JP2004324967A

JP2004324967A - Ice removing device

Info

Publication number: JP2004324967A
Application number: JP2003118956A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Teruhisa Sugawara; 輝久菅原
Original assignee: Okura Yusoki KK
Current assignee: Okura Yusoki KK
Priority date: 2003-04-23
Filing date: 2003-04-23
Publication date: 2004-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-23
Also published as: JP4497344B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ice removing device 21 for automatically removing the ice frozen on an upper face of a case 11. <P>SOLUTION: The case 11 is successively conveyed to an ice crushing position 29 and an ice brushing-off position by a conveyor 22. At the ice crushing position 29, ice crushing blades 48, 49 are vertically moved by cylinders 43, 45 of the ice crushing means 31, and brought into contact with the ice frozen on the upper face of the case 11. At the ice brushing-off position 56, a rotating brush 66 of the ice removing means 32 is brought into contact with the upper face of the case 11 for brushing off the ice crushed by the ice crushing means 31 by the rotating brush 66. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、物品の表面に氷結した氷を除去する氷除去装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、冷凍物を収納した複数のダンボールケースを冷凍倉庫に冷凍保管し、冷凍物の出荷時に冷凍倉庫に冷凍保管していたダンボールケースを取り出している（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
【０００３】
冷凍倉庫から取り出したダンボールケースの上面には氷が氷結している場合があり、氷が融けないとダンボールケースの上面のフラップを開くことができないなどの場合がある。
【０００４】
そのため、ダンボールケースの上面に氷結した氷を除去しているが、従来は、人が素手またはハンマーなどでケースの上面の氷を叩いて砕き、さらに、素手またはブラシにて砕いた氷をダンボールケースの上面から払い落としている。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
特開平１０−１２２７２７号公報（第１頁）
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上述のように、ダンボールケースの上面に氷結した氷を除去するのに人手で作業しており、人手を必要とし、自動化ラインに対応できない問題がある。
【０００７】
本発明は、このような点に鑑みなされたもので、物品の表面に氷結した氷を自動的に除去でき、自動化ラインにも対応できる氷除去装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１記載の氷除去装置は、表面に氷が氷結した物品を搬送する搬送手段と、この搬送手段で搬送する物品の表面の氷に当接して砕氷する砕氷刃、およびこの砕氷刃を物品の表面に対して相対的に接離移動させる砕氷刃駆動部を有する砕氷手段とを具備しているものである。
【０００９】
そして、この構成では、砕氷手段の砕氷刃駆動部で物品の表面に対して相対的に接離移動させる砕氷刃を、搬送手段で搬送する物品の表面に氷結した氷に当接させて砕氷するため、物品の表面に氷結した氷を自動的に除去でき、自動化ラインにも対応できる。
【００１０】
請求項２記載の氷除去装置は、請求項１記載の氷除去装置において、砕氷手段は、複数の砕氷刃および複数の砕氷刃駆動部を有し、複数の砕氷刃を物品の表面に対して異なるタイミングで接離させるものである。
【００１１】
そして、この構成では、砕氷手段の複数の砕氷刃駆動部で複数の砕氷刃を物品の表面に対して異なるタイミングで接離させるため、全ての砕氷刃を同一タイングで接離させる場合に比べて、１つの砕氷刃から氷に加わる力が集中して氷を砕氷しやすくできるとともに、例えばある一定時間内で氷に対して砕氷刃が当接する回数を多くできて氷を早く砕氷できる。
【００１２】
請求項３記載の氷除去装置は、請求項２記載の氷除去装置において、複数の砕氷刃は、間隔をあけて並設され、その並設方向に対し交差する方向に板状で、かつ並設方向に対し交差する方向の先端形状が凸形に形成されているものである。
【００１３】
そして、この構成では、複数の砕氷刃を、間隔をあけて並設し、その並設方向に対し交差する方向に板状で、かつ並設方向に対し交差する方向の先端形状を凸形に形成したため、例えば物品の表面が窪んでいるような場合でも、物品を損傷させずに氷を確実に砕氷できる。
【００１４】
請求項４記載の氷除去装置は、請求項１ないし３いずれか記載の氷除去装置において、物品の表面に対する砕氷手段の間隔を調整する調整手段を具備しているものである。
【００１５】
そして、この構成では、調整手段により、物品の種類に応じて物品の表面に対する砕氷手段の間隔を調整でき、多種類の物品に対応できる。
【００１６】
請求項５記載の氷除去装置は、請求項１ないし４いずれか記載の氷除去装置において、搬送手段で物品を搬送する搬送方向の砕氷手段より下流側に設けられ、砕氷手段で砕氷された物品の表面の氷を除去する氷除去手段を具備しているものである。
【００１７】
そして、この構成では、搬送手段で物品を搬送する搬送方向の砕氷手段より下流側に設けられた氷除去手段により、砕氷手段で砕氷された物品の表面の氷を除去できる。
【００１８】
請求項６記載の氷除去装置は、請求項５記載の氷除去装置において、氷除去手段は、回転するブラシ、およびこのブラシを物品の表面に対して接離移動させるブラシ接離駆動部を有し、砕氷手段で砕氷された物品の表面の氷を回転するブラシで払い落とすものである。
【００１９】
そして、この構成では、氷除去手段では、回転するブラシを物品の表面に対して接離移動させるため、砕氷手段で砕氷された物品の表面の氷を回転するブラシで確実に払い落とすことができる。
【００２０】
請求項７記載の氷除去装置は、請求項６記載の氷除去装置において、搬送手段で搬送する物品の搬送方向の始端および終端を検知する検知手段を備え、氷除去手段は、前記検知手段による検知に基づき搬送手段で搬送する物品の表面における搬送方向の始端および終端より内側の範囲にブラシを接触させるものである。
【００２１】
そして、この構成では、搬送手段で搬送する物品の搬送方向の始端および終端を検知手段で検知し、氷除去手段では、検知手段による検知に基づき搬送手段で搬送する物品の表面における搬送方向の始端および終端より内側の範囲にブラシを接触させるため、物品の始端および終端のエッジ部分が回転するブラシとの接触で破損するのを防止できるとともに、物品の搬送に影響を与えることなく砕氷した氷を確実に払い落とすことができる。
【００２２】
請求項８記載の氷除去装置は、請求項６または７記載の氷除去装置において、ブラシは、回転方向に対し交差する方向の先端形状が凸形に形成されているものである。
【００２３】
そして、この構成では、ブラシの回転方向に対し交差する方向の先端形状を凸形に形成したため、例えば物品の表面が窪んでいるような場合でも、破砕した氷を確実に払い落とすことができる。
【００２４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の一実施の形態を図面を参照して説明する。
【００２５】
図５において、１１は物品としてのケースで、このケース１１は、ダンボールケースであって、長方形状の箱であり、長手方向に沿った両側面１２および長手方向と交差する短手方向に沿った両端面１３で周面が形成され、これら両側面１２および両端面１３の下面側の各辺に形成された図示しない下面側のフラップがケース１１の底部に折り曲げられて固定され、ケース１１の底部が閉塞されている。
【００２６】
両側面１２の上面側の両側辺に形成された両側のフラップ１４、および両端面１３の上面側の両端辺に形成された両端のフラップ１５がそれぞれケース１１の上面に折り曲げられ、一側のフラップ１４の先端側両角部が両端のフラップ１５に形成された取付孔１６に内側から外側に差し込まれ、他側のフラップ１４の先端側両角部が両端のフラップ１５に形成された取付孔１７に外側から内側に差し込まれ、これらフラップ１４，１５がケース１１の上面を閉じた状態で係止されている。
【００２７】
そして、ケース１１は冷凍物を収納して冷凍倉庫などに冷凍保管され、冷凍物の出荷時に冷凍倉庫に冷凍保管していたケース１１を取り出し、自動搬送するラインを通じて所定の場所に搬送する。冷凍倉庫から取り出したケース１１の表面である上面には余分な氷が氷結している場合があり、フラップ１４，１５を開くことが困難となっている。
【００２８】
次に、図１ないし図６において、２１は氷除去装置で、この氷除去装置２１は、ケース１１を自動搬送するライン中に配設されてケース１１の上面に氷結している氷を除去するもので、ライン中に接続されてケース１１を搬送する搬送手段としてのコンベヤ２２を有している。このコンベヤ２２は、ベルトコンベヤであって、無端状のベルト２３が搬送方向Ｆの始端側のプーリおよび終端側のプーリ２４を含む複数のプーリによって張設され、ベルト２３の上面が搬送方向Ｆの始端側のプーリから終端側のプーリ２４に移動するように図示しないコンベヤモータで回転駆動される。ベルト２３の上面がケース１１を載せて搬送方向Ｆに搬送する搬送面２５として構成されている。コンベヤ２２で搬送するケース１１の向きは、搬送方向Ｆにケース１１の長手方向を向け、一方の端面１３を先頭として搬送する。
【００２９】
また、コンベヤ２２を跨ぐようにフレーム２８が立設され、このフレーム２８に、コンベヤ２２で砕氷位置２９に搬送されて停止されたケース１１を位置決めする位置決め手段３０、砕氷位置２９に位置決めされたケース１１の上面の氷を砕氷する砕氷手段３１、および砕氷位置２９より搬送方向Ｆの下流側にコンベヤ２２で搬送するケース１１の上面の砕氷された氷を除去する氷除去手段３２が取り付けられている。
【００３０】
図５に示すように、位置決め手段３０は、砕氷位置２９における搬送方向Ｆに対し交差する両側に配置されケース１１の長手方向に沿った両側面１２に当接して位置決めする一対の位置決めプレート３５を有している。これら各位置決めプレート３５は、フレーム２８に取り付けられた位置決めシリンダ３６から水平方向に進退するロッド３６ａに取り付けられ、位置決めシリンダ３６の作動によって、位置決めプレート３５でケース１１の両側面１２を押圧して砕氷位置２９の中央を基準に位置決めする進出位置とケース１１の両側面の領域から退避してケース１１のコンベヤ２２による搬送を許容する退避位置との間で移動する。
【００３１】
図１に示すように、砕氷位置２９には、コンベヤ２２で搬送するケース１１が砕氷位置２９に到達したことを検知する砕氷位置検知手段としての光電スイッチ３７が配設されている。
【００３２】
また、図１、図２および図６に示すように、砕氷手段３１は、砕氷位置２９の上方でフレーム２８に取り付けられたベース４０を有し、このベース４０の一面両側にガイド部４１が取り付けられ、これらガイド部４１間にスライド部４２が上下方向にスライド可能に取り付けられている。スライド部４２には、砕氷刃駆動部としての第１のシリンダ４３が取り付けられるとともに、この第１のシリンダ４３を跨ぐようにしてスライド部４２に取り付けられるブラケット４４を介して砕氷刃駆動部としての第２のシリンダ４５が取り付けられている。
【００３３】
第１のシリンダ４３の下端から進退するロッド４３ａの先端に第１の砕氷刃ホルダ４６が取り付けられ、第２のシリンダ４５の下端から進退するロッド４５ａの先端に第２の砕氷刃ホルダ４７が取り付けられている。図３に示すように、第１の砕氷刃ホルダ４６は略Ｅ字形に形成され、第２の砕氷刃ホルダ４７は略Ｃ字形に形成され、これら第１の砕氷刃ホルダ４６と第２の砕氷刃ホルダ４７とが非接触状態で互いに組み合うように構成されている。
【００３４】
第１の砕氷刃ホルダ４６の略Ｅ字形の各端部に砕氷刃として第１の砕氷刃４８が取り付けられ、第２の砕氷刃ホルダ４７の略Ｃ字形の各端部の下面に砕氷刃として第２の砕氷刃４９が取り付けられ、これら砕氷刃４８，４９が搬送方向Ｆに対応する方向に間隔をあけて一列に並設されている。各砕氷刃４８，４９は、並設方向に対し交差する方向に板状で、先端が鋭角に形成されているとともに、並設方向に対し交差する方向の先端形状が両側部より中央部が突出した凸形に形成されている。一列に並ぶ砕氷刃４８，４９の並設方向の幅および並設方向に対し交差する方向の幅は、ケース１１の長手方向の幅および短手方向の幅より小さく形成されている。
【００３５】
図１、図２および図６に示すように、フレーム２８に螺合部材５０が固定され、この螺合部材５０にねじ軸５１が螺合貫通され、このねじ軸５１の下端がスライド部４２の上部に設けられた連結部５２に回動可能に連結されている。ねじ軸５１の上端にはねじ軸５１を回動操作するハンドル５３が取り付けられている。そして、ハンドル５３の回動操作によってスライド部４２が上下方向に移動し、すなわち、ケース１１の種類毎の高さに応じてケース１１の上面に対する砕氷手段３１の間隔つまり高さを調整する調整手段５４が構成されている。
【００３６】
そして、調整手段５４によって砕氷手段３１の高さが処理するケース１１の種類つまり高さに応じて調整された状態において、各シリンダ４３，４５の作動によって、各砕氷刃４８，４９がケース１１の上面より下降してケース１１の上面の氷を砕氷する下降位置とケース１１の上面より上昇した上昇位置との間で移動する。
【００３７】
また、図１および図４に示すように、氷除去手段３２は、コンベヤ２２上の砕氷位置２９より下流側の氷払落し位置５６においてコンベヤ２２で搬送するケース１１の搬送域より上方に配設されており、両側の揺動プレート５７の中間部が横継ぎ部材５８によって一体に連結されて構成されたブラシ支持体５９を有し、このブラシ支持体５９の両側の揺動プレート５７の基端がフレーム２８の両側の支持プレート６０の軸受６１に回動可能に軸支された支軸６２を支点として揺動可能に支持されている。
【００３８】
ブラシ支持体５９の両側の揺動プレート５７の先端間には軸受６３によって回転軸６４が回転自在に軸支され、一側の揺動プレート５７の外面に回転軸６４を回転方向Ｒに回転駆動するブラシ回転駆動部としてのブラシ回転モータ６５が取り付けられている。回転軸６４の中央にはブラシ６６が取り付けられ、このブラシ６６は、複数のブラシ毛が中心側から外径方向に向けて突出するように保持されたもので、回転方向Ｒに対し交差する方向つまり軸方向の先端形状が両側部より中央部が突出した円弧状の凸形に形成されている。ブラシ６６の回転方向Ｒに対し交差する方向つまり軸方向の幅は、ケース１１の上面の幅と略同一に形成されている。
【００３９】
ブラシ支持体５９の上方のフレーム２８にはブラシ接離駆動部としてのブラシ昇降シリンダ６７が回動可能に支持する支持ユニット６８を介して取り付けられ、このブラシ昇降シリンダ６７の下端から進退するロッド６７ａの先端がブラシ支持体５９の横継ぎ部材５８に回動可能に連結する連結ユニット６９を介して連結されている。そして、ブラシ６６は、ブラシ昇降シリンダ６７の作動によって、ケース１１の上面に接触する下降位置とケース１１の上面から離反する上昇位置との間で移動する。
【００４０】
氷払落し位置５６には、コンベヤ２２で搬送するケース１１の搬送方向Ｆの始端および終端を検知する検知手段としての始端検知用の光電スイッチ７０および終端検知用の光電スイッチ７１が配設されている。始端検知用の光電スイッチ７０ではケース１１で遮光することでケース１１の始端を検知し、終端検知用の光電スイッチ７１ではケース１１で遮光された後に透光状態になることでケース１１の終端を検知する。そして、氷除去手段３２では、光電スイッチ７０，７１による検知に基づきコンベヤ２２で搬送するケース１１の上面における搬送方向Ｆの始端および終端より内側の範囲にブラシ６６を接触させるようにブラシ昇降シリンダ６７を制御する。
【００４１】
また、氷払落し位置５６の搬送方向Ｆの下流側には、回転するブラシ６６によってケース１１の上面から搬送方向Ｆの下流側へ向けて払い落とされる氷を受け止めて飛散を防止するカーテン７４が配設されている。このカーテン７４は、搬送方向Ｆと交差する方向に複数に分割された帯状で、上端がカーテン支持部７５に取り付けられて吊下げ状態に支持され、ケース１１の通過を可能としている。
【００４２】
また、コンベヤ２２のベルト２３の終端側のプーリ２４から始端側のプーリに戻るリターン側７８には、ベルト２３の表面に接してその表面に付着している氷を払い落とすベルト用ブラシ７９が配設されている。
【００４３】
次に、本実施の形態の作用を説明する。
【００４４】
予め、処理するケース１１の種類つまり高さに応じて、調整手段５４のハンドル５３を操作して砕氷手段３１の高さを調整する。待機状態では、各砕氷刃４８，４９およびブラシ６６ともケース１１の上面より上昇した上昇位置にあってコンベヤ２２によるケース１１の搬送を可能としている。
【００４５】
コンベヤ２２で搬送方向Ｆに搬送するケース１１を砕氷位置検知用の光電スイッチ３７で検知すれば、コンベヤ２２を直ちに停止し、ケース１１を砕氷位置２９に停止させる。
【００４６】
位置決め手段３０の両側の位置決めシリンダ３６を作動させて両側の位置決めプレート３５でケース１１を挟み込んでセンタリングし、ケース１１を砕氷位置２９に位置決めする。
【００４７】
砕氷手段３１の第１のシリンダ４３を作動させて第１の砕氷刃４８を下降させ、第１の砕氷刃４８をケース１１の上面に氷結している氷に打ち付け、砕氷する。続いて、第１のシリンダ４３を作動させて第１の砕氷刃４８を上昇させるのと同時に、第２のシリンダ４５を作動させて第２の砕氷刃４９を下降させ、第２の砕氷刃４９をケース１１の上面に氷結している氷に打ち付け、砕氷する。続いて、第２のシリンダ４５を作動させて第２の砕氷刃４９を上昇させるのと同時に、第１のシリンダ４３を作動させて第１の砕氷刃４８を下降させる。このように、第１の砕氷刃４８と第２の砕氷刃４９とを交互に所定回数上下させ、ケース１１の上面に氷結している氷に打ち付け、砕氷する。
【００４８】
第１の砕氷刃４８と第２の砕氷刃４９とを交互に上下させるため、例えば全ての砕氷刃４８，４９を同一タイングで上下させる場合に比べて、１つの砕氷刃４８，４９から氷に加わる力が集中して氷を砕氷しやすくできるとともに、例えばある一定時間内で氷に対して砕氷刃４８，４９が当接する回数を２倍に多くできて氷を早く砕氷できる。しかも、複数の砕氷刃４８，４９を、間隔をあけて並設し、その並設方向に対し交差する方向に板状で、かつ並設方向に対し交差する方向の先端形状を凸形に形成したため、例えばケース１１の上面が窪んでいるような場合でも、ケース１１を損傷させずに氷を確実に砕氷できる。
【００４９】
また、各砕氷刃４８，４９を交互に所定回数上下させた後、各砕氷刃４８，４９ともケース１１の上面より上昇した上昇位置に戻し、コンベヤ２２によるケース１１の搬送を再開する。同時に、ブラシ回転モータ６５によってブラシ６６を回転方向Ｒに回転させる。
【００５０】
コンベヤ２２で搬送方向Ｆに搬送するケース１１の始端を始端検知用の光電スイッチ７０が検知すれば、ブラシ昇降シリンダ６７を作動させてブラシ６６を下降させる。ブラシ６６は、コンベヤ２２によるケース１１の搬送速度とブラシ６６の下降速度との関係から、ケース１１の状面における搬送方向Ｆの始端より内側に接触する。
【００５１】
回転するブラシ６６がケース１１の上面に接触することで、砕氷手段３１で砕氷されている氷を搬送方向Ｆの下流側へ向けて払い落とす。ケース１１の上面におけるブラシ６６の接触位置は、コンベヤ２２によるケース１１の搬送に伴って搬送方向Ｆの終端側に向けて移動していく。このとき、ブラシ６６は、回転方向に対し交差する方向の先端形状を凸形に形成したため、例えばケース１１の表面が窪んでいるような場合でも、破砕した氷を確実に払い落とすことができる。
【００５２】
ケース１１の上面におけるブラシ６６の接触位置が搬送方向Ｆの終端側に達する直前に、コンベヤ２２で搬送方向Ｆに搬送するケース１１の終端を終端検知用の光電スイッチ７１が検知し、ブラシ昇降シリンダ６７を作動させてブラシ６６を上昇させる。
【００５３】
このように、コンベヤ２２で搬送するケース１１の搬送方向の始端および終端を光電スイッチ７０，７１で検知し、コンベヤ２２で搬送するケース１１の表面における搬送方向Ｆの始端および終端より内側の範囲にブラシ６６を接触させるため、ケース１１の始端および終端のエッジ部分が回転するブラシ６６との接触で破損するのを防止できるとともに、ケース１１の搬送に影響を与えることなく砕氷した氷を確実に払い落とすことができる。
【００５４】
コンベヤ２２で氷を除去したケース１１を下流側の次工程に搬送し、一連の氷除去動作を完了する。
【００５５】
このように、砕氷手段３１のシリンダ４３，４５でケース１１の表面に対して接離移動させる砕氷刃４８，４９を、コンベヤ２２で搬送するケース１１の表面に氷結した氷に当接させて砕氷するため、ケース１１の表面に氷結した氷を自動的に砕氷し、ケース１１のフラップ１４，１５の開放が可能になり、自動化ラインにも対応できる。
【００５６】
さらに、コンベヤ２２でケース１１を搬送する搬送方向Ｆの砕氷手段３１より下流側に設けられた氷除去手段３２により、回転するブラシ６６をケース１１の上面に接触させ、砕氷手段３１で砕氷されたケース１１の上面の氷を確実に払い落とし、氷を除去できる。
【００５７】
そして、調整手段５４により、ケース１１の種類に応じてケース１１の上面に対する砕氷手段３１の高さを調整でき、多種類のケース１１に対応できる。
【００５８】
なお、砕氷手段３１において、２群に分けた砕氷刃４８，４９を２つのシリンダ４３，４５で交互に上下させることで氷を砕氷しやすくかつ早く砕氷できるが、砕氷刃４８，４９を３群以上に分けて３つ以上のシリンダで任意に上下させるように構成すればより氷を砕氷しやすくかつより早く砕氷でき、また、砕氷刃４８，４９を同時に上下させるように構成すればシリンダが１つで済んで構造を簡略化できる。
【００５９】
また、砕氷手段３１の砕氷刃としては、板状に限らず、アイスピックのような先の尖ったピンなどを用いることもができる。
【００６０】
また、砕氷手段３１の砕氷刃４８，４９に対してケース１１側を移動させて砕氷してもよく、あるいは砕氷刃４８，４９とケース１１との両方を移動させて砕氷してもよい。
【００６１】
また、氷除去手段３２は、回転するブラシ６６に限らず、固定的に配置したブラシでもよく、あるいは、例えばエアをケース１１の上面に吹き付けて氷を吹き飛ばしたり、ケース１１を傾けて氷を滑り落としてもよい。
【００６２】
また、物品としては、ダンボールケースなどのケース１１に限らず、容器、箱、その他の表面に氷が氷結しているものを対象とする。
【００６３】
【発明の効果】
請求項１記載の氷除去装置によれば、砕氷手段の砕氷刃駆動部で物品の表面に対して相対的に接離移動させる砕氷刃を、搬送手段で搬送する物品の表面に氷結した氷に当接させて砕氷するため、物品の表面に氷結した氷を自動的に除去でき、自動化ラインにも対応できる。
【００６４】
請求項２記載の氷除去装置によれば、請求項１記載の氷除去装置の効果に加えて、砕氷手段の複数の砕氷刃駆動部で複数の砕氷刃を物品の表面に対して異なるタイミングで接離させるため、全ての砕氷刃を同一タイングで接離させる場合に比べて、１つの砕氷刃から氷に加わる力が集中して氷を砕氷しやすくできるとともに、例えばある一定時間内で氷に対して砕氷刃が当接する回数を多くできて氷を早く砕氷できる。
【００６５】
請求項３記載の氷除去装置によれば、請求項２記載の氷除去装置の効果に加えて、複数の砕氷刃を、間隔をあけて並設し、その並設方向に対し交差する方向に板状で、かつ並設方向に対し交差する方向の先端形状を凸形に形成したため、例えば物品の表面が窪んでいるような場合でも、物品を損傷させずに氷を確実に砕氷できる。
【００６６】
請求項４記載の氷除去装置によれば、請求項１ないし３いずれか記載の氷除去装置の効果に加えて、調整手段により、物品の種類に応じて物品の表面に対する砕氷手段の間隔を調整でき、多種類の物品に対応できる。
【００６７】
請求項５記載の氷除去装置によれば、請求項１ないし４いずれか記載の氷除去装置の効果に加えて、搬送手段で物品を搬送する搬送方向の砕氷手段より下流側に設けられた氷除去手段により、砕氷手段で砕氷された物品の表面の氷を除去できる。
【００６８】
請求項６記載の氷除去装置によれば、請求項５記載の氷除去装置の効果に加えて、氷除去手段では、回転するブラシを物品の表面に対して接離移動させるため、砕氷手段で砕氷された物品の表面の氷を回転するブラシで確実に払い落とすことができる。
【００６９】
請求項７記載の氷除去装置によれば、請求項６記載の氷除去装置の効果に加えて、搬送手段で搬送する物品の搬送方向の始端および終端を検知手段で検知し、氷除去手段では、検知手段による検知に基づき搬送手段で搬送する物品の表面における搬送方向の始端および終端より内側の範囲にブラシを接触させるため、物品の始端および終端のエッジ部分が回転するブラシとの接触で破損するのを防止できるとともに、物品の搬送に影響を与えることなく砕氷した氷を確実に払い落とすことができる。
【００７０】
請求項８記載の氷除去装置によれば、請求項６または７記載の氷除去装置の効果に加えて、ブラシの回転方向に対し交差する方向の先端形状を凸形に形成したため、例えば物品の表面が窪んでいるような場合でも、破砕した氷を確実に払い落とすことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施の形態を示す氷除去装置の正面図である。
【図２】同上氷除去装置の砕氷手段を搬送方向上流側から視る側面図である。
【図３】同上氷除去装置の砕氷手段の一部を省略した平面図である。
【図４】同上氷除去装置の氷除去手段を搬送方向下流側から視る側面図である。
【図５】同上氷除去装置の位置決め手段の平面図である。
【図６】同上氷除去装置の砕氷手段の動作状態を（ａ）（ｂ）に示す説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１１物品としてのケース
２１氷除去装置
２２搬送手段としてのコンベヤ
３１砕氷手段
３２氷除去手段
４３砕氷刃駆動部としての第１のシリンダ
４５砕氷刃駆動部としての第２のシリンダ
４８砕氷刃としての第１の砕氷刃
４９砕氷刃としての第２の砕氷刃
５４調整手段
６６ブラシ
６７ブラシ接離駆動部としてのブラシ昇降シリンダ
７０，７１検知手段としての光電スイッチ[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ice removing device for removing ice frozen on the surface of an article.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of cardboard cases containing frozen products are stored frozen in a freezer warehouse, and the cardboard cases stored frozen in the freezer warehouse at the time of shipping the frozen products are taken out (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
Ice may be frozen on the upper surface of the cardboard case removed from the freezer warehouse, and the flap on the upper surface of the cardboard case cannot be opened unless the ice melts.
[0004]
For this reason, ice that has frozen on the upper surface of the cardboard case is removed.However, in the past, a person hit the ice on the upper surface of the case with a bare hand or a hammer to break it, From the top of
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-122727 (page 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, manual work is required to remove ice frozen on the upper surface of the cardboard case, which requires manual work, and there is a problem that it cannot cope with an automated line.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ice removing apparatus that can automatically remove ice frozen on the surface of an article and that can be used in an automated line.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The ice removing device according to claim 1, wherein the transporting means transports the article having the ice frozen on the surface, an ice crushing blade which comes into contact with the ice on the surface of the article transported by the transporting means, and the ice crushing blade is an article. And an ice crushing means having an ice crushing blade drive unit which moves relatively toward and away from the surface of the crusher.
[0009]
In this configuration, the ice crushing blade driving unit of the ice crushing unit causes the ice crushing blade that moves relatively toward and away from the surface of the article to abut against ice frozen on the surface of the article to be conveyed by the conveyance unit, thereby crushing ice. Therefore, the ice frozen on the surface of the article can be automatically removed, and it can be used for an automated line.
[0010]
The ice removing device according to claim 2 is the ice removing device according to claim 1, wherein the ice breaking means has a plurality of ice breaking blades and a plurality of ice breaking blade driving units, and the plurality of ice breaking blades are attached to the surface of the article. They come and go at different timings.
[0011]
Then, in this configuration, the plurality of ice crushing blades drive the plurality of ice crushing blades at different timings with respect to the surface of the article by the plurality of ice crushing blade driving units, so that compared with the case where all the ice crushing blades are connected and separated by the same wing. The force applied to the ice from one ice-breaking blade is concentrated, so that the ice can be easily broken. Further, for example, the number of times that the ice-breaking blade comes into contact with the ice within a certain period of time can be increased, and the ice can be quickly broken.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ice removing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the plurality of ice crushing blades are arranged side by side at intervals, and are plate-shaped and arranged in a direction intersecting the direction in which the ice crushing blades are arranged. The tip shape in a direction intersecting with the setting direction is formed in a convex shape.
[0013]
In this configuration, a plurality of ice-breaking blades are juxtaposed at an interval, are plate-shaped in a direction crossing the juxtaposition direction, and have a convex tip shape in a direction intersecting the juxtaposition direction. Due to the formation, for example, even when the surface of the article is depressed, the ice can be reliably crushed without damaging the article.
[0014]
An ice removing device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the ice removing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising an adjusting unit that adjusts a distance between the ice breaking unit and the surface of the article.
[0015]
In this configuration, the adjusting means can adjust the distance between the ice crushing means and the surface of the article according to the type of the article, and can cope with various kinds of articles.
[0016]
An ice removing device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the ice removing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the article is provided downstream of the ice breaking means in a transport direction in which the article is transported by the transport means, and is crushed by the ice breaking means. And an ice removing means for removing ice on the surface.
[0017]
In this configuration, ice on the surface of the article crushed by the ice breaking means can be removed by the ice removing means provided downstream of the ice breaking means in the carrying direction in which the goods are carried by the carrying means.
[0018]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the ice removing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the ice removing means includes a rotating brush and a brush contact / separation drive unit for moving the brush toward / away from the surface of the article. Then, the ice on the surface of the article crushed by the ice breaking means is wiped off by a rotating brush.
[0019]
In this configuration, the ice removing means moves the rotating brush toward and away from the surface of the article, so that the ice on the surface of the article crushed by the ice breaking means can be reliably wiped off by the rotating brush. .
[0020]
An ice removing device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the ice removing device according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a detecting unit configured to detect a start end and an end of the article to be transported by the transport unit in the transport direction. Based on the detection, the brush is brought into contact with the surface of the article to be conveyed by the conveying means, in a range inside the starting end and the end in the conveying direction.
[0021]
In this configuration, the detecting means detects the start and end of the article conveyed by the conveying means in the conveying direction, and the ice removing means detects the start and end of the article conveyed by the conveying means in the conveying direction based on the detection by the detecting means. In addition, since the brush is in contact with the area inside from the end, it is possible to prevent the edges of the start and end of the article from being damaged by contact with the rotating brush and to remove the crushed ice without affecting the transport of the article. It can be surely paid off.
[0022]
An ice removing device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the ice removing device according to the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein the tip of the brush in a direction intersecting the rotation direction is formed in a convex shape.
[0023]
In this configuration, the tip of the brush in the direction intersecting the rotation direction of the brush is formed in a convex shape, so that even if the surface of the article is depressed, crushed ice can be reliably wiped off.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0025]
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 11 denotes a case as an article. The case 11 is a cardboard case, which is a rectangular box, and has both side surfaces 12 along the longitudinal direction and a short direction crossing the longitudinal direction. A peripheral surface is formed by both end surfaces 13, and lower flaps (not shown) formed on the lower surfaces of both side surfaces 12 and both end surfaces 13 are bent and fixed to the bottom of case 11, and the bottom of case 11 is fixed. Is closed.
[0026]
Flaps 14 on both sides formed on both sides on the upper surface side of both side surfaces 12 and flaps 15 on both ends formed on both side surfaces on the upper surface side of both end surfaces 13 are respectively bent to the upper surface of case 11, and one side flap is formed. 14 are inserted from inside into outside in mounting holes 16 formed in the flaps 15 at both ends, and both front corners of the flaps 14 on the other side are inserted into mounting holes 17 formed in the flaps 15 at both ends. The flaps 14 and 15 are locked with the upper surface of the case 11 closed.
[0027]
Then, the case 11 is stored frozen in a freezer warehouse or the like with the frozen product stored therein, and the case 11 stored frozen in the freezer warehouse at the time of shipment of the frozen product is taken out and transported to a predetermined place through an automatic transport line. There is a case where excess ice is frozen on the upper surface, which is the surface of the case 11 taken out from the freezer warehouse, and it is difficult to open the flaps 14 and 15.
[0028]
Next, in FIGS. 1 to 6, reference numeral 21 denotes an ice removing device, which is disposed in a line for automatically transporting the case 11 and removes ice frozen on the upper surface of the case 11. It has a conveyor 22 as a transporting means for transporting the case 11 connected in the line. The conveyor 22 is a belt conveyor in which an endless belt 23 is stretched by a plurality of pulleys including a pulley at a start end and a pulley 24 at an end in the transport direction F, and the upper surface of the belt 23 is in the transport direction F. It is rotationally driven by a conveyor motor (not shown) so as to move from the start end pulley to the end pulley 24. The upper surface of the belt 23 is configured as a transfer surface 25 on which the case 11 is placed and transferred in the transfer direction F. The case 11 conveyed by the conveyor 22 is oriented such that the longitudinal direction of the case 11 is oriented in the conveying direction F and one end face 13 is the top.
[0029]
Further, a frame 28 is erected so as to straddle the conveyor 22, a positioning means 30 for positioning the case 11, which has been conveyed to the ice breaking position 29 and stopped by the conveyor 22, and a case positioned at the ice breaking position 29. Ice crushing means 31 for crushing ice on the upper surface of the ice 11 and ice removing means 32 for removing crushed ice on the upper surface of the case 11 to be transported by the conveyor 22 downstream of the ice crushing position 29 in the transport direction F are attached. .
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 5, the positioning means 30 includes a pair of positioning plates 35 which are disposed on both sides intersecting the transport direction F at the ice breaking position 29 and abut against the side surfaces 12 along the longitudinal direction of the case 11 for positioning. Have. Each of these positioning plates 35 is attached to a rod 36a that advances and retreats in the horizontal direction from a positioning cylinder 36 attached to the frame 28, and the positioning cylinders 36 act to press the both side surfaces 12 of the case 11 with the positioning plate 35 to break the ice. The case 11 is moved between an advanced position for positioning with reference to the center of the position 29 and a retreat position where the case 11 is retracted from the area on both side surfaces of the case 11 and the case 11 is allowed to be conveyed by the conveyor 22.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 1, at the ice breaking position 29, a photoelectric switch 37 is disposed as ice breaking position detecting means for detecting that the case 11 transported by the conveyor 22 has reached the ice breaking position 29.
[0032]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the ice breaking means 31 has a base 40 attached to the frame 28 above the ice breaking position 29. A slide portion 42 is mounted between the guide portions 41 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. A first cylinder 43 as an ice-breaking blade drive unit is attached to the slide unit 42, and a bracket 44 attached to the slide unit 42 so as to straddle the first cylinder 43 is used as an ice-breaker blade drive unit. A second cylinder 45 is mounted.
[0033]
A first ice-breaking blade holder 46 is attached to the tip of a rod 43a that moves forward and backward from the lower end of the first cylinder 43, and a second ice-breaking blade holder 47 is mounted to the tip of a rod 45a that advances and retracts from the lower end of the second cylinder 45. Have been. As shown in FIG. 3, the first ice-breaking blade holder 46 is formed in a substantially E-shape, and the second ice-breaking blade holder 47 is formed in a substantially C-shape. The blade holder 47 is configured to engage with each other in a non-contact state.
[0034]
A first ice crushing blade 48 is attached to each of the substantially E-shaped ends of the first ice crushing blade holder 46 as ice crushing blades, and an ice crushing blade is provided on a lower surface of each of the substantially C-shaped ends of the second ice crushing blade holder 47. A second ice crushing blade 49 is attached, and these ice crushing blades 48, 49 are arranged in a line at intervals in a direction corresponding to the transport direction F. Each of the ice crushing blades 48 and 49 has a plate shape in a direction intersecting with the juxtaposition direction, and has a sharp tip, and a tip shape in a direction intersecting with the juxtaposition direction has a central portion projecting from both sides. It is formed in a convex shape. The width of the ice crushing blades 48 and 49 arranged in a line in the juxtaposition direction and the width in the direction intersecting with the juxtaposition direction are formed smaller than the width of the case 11 in the longitudinal direction and the width in the short direction.
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, a screw member 50 is fixed to the frame 28, a screw shaft 51 is screwed through the screw member 50, and a lower end of the screw shaft 51 is It is rotatably connected to a connecting portion 52 provided at an upper portion. A handle 53 for rotating the screw shaft 51 is attached to the upper end of the screw shaft 51. Then, the sliding portion 42 is moved in the vertical direction by the turning operation of the handle 53, that is, the adjusting means for adjusting the interval, that is, the height of the ice breaking means 31 with respect to the upper surface of the case 11 according to the height of each type of the case 11. 54 are configured.
[0036]
Then, in a state where the height of the ice breaking means 31 is adjusted by the adjusting means 54 according to the type of the case 11 to be processed, that is, the height, each of the ice breaking blades 48 and 49 is moved by the operation of each of the cylinders 43 and 45. It moves between a lower position where it descends from the upper surface and breaks the ice on the upper surface of the case 11 and an upper position where it rises above the upper surface of the case 11.
[0037]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the ice removing means 32 is disposed above the transport area of the case 11 transported by the conveyor 22 at the ice removing position 56 downstream of the ice breaking position 29 on the conveyor 22. And a brush support 59 formed by connecting the intermediate portions of the swing plates 57 on both sides integrally by a transverse joint member 58, and the base ends of the swing plates 57 on both sides of the brush support 59. Are swingably supported on a support shaft 62 rotatably supported by bearings 61 of a support plate 60 on both sides of the frame 28.
[0038]
A rotating shaft 64 is rotatably supported by a bearing 63 between the ends of the swinging plates 57 on both sides of the brush support 59, and the rotating shaft 64 is rotationally driven in the rotating direction R on the outer surface of the swinging plate 57 on one side. A brush rotation motor 65 is attached as a brush rotation drive unit. A brush 66 is attached to the center of the rotating shaft 64. The brush 66 holds a plurality of brush bristles so as to protrude from the center side toward the outer radial direction. That is, the distal end shape in the axial direction is formed in an arc-shaped convex shape whose central portion protrudes from both side portions. The width in the direction intersecting the rotation direction R of the brush 66, that is, the width in the axial direction, is formed to be substantially the same as the width of the upper surface of the case 11.
[0039]
A brush lifting / lowering cylinder 67 as a brush contact / separation driving unit is attached to the frame 28 above the brush support 59 via a support unit 68 that rotatably supports the rod, and a rod 67 a that advances and retreats from the lower end of the brush lifting / lowering cylinder 67. Of the brush support 59 is connected via a connection unit 69 which is rotatably connected to the crossover member 58 of the brush support 59. The brush 66 moves between a lower position where it contacts the upper surface of the case 11 and an upper position where it separates from the upper surface of the case 11 by the operation of the brush lifting cylinder 67.
[0040]
At the ice removing position 56, a photoelectric switch 70 for detecting a start end and a photoelectric switch 71 for detecting an end are provided as detecting means for detecting a start and an end of the case 11 to be conveyed by the conveyor 22 in the conveying direction F. I have. The photoelectric switch 70 for detecting the starting end detects the starting end of the case 11 by shielding the light with the case 11, and the photoelectric switch 71 for detecting the end detects the end of the case 11 by being shielded from the light after being shielded by the case 11. Detect. In the ice removing means 32, based on the detection by the photoelectric switches 70 and 71, the brush elevating cylinder 67 is brought into contact with the brush 66 in a range inside the starting end and the end in the conveying direction F on the upper surface of the case 11 conveyed by the conveyor 22. Control.
[0041]
On the downstream side of the ice removing position 56 in the transport direction F, there is provided a curtain 74 for receiving the ice removed from the upper surface of the case 11 toward the downstream side in the transport direction F by the rotating brush 66 to prevent scattering. It is arranged. The curtain 74 has a band shape divided into a plurality of sections in a direction intersecting with the transport direction F. The upper end is attached to the curtain support portion 75 and is supported in a suspended state, so that the case 11 can pass through.
[0042]
A belt brush 79 that contacts the surface of the belt 23 and removes ice adhering to the surface of the belt 23 is provided on the return side 78 of the conveyor 22 that returns from the pulley 24 on the end side of the belt 23 to the pulley on the start side. Is established.
[0043]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0044]
The height of the ice breaking means 31 is adjusted by operating the handle 53 of the adjusting means 54 in advance in accordance with the type, that is, the height of the case 11 to be processed. In the standby state, each of the ice crushing blades 48 and 49 and the brush 66 are located at a raised position above the upper surface of the case 11 to enable the conveyor 22 to transport the case 11.
[0045]
If the case 11 conveyed in the conveyance direction F by the conveyor 22 is detected by the photoelectric switch 37 for detecting the ice breaking position, the conveyor 22 is immediately stopped, and the case 11 is stopped at the ice breaking position 29.
[0046]
The positioning cylinders 36 on both sides of the positioning means 30 are operated, and the case 11 is sandwiched and centered between the positioning plates 35 on both sides to position the case 11 at the ice breaking position 29.
[0047]
The first cylinder 43 of the ice crushing means 31 is operated to lower the first ice crushing blade 48, and the first ice crushing blade 48 is hit on ice frozen on the upper surface of the case 11 to break the ice. Subsequently, the first cylinder 43 is operated to raise the first ice breaking blade 48, and at the same time, the second cylinder 45 is operated to lower the second ice breaking blade 49, and the second ice breaking blade 49 is operated. Is hit on ice frozen on the upper surface of the case 11 to break the ice. Then, the second cylinder 45 is operated to raise the second ice breaking blade 49, and at the same time, the first cylinder 43 is operated to lower the first ice breaking blade 48. In this manner, the first ice crushing blade 48 and the second ice crushing blade 49 are alternately moved up and down a predetermined number of times, and are hit against ice frozen on the upper surface of the case 11 to break the ice.
[0048]
Since the first ice-breaking blades 48 and the second ice-breaking blades 49 are alternately moved up and down, compared with, for example, moving all the ice-breaking blades 48 and 49 up and down with the same wing, the ice-breaking blades 48 and 49 move the ice from one ice-breaking blade 48 and 49. The applied force is concentrated and ice can be easily broken, and the number of times that the ice breaking blades 48 and 49 come into contact with the ice within a certain period of time can be doubled, so that the ice can be broken quickly. Moreover, a plurality of ice crushing blades 48 and 49 are juxtaposed at an interval, and are formed in a plate shape in a direction intersecting the juxtaposition direction and a convex shape in a direction intersecting the juxtaposition direction. Therefore, even when the upper surface of the case 11 is depressed, for example, the ice can be reliably crushed without damaging the case 11.
[0049]
After the ice crushing blades 48 and 49 are alternately moved up and down a predetermined number of times, each of the ice crushing blades 48 and 49 is returned to the raised position above the upper surface of the case 11, and the conveyance of the case 11 by the conveyor 22 is restarted. At the same time, the brush 66 is rotated in the rotation direction R by the brush rotation motor 65.
[0050]
If the photoelectric switch 70 for detecting the starting end detects the starting end of the case 11 to be conveyed in the conveying direction F by the conveyor 22, the brush elevating cylinder 67 is operated to lower the brush 66. The brush 66 comes into contact with the inside surface of the case 11 from the start end in the transport direction F on the basis of the relationship between the transport speed of the case 11 by the conveyor 22 and the descending speed of the brush 66.
[0051]
When the rotating brush 66 comes into contact with the upper surface of the case 11, the ice crushed by the ice crushing means 31 is wiped down toward the downstream side in the transport direction F. The contact position of the brush 66 on the upper surface of the case 11 moves toward the end in the transport direction F with the transport of the case 11 by the conveyor 22. At this time, since the brush 66 has a tip shape in a direction intersecting the rotation direction formed in a convex shape, even if the surface of the case 11 is depressed, for example, crushed ice can be reliably wiped off.
[0052]
Immediately before the contact position of the brush 66 on the upper surface of the case 11 reaches the end side in the conveyance direction F, the end of the case 11 conveyed in the conveyance direction F by the conveyor 22 is detected by the photoelectric switch 71 for end detection, and the brush lifting cylinder Activate 67 to raise brush 66.
[0053]
As described above, the start and end of the case 11 conveyed by the conveyor 22 in the conveying direction are detected by the photoelectric switches 70 and 71, and the start and end of the surface of the case 11 conveyed by the conveyor 22 are inside the start and end in the conveying direction F. Since the brush 66 is brought into contact with the rotating brush 66, the start and end edges of the case 11 can be prevented from being damaged by contact with the rotating brush 66, and the crushed ice is reliably removed without affecting the transport of the case 11. Can be dropped.
[0054]
The case 11 from which ice has been removed by the conveyor 22 is transported to the next process on the downstream side, and a series of ice removing operations is completed.
[0055]
As described above, the ice crushing blades 48 and 49 that are moved toward and away from the surface of the case 11 by the cylinders 43 and 45 of the ice crushing means 31 are brought into contact with the ice frozen on the surface of the case 11 transported by the conveyor 22 so as to break the ice. Therefore, the ice frozen on the surface of the case 11 is automatically crushed, and the flaps 14 and 15 of the case 11 can be opened.
[0056]
Further, the rotating brush 66 was brought into contact with the upper surface of the case 11 by the ice removing means 32 provided on the downstream side of the ice breaking means 31 in the transport direction F for transporting the case 11 by the conveyor 22, and the ice was broken by the ice breaking means 31. The ice on the upper surface of the case 11 can be reliably removed and the ice can be removed.
[0057]
The height of the ice crushing means 31 with respect to the upper surface of the case 11 can be adjusted by the adjusting means 54 according to the type of the case 11, so that the case 11 can be used for various types.
[0058]
In the ice crushing means 31, the ice crushing can be easily and quickly crushed by moving the ice crushing blades 48, 49 divided into two groups alternately up and down by the two cylinders 43, 45. If it is configured so as to be arbitrarily moved up and down by three or more cylinders, it is easier to break ice and ice can be broken faster, and if the ice crushing blades 48 and 49 are moved up and down at the same time, one cylinder is used. And the structure can be simplified.
[0059]
In addition, the ice crushing blade of the ice crushing means 31 is not limited to a plate shape, and a pointed pin or the like such as an ice pick can be used.
[0060]
Further, the ice may be crushed by moving the case 11 side with respect to the ice crushing blades 48, 49 of the ice crushing means 31, or may be moved by moving both the ice crushing blades 48, 49 and the case 11.
[0061]
The ice removing means 32 is not limited to the rotating brush 66, but may be a fixedly arranged brush. Alternatively, the ice may be blown off by blowing air on the upper surface of the case 11, or the ice may be inclined by tilting the case 11. You may drop it.
[0062]
In addition, the article is not limited to the case 11 such as a cardboard case, but may be a container, a box, or any other article having ice frozen on its surface.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
According to the ice removing device of the first aspect, the ice crushing blade driven by the ice crushing blade drive unit of the ice crushing means moves toward and away from the surface of the article relatively to the ice frozen on the surface of the article conveyed by the conveying means. Since the ice is brought into contact with and crushed, ice frozen on the surface of the article can be automatically removed, and the apparatus can be used in an automated line.
[0064]
According to the ice removing device of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the ice removing device of the first aspect, the plurality of ice crushing blades are driven by the plurality of ice crushing blade driving units of the ice breaking means at different timings with respect to the surface of the article. The force applied to the ice from one ice-breaking blade concentrates and makes it easier to break the ice compared to the case where all the ice-breaking blades are brought into contact with and separated from each other with the same tang, so that the ice can be broken within a certain period of time. On the other hand, the number of times the ice crushing blade comes into contact can be increased, and the ice can be crushed quickly.
[0065]
According to the ice removing device of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the ice removing device of the second aspect, a plurality of ice crushing blades are juxtaposed at intervals and are arranged in a direction intersecting the juxtaposition direction. Since the tip of the plate is formed in a convex shape in a direction intersecting with the juxtaposed direction, even if the surface of the article is depressed, the ice can be reliably crushed without damaging the article.
[0066]
According to the ice removing device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of the ice removing device of any one of the first to third aspects, the distance between the ice breaking means and the surface of the article is adjusted by the adjusting means according to the type of the article. Yes, it can handle many kinds of goods.
[0067]
According to the ice removing device of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the ice removing device of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the ice provided downstream of the ice breaking means in the transport direction for transporting the article by the transport means. The ice on the surface of the article crushed by the ice breaking means can be removed by the removing means.
[0068]
According to the ice removing device of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect of the ice removing device of the fifth aspect, in the ice removing means, the rotating brush is moved toward and away from the surface of the article, so that the ice breaking means is used. The ice on the surface of the crushed ice can be reliably wiped off with a rotating brush.
[0069]
According to the ice removing device of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect of the ice removing device of the sixth aspect, the start and end of the article to be transported by the transport unit in the transport direction are detected by the detector, and the ice remover is In order to bring the brush into contact with the inner surface of the surface of the article conveyed by the conveying means on the basis of the detection by the detecting means in the conveying direction, the edges at the start and end of the article are damaged by contact with the rotating brush. The crushed ice can be reliably removed without affecting the transportation of the articles.
[0070]
According to the ice removing device of the eighth aspect, in addition to the effect of the ice removing device of the sixth or seventh aspect, since the tip shape in the direction intersecting the rotation direction of the brush is formed to be convex, for example, Even when the surface is depressed, the crushed ice can be reliably wiped off.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an ice removing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the ice breaking means of the ice removing device as viewed from an upstream side in a transport direction.
FIG. 3 is a plan view in which a part of ice breaking means of the ice removing device is omitted.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the ice removing device of the ice removing device as viewed from a downstream side in a transport direction.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a positioning means of the ice removing device.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams showing an operation state of the ice breaking means of the ice removing device. FIGS.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Case 21 as an Article Ice Remover 22 Conveyor 31 as Conveying Means Ice Breaking Means 32 Ice Removing Means 43 First Cylinder 45 as Ice Breaking Blade Drive Unit Second Cylinder 48 as Ice Breaking Blade Drive Unit 48 Second as Ice Breaking Blade The first ice crushing blade 49 The second ice crushing blade 54 as an ice crushing blade The adjusting means 66 The brush 67 The brush lifting / lowering cylinders 70 and 71 as the brush contact / separation drive unit The photoelectric switch as the detecting means

Claims

Conveying means for conveying an article having ice frozen on its surface,
An ice crushing blade having an ice crushing blade for moving the ice crushing blade relatively toward and away from the surface of the article; An ice removing device, comprising:

2. The ice removing device according to claim 1, wherein the ice crushing means has a plurality of ice crushing blades and a plurality of ice crushing blade driving units, and causes the plurality of ice crushing blades to come in contact with and separate from the surface of the article at different timings.

The plurality of ice crushing blades are arranged side by side at intervals, are plate-shaped in a direction intersecting the juxtaposition direction, and that the tip shape in a direction intersecting the juxtaposition direction is formed in a convex shape. 3. The ice removing device according to claim 2, wherein:

4. The ice removing device according to claim 1, further comprising adjusting means for adjusting a distance between the ice breaking means and the surface of the article.

An ice removing means provided downstream of the ice breaking means in the carrying direction for carrying the article by the carrying means and removing ice on the surface of the article crushed by the ice breaking means. 4. The ice removing device according to any one of 4.

The ice removing means has a rotating brush and a brush contact / separation drive unit for moving the brush toward and away from the surface of the article, and uses a rotating brush to wipe off ice on the surface of the article crushed by the ice breaking means. The ice removing device according to claim 5, wherein:

A detection unit that detects a start end and an end of the article to be conveyed in the conveyance direction in the conveyance direction,
7. The ice removing device according to claim 6, wherein the ice removing unit contacts the brush with a range inside the starting end and the end in the carrying direction on the surface of the article conveyed by the carrying unit based on the detection by the detecting unit.

8. The ice removing device according to claim 6, wherein a tip of the brush in a direction intersecting a rotation direction is formed in a convex shape.