JP2021153462A - Food manufacturing device, food manufacturing method and food material cutting method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a food manufacturing device that enables a roller to continuously cut a food material while controlling a food material from sticking to the roller, and to provide a food manufacturing method and a food material cutting method.SOLUTION: A food manufacturing device 10 includes: a rotating reception roller part 31; a cutting roller part 32 including a cutter 33, where the cutting roller part 32 cuts a food material 90 by holding it between the cutter 33 and the reception roller part 31 while rotating the cutter 33; and a gas spray device 37 including a gas discharge port 38, receiving a gas 39 discharged from the gas discharge port 38 and spraying the gas to the reception roller part 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a food manufacturing apparatus, a food manufacturing method, and a food cutting method.

There is known a device that continuously cuts foodstuffs sent from the upstream and sends the cut and separated foodstuffs downstream.

For example, the extrusion noodle swinging device disclosed in Patent Document 1 cuts noodles sent from an upstream extruder by sandwiching them between a cutter blade of a rotating main roller and a rotating contact roller, and sends the noodles downstream.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-084961

The water content of foodstuffs is not constant due to various factors such as type, environment, and season, and the adhesiveness changes. For example, the skin used for dumplings and the like is made from wheat flour or rice flour in various formulations, and exhibits water content and stickiness according to the formulation.

For example, when a wet food material is sandwiched between a cutter provided on the cutting roller and a receiving roller and cut, the food material easily sticks to the receiving roller. Further, when the dry food material is cut in the same manner, the powder of the food material may adhere to the receiving roller, and the food material may stick to the receiving roller due to the powder.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a technique capable of continuously cutting foodstuffs using the rollers while suppressing sticking of the foodstuffs to the rollers. The purpose.

One aspect of the present invention is a rotating receiving roller portion, a cutting roller portion having a cutter, a cutting roller portion that cuts food by sandwiching it between the cutter and the receiving roller portion while rotating the cutter, and a gas. The present invention relates to a food manufacturing apparatus including a gas spraying device having a discharge port and receiving a gas discharged from the gas discharge port and spraying the gas onto a roller portion.

The gas blowing device may eject the compressed gas from the gas discharge port.

At least a part of the gas discharge port may overlap the receiving roller portion in the horizontal direction or the direction parallel to the vertical direction.

The gas sprayed on the receiving roller portion may include a gas that is directly sprayed on the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the receiving roller portion that is closest to the gas discharge port.

Another aspect of the present invention is a rotating receiving roller portion and a cutting roller portion having a cutter, and while rotating the cutter at an angular velocity different from that of the receiving roller portion, food is transferred between the cutter and the receiving roller portion. The present invention relates to a food manufacturing apparatus including a cutting roller portion for sandwiching and cutting.

The angular velocity of the cutter may be larger than the angular velocity of the receiving roller portion.

Another aspect of the present invention is a food manufacturing apparatus that cuts foodstuffs sent from upstream to downstream, and is a receiving roller portion that rotates about a receiving axis and a cutting roller portion having a cutter. The present invention relates to a food manufacturing apparatus including a cutting roller portion that cuts food by sandwiching it between the cutter and the receiving roller portion while rotating the cutter around a cutting axis located downstream of the receiving axis.

The cutting axis is located below the receiving axis, and the cutter and the receiving roller portion may cut the food material sent from above.

The food manufacturing apparatus is located on the downstream side of the cutting roller section and includes a delivery device that receives the food and sends it in the delivery direction. good.

Another aspect of the present invention is a food manufacturing apparatus that cuts foodstuffs sent from upstream to downstream, and is a receiving roller portion that rotates about a receiving axis and a cutting roller portion having a cutter. , A cutting roller part that cuts food by sandwiching it between the cutter and the receiving roller part while rotating the cutter at an angular speed different from that of the receiving roller part around the cutting axis located downstream of the receiving axis, and a gas. The present invention relates to a food manufacturing apparatus including a gas spraying device having a discharge port and receiving a gas discharged from the gas discharge port and spraying the gas onto a roller portion.

Another aspect of the present invention is a step of transporting foodstuffs, and rotating the receiving roller portion and the cutter while blowing gas to the receiving roller portion by a gas spraying device to sandwich the foodstuff between the cutter and the receiving roller portion. It relates to a step of cutting and a method of producing food including.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a step of transporting the food material and a step of rotating the receiving roller portion and the cutter at different angular velocities to sandwich and cut the food material between the cutter and the receiving roller portion. Regarding food manufacturing method.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a step of transporting foodstuffs from upstream to downstream, and a cutter centered on a cutting axis located downstream of the receiving axis while rotating the receiving roller portion around the receiving axis. The present invention relates to a food manufacturing method including a step of rotating a food material to be sandwiched between a cutter and a receiving roller portion and cutting the food material.

Another aspect of the present invention is a step of transporting foodstuffs from upstream to downstream, and while blowing gas to the receiving roller portion by a gas spraying device, the receiving roller portion is rotated around the receiving axis and the receiving roller portion is rotated. The present invention relates to a food material cutting method including a step of rotating a cutter at an angular velocity different from that of the receiving roller portion around a cutting axis located on the downstream side to sandwich and cut the food material between the cutter and the receiving roller portion.

According to the present invention, the food material can be continuously cut by using the roller while suppressing the sticking of the food material to the roller.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a food manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a part of the configuration of the cutting device as viewed from above. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a control configuration of the food manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a side view of a food manufacturing apparatus showing an example of a food manufacturing method (including a foodstuff cutting method) using the food manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a food manufacturing method (including a food cutting method). FIG. 6 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an example of the food manufacturing apparatus according to the first modification.

A food manufacturing apparatus, a food manufacturing method, and a food cutting method will be exemplified with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, the "height direction" is a direction parallel to the vertical direction, which is the direction of action of gravity, and the "horizontal direction" is a direction forming a right angle to the height direction. The terms "upper" and "lower" are based on the height direction unless otherwise specified. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are based on the transportation (that is, movement) of foodstuffs, unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an example of the food manufacturing apparatus 10. For ease of understanding, in FIG. 1, one side portion of the cutting case 30 and the transport path cover 35 is virtually cut, and the device configuration inside the cutting case 30 and the transport path cover 35 is shown.

The food manufacturing apparatus 10 is an apparatus for cutting a food material (see reference numeral “90” in FIG. 4) sent from upstream to downstream to a desired size. The foodstuffs that can be cut by the food manufacturing apparatus 10 are not limited. In the present embodiment, a sheet-shaped soft food material such as a skin made from wheat flour or rice flour is cut in the food manufacturing apparatus 10. The food manufacturing apparatus 10 typically cuts the foodstuff and completely separates the foodstuff into two or more parts, but the foodstuff may be partially cut and the foodstuff is not necessarily completely separated into two or more parts. May be good.

The food manufacturing device 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a supply device 11, a cutting device 12, and a delivery device 13. The supply device 11, the cutting device 12, and the delivery device 13 are sequentially provided from upstream to downstream. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the cutting device 12 is installed below the supply device 11, and below the cutting device 12. The sending device 13 is installed. The food material is supplied from the supply device 11 to the cutting device 12, cut by the cutting device 12, and the cut food material is sent to the subsequent device (not shown) via the delivery device 13. The latter-stage device is not limited, and may be a device that only conveys the foodstuff, or may be a device that performs arbitrary processing on the foodstuff.

The supply device 11 sends out the foodstuff toward the cutting device 12. The specific configuration of the supply device 11 is not limited. For example, the supply device 11 is a conveyor device (for example, a conveyor device provided with an endless transport belt such as a wire belt (net)) that relays and transports foodstuffs sent from a pre-stage device (not shown) provided upstream. It may be. Further, the supply device 11 may be a food material supply device (for example, a mixer or the like) that generates or prepares foodstuffs, or may be another device (for example, an extruder that pushes out the foodstuffs downstream).

The cutting device 12 cuts the food material supplied from the supply device 11 and sends the cut and separated food material toward the delivery device 13. The cutting device 12 of the present embodiment includes a receiving roller section 31, a cutting roller section 32 having a cutter 33, and a gas spraying device 37 having a gas discharge port 38.

The receiving roller portion 31 is rotatably supported by the cutting case 30 and is arranged inside the cutting case 30, and rotates about the receiving axis A1 extending in the horizontal direction.

The cutting roller portion 32 is rotatably supported by the cutting case 30 and is arranged inside the cutting case 30, and rotates the cutter 33 around the cutting axis A2 extending in the horizontal direction. The cutting axis A2 is located downstream of the receiving axis A1 and extends in the same direction as the receiving axis A1 in parallel with the receiving axis A1. The cutting roller portion 32 and the cutting axis A2 are located downstream of the receiving roller portion 31 and the receiving axis A1 in the direction in which the delivery device 13 sends the food (that is, the delivery direction). In the example shown in FIG. 1, the cutter 33 and the receiving roller portion 31 cut the food material sent from above, the cutting axis A2 is located below the receiving axis A1, and the cutting roller portion 32 and the cutting axis A2 are It is located offset from the receiving roller portion 31 and the receiving axis A1 in the horizontal direction (right side in FIG. 1).

The installation position of the receiving roller portion 31 can be represented by the position of the receiving axis A1, and the installation position of the cutting roller portion 32 can be represented by the position of the cutting axis A2. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the installation position of the cutting roller portion 32 (that is, the position of the cutting axis A2) is lower (that is, downstream) than the installation position of the receiving roller portion 31 (that is, the position of the receiving axis A1). Of the food transport paths, the position closest to the cutting axis A2 (when a certain range of the transport paths is closest to the cutting axis A2, the most upstream position in the range) is the closest to the receiving axis A1. It is downstream from the approaching position (when a certain range in the transport path is closest to the receiving axis A1, the position on the most upstream side in the range).

The distance between the cutter 33 and the receiving roller portion 31 changes according to the rotation of the cutting roller portion 32, and when the cutter 33 comes closest to the receiving roller portion 31, the foodstuff is sandwiched between the cutter 33 and the receiving roller portion 31. Will be disconnected. In FIG. 1, with respect to an angular position centered on the receiving axis A1, the rightmost position on the outer peripheral surface of the receiving roller portion 31 (that is, a position included in the same horizontal plane as the receiving axis A1 and closer to the cutting roller portion 32) is defined as an “angle”. It is assumed that the position is set to "position = 0 °" and the lowest position on the outer peripheral surface of the receiving roller portion 31 (that is, the position included in the same vertical plane as the receiving axis A1) is set to "angle position = 90 °". do. In this case, the angular position (that is, the “cutting angle position”) of the outer peripheral surface of the receiving roller portion 31 where the food material is cut satisfies “0 ° <cutting angle position <90 °”. From the viewpoint of smoothly delivering the cut food material to the delivery device 13, "0 ° <cutting angle position ≤ 45 °" is preferably satisfied, and for example, "0 ° <cutting angle position ≤ 30 °" is satisfied.

The cutting angle position of the outer peripheral surface of the receiving roller portion 31 is set so that the normal vector at the cutting angle position passes through the sending device 13 (particularly, the position where the cut food can land (delivery belt 45)). As a result, the cut food can be smoothly delivered to the delivery device 13.

The rotational speed of the receiving roller portion 31 and the rotational speed of the cutting roller portion 32 are not limited, and the ratio of the rotational speeds between the receiving roller portion 31 and the cutting roller portion 32 is also not limited. In the present embodiment, while rotating the cutter 33 to sandwich and cut the food material between the cutter 33 and the receiving roller portion 31, the cutting roller portion 32 cuts the cutter 33 at an angular velocity different from that of the receiving roller portion 31. Rotate it, and more specifically, the angular velocity of the cutter 33 is larger than the angular velocity of the receiving roller portion 31.

When cutting the food material, the receiving roller portion 31 receives a force from the cutter 33. When the angular velocity of the receiving roller portion 31 is the same as the angular velocity of the cutter 33, only one specific portion of the receiving roller portion 31 receives the force from the cutter 33. There is a concern that the portion of the receiving roller portion 31 may be locally dented because only one specific portion of the receiving roller portion 31 continuously receives a repetitive force from the cutter 33. Foodstuffs are structurally easy to stick to the recesses formed on the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31. In addition, food debris (including powder) is likely to accumulate in the recess, and the food debris deposited in the recess promotes sticking of the food to the receiving roller portion 31. On the other hand, when the angular velocity of the receiving roller portion 31 is different from the angular velocity of the cutter 33, the receiving roller portion 31 receives a force from the cutter 33 at at least two or more different points, and the receiving roller portion 31 receives damage from the cutter 33. It can be dispersed in the two or more different places. Therefore, the occurrence of the recesses in the receiving roller portion 31 can be effectively prevented, and at least the time until the recesses are formed in the receiving roller portion 31 can be lengthened.

In the illustrated example, the angular velocity of the cutter 33 is larger than the angular velocity of the receiving roller portion 31, but the angular velocity of the cutter 33 may be smaller than the angular velocity of the receiving roller portion 31. However, from the viewpoint of reducing the local damage of the receiving roller portion 31, when the angular velocity of the receiving roller portion 31 is larger than the angular velocity of the cutter 33, the angular velocity of the receiving roller portion 31 is the angular velocity of the cutter 33 (that is, the cutting roller portion 32). It is preferable not to be a multiple.

The cutter 33 is provided so as to project outward from the outer peripheral surface 32a of the main body portion (cylindrical portion) of the cutting roller portion 32, and rotates together with the main body portion about the cutting axis A2. The cutter 33 shown in FIG. 1 is fixedly attached to the main body of the cutting roller portion 32 by a cutter fastener 34. The amount of protrusion of the cutter 33 is not limited, but the cutter 33 is provided so as to be close to the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31 so that the food material is cut by being sandwiched between the cutter 33 and the receiving roller portion 31.

Typically, when the cutter 33 rotates about the cutting axis A2, it protrudes from the main body of the cutting roller portion 32 to such an extent that it can come into contact with the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31, but the outer peripheral surface 31a is not necessarily the same. You do not have to contact. The linear distance between the receiving axis A1 and the cutting axis A2 is the radius of the main body (cylindrical portion) of the receiving roller portion 31, the radius of the main body of the cutting roller portion 32, and the outer peripheral surface 32a of the cutting roller portion 32. It is preferable that it is equal to the sum of the radial protrusion amounts of the cutter 33 from. The "radial protrusion amount of the cutter 33" referred to here is the radial direction at the portion of the cutting roller portion 32 to which the cutter 33 is attached (that is, the direction along the straight line connecting the portion and the cutting axis A2 (radial direction)). ) Is the amount of protrusion.

The gas spraying device 37 is supported by the cutting case 30, and receives the gas discharged from the gas discharge port 38 located inside the cutting case 30 and sprays the gas onto the outer peripheral surface 31a of the roller portion 31. The gas spraying device 37 of the present embodiment ejects compressed gas (particularly compressed air) having a pressure larger than the environmental pressure (usually atmospheric pressure) from the gas discharge port 38.

The gas discharge port 38 may be provided in a direction parallel to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction so that at least a part of the gas discharge port 38 overlaps the receiving roller portion 31. For example, by locating the gas discharge port 38 in the range indicated by the symbol “Rv” in FIG. 1, the effective gas spraying to the receiving roller portion 31 and the ease of installation of the gas spraying device 37 can be improved to a high level. Can be compatible with. In particular, by installing the gas discharge port 38 in the range indicated by "Rv" so that the gas discharged from the gas discharge port 38 is not directly sprayed on the food material, the food material flutters and the food material. Can be prevented from drying out. The range indicated by "Rv" is a height direction range determined according to the diameter of the receiving roller portion 31, and is the height between the uppermost position and the lowermost position of the receiving roller portion 31 (that is, the outer peripheral surface 31a). The vertical range.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the entire gas discharge port 38 is provided so as to overlap the receiving roller portion 31 in the horizontal direction, and in particular, the same horizontal plane passes through both the gas discharge port 38 and the receiving axis A1. The position of the gas discharge port 38 is determined as described above. The gas discharge port 38 is oriented in the horizontal direction so as to face the receiving roller portion 31, and the main traveling direction of the gas discharged from the gas discharge port 38 is parallel to the horizontal direction. The "main traveling direction" referred to here is a direction in which most of the gas (for example, 50% or more) immediately after being ejected from the gas discharge port 38 travels.

At least a part of the gas discharged from the gas discharge port 38 flows along the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31 by the so-called Coanda effect. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the food material from sticking to the receiving roller portion 31.

In general, from the viewpoint of suppressing the fluttering of foodstuffs, it is not preferable to apply an air flow that exerts a large force on the foodstuffs in a direction perpendicular to the transporting direction of the foodstuffs. Further, when the gas is directly blown onto the food material, the drying of the food material is promoted, and the food material is hardened or cracked, which is not originally intended, which may lead to deterioration of the quality of the food material. On the other hand, in the food manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the gas from the gas discharge port 38 is directly blown to the receiving roller portion 31, and the air flow flowing along the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31 comes into contact with the food material. Can be done. Therefore, according to the food manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the food material from sticking to the receiving roller portion 31 while suppressing the fluttering and quality deterioration of the food material.

From the viewpoint of receiving the gas from the gas spraying device 37 by utilizing the Coanda effect and flowing it so as to cover the outer peripheral surface 31a (particularly the portion where the foodstuff can come into contact) of the roller portion 31, the receiving roller portion 31 from the gas spraying device 37. It is preferable that the gas to be sprayed on the gas is directly blown from the gas spraying device 37 to the portion of the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31 that is closest to the gas discharge port 38. In particular, the main traveling direction of the gas discharged from the gas discharge port 38 is the radiation direction (that is, the radial direction of the receiving roller portion 31) at the position where the gas is directly sprayed on the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31. It is preferable that they match.

A through hole 25 is provided in the ceiling of the cutting case 30 shown in FIG. 1, and the bottom of the cutting case 30 is opened outward (that is, downward). The through hole 25 is provided at a position through which the food material hanging from the supply device 11 passes, and has a size sufficient for the food material to pass through. A transport path cover 35 extending upward is attached to a portion of the ceiling of the cutting case 30 that surrounds the through hole 25. The inside of the transport path cover 35 is hollow, and foodstuffs sent from the supply device 11 pass through. In the illustrated example, the portion of the transport path cover 35 including the end opposite to the end fixed to the cutting case 30 is connected to the supply device 11.

In this way, the transport path cover 35 and the cutting case 30 cover the food path from the supply device 11 to the cutting device 12 (particularly, the receiving roller section 31 and the cutting roller section 32). As a result, it is possible to prevent an unintended air flow from acting on the food material sent from the supply device 11 to the cutting device 12 and suppress the fluttering of the food material. The transport path cover 35 does not necessarily have to be connected to the supply device 11, and does not necessarily cover the entire path of the food material from the supply device 11 to the cutting device 12 (particularly, the receiving roller portion 31 and the cutting roller portion 32). You may.

The delivery device 13 is located on the downstream side of the cutting roller section 32, receives the foodstuff cut and separated by the receiving roller section 31 and the cutter 33, and sends it in the sending direction. The delivery device 13 shown in FIG. 1 has two delivery rollers (that is, an upstream side delivery roller and a downstream side delivery roller) 46 provided horizontally separated from each other, and an endless shape spanned by these delivery rollers 46. (For example, a belt including a plurality of string-shaped endless rings) 45. The delivery belt 45 travels from the upstream side delivery roller 46 toward the downstream side delivery roller 46 in a state where the surface exposed to the outside is directed upward, and the surface exposed to the outside is directed downward. In this state, the vehicle travels from the downstream delivery roller 46 toward the upstream delivery roller 46.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a part of the configuration of the cutting device 12 as viewed from above. For ease of understanding, FIG. 2 shows a device configuration in which the upper portion of the cutting case 30 is virtually cut and provided inside the cutting case 30.

From the viewpoint of covering the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31 with the gas discharged from the gas spraying device 37, the gas discharge port 38 is the receiving roller portion in the axial direction of the receiving roller portion 31 (that is, the direction in which the receiving axis A1 extends). The larger the distance facing 31 (the vertical length in FIG. 2), the more preferable. The gas discharge port 38 shown in FIG. 2 faces the entire receiving roller portion 31 with respect to the axial direction of the receiving roller portion 31. From the viewpoint of preventing the food from sticking to the receiving roller portion 31, it is preferable that the gas from the gas spraying device 37 flows so as to cover the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31 where the food can come into contact. Therefore, when the food material from the supply device 11 is smaller than the receiving roller portion 31 in the axial direction and comes into contact with only a part of the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31 in the axial direction, the gas discharge port 38 is the receiving roller in the axial direction. Even if it faces only a part of the portion 31, it is possible to cover a sufficient range of the outer peripheral surface 31a with the gas from the gas spraying device 37.

From a practical point of view, the gas discharge port 38 is half the length of the receiving roller portion 31 (particularly the axial length in the range of the outer peripheral surface 31a where food can come into contact) with respect to the axial direction of the receiving roller portion 31 ( By facing 1/2) or more, a relatively large effect of preventing food sticking can be expected. However, even when the gas discharge port 38 faces a range smaller than 1/2 of the axial length of the receiving roller portion 31, the effect of preventing food sticking can be expected.

A drive shaft 61 whose center is penetrated by the receiving shaft line A1 is fixedly attached to the receiving roller portion 31, and the receiving roller portion 31 rotates about the receiving shaft line A1 integrally with the drive shaft 61. A rotary drive device 60 such as a servomotor is attached to one end of the drive shaft 61 (upper end in FIG. 2), and the drive shaft 61 is rotated about the receiving axis A1 by the rotary drive device 60. .. Of the drive shaft 61, the first receiving stopper 53 is fixedly attached to the portion between the rotary drive device 60 and the receiving roller portion 31, and the second receiving stopper 54 is fixedly attached to the other end portion. It is attached to. A receiving drive gear 58 is fixedly attached to a portion of the driving shaft 61 between the first receiving stopper 53 and the receiving roller portion 31.

A support shaft 62 whose center is penetrated by the cutting axis A2 is fixedly attached to the cutting roller portion 32, and the cutting roller portion 32 rotates about the cutting axis A2 integrally with the support shaft 62. The first cutting stopper 55 is fixedly attached to one end (upper end in FIG. 2) of the support shaft 62, and the second cutting stopper 56 is fixedly attached to the other end. There is. A cutting drive gear 59 is fixedly attached to a portion of the support shaft 62 between the first cutting stopper 55 and the cutting roller portion 32. The cutting drive gear 59 meshes with the receiving drive gear 58 and rotates according to the rotation of the receiving drive gear 58.

Each of the drive shaft 61 and the support shaft 62 is rotatably supported by the first support frame 51 and the second support frame 52 included in the cutting case 30. The first support frame 51 contacts the portion of the drive shaft 61 between the first receiving stopper 53 and the receiving drive gear 58, and is located between the first cutting stopper 55 and the cutting drive gear 59 of the support shaft 62. Touch the part. The second support frame 52 comes into contact with the portion of the drive shaft 61 between the receiving roller portion 31 and the second receiving stopper 54, and is between the cutting roller portion 32 and the second cutting stopper 56 of the support shaft 62. Touch the part.

The first receiving stopper 53 and the second receiving stopper 54 come into contact with the first support frame 51 and the second support frame 52, respectively, to move the drive shaft 61 in the horizontal direction (particularly in the direction in which the receiving axis A1 extends). The movement of the receiving roller unit 31 is restricted. Similarly, the first cutting stopper 55 and the second cutting stopper 56 come into contact with the first support frame 51 and the second support frame 52, respectively, so that the support shaft 62 in the horizontal direction (particularly the direction in which the cutting axis A2 extends) The movement of the cutting roller unit 32 is restricted, and the movement of the cutting roller unit 32 is restricted.

In the cutting device 12 having the above-described configuration, rotational power is transmitted from the rotary drive device 60 to the drive shaft 61, and the receiving roller portion 31 and the receiving drive gear 58 rotate together with the drive shaft 61. As the receiving drive gear 58 rotates, the cutting drive gear 59 also rotates. As the cutting drive gear 59 rotates, the cutting roller portion 32 and the cutter 33 connected to the cutting drive gear 59 via the support shaft 62 rotate. As described above, according to the cutting device 12 shown in FIG. 2, both the receiving roller portion 31 and the cutting roller portion 32 (including the cutter 33) can be rotated by the single rotation driving device 60.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the rotational speed (angular velocity) of the receiving roller portion 31 is determined according to the rotational power output from the rotational drive device 60 (that is, the rotational speed of the drive shaft 61). On the other hand, the rotation speeds of the cutting roller portion 32 and the cutter 33 are determined according to the number of teeth of the cutting drive gear 59 (particularly, the ratio of the number of teeth of the cutting drive gear 59 to the number of teeth of the receiving drive gear 58). In the present embodiment, the number of teeth of the cutting drive gear 59 is different from the number of teeth of the receiving drive gear 58, and the angular velocity of the cutter 33 is different from the angular velocity of the receiving roller portion 31. Specifically, the number of teeth of the cutting drive gear 59 is smaller than the number of teeth of the receiving drive gear 58, and the angular velocity of the cutter 33 is larger than the angular velocity of the receiving roller portion 31.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the control configuration of the food manufacturing apparatus 10.

A supply drive device 71, a rotation drive device 60, a gas spray device 37, and a delivery drive device 75 are connected to the control device 70 included in the food manufacturing device 10. The control device 70 may be composed of a single device or a combination of a plurality of devices.

The supply drive device 71 is composed of a power generator such as a servomotor, and supplies power to the supply device 11 under the control of the control device 70.

The rotation drive device 60 functions as a receiving drive device 72 that rotates the receiving roller unit 31 under the control of the control device 70, and also functions as a cutting drive device 73 that rotates the cutting roller unit 32 (including the cutter 33). .. As described above, the rotary drive device 60 shown in FIG. 2 is composed of a single device that functions as a receiving drive device 72 and a cutting drive device 73, but the receiving drive device 72 and the cutting drive device 73 are separate from each other. It may be composed of a power generator.

The gas blowing device 37 is composed of a blower device such as a compressor, and discharges gas from the gas discharge port 38 under the control of the control device 70. In particular, the gas blowing device 37 of the present embodiment compresses the air to produce compressed air, and ejects the compressed air from the gas discharge port 38.

The transmission drive device 75 is composed of a power generator such as a servomotor, and powers the transmission device 13 under the control of the control device 70. In the example shown in FIG. 1, power from the delivery drive device 75 is applied to one of the delivery rollers 46 to rotate the delivery roller 46, and as a result, the delivery belt 45 is driven.

Next, an operation example of the above-mentioned food manufacturing apparatus 10 will be described.

Each step described below is executed by appropriately driving various devices constituting the food manufacturing apparatus 10 under the control of the control device 70 or in response to the operation of the user.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the food manufacturing apparatus 10 showing an example of a food manufacturing method (including a foodstuff cutting method) using the food manufacturing apparatus 10. In FIG. 4, as in FIG. 1, one side portion of the cutting case 30 and the transport path cover 35 is virtually cut, and the device configuration inside the cutting case 30 and the transport path cover 35 is shown. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a food manufacturing method (including a food cutting method).

First, rotation of the receiving roller portion 31 and the cutting roller portion 32 (including the cutter 33) is started (S1 in FIG. 5). The rotation direction of the receiving roller portion 31 is determined so that the portion of the receiving roller portion 31 that comes into contact with the food material 90 moves from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transportation of the food material 90. The rotation direction of the cutting roller portion 32 is determined so that when the cutter 33 receives the food material 90 and presses it against the roller portion 31, the cutter 33 moves from the upstream to the downstream of the transportation of the food material 90. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the rotation direction of the receiving roller portion 31 (that is, the clockwise direction) is opposite to the rotation direction of the cutting roller portion 32 (that is, the counterclockwise direction).

Then, the compressed gas 39 is discharged from the gas discharge port 38 of the gas spraying device 37, the compressed gas 39 is started to be sprayed on the receiving roller portion 31 by the gas blowing device 37 (S2), and the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31 is started. The compressed gas 39 is made to flow along the above. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the start timing of the discharge of the compressed gas 39 from the gas discharge port 38 is after the start timing of the rotation of the receiving roller portion 31 and the cutting roller portion 32, but the receiving roller portion 31 and the cutting roller It may be at the same time as the start timing of the rotation of the portion 32, or may be before the start timing of the rotation of the receiving roller portion 31 and the cutting roller portion 32.

Then, in a state where the receiving roller portion 31 and the cutter 33 are rotationally driven and the compressed gas 39 from the gas spraying device 37 is sprayed onto the receiving roller portion 31, the supply device 11 and the delivery device 13 are driven to drive the food material 90. Transport and cutting of the food material 90 are started (S3).

That is, the sheet-shaped and integral food material 90 hangs downward from the supply device 11 and enters the inside of the cutting case 30 through the inside of the transport path cover 35 and the through hole 25. Then, the tip side portion of the food material 90 in the traveling direction comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31, and hangs further downward while being supported by the outer peripheral surface 31a. The food material 90 on the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31 is promoted to be conveyed downstream by the rotation of the receiving roller portion 31. On the other hand, the cutter 33 approaches the receiving roller portion 31 according to the rotation of the cutting roller portion 32, and the food material 90 is sandwiched between the cutter 33 and the receiving roller portion 31 and cut.

The amount of sagging of the food material 90 varies depending on the supply speed (that is, the transport speed) of the food material 90 by the supply device 11. On the other hand, the cutting timing of the food material 90 changes according to the angular velocity of the cutter 33. Therefore, the control device 70 (see FIG. 3) appropriately controls the supply drive device 71 and the rotation drive device 60 (particularly the cutting drive device 73) so that the “cut food material 90” of a desired size can be obtained. The supply speed of the food material 90 by the supply device 11 and the angular velocity of the cutter 33 are adjusted.

The foodstuff 90 cut and separated by the cutting device 12 is placed on the delivery belt 45 of the delivery device 13 and sent together with the delivery belt 45 toward the subsequent device (not shown) in the delivery direction D1.

As described above, in the food manufacturing method (food cutting method) of the present embodiment, the step of transporting the food 90 from the upstream to the downstream and the receiving axis while spraying the compressed gas 39 to the receiving roller portion 31 by the gas spraying device 37. The food material 90 is cut by rotating the receiving roller portion 31 around A1 and rotating the cutter 33 around the cutting axis A2 located downstream of the receiving axis A1 at an angular speed different from that of the receiving roller portion 31. It includes a step of sandwiching and cutting between the receiving roller portion 31 and the receiving roller portion 31.

As described above, according to the above-described device and method according to the present embodiment, the gas discharged from the gas spraying device 37 is received and flowed along the outer peripheral surface 31a of the roller portion 31 on the outer peripheral surface 31a. The food material 90 can be cut by the cutter 33. As a result, the food material 90 can be continuously cut by using the receiving roller unit 31 and the cutter 33 while suppressing the sticking of the food material 90 to the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller unit 31.

When an unintended sticking of the food material 90 to the receiving roller portion 31 occurs, the continuous cutting process of the food material 90 is hindered, so that it is necessary to eliminate the sticking of the food material 90 to the receiving roller portion 31. However, in order to eliminate the sticking of the food material 90 to the receiving roller portion 31, it is necessary to stop the operation of the food manufacturing apparatus 10, and the productivity of the food manufacturing apparatus 10 as a whole is lowered. On the other hand, according to the above-described apparatus and method according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent unintended sticking of the food material 90 to the receiving roller portion 31 or reduce the frequency of sticking of such food material, and the food product. The productivity of the manufacturing apparatus 10 as a whole can be improved.

In particular, by ejecting the compressed gas 39 from the gas discharge port 38, the gas can be received and flowed vigorously along the outer peripheral surface 31a of the roller portion 31, effectively preventing the food material 90 from sticking to the outer peripheral surface 31a. be able to. Of the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31, the portion where the foodstuff 90 comes into contact (particularly the portion where the foodstuff 90 is sandwiched between the cutter 33 and the cutter 33) is structurally difficult for gas to flow into. Further, when the portion of the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31 where the gas is directly sprayed from the gas spraying device 37 is far from the portion where the foodstuff 90 comes into contact (particularly the portion where the foodstuff 90 is sandwiched between the cutter 33 and the cutter 33). It is difficult for the gas to reach the place where the food material 90 comes into contact. On the other hand, by using the compressed gas 39 as the gas to be discharged from the gas spraying device 37, the portion of the outer peripheral surface 31a of the receiving roller portion 31 where the foodstuff 90 comes into contact (particularly the portion where the foodstuff 90 is sandwiched between the cutter 33 and the cutter 33). In addition, it is possible to allow gas to flow in appropriately.

Further, when the food material 90 is cut, the cutter 33 is received and rotated at an angular velocity different from that of the roller portion 31, so that the accumulation of local damage of the receiving roller portion 31 due to the cutting process can be reduced.

In particular, by receiving the angular velocity of the cutter 33 and making it faster than the angular velocity of the roller portion 31, the cut and separated food material 90 can be vigorously sent downstream by the rotation of the cutter 33 while cutting the food material 90. As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent the cut food material 90 from sticking to the receiving roller portion 31.

Further, by positioning the cutting roller portion 32 on the downstream side of the delivery direction D1 with respect to the roller portion 31, the cut and separated food material 90 can be smoothly delivered to the delivery device 13. The cutting roller portion 32 has a structure in which the cutter 33 projects outward from the main body portion. Therefore, the main body of the cutting roller portion 32 can be rotated at a position away from the food material 90, and can be rotated so as not to come into contact with the food material 90, particularly when the food material 90 is cut. On the other hand, the food material 90 immediately after cutting does not necessarily move directly below, and tends to fall diagonally downward. Therefore, by positioning the cutting roller portion 32 on the downstream side of the delivery direction D1, the cut food material 90 does not come into contact with a device such as the main body of the cutting roller portion 32 even if it falls diagonally downward. It is possible to reach 13.

Further, the cutting axis A2 is positioned on the downstream side of the receiving axis A1, and the cutting roller portion 32 is provided on the downstream side of the receiving roller portion 31. As a result, the food material 90 comes into contact with the receiving roller portion 31 prior to the cutter 33, and the food material 90 can be cut accurately by the cutter 33 in a state where the food material 90 is appropriately supported by the receiving roller portion 31.

In particular, by positioning the cutting axis A2 below the receiving axis A1 and providing the cutting roller portion 32 below the receiving roller portion 31, the food material 90 can be conveyed by using gravity, and the food material 90 is cut and separated. It is possible to realize the delivery of the food material 90 to the downstream with a simple device configuration.

[First modification]
In this modification, the same or similar elements as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an example of the food manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the first modification.

In the food manufacturing apparatus 10 of this modification, the food material 90 is sandwiched and cut by the receiving roller portion 31 and the cutter 33 while being conveyed in the horizontal direction.

The supply device 11 shown in FIG. 6 has two transport rollers (that is, an upstream transport roller and a downstream transport roller) 22 provided horizontally separated from each other, and an endless shape spanned by these transport rollers 22. It has a transport belt 21 of the above. For example, power from the supply drive device 71 (see FIG. 3) is applied to one of the transport rollers 22 to rotate the transport roller 22, and as a result, the transport belt 21 is driven. The transport belt 21 travels from the upstream transport roller (not shown) toward the downstream transport roller 22 in a state where the surface exposed to the outside is directed upward, and the surface exposed to the outside is downward. The vehicle travels from the downstream transfer roller 22 toward the upstream transfer roller in a directed state. The food material 90 is continuously placed on the transport belt 21 (particularly the exposed surface facing upward) from the pre-stage device (not shown), and is horizontally transported together with the transport belt 21.

Also in this modification, the cutting axis A2 is located downstream of the receiving axis A1, and the cutting roller portion 32 and the cutting axis A2 send the food material 90 from the receiving roller portion 31 and the receiving axis A1. It is located on the downstream side of the direction (that is, the delivery direction D1). However, in this modification, the receiving roller portion 31 and the cutter 33 cut the food material 90 sent in the horizontal direction (the direction from the left to the right in FIG. 6), and the cutting roller portion 32 and the cutting axis A2 are the receiving rollers. It is positioned so as to be displaced in the horizontal direction (right side in FIG. 6) with respect to the portion 31 and the receiving axis A1.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the position closest to the cutting axis A2 in the transport path of the food material 90 (when a certain range of the transport path is closest to the cutting axis A2, the position closest to the upstream side of the range). ) Is downstream from the position closest to the receiving axis A1 (when a certain range in the transport path is closest to the receiving axis A1, the most upstream position in the range).

In FIG. 6, with respect to the angular position centered on the receiving axis A1, the uppermost position on the outer peripheral surface of the receiving roller portion 31 (that is, the position included in the same vertical plane as the receiving axis A1) is set to “angle position = 0 °”. It is assumed that the rightmost position on the outer peripheral surface of the receiving roller portion 31 (that is, a position included in the same horizontal plane as the receiving axis A1 and closer to the cutting roller portion 32) is set to "angle position = 90 °". .. In this case, the cutting angle position on the outer peripheral surface of the receiving roller portion 31 satisfies "0 ° <cutting angle position ≤ 135 °". From the viewpoint of smoothly delivering the cut food to the delivery device 13, "0 ° <cutting angle position ≤ food 90 °" is preferably satisfied, and for example, "45 ° ≤ cutting angle position ≤ 90 °" is satisfied.

The gas discharge port 38 of the gas spraying device 37 of the present modification is provided so that at least a part thereof overlaps with the receiving roller portion 31 in the height direction. For example, by locating the gas discharge port 38 in the range indicated by the symbol “Rh” in FIG. 6, the effective gas spraying to the receiving roller portion 31 and the ease of installation of the gas spraying device 37 can be improved to a high level. Can be compatible with. The range indicated by "Rh" is a horizontal range corresponding to the diameter of the receiving roller portion 31, and is the position of the receiving roller portion 31 (that is, the outer peripheral surface 31a) closest to the supply device 11 in the horizontal direction and the closest delivery. A horizontal range between positions close to the device 13.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the entire gas discharge port 38 is provided so as to overlap the receiving roller portion 31 in the height direction, and in particular, the same vertical surface covers both the gas discharge port 38 and the receiving axis A1. The position of the gas discharge port 38 is determined so as to pass through. The "vertical plane" referred to here is a plane extending parallel to the height direction and forming a right angle with the horizontal direction. The gas discharge port 38 is directed in the height direction (particularly upward) so as to face the receiving roller portion 31, and the main traveling direction of the gas discharged from the gas discharge port 38 is parallel to the height direction. ..

Note that FIG. 6 omits the illustration of the cutting case 30 (see FIG. 1) that supports the receiving roller portion 31, the cutting roller portion 32, and the gas spraying device 37. Although the food manufacturing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 6 is not provided with the transport path cover 35 (see FIG. 1), the transport path cover 35 similar to the above-described embodiment may be provided.

Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 5).

Even when the food material 90 conveyed in the horizontal direction by the receiving roller portion 31 and the cutter 33 is cut as in this modification, the gas (compressed gas 39) sprayed from the gas spraying device 37 to the receiving roller portion 31 is used. , It is possible to effectively prevent the food material 90 from sticking to the receiving roller portion 31.

Further, by rotating the cutter 33 at an angular velocity different from that of the roller portion 31 when cutting the food material 90, it is possible to reduce the accumulation of local damage to the receiving roller portion 31 due to the force received from the cutter 33.

Further, by positioning the cutting roller portion 32 on the downstream side of the delivery direction D1 with respect to the roller portion 31, the cut and separated food material 90 can be smoothly delivered to the delivery device 13.

[Other variants]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications. Various modifications may be added to each element of the above-described embodiment and modification. Further, the configurations of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined in whole or in part.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, both the receiving roller portion 31 and the cutting roller portion 32 (including the cutter 33) are rotated by a single rotation driving device 60, but each of the receiving roller portion 31 and the cutting roller portion 32 is rotated. May be provided with a separate drive device. That is, the receiving drive device 72 (see FIG. 3) that rotates the receiving roller unit 31 and the cutting drive device 73 that rotates the cutting roller unit 32 may be provided separately from each other. In this case, the receiving drive device 72 and the cutting drive device 73 can adjust the rotation speed of the receiving roller unit 31 and the rotation speed of the cutting roller unit 32 independently of each other under the control of the control device 70.

When cutting the food material 90, the angular velocity of the cutter 33 may be slower than the angular velocity of the receiving roller portion 31. In this case, the receiving roller portion 31 may be located downstream of the cutting roller portion 32 (including the cutter 33) in the delivery direction D1.

The cutting axis A2 may be located at the same position as the receiving axis A1 with respect to the transport direction of the food material 90, or may be located upstream of the receiving axis A1.

As described above, the embodiments (including modifications) disclosed in the present specification are merely examples and are not interpreted in a limited manner. Therefore, each element of the above-described embodiment can be omitted, replaced, or changed. Further, the above-described embodiments may be combined with each other, and embodiments other than the above may be combined with the above-described embodiments.

[Foodstuffs to which food manufacturing equipment, food manufacturing methods and food cutting methods can be applied]
The foodstuff 90 that can be used in the food manufacturing apparatus 10, the food manufacturing method, and the foodstuff cutting method described above is not limited. According to the above-mentioned device and method, the sticking of the food material 90 to the receiving roller portion 31 can be effectively suppressed, so that the above-mentioned device is used when cutting a highly sticky food material (for example, a food material having a high water content). And methods can be particularly beneficial.

For example, skins, prosciutto, cheese, jelly and the like used in baked foods (for example, shumai, dumplings, spring rolls, burritos, tacos, crepes, etc.) can be used as the above-mentioned foodstuff 90.

10 Food manufacturing equipment 11 Supply equipment 12 Cutting equipment 13 Sending equipment 21 Conveying belt 22 Conveying roller 25 Through hole 30 Cutting case 31 Receiving roller part 31a Outer peripheral surface 32 Cutting roller part 32a Outer peripheral surface 33 Cutter 34 Cutter fastener 35 Transport path cover 37 Gas spraying device 38 Gas discharge port 39 Compressed gas 45 Sending belt 46 Sending roller 51 1st support frame 52 2nd support frame 53 1st receiving stopper 54 2nd receiving stopper 55 1st cutting stopper 56 2nd cutting stopper 58 2nd receiving drive gear 59 Cutting drive gear 60 Rotation drive device 61 Drive shaft 62 Support shaft 70 Control device 71 Supply drive device 72 Reception drive device 73 Cutting drive device 75 Transmission drive device 90 Foodstuff A1 Reception axis A2 Cutting axis D1 Delivery direction

Claims (14)

The rotating receiving roller part and
A cutting roller portion having a cutter, which cuts food by sandwiching it between the cutter and the receiving roller portion while rotating the cutter.
A food manufacturing apparatus having a gas discharge port and comprising a gas spraying device for blowing the gas discharged from the gas discharge port onto the receiving roller portion. The food manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein the gas spraying device ejects compressed gas from the gas discharge port. The food manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas discharge port overlaps the receiving roller portion at least in a horizontal direction or a direction parallel to the vertical direction. Any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gas sprayed on the receiving roller portion includes the gas that is directly sprayed on the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the receiving roller portion closest to the gas discharge port. The food manufacturing apparatus according to paragraph 1. The rotating receiving roller part and
It is a cutting roller portion having a cutter, and includes a cutting roller portion that cuts food by sandwiching it between the cutter and the receiving roller portion while rotating the cutter at an angular velocity different from that of the receiving roller portion. Food manufacturing equipment. The food manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the angular velocity of the cutter is larger than the angular velocity of the receiving roller portion. A food manufacturing device that cuts foodstuffs sent from upstream to downstream.
The receiving roller part that rotates around the receiving axis and
A cutting roller portion having a cutter, which cuts food by sandwiching it between the cutter and the receiving roller portion while rotating the cutter around a cutting axis located downstream of the receiving axis. A food manufacturing device including a roller section. The cutting axis is located below the receiving axis and
The food manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cutter and the receiving roller portion cut the food material sent from above. It is located on the downstream side of the cutting roller section, and is provided with a delivery device that receives the foodstuff and sends it in the delivery direction.
The food manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the cutting roller portion is located downstream of the receiving roller portion in the delivery direction. A food manufacturing device that cuts foodstuffs sent from upstream to downstream.
The receiving roller part that rotates around the receiving axis and
A cutting roller portion having a cutter, and while rotating the cutter at an angular velocity different from that of the receiving roller portion around a cutting axis located on the downstream side of the receiving axis, the foodstuff is transferred to the cutter and the receiving roller portion. The cutting roller part that cuts by sandwiching it between
A food manufacturing apparatus having a gas discharge port and comprising a gas spraying device for blowing the gas discharged from the gas discharge port onto the receiving roller portion. The process of transporting ingredients and
A food manufacturing method comprising a step of rotating a receiving roller portion and a cutter while blowing gas onto a receiving roller portion by a gas spraying device to sandwich and cut the foodstuff between the cutter and the receiving roller portion. The process of transporting ingredients and
A food manufacturing method comprising a step of rotating a receiving roller portion and a cutter at different angular velocities to sandwich and cut the food material between the cutter and the receiving roller portion. The process of transporting ingredients from upstream to downstream,
While rotating the receiving roller portion around the receiving axis, the cutter is rotated around the cutting axis located on the downstream side of the receiving axis, and the foodstuff is sandwiched between the cutter and the receiving roller portion. A process of cutting and a method of producing food, including. The process of transporting ingredients from upstream to downstream,
While blowing gas onto the receiving roller portion by the gas spraying device, the receiving roller portion is rotated around the receiving axis, and the angular velocity different from that of the receiving roller portion is centered on the cutting axis located downstream of the receiving axis. A method for cutting foodstuffs, which comprises a step of rotating the cutter with a tool to sandwich and cut the foodstuff between the cutter and the receiving roller portion.

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