Small automatic popcorn machine and popcorn making method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of popcorn equipment, and particularly discloses a small automatic popcorn machine and a popcorn making method.The small automatic popcorn machine comprises a machine body, and the machine body is internally provided with a discharging unit; the popcorn forming and conveying unit is located below the discharging unit, and the discharging unit communicates with the popcorn forming and conveying unit so that the corn kernels can form popcorn in the popcorn forming and conveying unit; the cup falling unit is arranged in the body; according to the small automatic popcorn machine, corn kernels are quantitatively output through the discharging unit, the corn kernels enter the popcorn forming and conveying unit to be subjected to popcorn forming and output, the popcorn falls into a cup body, and a user can take the popcorn conveniently; the occupied space of elements in the equipment is reduced, so that the size of the equipment is greatly reduced, the stability of the popcorn manufacturing process is higher, the manufacturing process is simpler, the efficiency is high, and the operation cost is relatively low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of popcorn equipment, in particular to a small automatic popcorn machine and a popcorn making method. Background Art

[0002] With the update and iteration of vending machines, vending popcorn machines are now available on the market to meet the needs of most entertainment venues.

[0003] In the prior art, the production of popcorn in a fully automatic popcorn machine is to uniformly heat corn kernels to make them puff and pop into popcorn. However, the existing fully automatic popcorn machines still have some problems, such as popcorn getting stuck, poor stability, and complex equipment structure, multiple processes for popcorn forming, resulting in large equipment size, relatively large space occupation, inconvenient transportation, and high operating costs. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to overcome the defects of the prior art, the present invention provides a small automatic popcorn machine and a popcorn making method, aiming to solve the problems in the prior art.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem is: a small automatic popcorn machine, including a machine body, wherein the machine body is provided with:

[0006] A feeding unit is installed at the inner upper end of the machine body and is used for quantitatively conveying corn kernels;

[0007] A popcorn forming and conveying unit is located below the material discharging unit, and the material discharging unit is connected to the popcorn forming and conveying unit so that corn kernels are formed into popcorn in the popcorn forming and conveying unit;

[0008] The cup dropping unit is installed in the machine body. The lower end of the cup dropping unit is connected to a cup taking box so that the cup taking box supports the cup body. The cup taking box is provided with a cup taking opening. One side of the cup taking box is connected to a popcorn forming and conveying unit so that the popcorn input can fall into the cup body.

[0009] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that corn kernels are quantitatively outputted through a feeding unit, so that the corn kernels enter a popcorn forming and conveying unit for forming into popcorn and outputting, and the popcorn falls into a cup body for users to take out the material. Since the popcorn forming and conveying unit integrates the popcorn forming and conveying functions, the space occupied by components inside the equipment is reduced, thereby greatly reducing the size of the equipment. In addition, the popcorn making process is more stable, the production process is simpler, the efficiency is high, and the operating cost is relatively low.

[0010] Furthermore, the unloading unit includes a storage box, a quantitative discharger is installed at the lower end of the storage box, one end of the quantitative discharger is connected to a discharge port, and a movable insulation component is provided on one side of the discharge port to enable the insulation component to open or close the discharge port.

[0011] After adopting the above-mentioned further structure, since the storage box is connected to the popcorn forming and conveying unit through the discharge port, the temperature is relatively high during the popcorn forming process. The heat insulation component can be used to prevent hot air from entering the storage box and evaporating the moisture of the corn, and also to prevent the air pressure in the pipeline from increasing, causing the popcorn to explode and blow out.

[0012] Furthermore, the quantitative discharger includes a discharge motor installed on one side of the storage box, the discharge motor is connected to a conveying screw located in the storage box, and a drop pipe is provided on the other side of the storage box, the drop pipe is respectively connected to the conveying screw and the drop hopper, and the lower end of the drop hopper is connected to the discharge port.

[0013] After adopting the above further structure, the material is fed by the conveying screw, so that quantitative material dropping can be carried out.

[0014] Furthermore, the heat insulation component includes a heat insulation board, one end of which corresponds to the discharge port, and the other end of which is threaded with a screw rod, and one end of which is connected to a rotating motor.

[0015] After adopting the above further structure, the screw is driven to rotate by the rotating motor, thereby driving the heat insulation plate to move back and forth on the screw, so that the discharge port can be opened or closed to prevent hot air from surging up.

[0016] Furthermore, the popcorn forming and conveying unit includes a drum cavity, one side of the drum cavity is connected to a heating pipe, one end of the heating pipe is connected to a blower, the upper end of the drum cavity is respectively connected to a feed pipe and a guide bend pipe, the feed pipe is connected to a discharge port, and the guide bend pipe is connected to a cup taking box through a guide box.

[0017] After adopting the above-mentioned further structure, the blower blows air to the heating tube, so that the air forms high-temperature hot air, and the high-temperature hot air is sent into the drum cavity, so that the corn kernels are popped by high temperature to form popcorn. Since popcorn is relatively light, when hot air is blown in, the popcorn can be blown up and fall into the cup box.

[0018] Furthermore, the cup dropping unit comprises a cup storage cylinder, the lower end of which is connected to a cup dropping transmission module, and the cup dropping transmission module is connected and arranged at the upper end of the cup taking box.

[0019] After adopting the above further structure, the cup bodies in the cup storage tube are dropped into the cup taking box one by one through the cup dropping transmission module, so that the cups are dropped conveniently.

[0020] Furthermore, universal wheels are installed at the lower end of the machine body.

[0021] After adopting the above further structure, the machine body can be easily moved.

[0022] The present invention also discloses a method for making popcorn, comprising the above-mentioned small automatic popcorn machine, and further comprising the following steps:

[0023] S. First, the corn kernels that have been tasted in the storage box are quantitatively discharged through the quantitative discharger at the lower end of the feeding unit, and fall into the drum cavity of the production module;

[0024] S, heating the heating tube, and turning on the blower at the same time, so that air flows through the heating tube to form hot air, so that the hot air enters the drum cavity to heat the corn kernels, so that they pop and form popcorn;

[0025] S. After the corn kernels are popped into popcorn, hot air is continuously input into the drum cavity and blows the popcorn into the guide bend, so that the popcorn enters the cup body from top to bottom, and the hot air is also discharged from the guide bend;

[0026] S. After the popcorn is made, the customer manually opens the meal taking door and takes the cup containing popcorn from the cup taking box.

[0027] Compared with traditional popcorn machines, the steps of the popcorn making method are simpler, more efficient, and the stability of the making process is better.

[0028] Furthermore, in the process of the corn kernels falling into the drum cavity in step S, the discharge port is opened by moving the heat insulation plate so that the storage box is connected to the drum cavity. After the quantitative discharge is completed, the heat insulation plate closes the passage between the storage box and the drum cavity by moving.

[0029] Through the above further production method, except for opening the insulation board when feeding, the insulation board is kept closed at other times to prevent hot air from rising during the popcorn making process to evaporate the moisture of the corn in the storage box, and to prevent the air pressure in the pipeline from increasing, causing the popcorn to explode and blow out. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the small automatic popcorn machine of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the blanking unit.

[0032] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the side structure of the unloading unit.

[0033] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the enlarged structure at point A in the middle.

[0034] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the unloading unit.

[0035] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the popcorn forming and conveying unit.

[0036] In the figure: machine body 1, feeding unit 2, popcorn forming and conveying unit 3, cup dropping unit 4, cup taking box 5, cup taking box 5, discharging motor 7, feeding pipe 8, conveying screw 9, feeding hopper 10, discharging port 11, insulation component 12, rotating motor 13, insulation board 14, screw 15, drum cavity 16, heating pipe 17, blower 18, feeding pipe 19, guide elbow 20, cup dropping transmission module 21, cup storage tube 22, guide box 23, cup body 24. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The specific embodiments of the present invention are further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the description of these embodiments is used to help understand the present invention, but does not constitute a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0038] Combination Figures 1 to 6 A small automatic popcorn machine shown in the figure comprises a machine body 1, in which are arranged: a feeding unit 2, a popcorn forming and conveying unit 3 and a cup dropping unit 4, the feeding unit 2 is installed at the inner upper end of the machine body 1, and is used for quantitatively conveying corn kernels; the popcorn forming and conveying unit 3 is located below the feeding unit 2, and the feeding unit 2 is communicated with the popcorn forming and conveying unit 3, so that the corn kernels form popcorn in the popcorn forming and conveying unit 3; the cup dropping unit 4 is located at one side of the popcorn forming and conveying unit 3 and is installed in the body 1, and a cup taking box 5 is connected to the lower end of the cup dropping unit 4, so that the cup taking box 5 supports the cup body 24, and a cup taking opening is opened on the cup taking box 5, and one side of the cup taking box 5 is communicated with the popcorn forming and conveying unit 3, so that the popcorn input falls into the cup body 24. In this embodiment, the corn kernels are quantitatively outputted through the feeding unit 2, so that the corn kernels enter the popcorn forming and conveying unit 3 for popcorn forming and output, and the popcorn falls into the cup body 24, so that the user can take the material easily. Since the popcorn forming and conveying unit 3 integrates the popcorn forming and conveying functions, the space occupied by the components inside the equipment is reduced, thereby greatly reducing the size of the equipment. In addition, the popcorn making process is more stable, the production process is simpler, the efficiency is high, and the operating cost is relatively low.

[0039] This embodiment does not require a traditional flavor powder or sauce mechanism, thereby reducing the size of the device.

[0040] It is worth noting that, in order to facilitate the movement of the machine body 1, a universal wheel is installed at the lower end of the machine body (1) of this embodiment, which makes it more convenient to move when the volume of the machine body 1 is relatively small.

[0041] The unloading unit 2 of the present embodiment includes a storage box 6, a quantitative discharger is installed at the lower end of the storage box 6, one end of the quantitative discharger is connected to a discharge port 11, and a movable insulation component 12 is provided on one side of the discharge port 11 to enable the insulation component 12 to open or close the discharge port 11; since the storage box 6 is connected to the popcorn forming and conveying unit 3 through the discharge port 11, during the popcorn forming process, the temperature is relatively high, and the insulation component 12 can prevent hot air from entering the storage box 6 to evaporate the moisture of the corn, and also prevent the air pressure in the pipeline from increasing, causing the popcorn to explode and blow out.

[0042] It is also worth mentioning that there are at least two storage boxes 6 in this embodiment, each storage box 6 is provided with a quantitative discharger, and at least two storage boxes 6 are connected to the discharge port 11, so that corn kernels of different flavors can be placed in at least two storage boxes 6 to facilitate consumers' selection.

[0043] Specifically, the quantitative discharging device includes a discharging motor 7 installed on one side of the storage box 6, the discharging motor 7 is connected to a conveying screw 9 located in the storage box 6, and a dropping pipe 8 is provided on the other side of the storage box 6. The dropping pipe 8 is respectively connected to the conveying screw 9 and the dropping hopper 10, and the lower end of the dropping hopper 10 is connected to the discharging port 11; the material is fed by the conveying screw 9, so that quantitative dropping can be carried out.

[0044] The heat insulation assembly 12 of this embodiment includes a heat insulation plate 14, one end of which corresponds to the discharge port 11, and the other end of which is threaded with a screw 15, and one end of the screw 15 is connected to a rotating motor 13; the screw 15 is driven to rotate by the rotating motor 13, thereby driving the heat insulation plate 14 to move back and forth on the screw 15, so that the discharge port 11 can be opened or closed to prevent hot air from surging.

[0045] The popcorn forming and conveying unit 3 of the present embodiment includes a drum cavity 16, one side of the drum cavity 16 is connected to a heating pipe 17, one end of the heating pipe 17 is connected to a blower 18, and the upper end of the drum cavity 16 is respectively connected to a feeding pipe 19 and a guide elbow 20, the feeding pipe 19 is connected to the discharge port 11, and the guide elbow 20 is connected to the cup taking box 5 through a guide box 23; the blower 18 blows air to the heating pipe 17, so that the air forms high-temperature hot air, and the high-temperature hot air is sent into the drum cavity 16, so that the corn kernels are popped by high temperature to form popcorn. Since popcorn is relatively light, when hot air is blown in, the popcorn can be blown up and fall into the cup taking box 5.

[0046] It is worth noting that the guide curved tube 20 of the present embodiment is a glass curved tube, so that during the production process of the equipment, consumers can see the formed popcorn passing through the guide curved tube 20, thereby increasing the fun.

[0047] The cup dropping unit 4 includes a cup storage cylinder 22, the lower end of which is connected to a cup dropping transmission module 21, which is connected and arranged at the upper end of the cup taking box 5; the cup bodies 24 in the cup storage cylinder 22 are dropped into the cup taking box 5 one by one through the cup dropping transmission module 21, so as to facilitate the cup dropping.

[0048] It is worth noting that the cup dropping transmission module 21 of this embodiment is a prior art, and its specific structure and operating principle are recorded in a multiple automatic cup dropping device disclosed in Chinese patent document CN221125305U, which will not be repeated here.

[0049] The present invention also discloses a method for making popcorn using the small automatic popcorn machine structure, comprising the following steps:

[0050] S1. First, the flavored corn kernels in the storage box 6 are quantitatively discharged through the quantitative discharger at the lower end of the discharge unit 2, and fall into the drum cavity 16 of the production module; wherein the flavored corn kernels can be purchased on the market, and after the consumer selects the specifications, the quantitative discharge can be carried out through the conveying screw 9;

[0051] Among them, in the process of corn kernels falling into the drum cavity 16, the discharge port 11 is opened by moving the insulation board 14 to connect the storage box 6 to the drum cavity 16, until the quantitative feeding is completed, the insulation board 14 closes the passage between the storage box 6 and the drum cavity 16 by moving; except for opening the insulation board 14 when feeding, the insulation board 14 is in a closed state at other times to prevent hot air from rising during the popcorn making process and evaporate the moisture of the corn in the storage box 6, and to prevent the air pressure in the pipeline from increasing, causing the popcorn to explode and blow out.

[0052] S2, the heating tube 17 is heated, and the blower 18 is turned on at the same time, so that air flows through the heating tube 17 to form hot air, and the hot air enters the drum cavity 16 to heat the corn kernels, making them pop and form popcorn; at this time, the cup drop transmission module 21 can transport the cup body 24 of the cup storage tube 22 and drop it into the cup taking box 5 to wait for the popcorn to fall.

[0053] S3. After the corn kernels are popped into popcorn, hot air is continuously input into the drum cavity 16 and blows the popcorn into the guide curved pipe 20, so that the popcorn enters the cup body 24 from top to bottom. At the same time, the hot air is also discharged from the guide curved pipe 20 to reduce the internal air pressure.

[0054] S4, after the popcorn is made, the customer manually opens the meal taking door and takes out the cup 24 containing popcorn from the cup taking box 5.

[0055] Compared with traditional popcorn machines, the steps of the popcorn making method are simpler, more efficient, and the stability of the making process is better.

[0056] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations of these embodiments are made without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and still fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A small automatic popcorn machine, comprising a machine body (1), characterized in that: The machine body (1) is provided with: A feeding unit (2) is installed at the inner upper end of the machine body (1) and is used for quantitatively conveying corn kernels; A popcorn forming and conveying unit (3) is located below the material discharging unit (2), and the material discharging unit (2) is connected to the popcorn forming and conveying unit (3), so that corn kernels are formed into popcorn in the popcorn forming and conveying unit (3); A cup dropping unit (4) is installed in the machine body (1); the lower end of the cup dropping unit (4) is connected to a cup taking box (5) so that the cup taking box (5) supports the cup body (24); a cup taking opening is provided on the cup taking box (5); one side of the cup taking box (5) is connected to a popcorn forming and conveying unit (3) so that popcorn can be input and dropped into the cup body (24).

2. A small automatic popcorn machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The unloading unit (2) comprises a material storage box (6), a quantitative discharger is installed at the lower end of the material storage box (6), one end of the quantitative discharger is connected to a discharge port (11), and a movable heat insulation component (12) is provided on one side of the discharge port (11) so that the heat insulation component (12) can open or close the discharge port (11).

3. A small automatic popcorn machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The quantitative discharging device comprises a discharging motor (7) installed on one side of a material storage box (6); the discharging motor (7) is connected to a conveying screw (9) located in the material storage box (6); a material dropping pipe (8) is arranged on the other side of the material storage box (6); the material dropping pipe (8) is respectively connected to the conveying screw (9) and a material dropping hopper (10); and the lower end of the material dropping hopper (10) is connected to a discharging port (11).

4. A small automatic popcorn machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heat insulation component (12) comprises a heat insulation plate (14), one end of which corresponds to the discharge port (11), and the other end of which is threadedly provided with a screw rod (15), one end of which is connected to a rotating motor (13).

5. A small automatic popcorn machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The popcorn forming and conveying unit (3) comprises a drum cavity (16), one side of the drum cavity (16) is connected to a heating pipe (17), one end of the heating pipe (17) is connected to a blower (18), and the upper end of the drum cavity (16) is respectively connected to a conveying pipe (19) and a guide elbow (20), the conveying pipe (19) is connected to a material outlet (11), and the guide elbow (20) is connected to a cup taking box (5) through a guide box (23).

6. A small automatic popcorn machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cup dropping unit (4) comprises a cup storage cylinder (22), the lower end of the cup storage cylinder (22) is connected to a cup dropping transmission module (21), and the cup dropping transmission module (21) is arranged in communication with the upper end of the cup taking box (5).

7. A small automatic popcorn machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end of the machine body (1) is equipped with a universal wheel.

8. A method for making popcorn, characterized in that: The small automatic popcorn machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6 further comprises the following steps: S1. First, the corn kernels that have been flavored in the storage box (6) are quantitatively discharged through the quantitative discharger at the lower end of the discharge unit (2), and fall into the drum cavity (16) of the production module; S2, heating the heating tube (17) and simultaneously turning on the blower (18) so that air flows through the heating tube (17) to form hot air, and the hot air enters the drum cavity (16) to heat the corn kernels, causing them to pop and form popcorn; S3, after the corn kernels are popped into popcorn, hot air is continuously input into the drum cavity (16) and blows the popcorn into the guide curved pipe (20), so that the popcorn enters the cup body (24) from top to bottom, and the hot air is also discharged from the guide curved pipe (20); S4. After the popcorn is made, the customer manually opens the meal taking door and takes the cup (24) containing popcorn from the cup taking box (5).

9. A method for making popcorn according to claim 8, characterized in that: During the process of the corn kernels falling into the drum cavity (16) in step S1, the discharge port (11) is opened by moving the heat insulation plate 14 so that the storage box (6) is connected to the drum cavity (16), until quantitative feeding is completed, and the heat insulation plate (14) is moved to close the passage between the storage box (6) and the drum cavity (16).

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