JP6590672B2 - Food weighing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a food measuring device, for example, a food measuring device that supplies and measures cooked rice to a food container.

  In addition to supplying cooked rice to food containers such as bento boxes and bowls to make lunch boxes and bowls, a food measuring and measuring device is known as an example of a food measuring device that measures the weight of cooked rice supplied to the food containers. Yes. In this food weighing and setting apparatus, for example, the rice stored in the hopper is unwound by the supply screw and conveyed to the supply roller, and the unrolled rice roll is unwound and dropped while being broken down. A certain amount of cooked rice is automatically supplied to the food container by measuring the weight of the cooked rice supplied in the food container with the food metering section. Yes. The food metering unit of the food weighing device covers the main body base except the main body base at the lower part of the food weighing device, the weighing arm (load cell) arranged in a cantilevered state above it, and the weighing arm Thus, a cover arranged on the main body base and a weighing table arranged on the uppermost layer so as to cover the cover and the weighing arm are provided. In addition, about the foodstuff metering apparatus, patent document 1 has an indication, for example.

JP 2004-196382 A

  By the way, in the food metering device, foreign matters such as Charicas enter the food metering unit through the gap between the food metering unit weighing table and the cover, and the measuring arm inside the food metering unit and below As a result of entering into the main body base, a foreign matter may become an obstacle and a measurement defect may occur.

  In addition, it is necessary to disassemble and clean the device in order to eliminate foreign matter that has entered the food metering unit of the food metering device, but the cover of the food metering unit is fixed by multiple bolts, etc. When the cleaning work is performed, it is necessary to remove and attach a plurality of bolts. As a result, the cleaning work is troublesome and time-consuming.

  The present invention has been made from the above-described technical background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing the rate of occurrence of poor measurement of food in a food weighing device or preventing the occurrence of measurement failure. To do.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of improving workability when cleaning the food measuring unit of the food measuring device.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the food weighing device according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided in the apparatus main body, and is provided in the food storage section for storing the input food, and in the food storage section. A first supply means for supplying the food charged in the portion to the unwinding position in the food storage portion, and supplying the unsealed food provided at the unwinding position so as to unwind A second supply unit; an opening / closing unit that opens and closes a dropping path of the food material supplied from the second supply unit, and executes supply and supply stop of the food material to the food container disposed in the dropping direction of the food material; A food metering unit that is provided below the opening and closing means and measures the weight of the food supplied to the food container, and the food metering unit is provided at a lower part of the food metering unit, The plate-like that forms the gantry A body base, a measuring member that is provided on the main body base, detects the weight of the food in the food container and converts it into an electrical signal, and covers the main body base so as to cover the main body base except for the measuring member. A cover provided on the weighing member and a weighing table supported by the weighing member so as to cover the cover, and the body base includes a plurality of through holes provided below the weighing member. And a bent portion provided at the outer peripheral portion of the plurality of through holes so as to be bent downward.

  Moreover, the foodstuff metering apparatus of this invention of Claim 2 is the foodstuff metering apparatus of Claim 1, WHEREIN: The cross-sectional shape of the part located between the said several through-holes in the said main body base is reverse U-shaped. It is characterized by being formed.

  Moreover, the foodstuff metering apparatus of this invention of Claim 3 is the foodstuff metering apparatus of Claim 1, WHEREIN: The cross-sectional shape of the part located between the said some through-holes in the said main body base is reverse V-shape. It is characterized by being formed.

  Moreover, the foodstuff measuring device of this invention of Claim 4 is the foodstuff measuring device of any one of Claims 1-3, The protrusion provided in the said cover is made into the elastic force of this protrusion. The first fastening structure for fixing the cover to the main body base in a detachable state by being fitted to a part of the main body base, and the protrusion provided on the measuring table by the elastic force of the protrusion It is provided with at least one of the 2nd fastening structure which fixes the said measurement table to the said measurement member in the state which can be attached or detached by fitting with a part of said measurement member.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if a foreign object such as Charicas enters the food measuring part through the gap between the cover of the food measuring part and the main body base, the foreign object is exposed to the outside through the through hole of the main body base. It can discharge | emit and it can prevent a foreign material from interposing between a foodstuff measurement member and a main body base. Moreover, since the rigidity of a plate-shaped main body base can be ensured by bending down the outer peripheral part of a through-hole, the measurement precision in a foodstuff measuring device can be ensured. As a result, it is possible to reduce the rate of occurrence of poor measurement of food in the food measurement device or prevent the occurrence of poor measurement.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, foreign matter can be made difficult to stay on the upper surface of the adjacent portion located between the adjacent through holes in the main body base. It is possible to reduce the occurrence rate or prevent the occurrence of measurement errors.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the inclined state of the bent portion of the adjacent portion located between the adjacent through holes in the main body base can be made steep, and the flat surface of the upper surface of the adjacent portion can be provided. Since it can reduce, it can make it difficult for a foreign material to remain on the part between adjacent. For this reason, it becomes possible to further reduce the rate of occurrence of poor measurement of food in the food measurement device or prevent the occurrence of poor measurement.

  According to invention of Claim 4, since the cover of a foodstuff measurement part, a measurement table, or both can be attached or detached easily, it becomes possible to improve workability | operativity at the time of cleaning the inside of a foodstuff measurement part. Become.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a food material metering device as an example of a food material supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the food material metering device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hopper, a supply screw, and a disassembling supply roller, which are components of the food material metering apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shutter unit that is a constituent element of the food material metering apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a perspective view of the humidifier unit which is a component of the foodstuff metering apparatus of FIG. It is the expansion perspective view which removed and showed the measurement table of the foodstuff measurement part which is a component of the foodstuff measuring / laying apparatus of FIG. It is the expansion perspective view which removed and showed the cover and the measurement table of the foodstuff measurement part which are the components of the foodstuff weighing and arranging apparatus of FIG. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of the back surface of the cover of the foodstuff measuring part which is a component of the foodstuff measuring and arranging apparatus of FIG. It is a principal part enlarged plan view of the main body base of the foodstuff measuring part which is a component of the foodstuff measuring and arranging apparatus of FIG. It is a principal part perspective view of the load cell of the foodstuff measurement part which is a component of the foodstuff weighing and arranging apparatus of FIG. It is the principal part top view which looked at the load cell and main body base of the foodstuff measurement part which is a component of the foodstuff measuring / laying apparatus of FIG. 1 from upper direction. It is the principal part top view of the main body base which removed and showed the load cell of FIG. It is the principal part perspective view which looked at the main body base of the foodstuff measurement part which is a component of the foodstuff measuring and arranging apparatus of FIG. 1 from the back surface. It is a principal part fracture | rupture perspective view of the foodstuff measurement part which is a component of the foodstuff metering apparatus of FIG. (A) is a cutaway perspective view of a main part of a food measuring unit which is a component of the food measuring and arranging apparatus in FIG. 1, and (b) is a diagram showing a plurality of through holes in the main body base of the food measuring unit in FIG. It is an expanded sectional view of the part between adjacent positions located between adjacent. (A), (b) is an expanded sectional view of the modification of the part between adjacent positions located in the main body base of the foodstuff measurement part of FIG. It is sectional drawing in operation | movement of the foodstuff metering apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the flow of the vapor | steam from the humidifier unit in the foodstuff metering apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the vapor | steam from the humidification part in the foodstuff metering apparatus of FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a food metering apparatus which is an example of a food metering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the food metering apparatus in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the food metering apparatus 1 includes a food supply unit A and a food metering unit B. Here, first, the food material supply unit A of the food material metering apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The food supply unit A includes a front plate 10, a back plate 11 located on the back of the front plate 10, and a side plate 12 located on both sides of the front plate 10 and the back plate 11, and an upper portion having an opening 13. It is formed in the shape of.

  A lid 14 connected via a hinge (not shown) is provided at the upper end of the back plate 11, and the opening 13 is opened and closed by the lid 14. Further, the front panel 10 is provided with a display unit 15 and operation buttons 16. The display unit 15 is a screen that displays operation commands, messages, and the like, and includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The operation button 16 is a button for performing an operation setting of the food material metering apparatus 1.

  Further, a recess 17 having a predetermined depth and height is formed below the front plate 10. The concave portion 17 has a sufficient space to accommodate a food container for serving cooked rice (an example of food), and the rice is dropped from above and supplied to the food container.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the food supply unit A includes a hopper (food storage unit) 22, two supply screws (first supply means) 23, 23, and an unwinding supply roller ( (Second supply means) 24, a shutter unit (opening / closing means) 25, and a humidifier unit 30 are provided. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hopper, a supply screw, and a disassembling supply roller, which are components of the food material metering apparatus of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the hopper 22 is a cooked rice storage portion in which cooked rice is charged and stored. The hopper 22 is fitted into the upper hopper 22 a having an upper end and a lower end opened and the lower end opening of the upper hopper 22 a, and the bottom surface of the hopper 22. A lower hopper 22b.

  The upper hopper 22a is formed with a tapered wall 22a-1 that gradually narrows downward from above, whereby the upper end becomes a wide opening and the lower end becomes a narrow opening. . A flange 22a-2 bent outward is formed in the opening at the upper end of the upper hopper 22a. The opening at the lower end of the upper hopper 22a is formed to a size that exposes only the supply screws 23 and 23 accommodated in the substantially semicircular accommodating grooves 22b-1 and 22b-1 of the lower hopper 22b and covers other portions. Has been.

  The lower hopper 22b is formed with the above-described substantially semicircular accommodation grooves 22b-1 and 22b-1 and opened upward. In addition, a roller support portion 22b-2 that opens downward and supports the supply roller 24 rotatably is formed at the front portion of the lower hopper 22b so as to communicate with the receiving grooves 22b-1 and 22b-1. Has been. Note that the hopper 22 is provided with a heat retaining heater (not shown) for maintaining the cooked rice in the hopper 22 at a predetermined temperature.

  The supply screws 23, 23 are screws that supply the cooked rice put into the hopper 22 toward the supply roller 24 by the rotational operation of the two supply screws 23, 23, and are mutually attached to the bottom side of the hopper 22. Are arranged in parallel.

  The unwinding supply roller 24 is a drum-type roller that is supplied to the lower shutter unit 25 while breaking the cooked rice supplied by the supply screws 23, 23. They are arranged in a state of being in a positional relationship orthogonal to the rotation axis. A large number of claw portions 24a are provided on the outer periphery of the unwinding supply roller 24 to break up the cooked rice.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a shutter unit 25 is installed below the unrolling supply roller 24 on the front surface of the food material weighing and arranging apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of shutters 25 </ b> S and 25 </ b> S are attached to a shutter guide 25 </ b> G that configures the casing of the shutter unit 25 in a state that can be opened and closed downward. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shutter unit that is a component of the food material weighing and arranging apparatus of FIG.

  The pair of shutters 25S and 25S is located on the dropping path of the cooked rice dropped and supplied from the above-described unrolling supply roller 24, and opens and closes the dropping path of the cooked rice. That is, when supplying cooked rice to the food container, the pair of shutters 25S, 25S is opened, and when stopping the supply of cooked rice, the pair of shutters 25S, 25S is closed, thereby supplying the cooked rice to the food container. Supply stop operation is performed. As shown in FIG. 2, an opening / closing drive unit 25D for opening / closing the pair of shutters 25S of the shutter unit 25 is disposed behind the shutter guide 25G.

  A plurality of slits 25 </ b> L extending in the vertical direction are opened on the back surface inside the shutter guide 25 </ b> G, and a plurality of the slits 25 </ b> L are formed side by side along the axial direction of the supply roller 24. Steam generated in the humidifier unit 30 is ejected from the slit 25L. As described above, since the shutter 25S is located on the dropping path of the cooked rice dropped by the supply roller 24, the steam ejected from the slit 25L of the shutter guide 25G is opposed to the release roller 24. The disintegrated surface F (see FIG. 19) of the cooked rice R and the cooked rice in the hopper 22 are humidified. In the present embodiment, the slit 25L is formed in the shutter guide 25G, and this is used as the first jet outlet from which the steam generated in the humidifier unit 30 is jetted. As long as the cracked surface F of the cooked rice can be humidified, the formation location of the first spout is not particularly limited.

  Below the shutter unit 25, the humidifier unit 30 is installed in a state where it can be attached to and detached from the front surface of the food measuring and weighing apparatus 1. The humidifier unit 30 is a device that humidifies the inside of the food supply unit A, and includes a humidifier body 31, a water supply tank 32, and a humidifying nozzle 33, as shown in FIGS. . FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a humidifier unit that is a component of the food material metering apparatus of FIG.

  The humidifier body 31 is a device that generates steam by heating the water supplied from the water supply tank 32 by the heater 31h. The heater 31h of the humidifier body 31 is electrically connected to the power supply circuit of the food metering device 1. In the present embodiment, the humidifier unit 30 is a steam type in which water is heated by the heater 31h to generate steam. However, the humidifier unit 30 is not necessarily a steam type, and is a vaporization type or a water spray type. May be.

  The water supply tank 32 is a container for storing water and supplying it to the humidifier body 31, and is installed on the upper surface of the humidifier body 31 in a detachable state. The water supply tank 32 includes a resin tank body that stores water, and a resin tank cap that is detachably attached to the water supply port. The tank cap includes a water supply mechanism that supplies a predetermined amount of water in the tank body to the humidifier body 31 side.

  The humidifying nozzle 33 is a resin guide member that guides the steam generated by heating the water by the humidifier body 31 to the slit 25L (see FIG. 4), and is detachable from the upper surface of the humidifier body 31. It is installed at. In the present embodiment, since the humidifier unit 30 is disposed below the shutter unit 25, the humidifying nozzle 33 for guiding the vapor of the humidifier unit 30 to the slit 25L is provided. The humidifying nozzle 33 may not be provided by a structure in which a steam guide path is formed by the inner wall surface.

  Next, the structure of the foodstuff measurement part B of the foodstuff measuring and setting apparatus 1 is demonstrated with reference to FIG.1, FIG.2 and FIGS. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the food measuring unit as a component of the food metering apparatus of FIG. 1 with the measurement table removed, and FIG. 7 is a food measuring unit as a component of the food metering apparatus of FIG. It is the expansion perspective view which removed and showed the cover and the measurement table.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7, the food metering unit B of the food metering device 1 includes a weighing table 40 disposed immediately below the shutter unit 25 of the food material supply unit A, and the weighing table 40. A load cell (measuring member) 41 disposed below the table 40, a main body base 42 disposed below the load cell 41, and a cover 43 provided between the measuring table 40 and the main body base 42 are provided. .

  The cover 43 is made of, for example, a substantially flat plate made of resin, and is attached on the upper surface of the main body base 42 so as to cover the main body base 42 except for the container placement portion 41a of the load cell 41 as shown in FIG. . In the present embodiment, the cover 43 is fixed to the main body base 42 in a detachable state by, for example, a snap fit structure (first fastening structure). That is, it has the following configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 8, projecting portions 43a and 43a projecting downward are provided at two locations near both ends in the width direction (the adjacent direction of the shutters 25S and 25S) on the front side of the back surface of the cover 43. In the main body base 42, holding holes 42a and 42a are formed at positions facing the protrusions 43a and 43a, as shown in FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the back of the cover of the food metering unit, which is a component of the food metering apparatus in FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is a food metering, which is a component of the food metering apparatus in FIG. It is a principal part enlarged plan view of the main body base of a part.

  Each protrusion 43a, 43a of the cover 43 is provided with a pair of protrusion plates 43a-1, 43a-1. The pair of protruding plates 43 a-1 and 43 a-1 are installed so as to face each other with the reinforcing plate 43 b on the back surface of the cover 43 interposed therebetween. On one side surface of the pair of protruding plates 43a-1 and 43a-1, a chamfered portion Cp is formed from the center in the protruding direction toward the upper portion. On the other hand, the holding holes 42 a and 42 a of the main body base 42 are perforated so as to penetrate the upper and lower surfaces of the main body base 42. The planar shape of the holding hole 42a is, for example, formed in a D shape so that the protruding portion 43a (snap fit) is easily applied.

  When attaching such a cover 43 to the main body base 42, the protrusions 43 a and 43 a on the back surface of the cover 43 are inserted into the holding holes 42 a and 42 a of the main body base 42. Then, the protrusions 43a, 43a are fitted into the holding holes 42a, 42a by the elastic force of the pair of protrusions 43a-1, 43a-1 of the protrusions 43a, 43a of the cover 43. Thereby, the cover 43 can be fixed to the main body base 42. On the other hand, when removing the cover 43, the cover 43 can be easily removed by bending the pair of projecting plates 43a-1 and 43a-1 of the projecting portions 43a and 43a.

  Thus, in this Embodiment, since the cover 43 can be attached or detached easily, workability | operativity at the time of cleaning the inside of the foodstuff measurement part B can be improved. For this reason, foreign substances such as Charicas can be prevented from being interposed between the container mounting portion 41a of the load cell 41 and the main body base 42. It is possible to reduce the occurrence rate or prevent the occurrence of measurement errors.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 10, the load cell 41 detects the weight (load) of cooked rice supplied to the food container placed on the weighing table 40 and converts it into an electrical signal. It is a measuring member, and is placed on the main body base 42 in a cantilevered state so that the container placement portion 41 a on one end side of the load cell 41 is separated from the upper surface of the main body base 42. The container mounting portion 41a on one end side of the load cell 41 is a food container mounting portion, and a holding hole 41a-1 is drilled in the center of the surface. On the other hand, the other end side of the load cell 41 is accommodated and protected by the load cell cover 41b. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part of the load cell of the food measuring unit which is a component of the food measuring and arranging apparatus of FIG.

  As the detection element of the load cell 41, for example, a strain gauge 41c is used. The strain gauge 41c is a detection element that utilizes the change in the resistance value according to the amount of deformation, and the strain caused by the load when the cooked rice is put into the food container on the container mounting portion 41a of the load cell 41. It is a load conversion element that measures the weight of the cooked rice by converting it into an electrical signal. When the measured value by the load cell 41 reaches the target measured value, the rotation operations of the supply screws 23 and 23 and the unwinding supply roller 24 are stopped, and then the pair of shutters 25S and 25S of the shutter unit 25 are closed. It has become.

  Next, the weighing table 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a mounting table made of resin or the like on which food containers such as bowls and lunch boxes are directly mounted, and the food measuring unit covers the load cell 41 and the cover 43. It is provided in the uppermost layer of B (see FIGS. 14 and 15). The weighing table 40 is supported by the container placement portion 41 a of the load cell 41 in a state slightly separated from the surface of the cover 43 (a state where the weighing table 40 is floating with respect to the cover 43).

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the measurement table 40 is being fixed to the load cell 41 in the state which can be attached or detached by the snap fit structure (2nd fastening structure), for example. That is, the weighing table 40 has a protruding portion 40a (see FIG. 14 and FIG. 15) provided on the back surface thereof and projecting downward into the holding hole 41a-1 of the container mounting portion 41a of the load cell 41. The load cell 41 is fixed in a detachable state. Since the operation and configuration of the protrusion 40a on the back surface of the weighing table 40 are the same as the operation and configuration of the protrusion 43a of the cover 43, the description thereof is omitted. Since the method for attaching and detaching the weighing table 40 is the same as the method for attaching and detaching the cover 43, the description thereof is omitted.

  Thus, in this Embodiment, since not only the cover 43 but the measurement table 40 can be attached or detached easily, workability | operativity at the time of cleaning the inside of the foodstuff measurement part B can be improved. For this reason, foreign substances such as Charicas can be prevented from being interposed between the container mounting portion 41a of the load cell 41 and the main body base 42. It is possible to reduce the occurrence rate or prevent the occurrence of measurement errors.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIGS. 11 to 13, the main body base 42 is a part that constitutes the frame of the food measuring unit B, and is provided at the lower part of the food measuring unit B. 11 is a plan view of the main part when the load cell and the main body base of the food measuring unit, which is a component of the food weighing and arranging apparatus of FIG. 1, are viewed from above, and FIG. 12 is the main body base with the load cell of FIG. 11 removed. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the main part of the main body base of the food metering unit, which is a component of the food metering apparatus of FIG.

  The main body base 42 is made of, for example, a metal plate formed by sheet metal processing, and a plurality of through holes 42b are drilled in the plane. The through holes 42b are formed in, for example, a relatively large planar substantially rectangular shape, and two along the width direction of the main body base (the adjacent direction of the shutters 25S and 25S), along the depth direction orthogonal to the width direction. In total, six are arranged with an inter-adjacent portion 42d therebetween. As shown in FIG. 11, a group of the through holes 42b is formed so as to substantially overlap the plane of the container mounting portion 41a in a state where a part thereof protrudes from the outer periphery of the container mounting portion 41a of the load cell 41. Yes.

  By providing such a plurality of through holes 42b, even if a foreign substance such as Charicas enters the food measuring part B from the gap between the measuring table 40 and the cover 43 of the food measuring part B, The foreign matter can be discharged to the outside through the through hole 42b of the main body base 42, and the foreign matter can be prevented from being interposed between the container mounting portion 41a of the load cell 41 and the main body base 42. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the rate of occurrence of poor measurement of cooked rice in the food weighing and arranging apparatus 1 or prevent the occurrence of poor measurement.

  Moreover, in the foodstuff metering apparatus which the inventor examined, the main body base is formed with the metal lump made from die-casting. In that case, since high rigidity is obtained, it is preferable in securing the measurement accuracy, but there is a problem that it becomes heavy and the cost becomes high. Therefore, the inventor tried to reduce the weight and cost of the main body base by forming the main body base from a plate material, but in that case, it was found that it is sometimes difficult to ensure the measurement accuracy. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the inventor formed the through holes 42 b divided into a plurality of parts and provided bent portions 42 c on the outer periphery of the plurality of through holes 42 b in the main body base 42. The bent portion 42 c is formed by bending the outer peripheral portion of the through hole 42 b downward in the main body base 42. The protruding length of the bent portion 42c is such that it does not come into contact with the surface of the table on which the foodstuff weighing device 1 is placed.

  By providing such a bent portion 42c, the rigidity of the plate-like main body base 42 can be ensured, so that the measurement accuracy of the food material weighing and setting apparatus 1 can be ensured. Therefore, in this Embodiment, while being able to aim at weight reduction and cost reduction of the foodstuff metering apparatus 1, the incidence rate of the measurement defect of cooked rice in the foodstuff metering apparatus 1 is reduced, or measurement failure. Occurrence can be prevented. 14 and 15 (a) are fragmentary perspective views of the main part of the food metering unit that is a component of the food metering apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 15 (b) is a diagram of the food metering unit of FIG. 15 (a). It is an expanded sectional view of the part between adjacent parts located between the adjoining of a plurality of penetration holes in a main part base.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the plurality of through holes 42b formed in the main body base 42 are formed so as to be symmetrical vertically and horizontally. Thereby, since the force applied to the main body base 42 can be distributed so as to be substantially uniform over the entire surface of the main body base 42, the measurement accuracy in the food weighing and setting apparatus 1 can be ensured. Moreover, since the heat dissipation can be improved by providing the plurality of through holes 42b in the main body base 42, the occurrence of distortion of the plate-like main body base 42 due to heat can be suppressed, and the main body base 42 Since distortion can be absorbed by the through-hole 42b, the measurement accuracy in the food-measuring / assembling apparatus 1 can be ensured. Thus, it is possible to reduce the rate of occurrence of poor measurement of cooked rice in the food material weighing and arranging apparatus 1 or prevent the occurrence of poor measurement.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the outer peripheral portion of each through hole 42b is bent downward to form a bent portion 42c, so that the foreign matter on the main body base 42 is passed through the through hole 42b. The foreign matter on the back surface side of the main body base 42 can be made difficult to fall on the upper surface of the main body base 42, so that the rate of occurrence of poor measurement of cooked rice in the food measuring and weighing apparatus 1 can be reduced. Reduction or occurrence of poor measurement can be prevented.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the cross-sectional shape of the adjacent portion 42d (including the bent portion 42c) located between the adjacent through holes 42b in the main body base 42 is reversed. It is formed in a U shape. Since the adjacent portion 42d is located immediately below the load cell 41, the portion 42d is particularly affected by foreign matter. In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the adjacent portion 42d in the main body base 42 is reversed U. By making it letter-shaped, it is possible to make it difficult for foreign matter to stay on the upper surface of the adjacent portion 42d, so the occurrence rate of cooked rice in the food weighing and grading apparatus 1 is reduced or the occurrence of poor weighing is prevented. be able to.

  Here, a flat surface is left on the upper surface of the adjacent portion 42d illustrated in FIG. 15B, but as shown in FIG. 16A, the upper surface of the adjacent portion 42d is also curved. By doing so, it is possible to make it difficult for foreign matter to stay on the upper surface of the adjacent portion 42d, so that it is possible to further reduce the rate of occurrence of poor measurement of cooked rice in the food weighing and serving apparatus 1 or prevent the occurrence of poor measurement. Can do.

  Further, as a modification of the cross-sectional shape of the adjacent portion 42d, as shown in FIG. 16B, the cross-sectional shape of the adjacent portion 42d (including the bent portion 42c) may be formed in an inverted V shape. Thereby, the inclination angle of the bent portion 42c of the adjacent portion 42d can be made steeper than in the case of FIG. 16A, and the flat surface of the upper surface of the adjacent portion 42d can be reduced. It is possible to make it difficult for foreign matter to remain on the adjacent portion 42d. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the rate of occurrence of poor measurement of cooked rice in the food weighing and arranging apparatus 1 or prevent the occurrence of poor measurement. 16 (a) and 16 (b) are enlarged cross-sectional views of modifications of adjacent portions located between adjacent through holes in the main body base of the food weighing unit in FIG.

  Next, operation | movement of the foodstuff metering apparatus 1 of this Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 17-19. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the food metering device in FIG. 1 during operation, FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the flow of steam from the humidifier unit in the food metering device in FIG. 1, and FIG. 19 is a food material in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the vapor | steam from the humidifier unit in a metering apparatus.

  First, in FIG. 2, the power is turned on with a power switch (not shown), the lid 14 of the food supply unit A is opened, and the cooked rice as the food is put into the hopper 22, and then the lid 14 is closed. Here, at the same time when the power is turned on, the heat retaining heater provided in the hopper 22 starts to operate, and the cooked rice in the hopper 22 is maintained at a predetermined temperature. At the same time as the power is turned on, the heater of the humidifier unit 30 starts to operate, steam is generated, and ejection is started from the slit 25L.

  In addition, although the case where the heater of the humidifier unit 30 operates at the same time when the power is turned on has been described in the ingredient weighing and arranging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as another method, for example, A humidification switch (not shown) for performing the humidification may be provided independently, and the execution of the humidification may be operated by turning it on and off. As a result, it is possible to set whether or not to perform the humidification of the cooked rice. Therefore, when the power is turned on, the humidification switch is turned off and the humidification is not performed, and the desired timing (for example, the cooked rice in the hopper 22 is set). It can also be said that humidification is performed by turning it on when the decrease rate becomes slow.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the food container S is placed on the weighing table 40 of the food weighing unit B, and the operation button 16 for a desired target measured value is pressed. When the target measurement value is set by the operation button 16, the rotation of the supply screws 23 and 23 and the unwinding supply roller 24 and the shutter unit are performed while the load R 41 measures the cooked rice R supplied to the food container S. 25 opening and closing operations are controlled.

  That is, the supply screws 23, 23 start rotating, and the cooked rice filled in the hopper 22 (more specifically, the lower hopper 22b of the hopper 22) gradually moves forward along the receiving grooves 22b-1, 22b-1. It is transferred to (unlocking position) and sent to the unwinding supply roller 24 which has started to rotate.

  Since the unwinding supply roller 24 rotates in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 17, the cooked rice sent from the supply screws 23, 23 is lowered so that it is broken down by the rotation of the unwinding supply roller 24. It will be dropped. As shown in FIG. 3, since many claw portions 24 a are provided on the outer periphery of the unwinding supply roller 24, the cooked rice R is unraveled and unraveled and is located below the supply roller 24. The unit 25 is charged.

  While the supply screws 23 and 23 and the unwinding supply roller 24 are rotating and the cooked rice R is being put into the shutter unit 25, the pair of shutters 25S are in the open position, and the cooked rice supplied by the unwinding supply roller 24 is provided. R passes through the shutter unit 25 and is dropped and supplied into the food container S placed on the weighing table 40. Since the slit 25L formed in the shutter guide 25G extends in the vertical direction, the cooked rice R falls along the slit 25L, and the slit 25L is not easily clogged with the cooked rice R.

  At this time, the weight of the cooked rice R supplied to the food container S is sequentially measured by the load cell 41. In the present embodiment, as described above, even if a foreign object such as Charicas enters the food measuring unit B through the gap between the weighing table 40 and the cover 43 of the food measuring unit B, the foreign object is removed from the main body base. 42 can be discharged to the outside through the through hole 42b of the 42, and foreign matter can be prevented from intervening between the container mounting portion 41a of the load cell 41 and the main body base 42. In addition, the through hole 42b of the main body base 42 is divided into a plurality of parts and the rigidity of the main body base 42 can be ensured by bending the outer peripheral portion of each through hole 42b downward. The measurement accuracy in the device 1 can be ensured. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the rate of occurrence of poor measurement of cooked rice or prevent the occurrence of poor measurement in the foodstuff metering apparatus 1. In addition, by configuring the main body base 42 of the food metering unit B of the food metering device 1 with a plate material, the weight and cost of the food metering device 1 can be reduced.

  Thus, the rice R for the target measured value is supplied into the food container S, and when the weight is detected by the load cell 41, the rotation of the supply screws 23, 23 and the supply roller 24 stops and the shutter unit for the rice R is stopped. 25 is stopped. At the same time, the pair of shutters 25S is in the closed position.

  After the desired weight of cooked rice R is placed in the food container S as described above, the food container S is removed from the weighing table 40. Then, the next food container S is placed on the weighing table 40, and the operation button 16 for a desired target measured value is pressed. As a result, the above-described operation is executed again, and the desired weight of cooked rice R is placed in the food container S. Thereafter, the same operation can be repeated.

  In the food metering apparatus 1, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the steam T generated in the humidifier unit 30 is ejected from the slit 25 </ b> L of the shutter guide 25 </ b> G through the humidifying nozzle 33, and The break-up surface F of the cooked rice R located above can be humidified. For this reason, even if there is time before the supply of cooked rice R to the next food container S, the cooked rice R on the break-up surface F will not drop in temperature and dry. Accordingly, there is no waste of discarding the rice R on the break-up surface F that has been dried.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment. However, the embodiment disclosed in this specification is an example in all respects and is limited to the disclosed technology. It is not a thing. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above-described embodiment, but should be construed according to the description of the scope of claims. All modifications are included without departing from the technical scope equivalent to the described technique and the gist of the claims.

  For example, the number and shape of the through holes in the main body base constituting the food measuring unit are not limited to those described above, and can be variously changed.

  In the above description, cooked rice is applied as an example of food, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various foods such as chopped vegetables can be applied.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Food-measuring / assembling apparatus 10 Front plate 11 Back plate 12 Side plate 13 Opening 14 Lid 15 Display unit 16 Operation button 17 Recess 22 Hopper 22a Upper hopper 22a-1 Tapered wall 22a-2 Flange 22b Lower hopper 22b-1 Housing groove 22b -2 Roller support part 23 Supply screw 24 Unscrewing supply roller 24a Claw part 25 Shutter unit 25G Shutter guide 25L Slit 25S Shutter 25D Opening / closing drive part 30 Humidifier unit 31 Humidifier body 31h Heater 32 Water supply tank 33 Humidifier nozzle 40 Weighing table 40a Protruding portion 41 Load cell 41a Container placement portion 41a-1 Holding hole 41b Load cell cover 41c Strain gauge 42 Main body base 42a Holding hole 42b Through hole 42c Bent portion 42d Adjacent portion 43 Cover 43a Protruding portion 43a-1 Protruding plate 43b Supplementary Plate A food supply part B ingredients measuring portion Cp chamfer

Claims (4)

A food storage part that is provided in the apparatus main body and stores the input food;
A first supply means that is provided in the food storage unit and supplies the food charged in the food storage unit to the unraveled position in the food storage unit;
A second supply means which is provided at the unwinding position and supplies the food material supplied to the unraveling position while being unwound.
An opening / closing means for opening and closing a dropping path of the food supplied from the second supply means, and for supplying and stopping the supply of the food to the food container disposed in the direction of dropping of the food;
A food metering unit provided below the opening and closing means for measuring the weight of the food supplied to the food container;
With
The food measuring unit is
A plate-like main body base that is provided at a lower portion of the food measuring unit and forms a frame of the food measuring unit;
A measuring member provided on the main body base for detecting the weight of the food in the food container and converting it into an electrical signal;
A cover provided on the main body base so as to cover the main body base excluding the measuring member;
A weighing table supported by the weighing member so as to cover the weighing member and the cover;
With
The body base is
A plurality of through holes provided below the measuring member;
A bent portion provided to be bent downward on the outer peripheral portion of the plurality of through holes;
A food measuring device comprising:   2. The food measuring device according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of a portion located between adjacent ones of the plurality of through holes in the main body base is formed in an inverted U shape.   2. The food measuring device according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of a portion located between adjacent ones of the plurality of through holes in the main body base is formed in an inverted V shape. A first fastening structure for fixing the cover to the main body base in a detachable manner by fitting a protrusion provided on the cover to a part of the main body base by the elastic force of the protrusion;
A second fastening structure for fixing the measuring table to the measuring member in a detachable manner by fitting a protruding portion provided on the measuring table to a part of the measuring member by an elastic force of the protruding portion; At least one is provided, The foodstuff metering apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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