that order, the operation of the second roller 51b transitions in the following order: "stopped state (weighing step)", "rotational movement in the second rotational direction R4 (dividing and molding step)", "stopped state (providing step)", and "rotational movement in the first rotational direction R3 (supply step)".

[0142] Furthermore, the control unit 18 may cause the rice processing device 100 to perform each step in the order of supply, weighing, dividing and molding, and serving. In this case, each step performed the first time is performed as a preparatory operation for generating rice lumps in the second step.

[0143] In the first feeding process, the control unit 18 rotates the roller 51 in the first rotational directions R1 and R3. At this time, the cooked rice stored in the storage unit 32 is sent downward Z2 by the first roller 51a. Also, in the first feeding process, since no cooked rice remains between the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b, the cooked rice is not supplied to the molding space 70s. At this time, the pair of movable parts 71 are in, for example, the first position P1.

[0144] Next, the control unit 18 performs the first weighing process by rotating the first roller 51a in the first rotational direction R1 while stopping the rotation of the second roller 51b. As a result, the cooked rice that was sent between the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b in the first supply process is compressed to a predetermined density and remains between the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b.

[0145] Next, the control unit 18 performs the first split molding process. In the first split molding process, the control unit 18 moves the pair of movable parts 71 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, and rotates the first roller 51a and the second roller 51b in the second rotation directions R2 and R4. At this time, since cooked rice is not supplied to the molding space 70s, no cooked rice mass is formed. Also, in the split molding process, the slide table 80 is in the initial position P3.

[0146] Next, the control unit 18 performs the first serving process. At this time, since no rice mass has been generated in the first dividing and molding process, the slide table 80 moves from the initial position P3 to the stop position P4 with no rice mass placed on the placement section 81.

[0147] Next, the control unit 18 performs the second supply process. The control unit 18 rotates the roller 51 in the first rotation directions R1 and R3 to supply the cooked rice, which has been compressed to a predetermined density in the first weighing process, into the molding space 70s.

[0148] Next, the control unit 18 performs a second weighing process and a division and molding process. In the second division and molding process, the control unit 18 molds and divides the cooked rice supplied to the molding space 70s in the second supply process, thereby generating lumps of cooked rice.

[0149] The control unit 18 may perform the weighing process and the dividing and molding process simultaneously. In this case, for example, the control unit 18 performs the weighing process by rotating the first roller 51a in the first rotation direction R1 while the second roller 51b is stopped, and at the same time moves the pair of movable parts 71 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. Next, the control unit 18 rotates the rollers 51 in the second rotation directions R2 and R4 to mold and divide the cooked rice supplied to the molding space 70s in the second supply process, thereby generating lumps of cooked rice.

[0150] Next, the control unit 18 performs the second serving process. The control unit 18 places the rice mass generated in the second dividing molding process onto the mounting section 81 of the slide table 80, which has been moved to the initial position P3. The control unit 18 then moves the slide table 80, on which the rice mass is placed, to the stop position P4.

[0151] When the supply process, weighing process, splitting and molding process, and serving process are performed in that order, the operation of the second roller 51b progresses in the following order: "rotational movement in the first rotational direction R3 (supply process)", "stopped state (weighing process)", "rotational movement in the second rotational direction R4 (splitting and molding process)", and "stopped state (serving process)".

[0152] The rice processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes an input section 30 having an input port 30h that communicates with a transport path TR, a transport section 50 that transports the rice put into the input port 30h along the transport path TR, and a dividing and molding section 70 that divides and molds the rice transported by the transport section 50 to generate rice lumps. The transport section 50 is provided in two stages, upper and lower, and has rollers 51 that transport the rice by rotational movement.

[0153] The rice processing device 100 conveys rice using rollers 51 arranged in two stages, upper and lower. Compared to conventional devices that convey rice using three stages of rollers, it is possible to reduce the height in the vertical Z direction and reduce costs such as parts costs by reducing the number of parts.

[0154] The rice processing device 100 can suppress the height in the vertical Z direction and shorten the time required to generate rice lumps by simultaneously performing a dividing process and a molding process on rice using the dividing and molding unit 70.

[0155] As a result, we can provide a rice processing device 100 that is smaller than conventional rice processing devices.

[0156] Although one embodiment of this disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment and may include design changes, etc., that do not depart from the gist of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components shown in the above-described embodiment and the modifications shown below can be combined as appropriate.

[0157] (Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the dividing molding section 70 performs the dividing molding process by moving a pair of movable parts 71 in the left-right direction X, but the configuration of the dividing molding section is not limited thereto. The dividing molding section only needs to be able to divide and mold cooked rice, and may include a mechanism that can divide and mold cooked rice by moving only one of the pair of movable parts.

[0158] (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the slide table 80 moves back and forth in the front-rear direction Y by the rotation of a rotating roller RR located below the slide table 80 Z2, but the configuration of the slide table is not limited to this. The slide table may be provided to move back and forth between an initial position P3 and a stopping position P4 by a mechanism other than the rotating roller RR.

[0159] The program for the control unit 18, etc., is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The program recorded on this recording medium is loaded into a computer system and executed. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" may also include those that dynamically hold programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, and those that hold programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside the computer system that acts as a server or client in such cases. Furthermore, the above program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above, or it may be a program that can realize the above functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, or it may be realized using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0160] 100 Rice Processing Device 30 Input Section 30h Input Port 50 Conveying Section 51 Roller 51a First Roller 51b Second Roller 70 Dividing and Molding Section 70s Molding Space 71 Movable Part 72 Molding Mold 73 Dividing Blade 80 Slide Table 81 Mounting Section 82 Pressing Section TR Conveying Path R1, R3 First Rotation Direction R2, R4 Second Rotation Direction P1 First Position P2 Second Position P3 Initial Position P4 Stopping Position X Left / Right Direction Y Front / Back Direction Y1 Forward Y2 Backward Z Up / Down Direction Z1 Upward Z2 Downward

Claims

1. A rice processing apparatus for producing rice lumps while transporting cooked rice along a transport path, comprising: an input section having an input port communicating with the transport path; a transport section transporting the cooked rice introduced into the input port along the transport path; and a dividing and molding section dividing and molding the cooked rice transported by the transport section to produce rice lumps, wherein the transport section is provided in two stages, upper and lower, and has rollers that transport the cooked rice by rotational movement.

2. The rice processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dividing molding section comprises a mold corresponding to the shape of the rice mass, and a dividing blade provided at the upper end of the mold and protruding toward the conveying path.

3. A rice processing apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a slide table provided below the dividing molding section and capable of moving back and forth in the front-rear direction, wherein the slide table has a placement section on which the rice mass generated by the dividing molding section is placed, and a pressing section positioned behind the placement section, wherein when the rice mass generated by the dividing molding section is placed on the placement section, the dividing molding section and the placement section are in an initial position facing each other in the vertical direction, and when the rice mass is placed on the placement section, it moves forward and moves upward with the rice mass positioned in front of the dividing molding section, causing the dividing molding section and the pressing section to move to a stopping position facing each other in the vertical direction.

4. The rice processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the roller rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction in which the roller rotates when the divided molding section generates the rice mass and when the roller conveys the rice downward.

5. The rice processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the roller includes a first roller and a second roller positioned below the first roller, the second roller stops for a predetermined time before rotating in the second rotational direction, and the first roller rotates in the first rotational direction when the second roller is stopped.

6. The rice processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the dividing molding section has a pair of movable parts that can move between a first position spaced apart from each other and a second position closer together, the roller supplies the cooked rice into a molding space formed between the pair of movable parts when the pair of movable parts are in the first position, the pair of movable parts each have a molding die and a dividing blade, and when the cooked rice is supplied into the molding space, they move from the first position to the second position, compress the cooked rice with the molding dies of each other to form the shape of the cooked rice mass, and divide the cooked rice by engaging the dividing blades of each other to generate the cooked rice mass, and move from the second position to the first position to place the generated cooked rice mass on the aforementioned placement section.

7. The rice processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the dividing molding section holds the rice mass in the molding space when the slide table is in the stop position, and the pressing section presses the rice mass held in the molding space from below when the slide table is in the stop position.

8. The rice processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the rollers include a pair of first rollers and a pair of second rollers, each provided opposite to the conveying path.

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