An automatic ice-packing device for shrimp tails

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of frozen seafood processing technology and discloses an automatic ice-coating device for shrimp tails, including an ice water tank, a conveyor belt, a material basket, a pressing plate, and an electric slide rail. The conveyor belt slowly transports the material basket along the ice water tank to complete the ice coating of frozen products. The electric slide rail is installed parallel above the ice water tank. One side of the pressing plate covers the opening of the material basket, and the other side is fixedly connected to the electric slide rail. The pressing plate and the material basket together form a cavity. A partition is vertically provided on the side of the pressing plate facing the material basket, which can divide the cavity into multiple cells. By moving the material basket and the pressing plate in opposite directions at the top of the conveyor belt, the frozen products are separated from the material basket, achieving automatic dispensing. The pressing plate abuts against and presses the frozen products, causing them to spread evenly on the bottom wall of the material basket, ensuring that the frozen products are evenly distributed in each cell of the cavity. This results in each batch of frozen products having approximately the same size after ice coating, achieving stable and quantitative dispensing from the ice-coating machine and reducing the difficulty of subsequent packaging work.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of frozen seafood processing technology, and in particular to an automatic ice-wrapping device for shrimp tails. Background Technology

[0002] Crayfish is a popular summer food. Because it requires a time-consuming and laborious cleaning process before cooking, cooked crayfish are often packaged as frozen products to make it easier for consumers to enjoy them at home. Frozen seafood products are coated with ice before packaging; this method enhances freshness and reduces spoilage.

[0003] Existing ice-coating equipment for chilled and fresh food can be found in Chinese patent document CN113841728A, which discloses an ice-coating device for quick-frozen sea cucumbers. By setting up a rotating ice-coating conveyor belt that is isolated from the ice-water tank, and by setting water-retaining baffles at intervals on the ice-coating conveyor belt, the sea cucumbers can achieve a uniform ice-coating effect without directly contacting the ice-water tank.

[0004] However, the discharge method of the above-mentioned device is relatively random, and the sea cucumbers of varying numbers fall haphazardly onto the surface of the discharge conveyor belt, making it impossible to discharge in a quantitative manner, which increases the difficulty of subsequent quantitative packaging work. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to ensure stable and quantitative output from the ice-coating machine and reduce the difficulty of subsequent packaging work, this application provides an automatic ice-coating device for shrimp tails.

[0006] This application provides an automatic ice-packing device for shrimp tails, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An automatic ice-packing device for shrimp tails includes an ice water tank, a conveyor belt, a material handling basket, a pressing plate, and an electric slide rail;

[0008] The material basket is hollow and has an open top, used to hold frozen products, and multiple material baskets are fixedly installed on the conveyor belt at intervals;

[0009] The pressing plate can cover the opening of the material basket, and the pressing plate and the material basket together form a cavity. A partition is provided perpendicularly on the side of the pressing plate facing the material basket, and the partition is used to divide the cavity into multiple cells.

[0010] The conveyor belt is inclined in the ice water pool, with the starting end of the conveyor belt submerged in the ice water. The conveyor belt is used to drive the material basket and the pressing plate to move synchronously. The electric slide rail is arranged parallel above the conveyor belt, and the output end of the electric slide rail is fixedly connected to the pressing plate.

[0011] When the material basket moves to the top of the transmission track, the pressing plate separates from the material basket to remove the frozen product from the material basket.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, frozen products are loaded into the material basket at the starting end. The inclined conveyor belt slowly transports the frozen products, which are then scooped out of the icy water. During the icing process, the pressing plate presses against the frozen products, causing them to spread evenly on the bottom wall of the material basket, thus distributing them evenly within each cell of the cavity, effectively distributing them. During the icing process, the partitions separate the frozen products and remaining water within the cells, freezing them into a single unit of fixed shape and size. Then, the material basket and the pressing plate move in opposite directions at the top of the conveyor belt to separate the frozen products from the material basket, automatically discharging them.

[0013] This ensures that each frozen product obtained after icing is roughly the same size. Compared with the existing technology where frozen products are scattered after icing, this technology achieves stable and quantitative output from the ice-coating machine, reducing the difficulty of subsequent packaging work.

[0014] Furthermore, the electric slide rail is provided with a circular track, and the pressing plate can rotate along the circular track to the starting end of the conveyor belt. The contact area between the formed frozen product and the pressing plate and the partition is greater than the contact area between the frozen product and the material basket. A packaging station is provided on one side of the ice water pool, and the pressing plate can carry the frozen product through the packaging station during its return process.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, setting up a circular track firstly facilitates the reset of the pressing plate to the starting end of the conveyor belt. Because there is a larger contact area between the frozen product and the pressing plate, the frozen product, after being separated from the transport basket and formed, can adhere and be fixed to the pressing plate due to freezing, moving with the pressing plate. A packaging station is set up along the reset path of the pressing plate, utilizing the gap during the pressing plate's reset to remove each frozen product for direct packaging, effectively shortening the transportation time and distance after ice application, thereby minimizing ice melting during transportation. In addition to forming cavities during ice application, the pressing plate also serves to facilitate the discharge of the frozen product after ice application.

[0016] Furthermore, a limiting pin is fixedly inserted on the side of the pressing plate facing the material basket, and the limiting pins are respectively set in the center of the cell.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the limiting pin penetrates the cavity and is bonded to the frozen product, which can improve the connection strength between the frozen product and the pressing plate and minimize the possibility of the frozen product remaining in the transport basket when it is separated from the transport basket.

[0018] Furthermore, the pressing plate includes a parallel fixed plate and a movable plate. The fixed plate is used to connect with the electric slide rail and the limiting pin. The movable plate is used to connect with the partition. A baffle is arranged around the periphery of the fixed plate. The movable plate is slidably connected to the baffle. The movable plate has multiple clearance holes. The limiting pin is inserted into each clearance hole. The movable plate slides away from the fixed plate to push the frozen product outward.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the movable plate and the fixed plate are slidably connected. Sliding the movable plate outward can push the frozen products out of the cell, which makes it easier for packaging personnel to quickly remove the frozen products stuck in the cell and improves the discharge speed.

[0020] Furthermore, the fixed plate has an array of slots for inserting the limiting pins, and the partition plate is detachably connected to the movable plate.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, multiple slots are arrayed for the insertion of limit pins. By changing the installation position of the limit pins and the partition, the size and shape of the cell can be adjusted as needed, thereby adjusting the output specifications of each frozen product to adapt to different production needs.

[0022] Furthermore, an electromagnet is provided on the side of the fixed plate facing the movable plate, and a magnetic component is fixedly installed on the movable plate. The electromagnet and the magnetic component attract and fix the movable plate to the fixed plate.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the electromagnet and magnetic components facilitate the control of the movable plate's position. During ice hanging, the electromagnet is energized to generate magnetic force that attracts the magnetic components, causing the movable plate to adhere and fix to the fixed plate. When packing is completed, the electromagnet is de-energized, and the movable plate slides downwards under the action of the frozen product and its own gravity, pushing the frozen product out of the cell for easy removal by packing personnel.

[0024] Furthermore, both the baffle and the side wall of the material conveying basket are provided with alternating protrusions and grooves, and the baffle engages with the material conveying basket to close the cavity.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, the baffle and the side wall of the material basket mesh together to form a cavity. Since there is a process of rotation and change of running direction when the material basket separates from the pressing plate, compared with directly overlapping and nesting the pressing plate and the side wall of the material basket, the meshing of the convex teeth and the groove can make the pressing plate and the material basket rotate and separate more smoothly, and minimize the interference between their movements.

[0026] Furthermore, the side wall of the material basket has a positioning groove, and the outer periphery of the pressing plate has a protruding edge, which is inserted and engaged with the positioning groove so that the pressing plate accurately covers the top of the material basket.

[0027] By adopting the above technical solution, the positioning groove and the convex edge can improve the connection strength between the material basket and the pressing plate during the movement of the ice hanging basket, and minimize the loosening of the pressing plate during the movement, thereby improving the consistency of the cell and ensuring that each frozen product has a stable output quality.

[0028] Furthermore, the protruding edge is spherical, and the inner wall of the positioning groove is arc-shaped and fits the outer surface of the protruding edge.

[0029] By adopting the above technical solution, the spherical convex edge and the positioning groove of the arc-shaped inner wall can be matched to facilitate smooth rotation during separation.

[0030] Furthermore, the side of the pressing plate and the partition that contacts the frozen product is rougher than the side of the conveying basket that contacts the frozen product.

[0031] By adopting the above technical solution, the inner walls of the pressing plate and partition are rougher than those of the transport basket, which can reduce the adhesion between the frozen products and the transport basket, thereby minimizing the retention of frozen products in the transport basket during separation.

[0032] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0033] 1. By setting a pressing plate with partitions to cover the top of the material basket, the frozen products are laid flat on the bottom wall of the material basket. The partitions divide the frozen products in the cavity into several portions of the same shape and keep moving synchronously during the ice-hanging process. The frozen products are separated from the material basket by the material basket and the pressing plate moving in opposite directions at the top of the conveyor belt. This realizes automatic and quantitative discharge of frozen products after ice hanging, reducing the difficulty of subsequent packaging work.

[0034] 2. In addition to forming cavities during ice application, the pressing plate also serves to transport and discharge the frozen goods after ice application. By setting up an electric slide rail with a circular track and a packaging station along the pressing plate's reset path, the pressing plate, carrying the frozen goods during reset, can be easily removed and packaged during the reset interval. This effectively shortens the transportation time and distance after ice application, thereby minimizing ice melting during transportation.

[0035] 3. By setting the pressing plate as a combination of a fixed plate and a movable plate, and setting a limiting pin in the center of each cell, the limiting pin penetrates the cavity and is bonded to the frozen product, which can improve the connection strength between the frozen product and the pressing plate. The movable plate is slidably connected to the fixed plate. Under the action of gravity, the movable plate slides outward to push the frozen product out of the cell, which makes it easier for packaging personnel to quickly remove the frozen product stuck in the cell and improves the discharge speed. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the automatic ice-packing device for shrimp tails according to an embodiment of this application.

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the working relationship between the material handling basket and the pressing plate.

[0038] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the material handling basket.

[0039] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the pressing plate structure.

[0040] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fixed plate structure.

[0041] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the movable panel structure.

[0042] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0043] 1. Ice water pool; 2. Conveyor belt; 3. Material basket; 31. Raised tooth; 32. Groove; 33. Positioning groove; 4. Pressing plate; 41. Fixing plate; 411. Slot; 412. Electromagnet; 42. Movable plate; 421. Clearance hole; 422. Magnetic component; 43. Limiting pin; 44. Baffle; 45. Raised edge; 5. Electric slide rail; 51. Circular track; 6. Cavity; 61. Cell unit; 7. Partition; 8. Packaging station. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-6 The technical solution of this application is described clearly and completely.

[0045] This application discloses an automatic ice-packing device for shrimp tails.

[0046] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 An automatic ice-coating device for shrimp tails mainly includes an ice water tank 1, a conveyor belt 2, material baskets 3, a pressing plate 4, and an electric slide rail 5. Multiple material baskets 3 are fixedly installed at intervals on the conveyor belt 2, which slowly transports the material baskets 3 along the ice water tank 1 to complete the ice coating of frozen products. The electric slide rail 5 is installed parallel above the ice water tank 1. One side of the pressing plate 4 covers the opening of the material basket 3, and the other side is fixedly connected to the electric slide rail 5. The pressing plate 4 and the material basket 3 together form a cavity 6. A partition 7 is vertically provided on the side of the pressing plate 4 facing the material basket 3, which divides the cavity 6 into multiple cell sections 61.

[0047] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 3Frozen products are loaded into the material basket 3, and the conveyor belt 2 scoops the frozen products, which have been coated with ice, out of the ice water. During the coating process, the pressing plate 4 presses against the frozen products, allowing them to be spread evenly on the bottom wall of the material basket 3. This ensures that the frozen products are evenly distributed in each cell 61 of the cavity 6, resulting in each batch of frozen products having roughly the same size after coating. Compared to the existing technology where frozen products are scattered after coating, this method achieves stable and quantitative output from the ice-coating machine, reducing the difficulty of subsequent packaging work. Then, the frozen products are separated from the material basket 3 by the material basket 3 and the pressing plate 4 moving in opposite directions at the top of the conveyor belt 2, achieving automatic output.

[0048] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 The ice water tank 1 has an open top and is filled with flowing ice water. The conveyor belt 2 is inclined and positioned inside the ice water tank 1, with its starting end submerged below the water surface. During the ice-hanging process, the material basket 3 gradually rises above the water surface as it is conveyed. The material basket 3 is a square structure with open side walls and an open top. It is preferable to make the side of the pressing plate 4 and the partition 7 that contacts the frozen product a frosted surface, while making the side of the material basket 3 that contacts the frozen product a smooth surface. This reduces the adhesion between the frozen product and the material basket 3, thus minimizing the amount of frozen product remaining in the material basket 3 during separation. The electric slide rail 5 has a horizontally arranged circular track 51. The pressing plate 4 can rotate along the circular track 51 to the starting end of the conveyor belt 2. A packaging station 8 is located on one side of the ice water tank 1. During the return process of the pressing plate 4, it can carry the frozen product through the packaging station 8. Prioritize making the contact area between the formed frozen product and the pressing plate 4 and the partition 7 greater than the contact area between the frozen product and the conveying basket 3, so that the connection strength between the frozen product and the pressing plate 4 is greater than the connection strength between the frozen product and the conveying basket 3, making it easier to remove the frozen product from the conveying basket 3 after ice is applied.

[0049] Because of the larger contact area between the frozen product and the pressing plate 4, the frozen product, after being separated from the conveying basket 3, can adhere and be fixed to the pressing plate 4 under the freezing effect, moving with the pressing plate 4. Taking advantage of the gap when the pressing plate 4 resets, the frozen product is removed when passing the packaging station 8 and packaged directly, effectively shortening the transportation time and distance after ice application, thus minimizing ice melting during transportation. In addition to acting as a mold to form the cavity 6 during ice application, the pressing plate 4 also serves as a material discharge point after ice application, further improving packaging efficiency.

[0050] Reference Figure 3The pressing plate 4 includes a fixed plate 41 and a movable plate 42 of the same size and parallel to each other. The top center of the fixed plate 41 is hinged to the electric slide rail 5. A limiting pin 43 is fixedly inserted on the side of the fixed plate 41 facing the material basket 3. The limiting pin 43 is set one-to-one in the center of the cell 61. The limiting pin 43 penetrates the cavity 6 and is bonded to the frozen product. It can improve the connection strength between the frozen product and the pressing plate 4 during the ice hanging period, and further prevent the frozen product from being stuck in the material basket 3 when it is separated from the material basket 3, so that the frozen product can move with the pressing plate 4 to the packaging station 8. The limiting pin 43 penetrates the cavity 6 and is bonded to the frozen product. It can improve the connection strength between the frozen product and the pressing plate 4, and minimize the possibility of the frozen product being stuck in the material basket 3 when it is separated from the material basket 3. A baffle 44 is fixed vertically around the fixed plate 41. The baffle 44 has a sliding groove for the movable plate 42 to slide. The partition 7 is fixedly connected to the movable plate 42 and can slide away from or towards the fixed plate 41 with the movable plate 42. The movable plate 42 has multiple clearance holes 421, and corresponding limiting pins 43 are inserted into each clearance hole 421. The movable plate 42 slides away from the fixed plate 41 to push the frozen product outward, thus facilitating packaging personnel to quickly remove the frozen product from the limiting pins 43. The length of the chute should be shorter than the length of the limiting pins 43 to prevent the limiting pins 43 from coming out of the clearance holes 421.

[0051] Reference Figures 4-6 The fixed plate 41 has multiple slots 411 arranged in a rectangular array for inserting the limiting pins 43. This allows for detachable connection between the partition plate 7 and the movable plate 42. By changing the installation positions of the limiting pins 43 and the partition plate 7, the size, shape, and number of the cells 61 can be adjusted as needed, thereby regulating the output specifications of each frozen product to meet different production requirements. The limiting pins 43 can be inserted into the slots 411 using an interference fit or threaded connection. Similarly, mounting holes of the same number and position as the slots 411 can be made on the surface of the movable plate 42. Multiple partition plates 7 of different specifications can be prepared in advance, with a preferred option being to set a retaining end in the center of the side wall of the partition plate 7, which is then inserted and fixed into the mounting hole.

[0052] Reference Figure 3An electromagnet 412 is provided on the side of the fixed plate 41 facing the movable plate 42. A magnetic component 422 is fixedly installed on the movable plate 42. The electromagnet 412 and the magnetic component 422 are attracted and fixed to make the movable plate 42 fit and fix to the fixed plate 41. The arrangement of the electromagnet 412 and the magnetic component 422 facilitates the control of the position of the movable plate 42. During the ice hanging process, the electromagnet 412 is energized to generate magnetic force to attract the magnetic component 422, making the movable plate 42 fit and fix to the fixed plate 41. When the ice hanging is completed and packaging is carried out, the electromagnet 412 is de-energized, and the movable plate 42 slides downward under the action of the frozen product and its own gravity, pushing the frozen product out of the cell 61 for easy removal by the packaging personnel. Both the baffle 44 and the side wall of the material basket 3 are provided with alternating protrusions 31 and grooves 32. The baffle 44 and the side wall of the material basket 3 engage to form a cavity 6. Since there is a process of rotation and change of running direction when the material basket 3 separates from the pressing plate 4, compared with directly overlapping and nesting the pressing plate 4 and the side wall of the material basket 3, the engagement of the protrusions 31 and grooves 32 can make the pressing plate 4 and the material basket 3 rotate and separate more smoothly, and minimize the interference between their movements.

[0053] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 4 The material handling basket 3 has a positioning groove 33 on its side wall, and the pressing plate 4 has a raised edge 45 on its outer periphery. The raised edge 45 and the positioning groove 33 are interlocked to ensure that the pressing plate 4 accurately covers the top of the material handling basket 3. The cooperation between the positioning groove 33 and the raised edge 45 can improve the connection strength between the material handling basket 3 and the pressing plate 4 during the movement of the ice hanging basket, and minimize the loosening of the pressing plate 4 during movement. This can improve the consistency of the cell 61 and ensure that each frozen product has a stable output quality. The raised edge 45 is spherical, and the inner wall of the positioning groove 33 is arc-shaped and fits against the outer surface of the raised edge 45. The cooperation between the spherical raised edge 45 and the positioning groove 33 on the arc-shaped inner wall can facilitate smooth rotation during separation.

[0054] The implementation principle of the automatic ice-coating device for shrimp tails in this application embodiment is as follows: Frozen products are poured into the conveying basket 3, and the pressing plate 4 is placed over the opening of the conveying basket 3 and pressed against the frozen products. During the ice-coating process, the frozen products gradually solidify into cell 61 shapes, and the conveyor belt 2 gradually raises the conveying basket 3 out of the water. After being iced, the frozen products rise with the conveying basket 3 to the top of the transmission belt and continue to be transmitted. The conveying basket 3 rotates downward and begins to return to its original position. The conveying basket 3 separates from the pressing plate 4, and the pressing plate 4 carries the frozen products to the packaging station 8. The workers remove the frozen products for subsequent packaging.

[0055] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, any equivalent changes made by those skilled in the art based on the structure, shape, and principle of this application without creative effort should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An automatic shrimp tail ice-packing device, characterized in that: Includes an ice water pool (1), a conveyor belt (2), a material basket (3), a pressing plate (4), and an electric slide rail (5); The material basket (3) is hollow and has an open top, and is used to hold frozen products. Multiple material baskets (3) are fixedly installed on the conveyor belt (2) at intervals. The pressing plate (4) can cover the opening of the material basket (3). The pressing plate (4) and the material basket (3) together form a cavity (6). The pressing plate (4) has a partition (7) perpendicularly provided on the side facing the material basket (3). The partition (7) is used to divide the cavity (6) into multiple cells (61). The conveyor belt (2) is inclined in the ice water pool (1), and the starting end of the conveyor belt (2) is submerged in the ice water. The conveyor belt (2) is used to drive the material basket (3) and the pressing plate (4) to move synchronously. The electric slide rail (5) is arranged parallel above the conveyor belt (2), and the output end of the electric slide rail (5) is fixedly connected to the pressing plate (4). When the material basket (3) runs to the top of the conveyor belt (2), the pressing plate (4) separates from the material basket (3) to remove the frozen product from the material basket (3); The electric slide rail (5) is provided with a circular track (51). The pressing plate (4) can rotate along the circular track (51) to the starting end of the conveyor belt (2). The contact area between the formed frozen product and the pressing plate (4) and the partition (7) is greater than the contact area between the frozen product and the material basket (3). A packaging station (8) is provided on one side of the ice water pool (1). During the return process of the pressing plate (4), it can carry the frozen product through the packaging station (8). The pressing plate (4) is fixedly inserted with a limiting nail (43) on the side facing the material basket (3), and the limiting nail (43) is set in the center of the cell (61) one by one.

2. The automatic shrimp tail ice-wrapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing plate (4) includes a parallel fixed plate (41) and a movable plate (42). The fixed plate (41) is used to connect with the electric slide rail (5) and the limiting pin (43). The movable plate (42) is used to connect with the partition (7). A baffle (44) is arranged around the periphery of the fixed plate (41). The movable plate (42) is slidably connected to the baffle (44). The movable plate (42) has multiple clearance holes (421). The limiting pin (43) is inserted into the clearance holes (421) one by one. The movable plate (42) slides away from the fixed plate (41) to push the frozen product outward.

3. The automatic shrimp tail ice-wrapping device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fixed plate (41) has a plurality of slots (411) for inserting the limiting pins (43), and the partition (7) is detachably connected to the movable plate (42).

4. The automatic shrimp tail ice-wrapping device according to claim 2, characterized in that: An electromagnet (412) is provided on the side of the fixed plate (41) facing the movable plate (42). A magnetic component (422) is fixedly installed on the movable plate (42). The electromagnet (412) and the magnetic component (422) are attracted and fixed so that the movable plate (42) is attached and fixed to the fixed plate (41).

5. The automatic shrimp tail ice-wrapping device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The baffle (44) and the side wall of the material basket (3) are alternately provided with protruding teeth (31) and grooves (32), and the baffle (44) engages with the material basket (3) to close the cavity (6).

6. The automatic shrimp tail ice-wrapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material basket (3) has a positioning groove (33) on its side wall, and the pressing plate (4) has a protruding edge (45) on its outer periphery. The protruding edge (45) is inserted into the positioning groove (33) so that the pressing plate (4) accurately covers the top of the material basket (3).

7. The automatic shrimp tail ice-wrapping device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The protruding edge (45) is spherical, and the inner wall of the positioning groove (33) is arc-shaped and fits the outer surface of the protruding edge (45).

8. The automatic shrimp tail ice-wrapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side of the pressing plate (4) and the partition (7) that contacts the frozen product is rougher than the side of the conveying basket (3) that contacts the frozen product.

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