JP7482472B2 - Separation device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a separation device, and in particular to a separation device that separates a film from a negitoro stick.

A food processing method has been known in which the less fatty parts of tuna are minced and mixed with fats such as salad oil, shiratame oil, shortening, and margarine to impart the richness and flavor of fat. This type of product, in which oils and fats are added to minced tuna, is called negitoro, and is processed into stick shapes (called negitoro sticks) and widely used as a filling for nori rolls, sushi toppings, etc.

The manufacturing method for these negitoro sticks involves packaging the negitoro in film, freezing the packaged negitoro, cutting it to a specified length, and packing it into trays (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2006-000084 A

The film disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an edible film, so the film is not peeled off after freezing. However, a non-edible film may be used, in which case the film must be peeled off after freezing to separate it from the negitoro sticks.

Conventionally, this separation work has been done manually, which places a heavy burden on workers as they have to come into contact with the frozen Negitoro sticks.

The present invention was invented to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a separation device and method that can automatically separate the film wrapped around the negitoro stick from the negitoro stick.

The separating device according to the present invention, which achieves the above object, is a separating device that separates a film wrapped around a negi toro stick from the negi toro stick. The separating device has a first roller that rotates about an axis, and a second roller that is arranged so as to be able to approach and separate from the first roller and rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first roller. When the first roller and the second roller are close to each other, the first roller and the second roller rotate in opposite directions to each other, thereby separating the film from the negi toro stick, and after the film is separated from the negi toro stick, the second roller moves away from the first roller by a distance greater than the width of the negi toro stick, causing the negi toro stick to fall from the first roller and the second roller.

A method for separating the film wrapped around a negi toro stick from the negi toro stick, the method comprising: feeding the negi toro stick with the film wrapped around it between a first roller rotating around an axis and a second roller rotating in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first roller; peeling the film from the negi toro stick by the first roller and the second roller, which are close to each other; and, after peeling the film from the negi toro stick, separating the second roller from the first roller by a distance greater than the width of the negi toro stick , thereby dropping the negi toro stick from the first roller and the second roller .

According to the above-mentioned separation device and separation method, the film can be peeled off from the negi toro stick by inserting the negi toro stick wrapped with the film between the first roller and the second roller that are in close proximity to each other. From the above, it is possible to provide a separation device and separation method that can automatically separate the film wrapped around the negi toro stick from the negi toro stick.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a conveying device including a separation device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a transport device including a separation device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a film wrapped around a Negitoro stick. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a separation device according to the present embodiment, illustrating a state in which a negitoro stick wrapped in a film is placed between a first roller and a second roller. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how a film is peeled off by a first roller and a second roller. 13 is a diagram showing the state in which the first roller and the second roller separate and the negitoro sticks and the film fall through the gap between the first roller and the second roller. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing how the film is separated from the negitoro stick by blowing air onto the film using the blowing unit. FIG.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Note that in the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings have been exaggerated for the convenience of explanation, and may differ from the actual ratios.

1 is a front view of a conveying device 1 equipped with a separating device 40 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a conveying device 1 equipped with a separating device 40 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a film F is wrapped around a negi-toro stick S. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a separating device 40 according to the present embodiment, showing a state in which a negi-toro stick S wrapped with a film F is inserted between a first roller 41 and a second roller 42. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the film F is peeled off by the first roller 41 and the second roller 42. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 are separated from each other, and the negi-toro stick S and the film F fall from the gap G between the first roller 41 and the second roller 42. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the film F is separated from the negi-toro stick S by blowing air to the film F by the blower 44.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the conveying device 1 according to this embodiment has a placement tray 10 on which the negi toro sticks S wrapped with film F are placed, a first conveyor 20 (corresponding to a conveyor) that is placed on the placement tray 10 and conveys the negi toro sticks S wrapped with film F, an adjustment section 30 provided downstream of the first conveyor 20, a separation device 40 that separates the film F from the negi toro sticks S, a collection section 50 that collects the film F separated from the negi toro sticks S, and a second conveyor 60 that conveys the negi toro sticks S from which the film F has been separated for collection. Note that the film F is omitted in Fig. 1.

In the following description, the rightward direction in FIG. 1 may be referred to as the X direction, the upward direction in FIG. 2 may be referred to as the Y direction, and the upward direction in FIG. 1 may be referred to as the Z direction.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the placement tray 10 is installed upstream of the first conveyor 20 (negative side in the X direction). The placement tray 10 can accommodate a large number of negitoro sticks S wrapped with a film F. As shown in Figure 2, four placement trays 10 are provided along the Y direction. Note that the number of placement trays 10 provided is not limited to four.

The worker places the negitoro sticks S wrapped in film F, which have been frozen in the freezer, on the placement tray 10.

The first conveyor 20 transports the negitoro sticks S wrapped with film F, which are stored in the placement tray 10, to the separation device 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the first conveyor 20 transports the negitoro sticks S wrapped with film F to the right in the X direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, four first conveyors 20 are provided along the Y direction. Note that the number of first conveyors 20 is not limited to four.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first conveyor 20 has a placement surface 21 on which the negitoro sticks S wrapped with a film F are placed, and a number of bars 22 that are arranged to stand up from the placement surface 21. The spacing between a pair of adjacent bars 22 is configured to be slightly larger than the negitoro sticks S wrapped with the film F so that only one negitoro stick S wrapped with the film F can be placed on the placement surface.

The first conveyor 20 is configured so that it is inclined from the upstream side (negative side of the X direction) toward the positive side of the X direction to the positive side of the Y direction. Also, the first conveyor 20 is configured so that it is horizontal from the downstream side (positive side of the X direction).

The first conveyor 20 is driven by a motor M and is configured to rotate clockwise in FIG. 1.

The adjustment unit 30 is provided downstream of the first conveyor 20 (to the right in the X direction). As shown in FIG. 1, the adjustment unit 30 is curved to fit the shape of the downstream side of the first conveyor 20. The adjustment unit 30 is provided with a gap between them so as not to come into contact with the crosspieces 22 of the first conveyor 20. By providing the adjustment unit 30 in this manner, the negitoro sticks S wrapped with the film F transported by the first conveyor 20 fall from the first conveyor 20 while being guided by the adjustment unit 30. Therefore, the timing at which the negitoro sticks S wrapped with the film F fall from the first conveyor 20 can be made approximately uniform.

The separating device 40 separates the film F shown in FIG. 3 from the negitoro stick S. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, the separating device 40 has a first roller 41, a second roller 42, a guide member 43, a blower 44, and a sensor 45. Four separating devices 40 are provided along the Y direction. Note that the number of separating devices 40 provided is not limited to four.

The first roller 41 is a drive roller. The first roller 41 is rotated by a motor M. The rotation speed of the first roller 41 is not particularly limited, but for example, when the diameter is 30 mm, it is 50 m/min. The material of the first roller 41 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably urethane, which easily adheres to the film F.

The second roller 42 is a driven roller. The second roller 42 is arranged so that it can move toward and away from the first roller 41 by the cylinder 42A. When the second roller 42 comes into contact with the first roller 41, it is rotated by the first roller 41. In other words, in this embodiment, the second roller 42 is not configured to be rotated by a motor.

Therefore, the rotation direction of the second roller 42 is opposite to that of the first roller 41. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when the first roller 41 is located to the left of the second roller 42, the first roller 41 rotates clockwise and the second roller 42 rotates counterclockwise. The material of the second roller 42 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably urethane, which is easy for the film F to adhere to.

The guide member 43 has a first guide member 43A that guides the negitoro sticks S wrapped with film F transported from the first conveyor 20 to the first roller 41, and a second guide member 43B that guides the negitoro sticks S wrapped with film F transported from the first conveyor 20 to the second roller 42.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the first guide member 43A is disposed substantially above the first roller 41. As shown in Fig. 4, the first guide member 43A is a plate-shaped member that has a portion that extends along the Z direction and a portion that is inclined toward the positive side of the X direction and the negative side of the Z direction (toward the lower right in Fig. 4).

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the second guide member 43B is disposed to the right of the first guide member 43A in the X direction so as to face the first guide member 43A. As shown in Fig. 4, the second guide member 43B is a plate-shaped member having a portion that extends along the Z direction and a portion that is inclined toward both the negative side of the X direction and the negative side of the Z direction (toward the lower left in Fig. 4).

The negitoro sticks S wrapped with film F that fall from the first conveyor 20 come into contact with the first guide member 43A or the second guide member 43B and fall to the negative side of the Z direction, and are moved between the first roller 41 and the second roller 42.

As shown in FIG. 7, the air blowing unit 44 is provided below the first roller 41 and the second roller 42. After the film F has been peeled off from the negi toro sticks S by the first roller 41 and the second roller 42, when the second roller 42 separates from the first roller 41 and the film F and the negi toro sticks S fall downward, the air blowing unit 44 blows air to separate the film F from the negi toro sticks S. The film F separated from the negi toro sticks S is sent to the collection unit 50. As shown in FIG. 7, the air blowing unit 44 blows air toward the positive side of the X direction.

The sensor 45 detects the negitoro sticks S wrapped with the film F that have fallen from the first conveyor 20 towards the first roller 41 and the second roller 42. When the sensor 45 detects the negitoro sticks S wrapped with the film F, it sends a signal to the cylinder 42A, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, it separates the second roller 42 from the first roller 41. The time from detecting the negitoro sticks S to separating the second roller 42 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.5 seconds. The sensor 45 is not particularly limited, but for example, an optical sensor can be used.

The collection section 50 is provided on the positive side of the blower section 44 in the X direction, as shown in Figures 4 to 7. The film F blown by the blower section 44 is collected in the collection section 50. The collection section 50 is not limited as long as it can collect the film F, but for example, a vinyl bag can be used. As shown in Figure 2, two collection sections 50 are provided along the Y direction. Each collection section 50 collects the film F separated in the two separation devices 40. The number of collection sections 50 provided is not limited to two.

As shown in Figures 1, 4 to 7, the second conveyor 60 is provided on the negative side of the Z direction of the first roller 41 and the second roller 42. The second conveyor 60 moves the negitoro sticks S, from which the film F has been separated at four locations, along the positive side of the Y direction to collect the negitoro sticks S.

Next, we will explain the conveying method including the separation method according to this embodiment.

First, the worker places the negitoro sticks S wrapped in film F, which have been frozen in a freezer, on the placement tray 10.

Then, the negitoro sticks S wrapped with the film F are placed between the bars 22 of the first conveyor 20 and moved downstream (negative side of the X direction).

Then, the adjustment unit 30 adjusts the timing of the negitoro sticks S wrapped with the film F to fall from the first conveyor 20 at approximately the same time, and the negitoro sticks S fall and move between the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 via the guide member 43 (see FIG. 4). At this time, the sensor 45 detects the fall of the negitoro sticks S wrapped with the film F.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the film F is peeled off from the negitoro stick S by the first roller 41 rotating clockwise and the second roller 42 rotating counterclockwise.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the cylinder 42A receives a signal from the sensor 45 and separates the second roller 42 from the first roller 41, causing the film F and negitoro sticks S to fall downward.

As shown in FIG. 7, the film F, which is lightweight, is collected in the collection section 50 by blowing air onto the film F using the air blowing section 44. Meanwhile, the negitoro sticks S, which are heavy, fall onto the second conveyor 60. The negitoro sticks S that have fallen onto the second conveyor 60 then move to the positive side of the Y direction and are collected.

As described above, the separation device 40 according to this embodiment is a separation device 40 that separates the film F wrapped around the negitoro stick S from the negitoro stick S. The separation device 40 has a first roller 41 that rotates around an axis, and a second roller 42 that is arranged so as to be able to approach and move away from the first roller 41 and rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first roller 41. With the separation device 40 configured in this manner, the film F can be peeled off from the negitoro stick S by inserting the negitoro stick S with the film F wrapped around it between the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 that are in close proximity to each other. As described above, the film F wrapped around the negitoro stick S can be automatically separated from the negitoro stick S.

When viewed from the front with the first roller 41 positioned to the left of the second roller 42, the first roller 41 rotates clockwise and the second roller 42 rotates counterclockwise. With the separation device 40 configured in this way, the negitoro sticks S wrapped around the film F can be easily guided between the first roller 41 and the second roller 42, so that the film F can be suitably separated from the negitoro sticks S.

The first roller 41 is a drive roller, and the second roller 42 is a driven roller that is driven by the first roller 41. With the separation device 40 configured in this way, the rotation of each roller is not impeded, so the film F can be easily separated from the negitoro sticks S.

The separating device 40 further includes a guide member 43 that guides the negitoro sticks S wrapped with the film F transported from the first conveyor 20 to the first roller 41 and the second roller 42. The separating device 40 configured in this manner can more suitably guide the negitoro sticks S wrapped with the film F between the first roller 41 and the second roller 42.

The separating device 40 further includes an air blowing section 44 that blows air onto the film F to separate it after the film F wrapped around the negitoro stick S is peeled off from the negitoro stick S by the first roller 41 and the second roller 42. The separating device 40 configured in this manner allows the film F to be collected in an optimal manner.

The separating device 40 also has a sensor 45 that detects the introduction of the negitoro stick S wrapped around the film F onto the first roller 41 and the second roller 42, and separates the second roller 42 from the first roller 41 after a predetermined time has elapsed. The separating device 40 configured in this way can more effectively separate the film F from the negitoro stick S.

As described above, the separation method according to this embodiment is a method for separating the film F wound around the negi toro stick S from the negi toro stick S. In the separation method, the negi toro stick S with the film F wound around it is inserted between the first roller 41 rotating around an axis and the second roller 42 rotating in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the first roller 41, and the film F is peeled off from the negi toro stick S by the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 that are close to each other, and after the film F is peeled off from the negi toro stick S, the second roller 42 is separated from the first roller 41 to drop the negi toro stick S. According to this separation method, the film F can be peeled off from the negi toro stick S by inserting the negi toro stick S with the film F wound around it between the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 that are close to each other. As a result, the film F wrapped around the negitoro stick S can be automatically separated from the negitoro stick S.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, when viewed in a plan view, the first roller 41 rotates clockwise and the second roller 42 rotates counterclockwise when the first roller 41 is located to the left of the second roller 42. However, when viewed in a plan view, the first roller 41 may rotate counterclockwise and the second roller 42 may rotate clockwise when the first roller 41 is located to the left of the second roller 42.

In the above-described embodiment, the first roller 41 is a drive roller and the second roller 42 is a driven roller. However, the second roller may be a drive roller driven by a motor, and the first roller may be a driven roller driven by the second roller. Also, both the first roller and the second roller may be drive rollers driven by a motor.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the separation device 40 has a guide member 43, but a guide member does not have to be provided.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the separation device 40 has an air blowing section 44, but an air blowing section does not necessarily have to be provided.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the separation device 40 has a sensor 45, but the sensor 45 does not have to be provided.

1 conveying device,
20 first conveyor (conveyor),
40 Separation device,
41 first roller,
42 second roller,
43 guide member,
44 Blower section,
45 sensors,
50 Recovery section,
F film,
G: gap between the first roller and the second roller;
S Negi Toro Stick.

Claims (7)

A separation device for separating a film wrapped around a negitoro stick from the negitoro stick,
a first roller that rotates about an axis;
a second roller that is disposed so as to be movable toward and away from the first roller and rotates in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first roller rotates ;
When the first roller and the second roller are approaching each other, the first roller and the second roller rotate in opposite directions to each other to separate the film from the negi toro stick;
A separation device in which, after the film is separated from the negi toro stick, the second roller is spaced apart from the first roller by a distance greater than the width of the negi toro stick, thereby causing the negi toro stick to fall from the first roller and the second roller . When viewed from the front so that the first roller is located to the left of the second roller,
2. The separating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first roller rotates clockwise and the second roller rotates counterclockwise. The first roller is a drive roller,
The separating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second roller is a driven roller that is driven relative to the first roller. The conveyor further includes a guide member for guiding the negi toro sticks around which the film is wound and which are conveyed from the conveyor to the first roller and the second roller,
The guide member is
A first guide member that guides the negi toro stick to the first roller;
The separating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second guide member that guides the negitoro stick to the second roller . The separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprises an air blowing section that blows air onto the film to separate it after the film wrapped around the negitoro stick is peeled off from the negitoro stick by the first roller and the second roller. The separating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 further includes a sensor that detects the introduction of the negitoro sticks wrapped with the film onto the first roller and the second roller, and separates the second roller from the first roller after a predetermined time has elapsed. A method for separating a film wrapped around a tuna stick from the tuna stick, comprising:
The negi toro stick with the film wrapped around it is inserted between a first roller that rotates around an axis and a second roller that rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first roller, and the film is peeled off from the negi toro stick by the first roller and the second roller that are close to each other.
After peeling the film off the negi toro stick, the second roller is spaced from the first roller by a distance greater than the width of the negi toro stick , thereby causing the negi toro stick to fall from the first roller and the second roller .