Cooked rice processing apparatus and cooked rice management method

Abstract

Provided is a cooked rice processing apparatus comprising the following: a holding section for holding cooked rice; a portioning section for portioning the cooked rice held in the holding section; a transfer section for transferring the cooked rice held in the holding section to the portioning section; a residual amount measurement section for measuring the residual amount of the cooked rice held in the holding section; a display section; an input section for receiving user input; and a control section for controlling the input section and the display section. When the residual amount measurement section detects that the residual amount of cooked rice is at or above a predetermined threshold, the control section controls the display section to show a warning image indicating an excessive amount of the cooked rice was loaded.

Description

Rice processing device and rice management method

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice processing device and a rice management method. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 710,040, filed on October 22, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Conventionally, a rice processing device that generates rice lumps such as sushi rice balls is known. The rice processing device includes a mechanism that compresses the rice supplied from the storage unit and divides it into a predetermined amount (weight).

[0003] For example, in the rice processing device described in Patent Document 1, a rice supply path is formed, and a plurality of pairs of rollers arranged across the rice supply path are arranged in multiple stages along the rice conveyance direction. The pair of roller pairs are rotatable in the opposite direction (inward) to each other, and are arranged such that the opposing interval between each pair becomes narrower along the rice conveyance direction. Also, the rice is fed by the pair of rollers in the upper stage, and the rice is aggregated by the speed difference between the pair of rollers in the upper stage and the pair of rollers in the lower stage. The rice is gradually compressed by the plurality of pairs of rollers to a predetermined density and conveyed, and is divided into a predetermined amount by a shutter (division part) to form a rice lump.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-149937

[0005] However, the rice processing device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to know the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a rice processing device and a rice management method in which the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit is easily understood.

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means. A rice processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a storage unit for storing cooked rice, a dividing and forming unit for dividing the cooked rice in the storage unit to form cooked rice lumps, a conveying unit for conveying the cooked rice stored in the storage unit to the dividing and forming unit, a remaining amount measuring unit for measuring the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit, a display unit, an input unit for receiving user operations, and a control unit for controlling the input unit and the display unit, wherein the control unit displays a warning image on the display unit indicating that too much cooked rice has been added when the remaining amount of cooked rice measured by the remaining amount measuring unit exceeds a predetermined threshold amount.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a rice management method for a rice processing apparatus that forms rice masses from rice stored in a storage section, and the method for managing the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage section comprises: a remaining amount measurement step of measuring the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage section; and a warning image display step of displaying a warning image indicating that too much rice has been added when the remaining amount of rice measured in the remaining amount measurement step exceeds a predetermined threshold amount.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rice processing device and a rice management method that make it easy to determine the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage section.

[0010] This is a perspective view showing a rice processing apparatus according to this embodiment. This is a perspective view showing the conveying unit. This is a cross-sectional view showing the same conveying unit. This is a block diagram showing the control system of the rice processing apparatus. This is a control flowchart of the control unit of the rice processing apparatus. This is a diagram showing a normal image. This is a diagram showing a warning image.

[0011] The rice processing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in each drawing, the scale of each component may be appropriately changed as needed in order to make each component visible.

[0012] [Rice Processing Device 100] The rice processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. First, the overall structure of the rice processing device 100 will be described. However, the rice processing device 100 does not need to have all of the configurations described below, and some configurations may be omitted as appropriate.

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a rice processing device 100 according to this embodiment. The rice processing device 100 is a device that produces rice lumps such as sushi rice balls by applying predetermined processes to supplied rice. As shown in Figure 1, the rice processing device 100 comprises a housing 10, a storage unit 1, a rice pulping unit 2, a cover member 3, a transport unit 4 (see Figure 2), a division and forming unit 5, a turntable 6, a touch panel 7, and a control unit 8.

[0014] In this embodiment, 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.

[0015] The housing 10 is a component that forms the exterior. Inside the housing 10 are a storage section 1, a rice thawing section 2, a cover member 3, a transport section 4, a dividing and forming section 5, a turntable 6, a touch panel 7, a control unit 8, and the like. A support frame 10a is formed at the lower end of the housing 10. The support frame 10a is a component on which the turntable 6 is positioned.

[0016] The housing 10 has a remaining quantity measuring unit 10b. The remaining quantity measuring unit 10b is a component that measures the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1. The remaining quantity measuring unit 10b is, for example, provided at the lower end of the housing 10 and measures the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 by measuring its weight. The configuration of the remaining quantity measuring unit 10b is not limited. The remaining quantity measuring unit 10b can transmit the measured value of the remaining amount of cooked rice to the control unit 8.

[0017] The storage section 1 is a component in which the loaded cooked rice is stored. The storage section 1 is located at the top of the housing 10. The storage section 1 is formed in the shape of a truncated square pyramid, with its area decreasing as it moves downward Z2. An input section 11 is formed at the upper end of the storage section 1. The input section 11 is an opening into which cooked rice can be loaded into the storage section 1. The input section 11 is formed in a rectangular shape.

[0018] The rice loosening section 2 is a component that softens and loosens the cooked rice and sends it downwards to Z2. The rice loosening section 2 includes a rice supply cylinder 21 and a loosening member 22.

[0019] The rice supply cylinder 21 is located below Z2 of the storage section 1. The rice supply cylinder 21 is a cylindrical member and communicates with the storage section 1 in the vertical direction Z. The rice supply cylinder 21 is shaped such that its area decreases as it moves downward Z2.

[0020] A rice detection sensor 21a (see Figure 4) for detecting rice is mounted on the inner surface of the lower part of the rice supply cylinder 21. The rice detection sensor 21a has a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part, which are arranged adjacent to each other. A reflective member is provided on the inner surface of the rice supply cylinder 21 at a position facing the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part, which reflects the detection light emitted from the light-emitting part towards the light-receiving part. If rice is detected by the rice detection sensor 21a, it is determined that there is enough rice and the rice supply is stopped. On the other hand, if rice is not detected by the rice detection sensor 21a, it is determined that there is not enough rice and the rice supply is restarted.

[0021] The loosening member 22 is a component that stirs and loosens the cooked rice by rotational movement and sends the loosened cooked rice to the conveying unit 4 located below Z2. The loosening member 22 is provided inside the cooked rice supply cylinder 21. The loosening member 22 is rotatably mounted inside the cooked rice supply cylinder 21.

[0022] The loosening member 22 has a rotating shaft 22a and loosening blades 22b. The rotating shaft 22a is positioned to span across opposing inner surfaces of the rice supply cylinder 21. The loosening blades 22b are members that protrude from the rotating shaft 22a. The loosening blades 22b rotate around the rotating shaft 22a. Multiple loosening blades 22b are provided. In this embodiment, two loosening members 22 are provided (not shown). The number of loosening members 22 is not limited. There may be only one loosening member 22, or there may be three or more.

[0023] The cover member 3 is a member that houses the conveying unit 4. The cover member 3 is located below Z2 of the rice supply cylinder 21. The cover member 3 has a roller housing 31. The roller housing 31 is a member that constitutes the outer shell of the roller unit 4a, which will be described later. A rice input port 32 is formed at the upper end of the roller housing 31. The rice input port 32 is an entrance into which rice is fed into the inside of the roller housing 31 and is in communication with the lower end of the rice supply cylinder 21. A rice outlet port 33 is formed at the lower end of the roller housing 31.

[0024] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the conveying unit 4. The conveying unit 4 is a component that conveys the cooked rice supplied from the cooked rice supply cylinder 21 downward Z2. The conveying unit 4 is a component that conveys the cooked rice downward Z2 so that it reaches a predetermined size, shape, and weight (quantity). As shown in Figure 2, the conveying unit 4 is provided inside the roller housing 31. The conveying unit 4 is located downward Z2 of the cooked rice supply cylinder 21. The conveying unit 4 includes a roller unit 4a, a first motor 44, and a second motor 45.

[0025] The roller unit 4a is a component that, through the rotational motion of its rollers, transports the rice fed in through the rice input port 32 downwards Z2 and discharges it through the rice output port 33. The roller unit 4a has an upper roller 41, a middle roller 42, and a lower roller 43. The upper roller 41, middle roller 42, and lower roller 43 are arranged in three stages in the vertical direction Z along the rice transport space. That is, the middle roller 42 is positioned below the upper roller 41 Z2, and the lower roller 43 is positioned below the middle roller 42 Z2. The configuration of the roller unit 4a is not limited. For example, the roller unit 4a may be arranged in two stages in the vertical direction Z, or in four or more stages.

[0026] The upper roller 41 has an upper right roller 41a and an upper left roller 41b. The upper right roller 41a and the upper left roller 41b are positioned opposite each other in the left-right direction X, with the rice conveying space in between. The upper right roller 41a and the upper left roller 41b are pivotally supported on the inner walls of the front and back sides of the roller housing 31, with a predetermined distance between them, allowing them to rotate in opposite directions (inward).

[0027] The middle roller 42 has a middle right roller 42a and a middle left roller 42b. The middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b are positioned opposite each other in the left-right direction X, with the rice conveying space in between. The middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b are pivotally supported on the inner walls of the front and rear sides of the roller housing 31, with a predetermined distance between them, so that they can rotate in opposite directions (inward).

[0028] The lower roller 43 has a lower right roller 43a and a lower left roller 43b. The lower right roller 43a and the lower left roller 43b are positioned opposite each other in the left-right direction X, with the rice conveying space in between. The lower right roller 43a and the lower left roller 43b are pivotally supported on the inner walls of the front and rear sides of the roller housing 31, with a predetermined distance between them, allowing them to rotate in opposite directions (inward).

[0029] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the conveying section 4. As shown in Figure 3, the spacing between the pairs of rollers arranged in the left-right direction X in the roller unit 4a gradually narrows as it moves downward Z2. Specifically, the spacing between the middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b in the left-right direction X is narrower than the spacing between the upper right roller 41a and the upper left roller 41b in the left-right direction X. Furthermore, the spacing between the lower right roller 43a and the lower left roller 43b in the left-right direction X is narrower than the spacing between the middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b in the left-right direction X. Therefore, in the roller unit 4a, the cooked rice is gradually compressed from the left-right direction X as it is conveyed downward Z2.

[0030] In the roller unit 4a, the distance between the upper right roller 41a and the upper left roller 41b is not limited, the distance between the middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b is not limited, and the distance between the lower right roller 43a and the lower left roller 43b is not limited. For example, the distance between the middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b may be set to be approximately equal to the distance between the upper right roller 41a and the upper left roller 41b. However, as will be described later, there is a compression step in which the upper roller 41 is rotated while the rotation of the middle roller 42 and the lower roller 43 is stopped to compress the cooked rice in the vertical direction Z, and it is preferable to set the distance between the lower rollers 43 to be narrower than the distance between the upper roller 41 and the middle roller 42 in the compression step.

[0031] Regarding the diameters of each roller in the roller unit 4a, the diameter of the upper right roller 41a and the diameter of the upper left roller 41b are approximately equal, the diameter of the middle right roller 42a and the diameter of the middle left roller 42b are approximately equal, and the diameter of the lower right roller 43a and the diameter of the lower left roller 43b are approximately equal. Also, the diameters of the lower right roller 43a and the lower left roller 43b are smaller than the diameters of the upper right roller 41a and the upper left roller 41b. Furthermore, the diameters of the middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b are smaller than the diameters of the lower right roller 43a and the lower left roller 43b. In other words, the diameters of the middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b are the smallest, followed by the diameters of the lower right roller 43a and the lower left roller 43b, and the diameters of the upper right roller 41a and the upper left roller 41b are the largest.

[0032] By forming the diameters of the middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b to be smaller than the diameters of the upper right roller 41a and the upper left roller 41b, the conveying space for the rice from the upper roller 41 to the middle roller 42 is prevented from widening in the left-right direction X, thereby preventing the rice compressed in the left-right direction X by the upper roller 41 from expanding in the left-right direction X before reaching the middle roller 42, and preventing the rice from deviating from the conveying path. However, if the rice compressed in the left-right direction X by the middle roller 42 does not expand in the left-right direction X before reaching the lower roller 43, the diameters of the middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b, the diameters of the lower right roller 43a and the lower left roller 43b may be formed to be approximately equal.

[0033] The upper right roller 41a and the upper left roller 41b each have an upper roller shaft 41c, an upper flange 41d, and an upper projection 41e. The upper roller shaft 41c is pivotally supported on the inner wall surfaces of the roller housing 31 on the front side (front Y1 side) and the rear side (rear Y2 side). The upper flanges 41d are formed on both ends of the upper roller shaft 41c in the front-rear direction Y. The shapes of the upper right roller 41a and the upper left roller 41b are not limited. For example, the upper right roller 41a and the upper left roller 41b do not need to have the upper flanges 41d.

[0034] The upper projection 41e is a component for scraping cooked rice downwards Z2. Multiple upper projections 41e are formed on the outer circumference of the upper roller shaft 41c. The upper projection 41e has an upper projection step portion 41f and an upper projection main body portion 41g. The upper projection step portion 41f is a step that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the upper roller shaft 41c. The upper projection step portion 41f is formed along the circumferential direction of the upper roller shaft 41c. The upper projection step portion 41f is formed over the entire width of the upper roller shaft 41c in the width direction (front-rear direction Y). The upper projection step portions 41f are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The upper projection main body portion 41g is a component that protrudes radially outward from the upper projection step portion 41f of the upper roller shaft 41c. The upper projection body portion 41g is a plate-shaped member whose width direction (front-to-back direction Y) is the same as the thickness direction of the upper roller shaft 41c. The upper projection body portion 41g is formed along the circumferential direction. Multiple upper projection body portions 41g are arranged at intervals in the width direction (front-to-back direction Y) of the upper roller shaft 41c.

[0035] The shape of the upper projection 41e is not limited. Also, a groove may be formed on the upper roller shaft 41c instead of the projection. The upper roller shaft 41c only needs to be configured to scrape the cooked rice downwards Z2.

[0036] The middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b each have a middle roller shaft 42c, a middle flange 42d, and a middle projection 42e. The middle roller shaft 42c is pivotally supported on the inner wall surfaces of the roller housing 31 on the front side (front Y1 side) and the rear side (rear Y2 side). The outer circumference of the middle roller shaft 42c is formed in an elongated arc shape when viewed from above Z1, and a flattened elliptical space is formed between the opposing faces of the middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b. The middle flanges 42d are formed on both ends of the middle roller shaft 42c in the front-rear direction Y. Note that the shapes of the middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b are not limited. For example, the middle right roller 42a and the middle left roller 42b do not have to have the middle flanges 42d.

[0037] The intermediate projection 42e is a component for scraping cooked rice downwards Z2. Multiple intermediate projections 42e are formed on the outer circumference of the intermediate roller shaft 42c. The intermediate projections 42e protrude from the outer surface of the intermediate roller shaft 42c. The intermediate projections 42e are formed along the width direction (front-rear direction Y) of the intermediate roller shaft 42c and are arranged alternately to form irregularities along the circumferential direction of the intermediate roller shaft 42c.

[0038] The shape of the middle projection 42e is not limited. Also, the middle roller shaft 42c may have a groove instead of a projection. The middle roller shaft 42c only needs to be configured to scrape the cooked rice downwards Z2.

[0039] The lower right roller 43a and the lower left roller 43b each have a lower roller shaft 43c, a lower flange 43d, and a lower projection 43e. The lower roller shaft 43c is pivotally supported on the inner wall surfaces of the roller housing 31 on the front side (front Y1 side) and the rear side (rear Y2 side). The outer circumference of the lower roller shaft 43c is formed in an elongated arc shape when viewed from above Z1, and a flattened elliptical space is formed between the opposing pairs of the lower right roller 43a and the lower left roller 43b. The lower flanges 43d are formed at both ends of the lower roller shaft 43c.

[0040] The lower projection 43e is a component for scraping cooked rice downwards Z2. Multiple lower projections 43e are formed on the outer circumference of the lower roller shaft 43c. The lower projections 43e protrude from the outer surface of the lower roller shaft 43c. The lower projections 43e are formed along the width direction (front-rear direction Y) of the lower roller shaft 43c and are arranged alternately to form irregularities along the circumferential direction of the lower roller shaft 43c.

[0041] The shape of the lower projection 43e is not limited. Also, a groove may be formed on the lower roller shaft 43c instead of the projection. The lower roller shaft 43c only needs to be configured to scrape the cooked rice downwards Z2.

[0042] The first motor 44 is a member that rotationally drives the upper roller 41. The second motor 45 is a member that rotationally drives the middle roller 42 and the lower roller 43. The second motor 45 can rotate at a peripheral speed different from that of the first motor 44. The second motor 45 rotationally drives the middle roller 42 and the lower roller 43 at the same peripheral speed. Note that the middle roller 42 and the lower roller 43 may be gear-connected such that the peripheral speed at which the middle roller 42 rotates is slightly faster than the peripheral speed at which the lower roller 43 rotates.

[0043] A load sensor 46 (see FIG. 4) capable of detecting the load torque of the rotation of the first motor 44 is attached to the first motor 44. For example, the load sensor 46 detects the load torque of the rotation applied to the first motor 44 due to the compression of the cooked rice by the upper roller 41. The load sensor 46 can transmit the detected load torque to the control unit 8.

[0044] The dividing and forming unit 5 is a mechanism that divides the cooked rice conveyed from the accommodating unit 1 and forms rice balls such as sushi rice balls. The dividing and forming unit 5 is a mechanism that forms rice balls to have a predetermined size, shape, and weight (quantity). The dividing and forming unit 5 is disposed below the cover member 3 and the conveying unit 4 in the Z2 direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the dividing and forming unit 5 includes a shutter 51 and a forming unit 52.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, the shutter 51 is disposed below the rice outlet 33 in the Z2 direction. The shutter 51 has two movable teeth 51a and 51b. The cutting edges of each of the movable teeth 51a and 51b are formed in a comb shape. The movable teeth 51a and 51b are arranged such that their cutting edges face each other in the left-right direction X. The movable teeth 51a and 51b are arranged in a state where the rice outlet 33 is sandwiched between the cutting edge of the movable tooth 51a and the cutting edge of the movable tooth 51b when viewed from below in the Z2 direction. The movable teeth 51a and 51b are provided so as to be slidable and movable in a direction (left-right direction X) in which the cutting edges approach and separate from each other.

[0046] The cooked rice delivered from the cooked rice delivery port 33 is divided at a timing such that it has a predetermined weight (quantity) by the sliding operation of the movable teeth 51a and 51b. The cooked rice divided by the shutter 51 moves to the turntable 6.

[0047] Here, the turntable 6 will be described. The turntable 6 is disposed below the shutter 51 at Z2. The turntable 6 is formed by a plate having a planar circular shape. The turntable 6 is pivotally supported on the gantry 10a in a state where it can be intermittently rotated by a built-in drive source (not shown).

[0048] Forming holes 61 are formed in the turntable 6. The forming holes 61 are holes for accommodating the cooked rice divided by the shutter 51. A plurality of forming holes 61 are formed in the outer peripheral portion 62 of the turntable 6. The forming holes 61 are formed at substantially equal intervals along the outer peripheral direction of the turntable 6. The forming holes 61 penetrate the upper and lower surfaces of the turntable 6. The forming holes 61 are formed in an elliptical shape when viewed from the vertical direction Z. Note that the shape of the forming holes 61 is not limited. For example, the forming holes 61 may be in a rounded rectangular shape, a rounded triangular shape, or a circular shape when viewed from the vertical direction Z.

[0049] The forming unit 52 is a member that forms the cooked rice divided by the shutter 51 into a rice lump having a product shape (final shape). The forming unit 52 is provided above the turntable 6 at Z1. The forming unit 52 is disposed at a position overlapping the forming holes 61 when viewed from above at Z1. The forming unit 52 includes a forming lower mold 52a, a forming upper mold 52b, a support member 52c, and a support column 52d.

[0050] The forming lower mold 52a is accommodated in each of the plurality of forming holes 61 of the turntable 6. The upper surface of the forming lower mold 52a is formed in a curved surface shape, for example. A rotating roller (not shown) is provided on the lower surface of the forming lower mold 52a. By providing the rotating roller, the forming lower mold 52a can smoothly move on a rail (not shown) provided inside the gantry 10a following the intermittent rotation operation of the turntable 6.

[0051] A cam (not shown) is provided inside the frame 10a. The cam inside the frame 10a moves the forming die 52a in the vertical direction Z when the turntable 6 rotates.

[0052] The forming upper mold 52b is a component that forms a mass of rice of a predetermined size and shape by pressing the cooked rice placed on the upper surface of the forming lower mold 52a within the forming hole 61. The pressing surface of the forming upper mold 52b is formed in a curved shape, for example, that gradually becomes concave towards the center in the longitudinal direction.

[0053] The forming mold 52b is joined to the support column 52d via a support member 52c. The forming mold 52b is supported by the support member 52c so as to be movable in the vertical direction Z. The forming section 52 has a drive unit (not shown) that moves the forming mold 52b up and down. The drive unit has, for example, a drive source (not shown) such as a rotary motor and a mechanism (not shown) that converts rotational motion into linear motion.

[0054] When the rice mass is formed into the product shape by the forming unit 52, first, the turntable 6 is rotated to move the forming hole 61 containing the rice mass divided by the shutter 51 to below Z2 below the pressing surface (lower surface) of the forming upper mold 52b, so that the upper surface of the forming lower mold 52a and the pressing surface (lower surface) of the forming upper mold 52b face each other via the rice mass. Then, the forming upper mold 52b is lowered and the rice mass in the forming hole 61 is pressed with the forming upper mold 52b, thereby forming a rice mass of a predetermined size and shape. Since the rice mass divided by the shutter 51 is divided to have a predetermined weight (quantity), the rice mass formed by the forming unit 52 will be a rice mass of a predetermined size, shape and weight (quantity).

[0055] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the rice processing device 100. The touch panel 7 is, for example, a resistive or capacitive touch panel. The touch panel 7 is installed on the front of the housing 10 with its operating surface facing forward Y1. Operation inputs entered by the user into the touch panel 7 are acquired by the control unit 8. The touch panel 7 displays a display screen based on instructions from the control unit 8. The touch panel 7 functions as a display unit 71 for displaying the display screen and an operation unit (input unit) 72 for inputting operations.

[0056] The control unit 8 is a program-executable computer having a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory capable of reading programs, a storage unit capable of storing programs and data, and an input / output control unit. The functions of the control unit 8 are realized by the processor executing the programs provided to the control unit 8. Based on input from the remaining amount measurement unit 10b, the cooked rice detection sensor 21a, the load sensor 46, and the touch panel 7, the control unit 8 controls the disintegrating member 22, the first motor 44, the second motor 45, the shutter 51, the forming unit 52, the turntable 6, and the touch panel 7, etc.

[0057] [Operation of the Rice Processing Device 100] Next, the operation of the rice processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. The operation of the rice processing device 100 described below is to divide cooked rice into a predetermined amount and to generate 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 8.

[0058] (Disintegration Process) The control unit 8 performs a disintegration process on the cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1. The control unit 8 controls the shutter 51 to separate the movable teeth 51a and 51b from each other. The control unit 8 controls the first motor 44 and the second motor 45 to rotate the upper roller 41, the middle roller 42, and the lower roller 43 at the same peripheral speed. Subsequently, the control unit 8 controls the disintegration member 22 to disintegrate the cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 while sending it to the cooked rice supply cylinder 21, and then puts the disintegrated cooked rice into the cooked rice input port 32 and sends it to the transport unit 4.

[0059] (First Conveying Process) Next, the control unit 8 performs the first conveying process on the rice sent out from the rice mashing unit 2. The control unit 8 controls the first motor 44 to roughly gather the rice in a mashed state using the upper roller 41, and then conveys the rice downward Z2 while compressing it laterally (left-right direction X and front-back direction Y) using the upper roller 41. At this time, the rice is compressed in the left-right direction X by the upper roller shaft 41c and compressed in the front-back direction Y by the upper flange 41d.

[0060] (Second Conveying Process) Next, the control unit 8 performs a second conveying process on the rice that has been conveyed downwards to Z2 by the upper roller 41. The control unit 8 controls the first motor 44 and conveys the rice further downwards with the upper roller 41 so that the width of the rice becomes slightly narrower than the width that was compressed in the first conveying process.

[0061] Thus, in the first and second conveying processes, the cooked rice is conveyed downwards to Z2 by the upper roller 41, and as a result, the cooked rice is conveyed downwards to Z2 in a compressed state in the lateral direction (left-right direction X and front-back direction Y), thus stabilizing the lateral density of the cooked rice.

[0062] (Compression Process) Next, the control unit 8 performs a compression process on the rice that has been conveyed downward Z2 by the upper roller 41. The control unit 8 controls the shutter 51 and moves the movable teeth 51a and 51b to positions close to each other. The control unit 8 controls the first motor 44 and the second motor 45 to rotate the upper roller 41 and stop the rotation of the middle roller 42 and the lower roller 43. At this time, the rice is conveyed downward Z2 by the rotation of the upper roller 41, but the rice is held between the middle roller 42 and the lower roller 43 because the rotation of the middle roller 42 and the lower roller 43 has stopped. The rice between the middle roller 42 and the lower roller 43 is compressed vertically (up and down direction Z) by being pressed against the middle roller 42 and the lower roller 43 by the rotation of the upper roller 41.

[0063] In this way, the cooked rice, which is compressed laterally (left-right direction X and front-back direction Y) by the upper roller 41 in the first and second conveying processes, is compressed vertically (up and down direction) by the upper roller 41, middle roller 42, and lower roller 43 in the compression process, stabilizing the density in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0064] In the rice processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the control unit 8 monitors the load torque applied to the first motor 44 by the compression of rice by the upper roller 41 using a load sensor 46. In the compression process, the control unit 8 determines that the compression of rice by the upper roller 41 is sufficient when a predetermined load torque is applied to the first motor 44 by the vertical compression (up and down direction Z) of rice by the upper roller 41. Alternatively, the control unit 8 may determine that the compression of rice by the upper roller 41 is sufficient when the rotation of the upper roller 41 stops for a predetermined time.

[0065] (Dividing and Forming Process) After determining that the rice has been sufficiently compressed by the upper roller 41, the control unit 8 performs a dividing and forming process on the rice that has been compressed in the horizontal and vertical directions. The control unit 8 controls the first motor 44 and the second motor 45 to rotate the upper roller 41, the middle roller 42, and the lower roller 43, thereby moving the rice that has been compressed in the horizontal and vertical directions downward Z2 and sending it out from the rice outlet 33. The control unit 8 controls the shutter 51 to divide the rice that has been sent out from the rice outlet 33 with the shutter 51.

[0066] The rice, separated by the shutter 51, falls downward Z2 and is contained in the forming hole 61 of the turntable 6. At this time, the lower forming mold 52a is positioned below the forming hole 61. That is, the rice is contained in the forming hole 61 while resting above the lower forming mold 52a Z1.

[0067] The control unit 8 controls the turntable 6 to rotate it, moving the forming hole 61 containing the cooked rice down to Z2 below the forming upper mold 52b. Then, the control unit 8 controls the forming upper mold 52b to move it down to Z2. The cooked rice contained in the forming hole 61 is then sandwiched from above and below by the forming lower mold 52a and the forming upper mold 52b, with its lateral shape determined by the forming hole 61. As a result, the lateral and vertical shapes of the cooked rice contained in the forming hole 61 are corrected.

[0068] (Removal Process) The control unit 8 performs a removal process on the rice mass that has been shaped horizontally and vertically. The control unit 8 controls the turntable 6 to rotate it and moves the forming hole 61 containing the rice mass to a position where it does not overlap with the forming upper mold 52b in the vertical direction Z. At this time, the forming lower mold 52a is moved upward Z1 by a cam provided inside the turntable 6 and positioned above the forming hole 61. As the forming lower mold 52a is positioned above the forming hole 61, the rice mass that was contained in the forming hole 61 pops out upward Z1 from the forming hole 61, making it possible to remove the rice mass.

[0069] [Management of the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1] Next, the management of the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 in the cooked rice processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be explained. Hereafter, the explanation will follow the control flowchart of the control unit 8 shown in Figure 5.

[0070] When the control unit 8 receives an operation input from the touch panel 7 indicating a switch in the control state of the rice processing device 100, it can switch between a restricted state P1, in which the rice processing device 100 stops forming rice clumps when the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit 1 exceeds a threshold amount N1, and a release state P2, in which the rice processing device 100 does not stop forming rice clumps even if the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit exceeds a threshold amount N1. The threshold amount N1 is a threshold value for the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit 1. For example, the threshold amount N1 can be set to any value by the user.

[0071] (Step S1) Figure 6 is a diagram showing the normal image G1. In step S1, the control unit 8 measures the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 (remaining amount measurement step). If the control unit 8 does not switch images, it displays the normal image G1 on the touch panel 7 as shown in Figure 6.

[0072] (Step S2) In step S2, the control unit 8 determines whether the restricted state P1 is in effect. If the control unit 8 determines that the restricted state P1 is in effect, it executes step S3. If the control unit 8 determines that the restricted state P1 is not in effect, it skips steps S3 to S6 and executes step S7, which will be described later.

[0073] (Step S3) In step S3, the control unit 8 determines whether the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 is equal to or greater than the threshold amount N1. The threshold amount N1 is a threshold value for the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1. For example, the threshold amount N1 can be set to any value by the user.

[0074] If the control unit 8 determines in step S3 that the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 is equal to or greater than the threshold amount N1, it executes step S4. If the control unit 8 determines in step S3 that the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 is not equal to or greater than the threshold amount N1, it skips steps S4 to S6 and executes step S7, which will be described later.

[0075] (Step S4) Figure 7 shows the warning image G2. In step S4, the control unit 8 displays the warning image G2 on the touch panel 7 as shown in Figure 7 (warning image display step). Also, if the rice processing device 100 is forming rice clumps, the control unit 8 stops the formation of rice clumps by the rice processing device 100 (formation stop step). The warning image G2 is an image that indicates that too much rice has been put into the storage unit 1. The control unit 8 displays text on the warning image G2 that indicates that too much rice has been put into the storage unit 1. For example, the text "Too much rice warning" is displayed on the warning image G2. The warning image G2 may also include text such as "Reduce" or "Remove". It is preferable that the warning image G2 is a different color from the normal image G1.

[0076] When the control unit 8 stops the formation of rice clumps by the rice processing device 100, the control unit 8 specifically stops the formation of rice clumps with respect to the loosening member 22, the first motor 44, the second motor 45, the shutter 51, the forming unit 52, and the turntable 6, etc.

[0077] The control unit 8 further displays the remaining quantity M1 and the maximum quantity M2 in a warning image G2. The remaining quantity M1 indicates the amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1. The maximum quantity M2 indicates the maximum amount of cooked rice that can be stored in the storage unit 1. The control unit 8 displays the remaining quantity M1 and the maximum quantity M2 side by side.

[0078] (Step S5) In step S5, the control unit 8 determines whether the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 is less than the threshold amount N1. If the control unit 8 determines in step S5 that the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 is less than the threshold amount N1, it executes step S6.

[0079] (Step S6) In step S6, the control unit 8 switches the image displayed on the touch panel 7 from the warning image G2 to the normal image G1.

[0080] (Step S7) In step S7, the control unit 8 forms rice lumps. The control unit 8 controls the rice processing apparatus 100 in the following order: loosening step, first conveying step, second conveying step, compression step, division and formation step, and removal step, to form rice lumps.

[0081] The control unit 8 repeats steps S1 to S7 described above to manage the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1.

[0082] (Operation of the Rice Processing Device 100) Next, the operation of the rice processing device 100 will be explained. According to the rice processing device 100 of this embodiment, the upper roller 41 compresses the rice horizontally, and the middle roller 42 and lower roller 43 further compress the rice vertically. In other words, the rice processing device 100 performs horizontal and vertical compression of the rice in separate processes. As a result, the density of the rice is stable in both the horizontal and vertical directions, an appropriate amount of air is evenly contained within the rice, and the fluffy texture of the rice is maintained. Therefore, by dividing such rice with the shutter 51, it is possible to obtain rice blocks with excellent texture and quantity accuracy.

[0083] The rice processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a storage unit 1 for storing cooked rice, a dividing and forming unit 5 for dividing the cooked rice in the storage unit 1 to form rice lumps, a remaining amount measuring unit 10b for measuring the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1, a display unit 71, an operation unit (input unit) 72 for receiving user input, and a control unit 8 for controlling the operation unit (input unit) 72 and the display unit 71. The control unit 8 is configured to display a warning image G2 on the display unit 71 indicating that too much cooked rice has been added when the remaining amount of cooked rice measured by the remaining amount measuring unit 10b exceeds a predetermined threshold amount N1. This makes it easy for the user to recognize the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1. In particular, the user can recognize that too much cooked rice has been put into the storage unit 1, which helps prevent overfilling and makes it easier to manage the cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1.

[0084] According to the rice processing device 100 of this embodiment, when the remaining amount of cooked rice exceeds a threshold amount N1, the rice processing device 100 stops forming rice clumps. This prevents the formation of rice clumps when there is too much cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1. Therefore, it is easier for the user to manage the cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1.

[0085] According to the rice processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 8 is configured not to display the warning image G2 when the remaining amount of cooked rice falls below the threshold amount N1. Therefore, the user does not need to perform an operation to switch from the warning image G2 to the normal image G1 when, for example, the amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 is reduced after the warning image G2 is displayed. As a result, the work efficiency in forming cooked rice clumps is improved.

[0086] According to the rice processing device 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 8 is configured to switch between a restricted state P1, in which the formation of rice clumps by the rice processing device 100 is stopped when the remaining amount of rice exceeds a threshold amount N1, and a release state P2, in which the formation of rice clumps by the rice processing device 100 is not stopped even if the remaining amount of rice exceeds a threshold amount N1. This allows the control of the control unit 8 to be changed according to the user's needs. Therefore, the user can use the rice processing device 100 in a variety of situations.

[0087] According to the rice processing device 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 8 is configured to switch the color of at least a portion of the image displayed on the display unit 71 when the remaining amount of cooked rice exceeds a threshold amount N1, making it easy for the user to visually recognize that the normal image G1 and the warning image G2 have switched. For example, even if the user is not concentrating on looking at the touch panel 7, they can notice that the normal image G1 and the warning image G2 have switched. Also, the change in color of the touch panel 7 allows the user to intuitively realize that the rice processing device 100 is in an abnormal state. Therefore, the rice processing device 100 is configured to be easy to use even if the user is unfamiliar with operating the rice processing device 100.

[0088] According to the rice processing device 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 8 is configured to display the remaining amount M1 and the maximum amount M2 in a warning image G2. When the remaining amount M1 is less than the maximum amount M2, the user can recognize the amount of rice that can be added to the storage unit 1 from the difference between the remaining amount M1 and the maximum amount M2. Also, when the remaining amount M1 is more than the maximum amount M2, the user can recognize the amount of rice that has been added to the storage unit 1 in excess. Therefore, even if the warning image G2 is displayed on the touch panel 7, the user can know the amount of rice stored in the storage unit 1. Furthermore, even if the warning image G2 is displayed on the touch panel 7, the user can adjust the amount of rice to be added to the storage unit 1 so as not to exceed the amount of rice that can be stored in the storage unit 1. Therefore, the rice processing device 100 makes it easy to manage the amount of rice stored in the storage unit 1.

[0089] According to the rice processing device 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 8 is configured to display the remaining amount M1 and the maximum amount M2 side by side, making it easy for the user to compare the remaining amount M1 and the maximum amount M2 and to recognize the amount of rice that can be added to the storage unit 1.

[0090] According to the rice processing device 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 8 is configured to display a warning image G2 indicating that too much rice has been put into the storage unit 1, making it easier for the user to recognize that too much rice has been put into the storage unit 1.

[0091] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design modifications and the like are also included within the scope of the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, the components shown in the above embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

[0092] In the rice processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the display unit 71 and the operation unit 72 are integrated as a touch panel 7, but the configuration of the display unit 71 and the operation unit 72 is not limited. For example, instead of the touch panel 7, a liquid crystal display may be provided as the display unit and operation buttons may be provided as the operation unit. The operation buttons are buttons that can mechanically or electrically detect operation input.

[0093] In the rice processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 8 is configured to stop the formation of rice clumps by the rice processing apparatus 100 when the remaining amount of rice exceeds a threshold amount N1, but the configuration of the control unit 8 is not limited. For example, when the remaining amount of rice exceeds a threshold amount N1, the control unit 8 may switch the image displayed on the touch panel 7 from a normal image G1 to a warning image G2 without stopping the formation of rice clumps by the rice processing apparatus 100.

[0094] Furthermore, the control unit 8 may be configured to stop the rice lumps formation by the rice processing device 100 when a predetermined number or more rice lumps have been formed continuously. In other words, the control unit 8 may be configured to limit the number of lumps produced continuously. In this case, the user would need to input an operation to start the rice lumps formation by the rice processing device 100 again, and would be able to realize that too much rice has been stored in the storage unit 1.

[0095] In the rice processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 8 is configured not to display the warning image G2 when the remaining amount of cooked rice falls below the threshold amount N1, but the configuration of the control unit 8 is not limited. For example, if the amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 falls below the threshold amount N1 due to a reduction in the amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 while the warning image G2 is displayed, the control unit 8 may be configured to switch the display on the touch panel 7 from the warning image G2 to the normal image G1 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the amount of cooked rice fell below the threshold amount N1.

[0096] In the rice processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 8 is configured to switch between a restricted state P1 and an unlocked state P2, but the configuration of the control unit 8 is not limited. For example, when the control unit 8 receives an operation input from the operation unit (input unit) 72 indicating a switch in the display state of the warning image G2, it may be configured to switch between a display state in which the warning image is displayed when the remaining amount of cooked rice exceeds a threshold amount N1, and a non-display state in which the warning image G2 is not displayed even if the remaining amount of cooked rice exceeds a threshold amount N1. In this case, when the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 exceeds a threshold amount N1, the user can adjust the amount of cooked rice stored in the storage unit 1 without stopping the formation of cooked rice clumps by the rice processing apparatus 100, whether in the display state or the non-display state. As a result, the efficiency of forming cooked rice clumps is improved.

[0097] In the rice processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the control unit 8 is preferably configured to display the remaining amount M1 and the maximum amount M2 in a warning image G2, but the configuration of the control unit 8 is not limited. For example, the control unit 8 may be configured to display an image in the warning image G2 in which the area is divided by color according to the ratio of the remaining amount of rice and the value obtained by subtracting the remaining amount from the maximum amount of rice that can be stored in the storage unit 1. In this case, the user can recognize the amount of rice that can be added to the storage unit 1 in addition to the amount shown in the diagram. Alternatively, the amount obtained by subtracting the remaining amount of rice from the maximum amount of rice that can be stored in the storage unit 1 may be displayed as a number in the warning image G2.

[0098] The program for the rice processing device 100, 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).

[0099] 100...Rice processing device, 10...Housing, 10a...Stand, 10b...Remaining amount measurement unit, 1...Storage unit, 11...Input unit, 2...Rice thawing unit, 21...Rice supply cylinder, 21a...Rice detection sensor, 22...Thawing member, 22a...Rotating shaft, 22b...Thawing blades, 3...Cover member, 31...Roller housing, 32...Rice input port, 33...Rice discharge port, 4...Conveying unit, 4a...Roller unit 41... Upper roller, 41a... Upper right roller, 41b... Upper left roller, 41c... Upper roller shaft, 41d... Upper flange, 41e... Upper projection, 41f... Upper projection step, 41g... Upper projection body, 42... Middle roller, 42a... Middle right roller, 42b... Middle left roller, 42c... Middle roller shaft, 42d... Middle flange, 42e... Middle projection, 43... Lower roller -ra, 43a...lower right roller, 43b...lower left roller, 43c...lower roller shaft, 43d...lower flange, 43e...lower projection, 44...first motor, 45...second motor, 46...load sensor, 5...divided forming section, 51...shutter, 51a...movable tooth, 51b...movable tooth, 52...forming section, 52a...lower forming mold, 52b...upper forming mold, 52c...support member, 52d...support column, 6 ...Turntable, 61...Formed hole, 62...Peripheral part, 7...Touch panel, 71...Display unit, 72...Operation unit (input unit), 8...Control unit, G1...Normal image, G2...Warning image, M1...Remaining quantity, M2...Maximum quantity, P1...Restricted state, P2...Released state, X...Left / right direction, X1...Right, X2...Left, Y...Front / back direction, Y1...Forward, Y2...Backward, Z...Up / down direction, Z1...Up, Z2...Down

Claims

1. A rice processing device comprising: a storage section for storing cooked rice; a dividing and forming section for dividing the cooked rice in the storage section to form cooked rice lumps; a transport section for transporting the cooked rice stored in the storage section to the dividing and forming section; a remaining amount measuring section for measuring the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage section; a display section; an input section for receiving user operations; and a control section for controlling the input section and the display section, wherein the control section displays a warning image on the display section indicating that too much cooked rice has been added when the remaining amount of cooked rice measured by the remaining amount measuring section exceeds a predetermined threshold amount.

2. The rice processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops the formation of the rice mass by the dividing and forming unit when the remaining amount of cooked rice exceeds the threshold amount.

3. The rice processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit does not display the warning image when the remaining amount of cooked rice falls below the threshold amount.

4. The rice processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit, upon receiving an operation input from the input unit indicating a switch in the display state of the warning image, can switch between a display state in which the warning image is displayed when the remaining amount of cooked rice exceeds the threshold amount, and a non-display state in which the warning image is not displayed even if the remaining amount of cooked rice exceeds the threshold amount.

5. The rice processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, upon receiving an operation input from the input unit indicating a switch in the control state of the rice processing apparatus, can switch between a restrictive state in which the division forming unit stops forming the rice clumps when the remaining amount of rice exceeds the threshold amount, and a release state in which the division forming unit does not stop forming the rice clumps even if the remaining amount of rice exceeds the threshold amount.

6. The rice processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit switches the color of at least a portion of the image displayed on the display unit when the remaining amount of cooked rice exceeds the threshold amount.

7. A rice processing apparatus for forming rice lumps from cooked rice stored in a storage section, comprising a rice management method for managing the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage section, the method comprising: a remaining amount measurement step for measuring the remaining amount of cooked rice stored in the storage section; and a warning image display step for displaying a warning image indicating that too much cooked rice has been added when the remaining amount of cooked rice measured in the remaining amount measurement step exceeds a predetermined threshold amount.

8. A method for managing cooked rice according to claim 7, comprising: a formation stopping step, which stops the formation of the cooked rice mass when the remaining amount of cooked rice measured in the remaining amount measurement step exceeds the boundary amount;

Images