JP6893809B2 - Food molding equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a foodstuff molding apparatus for molding foodstuffs.

Patent Document 1 discloses a food material molding apparatus in which a food material is passed between two rollers to be molded. In the foodstuff molding apparatus of Patent Document 1, a cylindrical lower roller is arranged above the storage chamber in which the foodstuff is stored, and a groove roller is arranged at a position adjacent to the lower roller. The groove roller has both end portions in the axial direction and a groove portion in a central portion recessed from both end portions. Between the lower roller and the groove roller, a gap is formed between the rollers through which the food can pass by the groove portion of the groove roller. As the lower roller rotates, the food in the storage chamber is drawn into the gap between the lower roller and the groove roller. Further, by rotating both the lower roller and the groove roller, the food material is formed according to the shape of the groove portion which is the gap between the lower roller and the groove roller. As described above, in the food material molding apparatus of Patent Document 1, not only the groove roller but also the lower roller rotates to draw the food material between the rollers. Therefore, the food material can be pulled in between the rollers without applying a large pressure to the food material, as compared with the case where the food material is pulled in between the rollers only by the groove roller.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-62149

There are various types of ingredients, such as those with different amounts of water and air, and those containing solids in the dough. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the roller spacing according to the properties of the fabric, the desired thickness, and the like. In the case of the foodstuff molding apparatus of Patent Document 1, in order to adjust the distance between the rollers, it is necessary to replace the currently installed roller with a roller having a radius different from that of the roller. Therefore, for example, every time the nature or thickness of the food material changes, it is necessary to remove the roller and attach a new roller, which makes the roller replacement work complicated.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a food material molding apparatus capable of easily changing the size of a gap between rollers.

The foodstuff molding apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has a first rotating shaft member, and has a first roller, a second roller, and a first shaft moving mechanism that can rotate around the first rotating shaft member. Be prepared. The second roller is separated from the first roller so as to have a gap for passing and forming the food material. The first axis movement mechanism is rotatable about a predetermined center point, and rotatably supports the first rotation shaft member of the first roller at an eccentric point deviated from the center point, and is centered on the center point. The first rotation shaft member is moved by the rotation.

The first axis moving mechanism rotates around a predetermined center point, and rotatably supports the first rotating shaft member of the first roller at an eccentric point deviated from the center point. Therefore, when the first axis moving mechanism rotates around a predetermined center point, the first rotating shaft member moves along with the rotation. By the movement of the first rotation shaft member, the position of the first roller moves from the initial position. Thereby, the roller distance between the first roller and the second roller, that is, the size of the gap between the rollers can be changed. Therefore, the roller spacing can be easily and quickly adjusted by a simple mechanism of moving the first rotating shaft member by the first shaft moving mechanism. For example, in order to adjust the roller spacing, it is possible to save the trouble of removing the existing first roller and newly installing a first roller having a diameter different from this.

Further, since the first rotating shaft member moves by the rotation of the first shaft moving mechanism, the roller spacing gradually and continuously changes. Therefore, the roller spacing can be continuously finely adjusted. Thereby, for example, the roller spacing can be gradually finely adjusted visually. Further, for example, by gradually adjusting the roller spacing while passing the food material between the rollers, it is possible to make fine adjustments while checking the actual thickness of the food material that gradually changes.

In the foodstuff molding apparatus, the first axis moving mechanism can include a first axis supporting member and a moving member. The first shaft support member rotatably supports the first rotary shaft member at an eccentric point deviated from the center point. The moving member rotates the first shaft support member to move the first rotary shaft member.

In the above case, the moving member rotates the first shaft support member that supports the first rotation shaft member at the eccentric point. By this rotation, the first rotation shaft member moves, and the roller spacing can be adjusted.

In the foodstuff molding apparatus, the moving member may have a worm wheel that rotates the first shaft support member and a worm gear that is meshed with the worm wheel. With such a simple combination of the worm wheel and the worm gear, the first shaft support member can be rotated, the first rotary shaft member can be moved, and the first roller can be moved.

In the foodstuff molding apparatus, the moving member may further have a lever attached to the worm gear. For example, the worm gear can be rotated by manually moving the lever, and the first shaft support member can be rotated via the worm wheel.

In the foodstuff molding apparatus, the moving member may have an index unit indicating an index based on the rotation of the worm wheel. By manually moving the lever with reference to the index unit, the roller spacing can be easily adjusted to a desired distance.

The foodstuff molding apparatus may further include a second axis moving mechanism. The second roller has a second rotating shaft member and is rotatable around the second rotating shaft member. Further, the second axis moving mechanism is rotatable about a predetermined center point, and rotatably supports the second rotating shaft member of the second roller at an eccentric point deviated from the center point, and supports the center point. The second rotation shaft member is moved by the rotation around the center.

When the second axis moving mechanism rotates around a predetermined center point, the second rotating shaft member moves along with the rotation. By moving the second rotating shaft member, the position of the second roller moves from the initial position. By moving both the first roller and the second roller, the roller spacing can be adjusted in various ways.

In the foodstuff molding apparatus, the first shaft moving mechanism rotatably and movably supports the first end portion of the first rotating shaft member on the first direction side in the axial direction. Further, the food material molding apparatus may further include a second shaft support member. The second shaft support member rotatably supports the second end portion of the first rotary shaft member on the second direction side opposite to the first direction side, and the first end portion of the first rotary shaft member. Following the movement, the second end portion of the first rotation shaft member is movably supported.

The first axis moving mechanism for moving the first rotating shaft member is provided only at the first end portion of the first rotating shaft member. Then, when the first axis moving mechanism is rotated, the first end portion of the first rotating shaft member moves, and the second end portion of the first rotating shaft member moves following the movement of the first end portion. It moves while being supported by the biaxial support member. Therefore, the configuration of the foodstuff molding apparatus can be simplified as compared with the case where the first shaft moving mechanisms are provided on both sides of the first rotating shaft member.

The foodstuff molding apparatus may further include side walls arranged so as to correspond to the second direction side of the first roller. The second shaft support member includes a rotating member and a fixing member. The rotating member rotatably supports the second end portion of the first rotating shaft member, and rotates in response to the movement of the first rotating shaft member by the first shaft moving mechanism. The fixing member rotatably supports the rotating member and is fixed to the side wall.

The second end of the first rotating shaft member is rotatably supported by the rotating member. This rotating member is rotatably supported by a fixing member fixed to the side wall. Due to the rotation of the first axis moving mechanism, the second end portion of the first rotating shaft member also moves following the movement of the first end portion of the first rotating shaft member. At this time, in order to move the second end portion of the first rotating shaft member, only the rotating member of the second shaft supporting member rotates. Therefore, the force required to move the first rotation shaft member can be reduced. For example, when the movement of the first rotation shaft member is performed by using the first shaft movement mechanism including a lever or the like, the labor required for the movement of the first rotation shaft member can be reduced, so that the movement can be performed more easily. Alternatively, for example, when the first rotating shaft member is moved by using the first shaft moving mechanism including a motor or the like, the power consumption required for moving the first rotating shaft member can be reduced.

In the foodstuff molding apparatus, in at least one of the first roller and the second roller, at least one end face of both end faces in the axial direction of the roller is in contact with the end face of the roller and rotates together with the roller. A rotating wall can be provided.

At least one roller of the first roller and the second roller is provided with a rotating wall at its end face. By rotating the rotating wall together with the roller provided with the rotating wall, it is possible to prevent the food material in contact with the roller from being caught in the end face of the roller and prevent the food material from being unintentionally deformed.

In the foodstuff molding apparatus, the rotating wall can be of a size that covers the end face of the roller. This rotating wall is large enough to cover the end face of the roller and rotates with the roller. Therefore, the rotating wall serves as a wall at the end face of the roller to prevent the food from being caught and deformed.

In the above-mentioned foodstuff molding device, the first rotary shaft member is inserted through the central portion of the rotary wall, and the size of the first rotary shaft member is movable at a position eccentric with respect to the center point of the first shaft movement mechanism. Can be provided with an opening. In this case, the first rotating shaft member is inserted through the opening of the rotating wall. Since this opening has a size that allows the first rotating shaft member to move by the first shaft moving mechanism, the movement of the first rotating shaft member is not hindered.

In the above-mentioned foodstuff molding apparatus, the rotation around the eccentric point of the first roller and the rotation around the rotation center of the second roller for molding the foodstuff are the roller intervals between the first roller and the second roller. It is separated by a minute, and the roller spacing can be changed by the movement of the first rotating shaft member of the first roller by the first shaft moving mechanism.

In the foodstuff molding apparatus, the radius of the first roller is larger than the moving radius of the first rotating shaft member that rotates about the eccentric point. In this case, since the moving radius of the first rotating shaft member is smaller than the radius of the first roller, the moving distance of the first rotating shaft member can be finely adjusted, and the size of the gap between the rollers can be finely adjusted.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a foodstuff molding apparatus capable of easily changing the size of a gap between rollers.

The side view of the food material molding apparatus which concerns on this embodiment which removed one of the side wall. The perspective view of the foodstuff molding apparatus which concerns on this embodiment which removed one of the side walls. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a roller support portion, a first roller, and a second roller at a certain portion in the Z direction. The side view which shows the 1st axis movement mechanism of a roller support part. The perspective view which shows the 2nd shaft support member of a roller support part. A side view of a state in which the second shaft support member is supported on the third side wall of the roller support portion as viewed from the −X direction side. An exploded perspective view of the second side wall and the rotating wall of the roller support portion as viewed from the −X direction side. A perspective view of the rotating wall of FIG. 7 as viewed from the + X direction side. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the movement of the 1st rotary shaft member, and the size of 1st clearance. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a roller support portion, a first roller, and a second roller at a certain portion in the Z direction. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a roller support portion, a first roller, and a second roller at a certain portion in the Z direction. FIG. 5 is a side view when the first roller is moved with respect to the second roller by rotation about the second rotation shaft member.

<1. Food molding equipment ＞
Hereinafter, the foodstuff molding apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(1) Schematic configuration of the foodstuff molding apparatus First, the schematic configuration of the foodstuff molding apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view of the foodstuff molding apparatus according to the present embodiment in which one of the side walls is removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the foodstuff molding apparatus according to the present embodiment in which one of the side walls is removed. The food material forming apparatus 10 includes a food material hopper 100, a dusting device 150, and a roller mechanism 200 arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side, and further conveys the food material by the conveying mechanism 300 (first conveying device 310 and second conveying). The device 320) is included. In FIG. 1, the right side is the upstream side and the left side is the downstream side.

In the following, the description will be given in the directions shown in FIG. 1, that is, + X, −X, + Y, −Y, + Z, −Z. Specifically, the vertical direction of the food hopper 100 is the Z direction, the upper portion of the food hopper 100 into which the food is charged is the + Z direction, and the lower portion of the food hopper 100 that supplies the food to the transport mechanism 300 is. -Z direction. The direction in which the food material is conveyed through the conveying mechanism 300 and the roller mechanism 200 is the Y direction, the upstream side where the food material is conveyed is the + Y direction, and the downstream side is the −Y direction. The direction orthogonal to the Y direction, which is the food transport direction, and the Z direction, which is the vertical direction, is the X direction, and in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front side of the paper surface is the −X direction, and the back side of the paper surface is the + X direction. Looking at the foodstuff molding apparatus 10 from the + Y direction side on the upstream side, the −X direction is the left side and the + X direction is the right side. However, this orientation does not limit the present invention, but the "axial direction" of the present invention corresponds to the X direction of the present embodiment, and the "first direction of the axial direction" of the present invention corresponds to the present embodiment. Corresponds to the + X direction of, and the "second direction in the axial direction" of the present invention corresponds to the −X direction of the present embodiment.

The foodstuff molding apparatus 10 is an apparatus for molding various foodstuffs, and the foodstuff to be molded is put into the foodstuff hopper 100. The foodstuffs put into the foodstuff hopper 100 are sequentially supplied from the foodstuff hopper 100 onto the first transport device 310 on the + Y direction side (upstream side) of the transport mechanism 300. The food material is transported from the + Y direction side to the −Y direction side (downstream side) by the first transport device 310 and is supplied to the roller mechanism 200. The food material is formed by passing through the roller mechanism 200, is discharged onto the second transport device 320 on the −Y direction side of the transport mechanism 300, and is transported in the −Y direction side.

(2) Details of Food Material Molding Device Next, the details of the food material molding device 10 will be described again with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
A food hopper 100 into which food is charged is arranged on the + Z direction side of the first transport device 310. The food hopper 100 has, for example, a prismatic shape in which the cross section of the trapezoidal XY plane narrows from the + Z direction (upward direction) to the −Z direction (downward direction). An input opening 101 is provided on the + Z direction side of the food hopper 100, and a discharge opening 103 is provided on the −Z direction side. Further, inside the food hopper 100, an extrusion device (not shown) such as a screw roller is provided in the vicinity of the discharge opening 103. Therefore, the food material charged from the charging opening 101 of the food hopper 100 is discharged from the discharge opening 103 onto the first transport device 310 by an extruder (not shown).

The first transport device 310 includes a transport unit 311 for transporting the placed food material and a support portion 315 for supporting the transport unit 311. The transport unit 311 is, for example, a belt conveyor, and a sheet-shaped belt 313 covers a plurality of rotatable rollers 312 extending in the X-axis direction. The belt 313 is rotated by the rotation of the plurality of rollers 312, so that the conveyed object on the belt 313 is conveyed. The lower portion of the transport portion 311 is supported by, for example, a support portion 315 made of a plurality of rod-shaped members extending in the Z direction, so that the transport portion 311 is stably supported at a predetermined height.

Predetermined powders such as wheat flour and powdered sugar are scattered from the dusting device 150 on the foodstuffs transported in the first transport device 310 and heading in the −Y direction. The disperser 150 is arranged between the food hopper 100 and the roller mechanism 200. For example, the disperser 150 has a shape of a prism whose cross section of the trapezoidal XY plane narrows from the + Z direction to the −Z direction. doing. The input opening 151 is provided on the + Z direction side of the dusting device 150, and the discharge opening 153 is provided on the −Z direction side. Further, inside the dusting device 150, a powder extrusion device (not shown) such as a roller having irregularities formed on the surface is provided in the vicinity of the discharge opening 153. Therefore, in the dusting device 150, for example, when the foodstuff is transported on the first transporting device 310 and reaches the lower part of the dusting device 150, the powder in the dusting device 150 is discharged by the extruder (not shown). Disperse the food from the opening 153.

Next, the food material is further conveyed from the + Y direction side to the −Y direction side on the first transfer device 310, and is supplied to the roller mechanism 200 from the end portion of the first transfer device 310 on the −Y direction side. The roller mechanism 200 includes a first roller 210 and a second roller 220 that are substantially arranged and separated in the vertical direction, a roller support portion 230 that supports the rollers 210 and 220, and both end surfaces of the first roller 210 in the X direction and rollers. Includes a rotating wall 240 (240R, 240L) sandwiched between the support portion 230 (FIG. 3). Further, the roller mechanism 200 includes a first motor 246 which is a drive source for rotating the first roller 210 and a second motor 247 which is a drive source for rotating the second roller 220 (FIG. 3).

The first roller 210 has a first rotating shaft member 211 extending in the X direction at its center, and can rotate around the first rotating shaft member 211 as the first rotating shaft member 211 rotates. It is formed from a cylindrical body. The second roller 220 also has a second rotating shaft member 221 extending in the X direction, and is a cylindrical body that can rotate around the second rotating shaft member 221 as the second rotating shaft member 221 rotates. Is formed from. The first rotating shaft member 211 is rotated by connecting with the first motor 246, and the second rotating shaft member 221 is rotated by connecting with the second motor 247.

The radius of the first roller 210 and the radius of the second roller 220 are determined in consideration of, for example, the distance between the first and second rollers 210 and 220 and the overall size of the foodstuff molding apparatus 10, and the foodstuff molding apparatus 10 It is set as appropriate according to the ingredients to be put into the container. The first and second rollers 210 and 220 are appropriately formed of a predetermined material in consideration of the properties of the food material such as the water content and the solid content of the food material. For example, the first and second rollers 210 and 220 are formed of a metal material such as aluminum and stainless steel, and a resin material such as polyoxymethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene. The materials of the first and second rollers 210 and 220 may be the same, or may be different depending on the type of food material and the like.

Further, the radius of the first rotating shaft member 211 and the radius of the second rotating shaft member 221 are appropriately set in consideration of, for example, the weight required to support the first roller 210 and the second roller 220. The first and second rotating shaft members 211 and 221 are also appropriately formed of a predetermined material like the first and second rollers 210 and 220.

In the case of the present embodiment, the first roller 210 is arranged on the + Z direction side and the −Y direction side with respect to the second roller 220. The first roller 210 rotates clockwise, while the second roller 220 rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the food material supplied from the + Y direction side of the first transport device 310 has a first gap between the first roller 210 and the second roller 220 along the flow from the + Y direction side to the −Y direction side. It is sent to 251. The food material fed into the first gap 251 is formed by advancing the first gap 251 from the + Y direction side to the −Y direction side by both rotations of the first roller 210 and the second roller 220. In the present embodiment, molding includes shaping the food material into a predetermined shape, stretching the food material, applying a predetermined pressure to the food material, applying a tapping action to the food material, and the like.

In the first roller 210 and the second roller 220, the first rotary shaft member 211 and the second rotary shaft member 221 are rotatably supported by the roller support portion 230, respectively. The configuration of the roller support portion 230 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the roller support portion, the first roller, and the second roller in the Z direction. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the first axis moving mechanism of the roller support portion. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a second shaft support member of the roller support portion. FIG. 6 is a side view of a state in which the second shaft support member is supported on the third side wall of the roller support portion as viewed from the −X direction side. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the second side wall and the rotating wall of the roller support portion as viewed from the −X direction side. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rotating wall of FIG. 7 as viewed from the + X direction side.

The roller support portion 230 has two first side wall 231 and a second side wall 233 (FIG. 1) that rotatably support the right end portion (first end portion) 211R on the + X direction side of the first and second rollers 210 and 220. ~ FIG. 4 etc.) and a third side wall 235 (FIGS. 3, FIG. 6 etc.) that rotatably supports the left end portion (second end portion) 211L on the −X direction side. Further, the roller support portion 230 includes a first shaft moving mechanism 260 (FIGS. 3, 4, etc.) that movably supports the right end portion 211R of the first rotating shaft member 211. Further, the roller support portion 230 is a second shaft support member 267 (which movably supports the left end portion 211L of the first rotary shaft member 211 as the first rotary shaft member 211 is moved by the first shaft movement mechanism 260. FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and the like) are included. In the present embodiment, "movement" of the rotary shaft member means that the rotary shaft member moves from a predetermined position to another position, and means that the rotary shaft member "rotates" at a fixed position. Are distinguished.

The movement of the first roller 210 by the first axis moving mechanism 260 of the roller support portion 230 and the support of the first and second rollers 210 and 220 by the roller support portion 230 will be described in more detail below. First, the movement of the first roller 210 by the first axis movement mechanism 260 of the roller support portion 230 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first axis moving mechanism 260 of the roller support portion 230 movably and rotatably supports the right end portion 211R of the first rotating shaft member 211. The first shaft moving mechanism 260 includes a first shaft support member 261 that movably and rotatably supports the first rotary shaft member 211, a moving member 263 that rotates the first shaft support member 261, and a first shaft support. Includes a support 265 that supports the member 261 with respect to the second side wall 233.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first shaft support member 261 is a cylindrical body having a through hole 261a into which the right end portion 211R of the first rotary shaft member 211 is rotatably inserted. As shown in FIG. 4, when viewed from the −X direction side, the first axis support member 261 has a circular shape, and its center is located at the center point O. On the other hand, the through hole 261a is also circular, and the eccentric point P (P1, P2 ...) Is located at a position deviated from the center point O. In the present embodiment, the center point arranged at a position deviated from the center point O is referred to as an eccentric point. That is, the first rotation shaft member 211 is rotatably inserted into the through hole 261a at the eccentric point P deviated from the center point O.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a moving member 263 for rotating the first shaft support member 261 is provided on the −X direction side of the first side wall 231. The moving member 263 includes a semicircular worm wheel 271, a worm gear 273 that meshes with the worm wheel 271, a lever 275 that rotates the worm gear 273, and a scale plate provided with a scale as an index portion indicating the distance between the rollers. 277 and. For example, a part of the outer circumference of the first shaft support member 261 is fixed to the worm wheel 271, and the first shaft support member 261 rotates by the amount corresponding to the rotation of the worm wheel 271.

When the operator changes the roller spacing between the first roller 210 and the second roller 220, that is, the size of the first gap 251, the operator refers to the scale plate 277 and first of the desired size. Operate the lever 275 so that the gap is 251. By operating the lever 275, the worm gear 273 attached to the lever 275 rotates the worm wheel 271. As a result, the first shaft support member 261 fixed to the worm wheel 271 rotates about its center point O. Due to the rotation of the first shaft support member 261, the first rotation shaft member 211 inserted into the through hole 261a of the first shaft support member 261 moves on an arc centered on the center point O. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the rotation of the first shaft support member 261 around the center point O causes the first rotation shaft member 211 to move from the position of the eccentric point P1 to the position of the eccentric point P2. Along with the movement of the first rotary shaft member 211, the first roller 210 attached to the first rotary shaft member 211 also moves. The first roller 210 is fixed after movement, whereby the roller spacing is also fixed after the change. After that, the food material is formed by passing between the first roller 210 and the second roller 220, which are separated by the roller interval.

The relationship between the movement of the first rotating shaft member 211 and the size of the first gap 251 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the movement of the first rotating shaft member and the size of the first gap. In FIG. 9, the position before the movement of the first roller 210 and the position of the second roller 220 are shown by a solid line, and the position after the movement of the first roller 210 is shown by a broken line. Before the movement, the first gap 251 between the first roller 210 and the second roller 220 is the distance G1, and the eccentric point P1 of the first rotating shaft member 211 and the center point Q of the second rotating shaft member 221. The distance between the axes of is A1. On the other hand, in FIG. 9, the first axis support member 261 rotates counterclockwise around the center point O, and the first rotation axis member 211 moves to the position of the eccentric point P2. At this time, the first gap 251 is a distance G2 (> distance G1), and the distance between the axes of the eccentric point P2 of the first rotating shaft member 211 and the center point Q of the second rotating shaft member 221 is a distance A2 (> distance A1). ). Therefore, by rotating the first shaft support member 261, the size of the first gap 251 between the rollers and the distance between the shafts of the first and second rollers 210 and 220 can be changed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the radius r1 of the first roller 210 is larger than the moving radius r2 of the first rotating shaft member 211 that rotates around the eccentric point P (P1, P2) of the first shaft supporting member 261. large. In FIG. 9, the radius r1 of the first roller 210 is represented by the radius distance of the first roller 210 from the eccentric point P2 of the first rotating shaft member 211. Further, the moving radius r2 of the first axis support member 261 is represented by the distance between the center point O and the eccentric point P2. The first rotation because the radius r1 of the first roller 210 is larger than the moving radius r2 of the first rotating shaft member 211, that is, because the moving radius r2 of the first rotating shaft member 211 is smaller than the radius r1 of the first roller 210. The moving distance of the shaft member 211 can be finely adjusted. Therefore, the size of the first gap 251 can be finely adjusted.

In this way, the size of the first gap 251 between the first roller 210 and the second roller 220 can be adjusted by a simple mechanism of rotating the first shaft support member 261 to move the first rotation shaft member 211. .. Further, since the first rotation shaft member 211 gradually moves with the rotation of the first shaft support member 261, the size of the first gap 251 gradually and continuously changes. Therefore, the size of the first gap 251 can be continuously finely adjusted. Further, since the rotation of the first shaft support member 261 can be performed by the combination of the worm wheel 271 and the worm gear 273, the first rotation shaft member 211 can be moved with a simple configuration.

Next, the support of the first roller 210 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the right end portion 211R of the first rotating shaft member 211 is inserted into the through hole 261a of the first shaft supporting member 261 and is rotatable into the opening 231a provided in the first side wall 231. Is supported by. The right end portion 211R of the first rotating shaft member 211 protruding from the opening 231a of the first side wall 231 is connected to the first motor 246.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the first shaft support member 261 is fixed to the support 265 provided on the + X direction side with respect to the second side wall 233. The support body 265 is fitted in the opening 233a of the second side wall 233 so as to be rotatable with the rotation of the first shaft support member 261. Further, the support body 265 is formed with a through hole 265a corresponding to the through hole 261a of the first shaft support member 261, and the first rotation shaft member 211 is inserted into the through hole 265a.

Further, in the opening 233a of the second side wall 233, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, a disk-shaped rotating wall 240R, which will be described later, can rotate from the −X direction side with the rotation of the first roller 210. It is fitted. The rotating wall 240R is sandwiched between the end face of the first roller 210 on the + X direction side and the second side wall 233. An opening 243a is formed in the central portion of the rotating wall 240R. A disk-shaped rotating member 241 is rotatably fitted in the opening 243a in the opening 243a. An opening 241a is provided at a position eccentric from the center of the rotating member 241, and the first rotating shaft member 211 is rotatably supported in the opening 241a.

Therefore, the first rotating shaft member 211 penetrates the opening 241a of the rotating member 241, the through hole 265a of the support body 265, the through hole 261a of the first shaft support member 261 and the opening 231a of the first side wall 231 on the + X direction side. It is supported and connected to the first motor 246. Then, when the first shaft support member 261 is rotated by the worm wheel 271, the first rotation shaft member 211 moves. Along with this movement, the rotating member 241 fitted in the opening 243a of the rotating wall 240R rotates in the opening 243a. On the other hand, when the first rotating shaft member 211 is rotating and the first roller 210 is rotating, the first rotating shaft member 211 rotates in the opening 241a of the rotating member 241. At this time, the rotating member 241 does not rotate in the opening 243a.

Further, referring to the −X direction side of the first rotating shaft member 211, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the third side wall 235 is provided with an opening 235a. As shown in FIG. 3, a rotating wall 240L, which will be described later, is fitted into the opening 235a so as to be rotatable with the rotation of the first roller 210 from the + X direction side. The rotating wall 240L is sandwiched between the end face of the first roller 210 in the −X direction and the third side wall 235. An opening 243b is formed in the central portion of the rotating wall 240L, and the left end portion 211L of the first rotating shaft member 211 penetrates the opening 243b. The opening of the opening 243b has a size that allows the first rotating shaft member 211 to move with the rotation of the first shaft supporting member 261.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 6 and the like, a second shaft support member 267 is provided corresponding to the opening 235a of the third side wall 235. The second shaft support member 267 includes a fixing member 268 fixed to the third side wall 235 and a rotating member 269 rotatably supported by the fixing member 268. The fixing member 268 is fixed to the third side wall 235 from the −X direction side so as to cover the opening 235a of the third side wall 235. The fixing member 268 may have a size that covers the opening 235a, and its shape and fixing method are not limited.

An opening 268a is formed in the fixing member 268. A rotating member 269 is rotatably fitted in the opening 268a. An opening 269a is provided at a position eccentric from the center of the rotating member 269, and the first rotating shaft member 211 is rotatably supported in the opening 269a. Then, when the first rotation shaft member 211 moves due to the rotation of the first shaft support member 261, the rotation member 269 rotates in the opening 268a with the movement. On the other hand, when the first rotating shaft member 211 rotates in the opening 269a and the first roller 210 rotates, the rotating member 269 does not rotate in the opening 268a. The sizes of the rotating member 269 and the opening 268a are adjusted so that the first rotating shaft member 211 can be moved by the rotation of the first shaft supporting member 261. Therefore, the movement of the first rotation shaft member 211 is not hindered.

By supporting the first rotating shaft member 211 as described above, the first rotating shaft member 211 is stably supported without bending, and rotates and moves. Then, when moving the first rotating shaft member 211, the first shaft moving mechanism 260 that supports the right end portion 211R of the first rotating shaft member 211 is rotated. As a result, the right end portion 211R of the first rotating shaft member 211 moves, and the left end portion 211L of the first rotating shaft member 211 also moves following the movement. At this time, the rotating member 269 rotates in the opening 268a of the fixing member 268. That is, the position of the first rotating shaft member 211 is moved by the first shaft moving mechanism 260 provided only on the right end portion 211R. Therefore, the configuration of the foodstuff molding apparatus 10 can be simplified as compared with the case where the first shaft support members 261 are provided at both ends of the first rotary shaft member 211 in the X direction. Further, the fixing member 268 is fixed to the third side wall 235, and only the rotating member 269 rotates in the opening 268a of the fixing member 268 due to the movement of the first rotating shaft member 211. By rotating only the rotating member 269 that is smaller than the fixing member 268 in this way, the force required for the movement of the first rotating shaft member 211 can be reduced. For example, when the first rotating shaft member 211 is moved by using the first shaft moving mechanism 260 including a lever or the like, the labor required for moving the first rotating shaft member 211 can be reduced, so that the movement is easier. Can be done. Alternatively, for example, when the first rotating shaft member 211 is moved by using the first shaft moving mechanism 260 including a motor or the like, the power consumption required for moving the first rotating shaft member 211 can be reduced.

Next, the above-mentioned rotating walls 240R and 240L will be described. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the rotating wall 240R is arranged between the end face of the first roller 210 in the + X direction and the second side wall 233. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 (viewed from the side opposite to the rotating wall 240R in FIG. 7), the rotating wall 240R is provided with a ring-shaped convex portion 247a protruding from the plane on the + X direction side. ing. The convex portion 247a and the opening 233a of the second side wall 233 shown in FIG. 7 are rotatably fitted with the rotating wall 240R.

The rotating wall 240R is formed in a size that covers the end surface of the first roller 210. For example, the radius of the rotating wall 240R is larger than the radius of the first roller 210. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the rotating wall 240R is provided with a protruding portion 245R protruding from the plane on the −X direction side in the radial direction outside the opening 243a of the rotating wall 240R. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the end surface of the first roller 210 on the + X direction side is provided with a hooking portion 213R protruding from the end surface. Therefore, when the first roller 210 rotates and the protruding portion 245R rotates, the protruding portion 245R of the rotating wall 240R is caught by the hooking portion 213R. As a result, the rotating wall 240R rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the first roller 210.

Further, the rotating wall 240L is a disk-shaped member similar to the rotating wall 240R, and is arranged between the end face of the first roller 210 in the −X direction and the third side wall 235. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotating wall 240L is also provided with a protruding portion 245L protruding from the plane on the + direction side. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the first roller 210 is provided with a protrusion 213L protruding from the end surface on the −X direction side. Then, similarly to the rotating wall 240R, the protruding portion 245L and the protruding portion 213L are caught, so that the rotating wall 240L rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the first roller 210. Since the other structures of the rotating wall 240L are the same as those of the rotating wall 240R, the description thereof will be omitted.

In this way, the rotating wall 240R between the first roller 210 and the second side wall 233 and the rotating wall 240L between the first roller 210 and the third side wall 235 rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the first roller 210. To do. Therefore, the rotating walls 240R and 240L prevent the foodstuff that comes into contact with the first roller 210 from being caught in the end face of the first roller 210, and prevent the foodstuff from being unintentionally deformed. In particular, since the rotating walls 240R and 240L are large enough to cover the end face of the first roller 210, they serve as a wall for foodstuffs facing the end face of the first roller 210. Also by this, the rotating walls 240R and 240L that rotate in synchronization with the first roller 210 prevent the food from being caught and deformed at the end surface of the first roller 210.

In the above, the support, rotation, movement and the like of the first roller 210 have been described, but next, the support of the second roller 220 will be described. The second rotating shaft member 221 of the second roller 220 is supported by the first side wall 231 and the second side wall 233 and the third side wall 235. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the left end portion 221L of the second rotating shaft member 221 on the −X direction side is rotatably supported by the opening 235b of the third side wall 235. Further, the right end portion 221R of the second rotary shaft member 221 on the + X direction side is rotatably supported by the opening 233b of the second side wall 233 and the opening 231b of the first side wall 231 and is connected to the second motor 247.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the food material that has passed through the first gap 251 between the first roller 210 and the second roller 220 configured as described above is further subjected to the first roller 210 and the first peeling member 280. It passes through the second gap 253 between and. The first peeling member 280 is arranged on the −Y direction side with respect to the first gap 251. Specifically, the first peeling member 280 extends from the outer circumference of the second roller 220 and has a second gap 253 with the first roller 210 on the −Y direction side with respect to the second rotating shaft member 221. It is provided. The first peeling member 280 is formed by peeling the food material that has passed through the first gap 251 from the second roller 220 and passing it through the second gap 253 with the first roller 210.

The food material that has passed through the second gap 253 is discharged onto the second transport device 320 on the −Y direction side of the transport mechanism 300. At this time, if the food material adheres to the first roller 210 even after passing through the second gap 253, the food material is peeled from the first roller 210 by the second peeling member 290. The second peeling member 290 is provided with respect to the first roller 210, and has, for example, a plate-shaped member 291. The plate-shaped member 291 is arranged so that its plate-shaped surface is arranged along the Y direction and is arranged on the + Z direction side of the first peeling member 280, for example. Further, the second peeling member 290 has a support portion 293 that movably supports the plate-shaped member 291 so that the positional relationship thereof can be arranged at a desired position with respect to the first roller 210. The support portion 293 is movably fitted into the elongated opening 295a (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the second side wall 233 and the elongated opening 295b (FIG. 6) of the third side wall 235, and is positioned at a predetermined position. It is fixed with.

The second transport device 320 on which the food material discharged from the second gap 253 is placed includes a transport unit 321 for transporting the placed food material and a support portion 325 for supporting the transport unit 321. The transport unit 321 is, for example, a belt conveyor, in which a sheet-shaped belt 323 covers a plurality of rotatable rollers 322 extending in the X-axis direction, and the belt 323 is rotated by the rotation of the plurality of rollers to cause the belt 323. The above transported object is transported. The lower portion of the transport portion 321 is supported by, for example, a support portion 325 made of a plurality of rod-shaped members extending in the Z direction, so that the transport portion 321 is stably supported at a predetermined height.

<2. Features>
In the above-mentioned foodstuff molding apparatus 10, the first axis moving mechanism 260 rotates about a predetermined center point O, and at an eccentric point P deviated from the center point O, the first rotating shaft member 211 of the first roller 210 is moved. Supports rotatably. Therefore, when the first axis moving mechanism 260 rotates around a predetermined center point O, the first rotating shaft member 211 moves along with the rotation. Thereby, the size of the first gap 251 between the first roller 210 and the second roller 220 can be changed. That is, the size of the first gap 251 can be adjusted by a simple mechanism of moving the first rotation shaft member 211. Therefore, when adjusting the size of the first gap 251, it is possible to save the trouble of removing the existing first roller 210 and newly installing the first roller 210 having a diameter different from this, and the work is easy. It can be made and speeded up.

Further, since the first rotation shaft member 211 gradually moves with the rotation of the first shaft support member 261, the size of the first gap 251 gradually and continuously changes. Therefore, the size of the first gap 251 can be continuously finely adjusted. Thereby, for example, the first gap 251 can be gradually finely adjusted visually. Further, for example, by gradually adjusting the first gap 251 while passing the food material between the rollers, it is possible to make fine adjustments while checking the actual thickness of the food material that gradually changes.

<3. Modification example>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the following changes can be made. In addition, the gist of the following modified examples can be combined as appropriate.

<3-1>
In the above embodiment, the first roller 210 is located on the −Y direction side with respect to the second roller 220. However, the arrangement of each roller is not limited to this, and the first roller 210 may be located on the + Y direction side of the second roller 220. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the center point P of the first rotating shaft member 211 is arranged in the + Z direction with respect to the center point Q of the second rotating shaft member 221, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the center point P of the first rotary shaft member 211 and the center point Q of the second rotary shaft member 221 may be at the same position in the Z direction, or the center point P of the first rotary shaft member 211 is the first. The two rotating shaft members 221 may be arranged in the −Z direction from the center point Q.

<3-2>
In the above embodiment, the first rotary shaft member 211 is moved by rotating the first shaft support member 261 and the first roller 210 is moved, and the size of the first gap 251 between the rollers is changed. explained. However, the second roller 220 may be moved to change the distance of the first gap 251 between the rollers. Such a configuration will be described below with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code number is used for the same member as in the embodiment, and a subscript ['] is added.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the roller support portion, the first roller, and the second roller in the Z direction. A configuration different from the above embodiment will be described, and a description of the same configuration will be omitted. In the foodstuff molding apparatus 10 of FIG. 10, the first shaft moving mechanism 260 and the second shaft support member 267 are not provided for the first roller 210. Instead, the second axis moving mechanism 260'that movably supports the right end portion 221R of the second rotating shaft member 221 and the left end portion 221L of the second rotating shaft member 221 can be moved with respect to the second roller 220. A fourth axis support member 267'to support is provided.

The second axis moving mechanism 260' includes a third axis supporting member 261'that movably and rotatably supports the second rotating shaft member 221 and a moving member 263' that rotates the third axis supporting member 261'. Includes a support 265'that supports the third axis support member 261'with respect to the second side wall 233. The second axis moving mechanism 260'is different from the first axis moving mechanism 260 that moves the first rotating shaft member 211 of the first roller 210 in that the second rotating shaft member 221 of the second roller 220 is moved. However, the configuration of the second axis moving mechanism 260'is the same as that of the first axis moving mechanism 260, except that the configuration of the second axis moving mechanism 260'is the same as that of the third axis supporting member 261', the moving member 263', the support body 265', and the like. Each member has the same configuration as each member such as the first axis support member 261 and the moving member 263 and the support body 265 of the first axis moving mechanism 260. Therefore, detailed description will be omitted.

Further, the fourth axis support member 267' includes a fixing member 268' fixed to the third side wall 235 and a rotating member 269' rotatably supported by the opening 268a'of the fixing member 268'. The configuration of the fourth shaft support member 267'is different from that of the second shaft support member 267 in that it supports the second rotation shaft member 221 of the second roller 220. However, the configuration of the fourth axis support member 267'is the same as the configuration of the second axis support member 267, except that the fixing member 268'and the rotating member 269' are fixed to the second axis support member 267. It has the same configuration as the member 268 and the rotating member 269. Therefore, detailed description will be omitted.

Further, rotating walls 240R'and 240L' are provided corresponding to both wall surfaces of the second roller 220. The configurations of the rotating walls 240R'and 240L' are the same as the configurations of the rotating walls 240R and 240L, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Further, in the foodstuff molding apparatus 10, the first roller 210 and the second roller 220 may be moved together. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the roller support portion, the first roller, and the second roller in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the first shaft moving mechanism 260 that movably supports the right end portion 211R of the first rotating shaft member 211 and the left end portion 211L of the first rotating shaft member 211 are provided to the first roller 210. A second shaft support member 267 that movably supports the shaft is provided. Further, the second roller moving mechanism 260'that movably supports the right end portion 221R of the second rotating shaft member 221 and the left end portion 221L of the second rotating shaft member 221 are movably supported by the second roller 220. A fourth axis support member 267'is provided. As a result, the first roller 210 and the second roller 220 can be moved together, and the first gap 251 between the rollers can be adjusted in various ways. FIG. 11 is a combination of FIG. 3 of the above embodiment and FIG. 10 of the above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

<3-3>
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the configuration in which the first roller 210 is moved by rotation about the center point O of the first shaft support member 261 has been described. However, in addition to the movement of the first roller 210, the movement of the first roller 210 centering on the second rotation shaft member 221 is also possible. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a side view when the first roller is moved with respect to the second roller by rotation about the second rotation shaft member. Before the movement of the first roller 210 is shown by a broken line, and after the movement is shown by a solid line.

In the case of FIG. 12, the second rotating shaft member 221 of the second roller 220 is rotatably fixed at the same position. Then, the first rotation shaft member 211 of 210 of the first roller is rotated around the second rotation shaft member 221. This rotation may be automatic or manual. In FIG. 12, as an example, in the front view of FIG. 12, that is, in the YZ plan view from the −X direction side, the first rotation shaft member 211 is centered on the second rotation shaft member 221 from before movement to after movement. It is being moved counterclockwise. Such rotation around the second rotation shaft member 221 is a rotation with the distance between the first rotation shaft member 211 and the second rotation shaft member 221 as a radius. Therefore, the first roller 210 can be moved more than the movement of the first roller 210 due to the rotation of the first shaft support member 261 in the above embodiment. That is, the food material molding apparatus 10 can be provided with both a function of finely moving the first roller 210 according to the above embodiment and a function of greatly moving the first roller 210. Then, for example, by rotating the first rotating shaft member 211 around the second rotating shaft member 221, the angle of the first roller 210 with respect to the second roller 220 while keeping the size of the first gap 251 constant. Can be changed. Further, for example, the first rotating shaft member 211 is moved by the first shaft moving mechanism 260 to change the size of the first gap 251 while rotating the first rotating shaft member 211 around the second rotating shaft member 221. The angle of the first roller 210 with respect to the second roller 220 may be changed.
In addition, unlike the above, the second rotation shaft member 221 may be moved around the first rotation shaft member 211.

<3-4>
In the above embodiment, the first rotation shaft member 211 is moved by rotating the first shaft support member 261. The first shaft support member 261 is a cylindrical body having a through hole 261a into which the first rotary shaft member 211 is inserted. However, the shape of the first shaft support member 261 is not limited to this as long as the first rotary shaft member 211 can be rotatably supported at the eccentric point P deviated from the center point O. For example, the first shaft support member 261 may be, for example, a tubular body or a plate member having a through hole into which the first rotary shaft member 211 is inserted, such as a polygonal shape or a disk shape.

<3-5>
In the above embodiment, the rotating walls 240 (240R, 240L) are provided on both end faces of the first roller 210 in the X direction, but the rotating walls 240 may be provided only on one end surface in the X direction. Further, the rotating wall 240 does not necessarily have to be provided, and the first roller 210 may be arranged so that both end surfaces in the X direction are in contact with the second side wall 233 and the third side wall 235 of the roller support portion 230. Good. Further, both ends of the first roller 210 in the X direction may be convex portions, and the central portion may be composed of concave portions formed of grooves. In this case, the food material passes through the concave portion of the first roller 210, and both ends of the convex portion of the first roller 210 suppress the entrainment and deformation of the food material on the roller end surface of the food material, similarly to the rotating wall 240.

Further, the rotating wall 240 may not be provided corresponding to the first roller 210, but the rotating wall may be provided corresponding to the second roller 220. As a result, the food material that comes into contact with the second roller 220 can be prevented from being caught in the end face of the second roller 220, and the food material can be prevented from being unintentionally deformed. Further, a rotating wall may be provided corresponding to both the first roller 210 and the second roller 220.

<3-6>
In the above embodiment, the rotating member 241 is rotatably fitted in the opening 243a of the rotating wall 240R. However, if the first rotating shaft member 211 is movable by the rotation of the first shaft supporting member 261, the rotating member 241 does not necessarily have to be provided. That is, the first rotating shaft member 211 may be inserted through the opening 243a of the rotating wall 240R.

<3-7>
In the above embodiment, the first peeling member 280 is provided, but the foodstuff molding apparatus 10 does not necessarily have to be provided with the first peeling member 280. Therefore, the food material may be supplied to the second transport device 320 on the downstream side after passing through the first gap 251 between the first roller 210 and the second roller 220. Similarly, the foodstuff molding apparatus 10 does not necessarily have to be provided with the second peeling member 290.

<3-8>
In the above embodiment, the lever 275 is manually operated to rotate the worm wheel 271. However, the rotation of the moving member 263 is not limited to manual operation, and for example, the worm gear 273 may be automatically moved to rotate the worm wheel 271.

<3-9>
In the above embodiment, the transport unit 311 is a belt conveyor. However, the transport unit 311 is not limited to the belt conveyor described above as long as it can transport the transported object. For example, the transport unit 311 may be a conveyor or the like in which a plurality of plate-shaped members are combined and each plate-shaped member is sequentially transported in the transport direction.

<3-10>
In the above embodiment, the food material hopper 100 is a pyramid stand, but the shape of the food material hopper 100 is not limited as long as the food material charged into the food material hopper 100 is discharged to the first transport device 310 side. For example, the food hopper 100 may have a shape such as a cone or an n-angle weight stand. Similarly, the shape of the disperser 150 is not limited to the pyramid base. Further, the method of supplying the food material to the first transport device 310 is not limited to the method of supplying the food material via the food material hopper 100. For example, the food material may be manually supplied to the first transport device 310 without arranging the food material hopper 100. Further, when it is not necessary to disperse the food material, the disperser device 150 may be omitted.

<3-11>
In the above embodiment, the scale provided on the scale plate 277 indicates the distance of the first gap 251 between the rollers, but the index indicated by the scale is not limited to this. The scale may be, for example, an index based on rotation such as the rotation angle of the worm wheel 271 or an inter-axis distance between rollers.

<3-12>
In the above embodiment, the first roller 210 rotates clockwise, while the second roller 220 rotates counterclockwise. However, when the upstream side and the downstream side are opposite to the above embodiment, the rotation direction of each roller is not limited to this, for example, the first roller 210 rotates counterclockwise, while the second roller. 220 may rotate clockwise.

10: Foodstuff molding device 100: Foodstuff hopper 150: Disperser device 200: Roller mechanism 210: First roller 211: First rotating shaft member 220: Second roller 221: Second rotating shaft member 230: Roller support portion 231: 1st side wall 233: 2nd side wall 235: 3rd side wall 240: Rotating wall 241: Rotating member 251: 1st gap 253: 2nd gap 260: 1st axis moving mechanism 261: 1st axis supporting member 263: Moving member 267 : Second shaft support member 268: Fixing member 269: Rotating member 271: Worm wheel 273: Worm gear 275: Lever 277: Scale plate 280: First peeling member 290: Second peeling member 300: Transport mechanism 310: First transport device 320: Second transport device

Claims (3)

A first roller having a first rotating shaft member and rotatable around the first rotating shaft member,
The second roller, which is separated from the first roller so as to have a gap for allowing food to pass through and forming,
It is rotatable about a predetermined center point, supports the first rotation shaft member of the first roller rotatably at an eccentric point deviated from the center point, and is rotated around the center point. The first axis moving mechanism for moving the first rotating shaft member and
Bei to give a,
In at least one of the first roller and the second roller, at least one end face of both end faces in the axial direction of the roller is provided with a rotating wall that comes into contact with the end face of the roller and rotates together with the roller. its dependent, food molding apparatus. The foodstuff molding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating wall has a size that covers the end face of the roller. The first rotating shaft member is inserted through the central portion of the rotating wall, and an opening having a size that allows the first rotating shaft member to move at a position eccentric with respect to the center point of the first shaft moving mechanism is provided. The foodstuff molding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , which is provided.

Images