JPH06343395A - Cutting and separation of cake and cutting separator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To cut and separate round cake into fan-shaped pieces individually and collect the pieces without damage to them extremely easily. CONSTITUTION:The ultrasonic cutter 51 in the cutting unit 4 is allowed to cut the round cake into 2 halves on the torte disk 6 along the line passing through the rotation center of the disk 6. The torte disk 6 is rotated by a prescribed angle and the ultrasonic cutter 51 is allowed to cut down to give the first small pieces. Further, as the torte disk 6 is rotated by a prescribed angle, the segments on which each small cake piece is allowed to move outside in the radial direction. Then, the process where small pieces are formed by the cutter 51 and the process where the segments on which pieces are placed each are allowed to move outside in the radial direction are repeated to expand the cut faces between the equally cut pieces of the round cake.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a circular cake (torte).
The present invention relates to a cake cutting and separating method and a cutting and separating device for cutting and separating cakes and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, for cakes, after a large disc-shaped mother body is manufactured, the mother body is cut into several fan-shaped small cake pieces, and then these small cake pieces are separated to wrap the cut surface. It is manufactured by the process of wrapping it in a package. Then, in the step of cutting the cake and dividing it into a plurality of small cake pieces, the cake on the torte table, which rotates completely, is automated by cutting with a cutter that vibrates ultrasonically, for example.

Further, as a device for separating and taking out the small cake pieces produced by cutting, for example, a member is projected from a hole formed in a torte stand and lifted upward for each small cake piece. There is known a method in which the lifted small cake pieces are taken out by a fork or the like, placed on a belt conveyor, and conveyed by the belt conveyor. Further, by using such an automated device, it is possible to minimize the work by manpower, reduce the work efficiency and the manufacturing cost, and achieve the sanitation.

[0004]

By the way, in recent years,
Many cakes using soft things such as mousse or jelly have come to be produced, and these cakes are
The cut surfaces tend to adhere to each other easily.Therefore, in the above-mentioned device, since the work that was conventionally performed manually is mechanized as described above, sanitization and work While it is possible to improve efficiency and configure the production line as a unit, when cutting and separating these cakes, the small cake pieces may be deformed or crumbled, resulting in reduced product value. It was

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is extremely easy to cut a cake into a plurality of fan-shaped small cake pieces and separate and remove the small cake pieces without damaging them. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for cutting and separating a cake that is possible and a device for cutting and separating.

[0006]

A cake cutting / separating device of a first invention is a cake cutting / separating method for cutting and separating a circular cake placed on a rotating torte table. Cut the cutter along the cutting line that passes through the center of rotation of the torte table to remove the cake from the torte table.
Split, make a small cake piece by rotating the torte table by a predetermined angle and cutting the cutter, and further,
While rotating the torte table by a predetermined angle, each of the small cake pieces is moved outward by a predetermined distance in the radial direction, and thereafter, from the step of making the small cake piece by cutting the cutter, the torte table is rotated by a predetermined angle. By repeating the process of moving the small cake pieces outward in the radial direction, the cut portions of the plurality of small cake pieces made by equally dividing the cake are widened.

The cake cutting / separating device of the second invention is a cake cutting / separating device for making a plurality of small cake pieces by dividing a circular cake into a plurality of equal pieces and separating the cakes. A torte table, a rotating mechanism for rotating the torte table, and a separation table having a plurality of segments provided on the torte table and moved in the radial direction as the torte table is rotated by the rotating mechanism. And a cutting device section provided above the torte table and having a cutter for cutting the cake along a cutting line passing through the center of rotation of the torte table.
After dividing and further cutting the cake on the torte table which is rotated by a predetermined angle by the rotating mechanism to make the first small cake piece, the separation table is rotated by the rotating mechanism and the small cake is rotated. It is characterized in that the segment on which the piece is placed is moved outward in the radial direction by a predetermined distance.

The cake cutting / separating device of the third invention is provided on a side portion of the torte table of the second invention, and is divided into a plurality of small cake pieces which are cut by the cutting device part and the small cake pieces. By moving the take-out fork inserted between the segment on which the cake piece is placed and the take-out fork inserted between these small cake pieces and the segment,
It is characterized in that a take-out device section having a moving mechanism for lifting the small cake pieces and separating them from the torte table is provided.

In the cake cutting / separating apparatus of the fourth invention, the separating table of the third invention is accompanied by the rotation of the torte table by the rotating mechanism after the small cake pieces are taken out by the taking-out device section. The segment is moved inward in the radial direction.

The cake cutting / separating device of the fifth invention has at least two torte tables, and the torte table on which the cake is placed is arranged immediately before the cutting device section. While allowing the cake to be cut, a cake divided into a plurality of small cake pieces is placed by the cutting device unit, and further, the torte table in which each segment is moved radially outward is the extraction device unit. It is characterized in that it is provided with a torte table supporting portion which is arranged immediately before to allow the small cake pieces to be taken out.

[0011]

According to the method for cutting and separating the cake of the first invention,
Every time the cake is cut into small cake pieces, the small cake pieces are moved outward in the radial direction, so that the cut edges of the small cake pieces are separated immediately after the small cake pieces are formed. Therefore, when these small cake pieces are taken out, obstacles such as deformation and deformation of these small cake pieces are prevented.

According to the cake cutting and separating apparatus of the second invention, when the cake is cut by the cutter of the cutting device section to make small cake pieces, the cake is separated into small pieces each time the torte table is rotated by the rotating mechanism. The segments on which the cake pieces are placed are moved outward in the radial direction, and the cut edges of the small cake pieces placed on these segments are rapidly expanded.

According to the cake cutting and separating apparatus of the third invention, when the take-out fork is inserted into the lower surface side of the small cake pieces cut and separated by the cutting device section, the take-out fork is moved by the moving mechanism. The cake pieces are lifted and separated from the torte table.

According to the cake cutting and separating apparatus of the fourth invention, when the torte table is rotated, the segment from which the small cake pieces have been removed is moved radially inward by the take-out fork. Then, by moving all the segments inward in the radial direction, it becomes possible to place a cake to be newly cut on these segments.

According to the cake cutting / separating apparatus of the fifth invention, while the cake on one torte table is being cut by the cutting apparatus section, the cake is placed on the other torte table by the take-out apparatus section. The small cake pieces placed and cut by the cutting device section are taken out.

[0016]

EXAMPLE An example of the method for cutting and separating cake according to the present invention and the cutting and separating apparatus will be described below. First, the configuration and structure of the cake cutting and separating apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a cutting and separating device. The cutting / separating device 1 is provided with a separator (tortet support part) 3 on the upper surface side of its base 2, and a cutting device part 4 and a take-out device part 5 are provided on the side parts of this separator 3. Are provided adjacent to each other.

The separator 3 comprises a plurality of torte stands 6, 6, ...
, And a circular cake is placed on these torte tables 6, 6, .... Then, the cake placed on the torte table 6 in the vicinity of the cutting device section 4 among these torte tables 6, 6 is cut by the cutting device section 4, and further, the torte in the vicinity of the takeout device section 5 is cut. The cake placed on the table 6 is taken out by the take-out device section 5.

Next, the structures of the separator 3, the cutting device unit 4 and the take-out device unit 5 will be described in order. .. of the separator 3 are supported by a turntable 11 formed in a rectangular shape. One end of a rotary shaft 12 is fixed to the center of the lower surface side of the turntable 11, and the rotary shaft 12 is rotatably supported by the base 2 by bearings 13 and 14. Further, a roller gear index 16 is connected to the lower end of the rotary shaft 12 via a coupling 15, and the roller gear index 16 is provided with a geared motor 17.

That is, when the geared motor 17 is driven, the rotary shaft 12 is rotated via the roller gear index 16 and the coupling 15. Then, by rotating the rotary shaft 12, the turntable 11 is rotated,
The positions of the torte tables 6, 6 ... Are changed.

Further, the base 2 is provided with catching cylinders 21 and 21 below the torte tables 6 which are located in front of the cutting device 4 and the take-out device 5, respectively. Spline shafts 23, 23 are connected to these catching cylinders 21, 21 via self-aligning bearings 22, 22, and these spline shafts 23, 23 are used for catching cylinders 2.
It is designed to be moved up and down by 1, 21.

One end of each of the spline shafts 23, 23 projects toward the upper surface of the base 2, and is rotatably supported by bearings 25, 25 provided on the upper plate 2a of the base 2. In addition, this spline shaft 23,2
The chucking pins 24, 2,
4 are provided respectively, and these chucking pins 24, 24 are rotation bosses 33 provided under the torte tables 6, 6 when the spline shafts 23, 23 are moved upward by the catching cylinders 21, 21. ,
A rotary boss bush 3 which will be described later and is formed at the lower end of 33.
It is adapted to be fitted to 2, 32.

Further, the catching cylinder 21 for moving the spline shaft 23a on the side of the cutting device 4 up and down,
A cutting cylinder 30 is provided in the lower part of the spline shaft 23a, and the cutting cylinder 30 can further lift the spline shaft 23a. In addition, this spline shaft 23, 23
Connecting gears 26, 26 are provided in the middle part of
Drive gears 27, 27 are meshed with the connecting gears 26, 26. The drive gears 27, 27 are fixed to the rotation shafts of the worm gears 28, 28, and speed control geared motors 29, 29 are connected to the worm gears 28, 28, respectively.

That is, the speed control geared motors 29, 29 are driven to rotate their rotary shafts, whereby the worm gears 28, 28 and the drive gear 2 are driven.
The connecting gears 26, 26 are rotated via 7, 27, the rotational force is transmitted to the spline shafts 23, 23, and the spline shafts 23, 23 are rotated.

Further, the spline shafts 23, 23 are provided with indexing origin pins 31, 31, and only when the spline shafts 23, 23 are positioned at a predetermined rotation angle, the indexing origin pins 31, 31 are used. The spline shafts 23, 23 are allowed to move upward, and the cylinders 21, 21 move the spline shafts 23, 23 upward, and the chucking pins 24, 2 at the tips of the spline shafts 23, 23.
4 is the rotary boss bush 32, 32 of the rotary boss 33, 33
It is designed to be fitted to.

Next, the cutting device section 4 will be described. The slide guides 41, 41 are provided on the upper surface side of the base 2 to provide the device 1
A slide base 42 is supported so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction (directions of arrows a and b in FIG. 1).
Is slid by a rodless cylinder 43 provided on the lower surface side along the sliding direction.
A slider 45 is provided on the upper surface of the slide base 42 by slide guides 44, 44 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction of the device 1 (directions indicated by arrows a and b in FIG. 1). Is provided with a cutter holder 46.

The slider 45 has a slide mount 4
The driving force of the geared motor 47 provided inside the gear 2 is transmitted by the transmission mechanism 48, and the driving force of the geared motor 47 allows the driving force to be moved in the sliding direction on the slide base 42. ing. An ultrasonic cutter (cutter) 51 is held by the cutter holder 46, and when the slide mount 42 is moved to the front of the device 1 (direction of arrow A in FIG. 1), the ultrasonic cutter 51 is moved.
Are arranged above the torte table 6 near the cutting device section 4. Further, the ultrasonic cutter 51 has
Ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted from an ultrasonic transmitter 52 provided on the base 2.

That is, the ultrasonic transmitter 5 is connected to the ultrasonic cutter 51.
In a state where ultrasonic vibration is transmitted from 2, the cutting cylinder 30 moves the spline shaft 23a upward so that the ultrasonic cutter 51 cuts the cake placed on the torte table 6. Has become. Further, the cutter holder 46 holding the ultrasonic cutter 51 is covered with a cover 53 at the outer periphery thereof over the range of movement, and a blade cover 54 is provided on the front side of the cover 53 with respect to the apparatus. The ultrasonic cutter 51 projected forward by the blade cover 54
Is covered.

A supporting member 55 is fixed to the front side of the cover 53 in the blade cover 54,
A pressing roller portion 56 for holding the ultrasonic cutter 51 at a predetermined position is provided at the tip of the support member 55. A blade wiping portion 57 is provided on the support member 55 in the vicinity of the cover 53, and the blade wiping portion 57 is provided.
The hot water is supplied from the hot water tank 58 provided at the upper part of the cover 53.

That is, the cutter holder 46 is moved to the rear of the apparatus 1 (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1), and the ultrasonic cutter 51 is moved.
When the ultrasonic cutter 5 is stored in the cover 53,
1 is cleaned by the blade wiping portion 57 with warm water. Further, a hot water receiving tank 59 is provided below the blade wiping portion 57, and hot water flowing down from the blade wiping portion 57 flows in through an opening 59 a of the hot water receiving tank 59.

Next, the construction and structure of the take-out device unit 5 for taking out the cake cut by the cutting device unit 4 will be described. On the upper part of the base 2, slide guides 61, 6 are provided.
1. The front-back direction of the device 1 by 1 (arrow A, direction B in FIG. 1)
A fork moving plate 62 slidably supported on the fork moving plate 62 is provided, and the fork moving plate 62 is moved in the sliding direction by a rodless cylinder 63.

A fork support plate 66 is provided on the upper surface of the fork moving plate 62 so as to be vertically movable by slide guides 65, 65. The slide guide 6 is provided on the fork moving plate 62.
A compact cylinder 67 is provided between the five and 65, and the fork support plate 66 is moved vertically by the compact cylinder 67.

The fork support plate 66 that is moved is also used.
Has a plurality of extraction fork bases 68, 6 on its upper surface side.
8 stands upright, and these take-out fork bases 6
At the upper end portions of 8, 68 ...
9 and 69 are fixed in a state in which the tip end portion thereof protrudes toward the torte table 6.

With the compact cylinder 67 lowering the positions of the take-out forks 69, 69 ..., The rod-less cylinder 63 moves the take-out forks 69, 69. 69 ... is inserted below the small cake piece placed on the torte table 6, and the compact cylinder 67 takes out the forks 69, 69 ...
Is moved upward, the small cake pieces placed on the take-out forks 69, 69 ... Can be raised upward.

While the small cake pieces are being lifted, the rodless cylinder 63 moves the take-out forks 69, 69 ... To the rear of the apparatus 1 (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1) to convey the conveyor 70, which will be described later. A small piece of cake can be transferred above the.

The conveyor 70 includes a take-out fork 69,
The small cake pieces taken out by 69 ... Are conveyed and have the following structure. In the vicinity of the take-out forks 69, 69 ... And behind the device 1, there are provided a pair of pulleys 71, 71 rotatably supported about an axis line extending in the horizontal direction.
A plurality of endless belts 72, 72 ... Are wound around 71. Further, the pulley 71a supported on the rear side of the device 1 of these pulleys 71, 71 is for driving,
The driving force of the take-out geared motor 74 is applied to the pulleys 71 a by the gears 75, 75, the pulley 76, the transmission belt 7.
It is transmitted by a transmission mechanism 79 composed of 7 and a pressing pulley 78, and is rotated in the direction of arrow C in FIG.

When the pulley 71a is rotated, the small cake pieces taken out by the take-out forks 69, 69, and placed on the belts 72, 72 ... Are conveyed in the direction of arrow B in FIG. It is supposed to be done. Reference numeral 73 is a dust pot provided below the conveyer 70 and below the rear end of the conveyer 70 to receive cake pieces and the like.

Next, the configuration and structure of the plurality of torte tables 6, 6 ... Provided on the turntable 11 will be described with reference to FIG. The torte table 6 has a configuration in which a separator head 81 is provided on an upper end portion of a rotary boss 33. The rotary boss 33 has an upper end portion via a slide bush pedestal 82 fixed to the upper surface side of the turntable 11. A slide bush 83 supported on the turntable 11 supports the turntable 11 so as to be vertically slidable and rotatable.

Next, the structure of the separator head 81 provided on the upper end of the rotary boss 33 will be described. The head pedestal 84 is provided with a washer 85 near the upper end of the rotary boss 33.
The guide pin 87 attached so as to project to the upper surface side of the turntable 11 is inserted into the positioning hole 86 formed in the head pedestal 84.

A cam plate 91 is housed in a recess formed on the upper surface side of the head pedestal 84, and the cam plate 91 is rotatably supported by the rotary boss 33 by a bearing 92. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a groove portion 93 is formed in the head pedestal 84 at a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction, and a stopper fixed to the lower surface side of the cam plate 91 is provided in the groove portion 93. The pin 94 is inserted.
The head pedestal 84 also has a groove 95 on its side.
The stopper pin 96 fixed to the side surface of the cam plate 91 is inserted into the groove 95. That is, the relative rotation between the head pedestal 84 and the cam plate 91 is restricted to a predetermined angle.

The stopper pins 94 and 96 are
When the separator head 81 is rotated, it comes into contact with stoppers 97 and 98 provided on the upper surface of the turntable 11, respectively.
The rotation of the cam plate 91 alone is restricted by contact with the cams 7, 98. In addition, the head pedestal 84,
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a friction imparting portion 102 that applies a frictional force to the cam plate 91 is provided by pressing the friction ball 100 provided at the tip end against the lower surface of the cam plate 91 by the spring 101. There is.

On the upper surface side of the cam plate 91, there is provided a dispersion section 104 composed of a plurality of dispersion plates A to N. Each dispersion plate A to N of the dispersion section 104 has
Three concave portions 105, 106, 107 are formed on the upper surface side. Then, half of the dispersion plates A to N have three recesses 105, 106 and 107 in the dispersion plates A to G.
A cam follower 110 is attached to a position below the outermost peripheral side recessed portion 107 in the inside of the cam groove, and the cam groove 1 on the outer peripheral side among the cam grooves 111 and 112 formed in the cam plate 91.
11 is inserted.

In addition, the other half of the dispersion plates A to N, H to
In N, a cam follower 110 is attached to a position below the innermost peripheral recess 105 of the three recesses 105, 106 and 107, and the cam follower 110 is installed in the cam grooves 111 and 112 formed in the cam plate 91. Is inserted into the cam groove 112 on the inner peripheral side. The cam groove 111 formed in the cam plate 91,
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, 112 has a shape in which groove portions having different diameters are continuous, and the cam grooves 111 and 112 are close to each other on the semicircle side, and They are separated from each other on the semicircle side.

A dispersion slide plate 121 is fixed to the upper end of the rotary boss 33.
The lower surface of the outer peripheral edge portion of 21 is fixed to the upper surface side of the outer peripheral edge portion of the head pedestal 84. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the dispersion slide plate 121 has the same number of long holes 122, 122 as the dispersion plates A to N of the dispersion unit 104.
Are formed radially in the radial direction and at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and these elongated holes 122, 122 are projected on the respective upper surfaces of the dispersion plates A to N so that the concave portions 10 are formed.
The projecting portions 123 forming 5, 106 and 107 are slidably inserted in the radial direction.

That is, the dispersion slide plate 121 prevents the dispersion plates A to N from moving in the circumferential direction. Then, the dispersion plates A to N move relative to the cam plate 91, and the cam follower 110 attached to the dispersion plates A to N slides on the cam grooves 111 and 112 in which groove portions having different diameters are continuous. When moved, these dispersion plates A to N move only in the radial direction.

Further, each dispersion plate A of the dispersion unit 104
On the upper part of ~ N, the torte table dispersion plates 131 and 13 are respectively provided.
1 ... is placed. These torte table dispersion plates 131,
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, each of the 131 has a fitting groove 132 formed in the bottom thereof in the radial direction, and the fitting groove 132 is formed in the fitting slide 132.
It is adapted to be fitted into the projecting portions 123 of the dispersion plates A to N which are inserted into the first elongated hole 122 and project toward the upper surface side.

Further, the torte table dispersion plates 131a to 131 corresponding to the dispersion plates A to G among the dispersion plates A to N, respectively.
g has two holes 133, 134 on the inner side in the radial direction.
Are formed, and two holes 134 and 135 are formed on the radially outer side of the torte table dispersion plates 131h to 131n corresponding to the other dispersion plates H to N.

These torte table dispersion plates 131a to 131n
Between the holes 133 and 134 or the holes 13 formed in the
The distance between the four and 135 is the same as the distance between the concave portions 105, 106 and 107 formed in the dispersion plates A to N. In addition, these torte table dispersion plates 131a to 1
Miniature bearings 136, 136, ... Are screwed below the holes 133, 134, 135 formed in 31n. These miniature bearings 136, 1
36 ... Recesses 10 corresponding to the dispersion plates A to N, respectively.
5, 106, 107, and the radial movement force of each of the dispersion plates A to N is transmitted through miniature bearings 136, 136, ....

That is, these torte table dispersion plates 131, 13
.. are moved in the radial direction as the dispersion plates A to N are moved in the radial direction.
Further, a projection 137 is formed on the upper surface side of these torte table dispersion plates 131, 131 ...
A protrusion 138 is formed on the outer side in the radial direction, and a recess 139 formed by these protrusions 137 and 138.
A guide member 142 of the separation table 141, which will be described later, is fitted to the above.

Further, these protrusions 137 and 138 are formed on the torte table dispersion plates 131a to 131n, respectively.
The formation positions of the torte table dispersion plates 131a, 131e, 131f, 131h, 1h are different from the center line.
31l and 131m are formed on the left side when viewed from the outside in the radial direction, and other torte table dispersion plates 131b, 131c and 131m.
d, 131g, 131i, 131j, 131k, 131
n is formed on the center line.

Incidentally, these torte table dispersion plates 131a-1.
Of the 31n, the torte table dispersion plates 131g and 131n are
Notches 140 are formed on the outer side in the radial direction, and when these torte table dispersion plates 131g and 131n are moved to the outer side in the radial direction, these torte table dispersion plates 131g and 131n.
n does not interfere with stays 143, 143 described later.

A separation table 141 is attached to the upper portion of the separator head 81 constructed as described above. As shown in FIG. 16, the separation table 141 includes a guide table 144 provided on the upper surface side of the torte table dispersion plates 131, 131 ... And a plurality of segments 145 provided on the upper surface side of the guide table 144.
145, and guide members 142, 142, ... fixed to the lower surface sides of these segments 145, 145, respectively. Note that the segments 145 and 145
The number of ... is the same as the number of divided cakes to be divided.

Holes 146 are formed in the guide table 144 in the vicinity of the peripheral edges thereof, and these holes 146 are formed.
The stays 143, 143 fixed to the upper surface side in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the dispersion slide plate 121 are inserted through the. That is, when the guide table 144 is placed on the separator head 81, the guide table 144
Is positioned at a predetermined position by the stays 143, 143.

.. are formed in the guide table 144 in the radial direction at equal intervals in the circumferential direction by the number of the segments 145, 145. 147, 147, ... From below the guide table 144, guide members 142, 142 ,.
By inserting a part of them into the segments 145, 145, ...
Are movably supported on the guide table 144 in the radial direction.

Then, these segments 145, 145
Guide members 142, 142 attached to the lower surface side of
Are inserted in the recesses 139 formed in the torte table dispersion plates 131, 131. Note that reference numeral 149 is a spring that gathers the respective guide members 142 inward in the radial direction. Also, the segments 145, 145 ...
Have a plurality of groove portions 148, 148 ... Formed in parallel with each other in the radial direction on the upper surface side.
The take-out forks 69, 69 of the take-out device section 5 are inserted into the take-out devices 48, 148.

Next, the operation of the device 1 when performing the cutting and separating operation of the cake by the cutting and separating device 1 configured as described above will be described. First, the circular cake manufactured in the previous step is processed by the torte table 6a (see FIG.
). Then, the turntable 11 is rotated clockwise (direction of arrow D in FIG. 3), and the torte table 6a on which the cake is placed is moved to the front side of the cutting device unit 4.

In this state, the chucking cylinder 21 is driven to move the spline shaft 23 upward, and the chucking pin 24 at the tip of the spline shaft 23 is rotated by the rotary boss bush 32 of the rotary boss 33.
Is fitted to. Further, the cutting cylinder 30 is driven and the spline shaft 23a is lifted up.

Thus, the cake placed on the torte table 6 is first cut into two pieces by the ultrasonic cutter 51. Then, when the two cuttings are completed, the spline shaft 23a is lowered by the cutting cylinder 30 and the ultrasonic cutter 51 is extracted.

Next, the geared motor 29 is driven, and this driving force is applied to the worm gear 28 and the gears 27, 26.
Is transmitted to the spline shaft 23a via the, and the spline shaft 23a is rotated by a predetermined angle. The torte table 6 is rotated with the rotation of the spline shaft 23a, and the cake is rotated by a predetermined angle. Further, as described above, the spline shaft 23a is moved upward by the cutting cylinder 30 so that the cake placed on the torte table 6 is transferred to the ultrasonic cutter 5.
Cut by 1.

In this way, by rotating the spline shaft 23a by a predetermined angle and lifting the spline shaft 23a upward, a predetermined number of cakes placed on the torte table 6, that is, the segments 145, 145.
It is divided into small pieces of cake. After that, the spline shaft 23a is lowered by the chucking cylinder 21, and the chucking pin 24 of the spline shaft 23a is pulled out from the rotary boss bush 32 of the rotary boss 33.
Is disengaged from the rotary boss 33.

Furthermore, in this state, the turntable 11 is rotated clockwise (in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3) by 90 °, and the torte table 6 on which the cut cake is placed is in front of the take-out device section 5. Side, the spline shaft 23 on the front side of the take-out device portion 5 is lifted upward by the chucking cylinder 21, and the chucking pin 24 of the spline shaft 23 causes the rotary boss bush of the rotary boss 33 of the torte base 6. 32 is fitted.

In this state, the rodless cylinder 6
3 is driven to move the take-out forks 69 in the forward direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1), and the take-out forks 69 are inserted into the groove portions 148 formed in the segments 145 of the separation table 141, respectively, and divided into small parts. Placed on the bottom of the cake piece.

Further, the take-out fork 69 is lifted upward by the compact cylinder 67, and in this state, the take-out fork 69 is moved backward (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1) by the rodless cylinder 63, and the belt 72 of the conveyor 70 is moved. The cake pieces placed on the upper position and then lowered by the compact cylinder 67 and placed on the take-out forks 69 are placed on the belt 72 of the conveyor 70. Then, the small cake pieces placed on the belt 72 are conveyed in the traveling direction of the belt 72, and sent to the next step by another conveying device (not shown) provided at the end of the conveyor 70.

While the take-out fork 69 takes out the small cake pieces, the geared motor 29 rotates the spline shaft 23, and the torte table 6 is also rotated by a predetermined angle together with the spline shaft 23. The other small cake pieces placed on the lever torte table 6 and divided are positioned immediately before the take-out device unit 5, and then the small cake pieces are taken out fork 69.
Are taken out and transported. At this time, the cutting device unit 4 performs the next cake cutting operation, and the other torte tables 6 clean the torte table 6 and place the cake.

Here, in the cutting operation of the cake in the cutting device section 4 and the operation of taking out the small cake pieces in the taking-out device section 5, the torte table 6 operates as follows by the rotation of the spline shaft 23 by the geared motor 29. I do. In this embodiment, the case of dividing the cake into eight equal parts will be described with reference to FIGS. 17, 20, and 21. Further, in the figure, the segments 145a to 145h are indicated by the symbols a to h, respectively.

(A) Operation of the torte table 6 in the cutting device section 4 The torte table 6 in a state of being positioned by the guide pins 87 provided on the turntable 11 is slightly lifted by the chucking cylinder 21, and the guide pins 87 are provided. Is extracted from a positioning hole 86 formed in the head pedestal 84, and the rotary boss 3 by the spline shaft 23 is removed.
The rotation of 3 is possible.

(1) Then, in this state, the cutting cylinder 30 moves the torte table 6 upward to perform the first cutting (see FIG. 17 (1)). (2) Next, the spline shaft 23 is rotated,
The torte table 6 is rotated clockwise by 45 °, and the second cutting is performed in this state (see FIG. 17 (2)).
Further, at this time, the stopper pin 96 protruding to the side portion of the cam plate 91 and inserted into the groove portion 95 on the side portion of the head pedestal 84 contacts the stopper 98 protruding to the upper surface of the turntable 11 to cause the cam. The clockwise rotation of the plate 91 is restricted.

(3) The spline shaft 23 is further rotated, the torte table 6 is further rotated clockwise by 45 °, and in this state, the third cutting is performed. At this time, since the cam plate 91 is restricted from rotating in the clockwise direction, the cam plate 91 and the dispersion portion 104 held by the dispersion slide plate 121 are relatively rotated, and as shown in FIG. The cam follower 1 of the dispersion plates A and B and the dispersion plates H and I among the dispersion plates A to N having the cam followers 110 meshed with the cam grooves 111 and 112 of the cam plate 91.
By moving 10 to the radially expanded portions of the cam grooves 111 and 112, the dispersion plates A and B and the dispersion plates H and I are respectively moved to the outside in the radial direction. As shown, torte table dispersion plate 131
a, 131b, 131h, 131i are also moved outward in the radial direction, and these torte table dispersion plates 131a, 131b, 1
The guide members 142 fixed to the respective segments 145 of the separation table 141 are pushed outward in the radial direction by the protrusions 137 on the radially inner side of 31h and 131i, and the pushed-out guide members 142 are fixed to the segments 145a and The segment 145e is moved outward in the radial direction (see FIG. 17 (3)).

(4) The spline shaft 23 is further rotated and the torte table 6 is further rotated clockwise by 45 °. In this state, the fourth cutting is performed, and the cake placed on the torte table 6 is removed. It is divided into 8 equal parts.

At this time, as in (3) above, the cam followers 110 of the dispersion plates C and J are moved to the cam grooves 111 and 112.
Of the dispersion plates C and J are moved outward in the radial direction,
Along with this, the torte table dispersion plates 131c and 131j are also moved outward in the radial direction.
The guide members 142 fixed to the respective segments 145 of the separation table 141 are extruded radially outward by the protrusions 137 on the radially inner side of the c and 131j, and the extruded guide members 142 are fixed to the segments 145b and The segment 145f is moved outward in the radial direction (see FIG. 17 (4)). At this time, the cam followers 110 of the dispersion plates D and K have the cam grooves 111 and 11
2 is moved to a part in the middle of spreading and these dispersion plates D, K
Is also moved to the outside in the radial direction.

(5) The spline shaft 23 is further rotated and the torte table 6 is further rotated clockwise by 45 °. With this rotation, the dispersion plates D and K are completely moved outward in the radial direction. At the same time, the dispersion plates E and L are also moved outward in the radial direction. Therefore, the torte table dispersion plate 131
d, 131e, 131k, 131l are also moved outward in the radial direction, and these torte table dispersion plates 131d, 131e, 1
The guide members 142 fixed to the segments 145 of the separation table 141 are pushed outward in the radial direction by the protrusions 137 on the radially inner side of the 31k and 131l, and the segments 145c to which the pushed guide members 142 are fixed, 145g is moved outward in the radial direction (see FIG. 17 (5)).

(6) The spline shaft 23 is further rotated, and the torte table 6 is further rotated clockwise by 45 °. With this rotation, the dispersion plates F, G, N, and M move radially outward. To be done. Therefore, the torte table dispersion plates 131f, 131g, 131n, and 131m are also moved outward in the radial direction, and these torte table dispersion plates 131f and 131m are moved.
g, 131n, 131m radially inward projection 13
The guide member 142 fixed to each segment 145 of the separation table 141 is pushed outward in the radial direction by 7, and the segments 145d and 145h to which the pushed guide member 142 is fixed are moved outward in the radial direction (Fig. 17 (6)).

As described above, by performing the operations (1) to (6), the cake is cut into eight equal parts and divided into eight small cake pieces. Segments 145, 14 on which cake pieces are placed
5 are moved outward in the radial direction so that the cut portions of the small cake pieces are expanded.

(7) After that, the spline shaft 23 is rotated counterclockwise, the torte table 6 is returned to the initial position, the positioning hole 86 formed in the head pedestal 84 and the guide pin 87 projected on the turntable 11. 17 (7), and in this state, the spline shaft 23 is lowered and the guide pin 87 is inserted into the positioning hole 86 to prohibit the rotation of the torte base 6 and the spline shaft 23. The chucking pin 24 at the tip of 23 is pulled out from the rotary boss bush 32 of the rotary boss 33.

At this time, since the stopper 98 provided on the turntable 11 is provided on the clockwise side of the stopper pin 96 protruding on the side portion of the cam plate 91, it is rotated counterclockwise. The rotation of the cam plate 91 is not restricted, and the cam plate 91 is rotated counterclockwise together with the dispersion unit 104.

(B) Operation of the torte table 6 in the take-out device section 5 (8) The torte table in which the turntable 11 is rotated 90 ° clockwise and the cake cut by the cutting device section 4 is placed. 6 is moved to the front of the take-out device unit 5 (see FIG. 17 (8)).

(9) The torte table 6 positioned by the guide pins 87 provided on the turntable 11
Is slightly lifted by the chucking cylinder 21, and the guide pin 87 is pulled out from the positioning hole 86 formed in the head pedestal 84.
The rotation boss 33 can be rotated by 3.

In this state, the spline shaft 2
3 is rotated clockwise, and the segment 145d is positioned immediately before the take-out device unit 5 (see FIG. 20 (9)).
Then, in this state, the take-out forks 69 are moved to the front side by the rodless cylinder 63, and these take-out forks 69 are inserted into the groove portions 148 formed on the upper surface of the segment 145d. That is, these take-out forks 69 are placed on the lower surface side of the small cake pieces placed on the segment 145d.

Then, the take-out forks 69 are moved upward by the compact cylinder 67, the cake pieces are lifted upward by the take-out forks 69, and the take-out forks 69 are moved backward by the rodless cylinder 63. , The conveyor 70 is moved above the belt 72, and in this state, the compact fork 67 again takes out the fork 6
9, the small cake pieces placed on the take-out forks 69 are placed on the belt 72, and the small cake pieces are conveyed backward by the belt 72.

(10) The spline shaft 23 is rotated and the torte table 6 is rotated counterclockwise by 45 °. As a result, the segment 145c is arranged immediately in front of the take-out device unit 5, and the small cake piece placed on this segment 145c is taken out from the take-out fork 6 in the same manner as in the above (9).
It is taken out by 9 and conveyed by the conveyor 70 (see FIG. 20 (10)).

(11) The spline shaft 23 is further rotated, the torte table 6 is rotated counterclockwise by 45 °, and the segment 145b is arranged immediately in front of the take-out device section 5 and placed on this segment 145b. The cake piece is taken out by the take-out fork 69 and conveyed by the conveyor 70 (see FIG. 20 (11)).

(12) The spline shaft 23 is further rotated, the torte table 6 is rotated counterclockwise by 45 °, the segment 145a is arranged immediately in front of the take-out device section 5, and the small segment placed on this segment 145a is placed. The cake piece is taken out by the take-out fork 69 and conveyed by the conveyor 70 (see FIG. 20 (12)).

(13) The spline shaft 23 is further rotated, the torte table 6 is rotated counterclockwise by 45 °, and the segment 145h is arranged immediately in front of the take-out device section 5 and placed on the segment 145h. The cake piece is taken out by the take-out fork 69 and conveyed by the conveyor 70 (see FIG. 20 (13)). Further, at this time, the stopper 97 provided on the upper surface side of the turntable 11 and the stopper pin 94 attached to the lower surface side of the cam plate 91 are brought into contact with each other, and the cam plate 91 is rotated counterclockwise. Regulated.

(14) The spline shaft 23 is further rotated, the torte table 6 is rotated counterclockwise by 45 °, and the segment 145g is arranged immediately in front of the take-out device section 5 and placed on the segment 145g. The cake piece is taken out by the take-out fork 69 and conveyed by the conveyor 70. At this time, (13)
Since the counterclockwise rotation of the cam plate 91 is restricted by, the cam plate 91 and the dispersion portion 104 are relatively rotated.

As a result, the cam followers 110 of the dispersion plates F, G, M, N are moved along the cam grooves 111, 112 from the outer side in the radial direction to the inner side in the radial direction. F, G, M, and N are respectively moved inward in the radial direction, and together with these dispersion plates F, G, M, and N, the torte table dispersion plates 131f, 131g, 131m, 1
31n is moved inward in the radial direction.

The torte table dispersion plate 131f,
With the movement of 131g, 131m, 131n inward in the radial direction, these torte table dispersion plates 131f, 13
1 g, 131 m, 131 n radially outward protrusion 1
38 contacts the guide member 142 fixed to the lower surface side of the segments 145d, 145h, and these guide members 14
By pushing 2 inward in the radial direction, these segments 145d and 145h are moved inward in the radial direction (see FIG. 20 (14)).

(15) The spline shaft 23 is further rotated, the torte table 6 is rotated counterclockwise by 45 °, and the segment 145f is arranged immediately before the take-out device section 5 and placed on this segment 145f. The small cake pieces are taken out by the take-out fork 69.

Further, similarly to the above (14), the dispersion plate E,
L is moved outward in the radial direction, and the torte table dispersion plate 131
e, 131l are moved inward in the radial direction, and the projections 138 on the radially outer side of the torte table dispersion plates 131e, 131l cause the segments 145 of the separation table 141.
c, the guide member 142 fixed to 145g is pushed inward in the radial direction, and the guide member 14 is pushed in.
The segments 145c and 145g to which 2 is fixed are moved inward in the radial direction (see FIG. 20 (15)). At this time, the cam followers 110 of the dispersion plates D and K are moved to a part where the cam grooves 111 and 112 are narrowed, and the dispersion plates D and K are also moved partway inward in the radial direction.

(16) The spline shaft 23 is further rotated, the torte table 6 is rotated counterclockwise by 45 °, and the segment 145e is arranged immediately in front of the take-out device section 5 and placed on the segment 145e. The cake piece is taken out by the take-out fork 69. Further, the dispersion plates D and K are completely moved inward in the radial direction, and the dispersion plates C and J are also moved inward in the radial direction. With these movements, the torte table distribution plates 131c and 131 are moved.
The d, 131j, and 131k are also moved inward in the radial direction.

As a result, these torte table dispersion plates 131
The guide members 142 fixed to the segments 145b, 145f of the separation table 141 are pushed inward in the radial direction by the protrusions 138 on the outer side in the radial direction of c, 131d, 131j, 131k, and these pushed guide members 142 are fixed. The divided segments 145b and 145f are moved inward in the radial direction (see FIG. 20 (16)).

(17) The spline shaft 23 is further rotated, and the torte table 6 is rotated counterclockwise by 45 °. As a result, the dispersion plates A, B, H, and I are moved inward in the radial direction, and along with these movements, the torte table dispersion plates 131a, 131b, 131h, and 131i are also moved inward in the radial direction.

As a result, these torte table dispersion plates 131
a, 131b, 131h, 131i radially outward projections 138 to separate segment 145 of the separation table.
a, the guide member 142 fixed to 145e is pushed inward in the radial direction, and the guide member 14 is pushed in.
The segments 145a and 145e to which 2 is fixed are moved inward in the radial direction (see FIG. 21 (17)).

That is, by carrying out the operations (9) to (17), one small cake piece placed on the torte table 6 and divided and placed on each of the segments 145, 145. Each of the segments 145, 145 ... Is moved inward in the radial direction and the intervals between the segments 145, 145.

(18) After that, the spline shaft 23
Is rotated clockwise, and the torte table 6 is in the initial position (Fig. 17).
(Position of (8)), and the position of the positioning hole 86 formed in the head pedestal 84 and the position of the guide pin 87 projected on the turntable 11 are aligned (FIG. 21 (18)).
In this state, the spline shaft 23 is lowered, the guide pin 87 is inserted into the positioning hole 86, the rotation of the torte base 6 is prohibited, and the chucking pin 24 at the tip of the spline shaft 23 is rotated. It is pulled out from the rotating boss bush 32 of 33.

At this time, since the stopper 97 provided on the turntable 11 is provided on the counterclockwise direction side of the stopper pin 94 protruding on the lower surface of the cam plate 91, the stopper 97 is prevented from rotating clockwise. At times, the rotation of the cam plate 91 is not regulated, and the cam plate 91 is rotated clockwise together with the dispersion unit 104.

(19) The turntable 11 is rotated clockwise by 90 ° (see FIG. 21 (19)), and the torte table 6 is removed from the front of the take-out device section 5 and the torte table 6 is removed.
The cleaning is performed, and when the turntable 11 is further rotated clockwise by 90 ° (see FIG. 21 (20)), the cake is placed on the torte table 6 again. Then, by rotating the turntable 11 again by 90 ° in the clockwise direction, the torte table 6 on which the cake is placed is arranged at the front position of the cutting device section 4, and the operation from the above (1) is performed.

As described above, according to the cake cutting / separating method and the cake cutting / separating apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment, the segments 145, 145, ... Are moved radially outward while dividing the cake into a plurality of pieces. And these segments 145,
Since the small cake pieces placed on 145 ... are separated from each other, the work efficiency is greatly improved and the scraped surfaces of these small cake pieces are prevented from rubbing when the small cake pieces are taken out. It is possible to reliably prevent the cake from losing its shape when taking out these small cake pieces.

Further, while the small cake pieces placed on the respective segments 145, 145 ... Are taken out by the taking out fork 69, the respective segments 145, 145. Since it can be placed, the work can be further simplified and the work efficiency can be significantly improved.

In the above embodiment, the case where the cake is divided into eight equal parts by using the separation table 141 having the eight segments 145, 145 ... Is fixed to the lower surface side of these segments 145, 145. By changing the shape (size) of the guide member 142, it is possible to adapt a separation table having, for example, 10 equal parts, 12 equal parts, and 14 equal parts. Further, the specific configuration and structure of the cake cutting and separating apparatus 1 of the present embodiment are not limited to the embodiments.

[0099]

As described above, according to the method and apparatus for cutting and separating a cake of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the first invention, each time the cake is cut to make small cake pieces, the small cake pieces are moved outward in the radial direction. Therefore, immediately after the small cake pieces are made, the small cake pieces are separated from each other. The cuts are separated. Therefore, when separating these small cake pieces, it is possible to surely prevent obstacles such as deformation and deformation of these small cake pieces. According to the second aspect of the invention, when the cake is cut by the cutter of the cutting device section to make the small cake pieces, the segment on which the small cake pieces are placed is changed every time the torte table is subsequently rotated by the rotating mechanism. Moved radially outward. As a result, the cuts between the small cake pieces placed on these segments can be expanded very easily and quickly, and the efficiency of the separation work can be greatly improved, and the small cake pieces can be deformed and It is possible to reliably prevent obstacles such as collapse.

According to the third invention, in addition to the second invention, the small cake pieces cut and separated by the cutting device section can be taken out very easily by the take-out fork. According to the fourth invention, in addition to the third invention, when the small cake pieces on the segments are taken out by the take-out fork, these segments are moved radially inward with the rotation of the torte table,
It is possible to place a new cake. That is,
Along with the work of taking out the small cake pieces, this torte table can be put in a state where new cakes can be placed, and the work efficiency can be greatly improved.

According to the fifth invention, in addition to the fourth invention, further, while the cutting device section is cutting the cake on one torte table, the other tortet table is taken out by the take-out device section. It is possible to carry out the operation of taking out the small cake pieces placed on the table and cut by the cutting device section. Therefore, it is possible to improve the work efficiency of each of the cutting device unit and the take-out device unit, and it is possible to significantly improve the efficiency of the cutting and separating and taking-out work of the cake.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a cutting / separating device for explaining the configuration and structure of a cake separating / cutting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a cutting / separating device for explaining the configuration and structure of the cake separating / cutting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cutting / separating device for explaining the configuration and structure of the cake separating / separating device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the cutting device unit and the take-out device unit for explaining the configuration and structure of the cutting device unit and the take-out device unit.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the torte table for explaining the configuration and structure of the torte table.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the head pedestal for explaining the shape of the head pedestal.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the head pedestal for explaining the shape of the head pedestal.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the dispersion unit for explaining the structure of the dispersion unit and the shape of the dispersion plate forming the dispersion unit.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the dispersion unit for explaining the structure of the dispersion unit and the shape of the dispersion plate forming the dispersion unit.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a cam plate illustrating the shape of the cam plate.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a cam plate for explaining the shape of the cam plate.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a dispersion slide plate for explaining the shape of the dispersion slide plate.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a dispersion slide plate for explaining the shape of the dispersion slide plate.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the torte table dispersion plate for explaining the configuration and shape of the torte table dispersion plate.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a torte table dispersion plate for explaining the configuration and shape of the torte table dispersion plate.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a separation table for explaining the configuration and structure of the separation table.

FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view of the torte table for explaining the movement of the segments accompanying the rotation of the torte table.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the cam plate for explaining the disposition of the cam followers of the dispersion plate with respect to the cam plate and the movement of the dispersion plate.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the torte table dispersion plate for explaining the shape of the torte table dispersion plate and the movement of the torte table dispersion plate.

FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view of the torte table for explaining the movement of the segments accompanying the rotation of the torte table.

FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view of the torte table for explaining the movement of the segments accompanying the rotation of the torte table.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 cutting / separating device 3 separator (torte table supporting part) 4 cutting device part 5 take-out device part 6 torte table 29 geared motor (rotating mechanism) 51 ultrasonic cutter (cutter) 63 rodless cylinder (moving mechanism) 67 Compact cylinder (moving mechanism) 69 Extraction fork 141 Separation table 145 segment

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A method for cutting and separating a circular cake placed on a rotating torte table by cutting, wherein a cutter is cut into a cutting line passing through a center of rotation of the torte table. The cake placed on the torte table is divided into two pieces, the torte table is rotated by a predetermined angle to cut the cutter to form a small cake piece, and further, the torte table is rotated by a predetermined angle. Each of the small cake pieces is moved radially outward by a predetermined distance, and thereafter, from the step of making the small cake pieces by cutting the cutter, while rotating the torte table by a predetermined angle, each small cake piece is radially outward. A method for cutting and separating a cake, characterized in that a step of moving the cake is repeated so as to widen a cut portion of a plurality of small cake pieces produced by equally dividing the cake. 2. A cake cutting / separating device for making a plurality of small cake pieces by dividing a circular cake into a plurality of equal pieces, the torte table on which the cake is placed, and the torte table. A rotating mechanism that rotates, a separation table that is provided above the torte table, and has a plurality of segments that are moved in the radial direction with the rotation of the torte table by the rotating mechanism, and is provided above the torte table. A cutting device section having a cutter for cutting the cake along a cutting line passing through the center of rotation of the torte table, wherein the cutting device section divides the cake into two parts, and the torte is rotated by a predetermined angle by a rotating mechanism. After cutting the cake on the table and making the first piece of cake, the separating table
A cutting and separating device for a cake, wherein a segment on which the small cake pieces are placed is moved radially outward by a predetermined distance as the torte table is rotated by the rotating mechanism. 3. A small cake piece provided on a side portion of the torte table, cut by the cutting device section and divided into a plurality of equal parts, and is inserted between a segment on which the small cake piece is placed. A take-out device section having a take-out fork and a moving mechanism for moving the take-out fork inserted between the small cake piece and the segment to lift the small cake piece and separate it from the torte table. The cutting and separating apparatus for cake according to claim 2, wherein 4. The separation table is formed by moving the segments inward in a radial direction as the torte table is rotated by the rotating mechanism after the small cake pieces are taken out by the take-out device section. The device for cutting and separating a cake according to claim 3, wherein: 5. A torte table having at least two torte tables, wherein the torte table on which the cake is placed is arranged immediately in front of the cutting device section to enable cutting of the cake, and A cake divided into a plurality of small cake pieces is placed by the cutting device section, and further, the torte table in which each segment is moved outward in the radial direction is arranged immediately in front of the take-out device section, and 5. A torte table supporting portion that enables removal is provided.
Separating and cutting device for the described cake.