Conveying and feeding device for ice cream production

Abstract

The invention discloses an ice cream production, conveying and feeding device, and relates to the technical field of ice cream conveying and feeding, the ice cream production, conveying and feeding device comprises a conveying chain, a plurality of moving seats are arranged on the conveying chain, and clamping parts are hinged to the moving seats; the clamping piece comprises a limiting circular track arranged on the outer circle of the conveying chain in a surrounding mode and an assembling base, one end of the assembling base is clamped with the limiting circular track, the assembling base moves along the limiting circular track, the clamping piece used for fixing the ice cream and capable of rotating is arranged on the assembling base, and through the design of a special-shaped track section a and a special-shaped track section b on the limiting circular track, gradient angle adjustment of material soaking and resetting of the ice cream is achieved; the juice is driven to be dispersed along the tangential direction of rotation by combining the continuous rotation dynamic state, so that the juice is prevented from being concentrated towards the original inclined low end in the traditional reset action, the juice is enabled to generate a radial uniform distribution trend in the solidification process, the dynamic surface tension gradient caused by sagging and rotation is obviously slowed down, the juice forms an inward contraction force at the edge of the ice cream, and liquid drops are prevented from drooping.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of ice cream conveying and feeding, and in particular to an ice cream production conveying and feeding device. Background Art

[0002] During the transportation process, the ice cream needs to be coated with sauce and immersed in the sauce. The existing conveying structure is inserted into the sauce by tilting downward. When the ice cream is fully coated with the sauce, it is reset. During the reset process, the ice cream changes from a downward state at one end to a horizontal state.

[0003] During the movement of the ice cream from inclined immersion to horizontal resetting, the flow of the sauce is affected by multiple mechanical factors, resulting in differences in the thickness of the coating and accumulation at the end. During the static stage after the ice cream reaches the horizontal position, the sauce is still fluid because it has not completely solidified, causing the sauce on both sides of the ice cream to sag, which will significantly aggravate the sagging. When the sauce flows downward from the edge of the ice cream, the sauce will separate from the surface of the ice cream to form sagging droplets. When the water drop-shaped solidified material is cut off, the coating layer will be damaged. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a device which realizes gradual angle adjustment of ice cream dipping and resetting through the design of special-shaped track segments a and b on a limiting ring track, and solves the problem of uneven coating from the perspectives of mechanics and rheology by combining continuous rotation dynamics. The dynamic surface tension gradient caused by rotation causes the juice to form an inward contraction force at the edge of the ice cream, thereby preventing droplets from sagging.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an ice cream production conveying and feeding device, comprising: A conveyor chain, wherein a plurality of movable seats are arranged on the conveyor chain, and clamping parts are hinged on the movable seats; The clamping member includes a limiting ring rail arranged around the outer ring of the conveying chain, an assembly seat with one end engaged with the limiting ring rail and moving along its track, and a rotatable clamping member for fixing the ice cream is arranged on the assembly seat; The limiting ring rail has two interconnected rail sections a and b, of which rail section a is concave and rail section b is convex. The assembly seat moves to rail section a and tilts downward, and the clamping member simultaneously tilts downward and rotates to drive the ice cream to rotate in an inclined state, so that the clamped ice cream is immersed in the coating groove at an inclined angle. When the assembly seat moves to rail section b, it drives the ice cream to tilt upward, so that the coating on the ice cream flows toward the ice cream handle, and when the assembly seat passes through rail section a and rail section b, the clamping member and the ice cream are always in a rotating state.

[0006] Furthermore, a mounting block extends from one side of the movable seat, and one end of the assembly seat is hinged to the mounting block.

[0007] Further, a semi-circular card slot is provided at the docking end of the assembly seat and the limiting ring rail, and the semi-circular card slot is clamped on the outer side end of the limiting ring rail.

[0008] Further, a lower rack is assembled and arranged below the rail section a, and an upper rack is assembled and arranged above the rail section b, and the clamping member is respectively driven in cooperation with the lower rack and the upper rack.

[0009] Further, a driving gear is arranged on the clamping member. When the clamping member inclines downward, the driving gear meshes with the lower rack. When the clamping member inclines upward, the driving gear meshes with the upper rack.

[0010] Further, the teeth of the lower rack and the upper rack are both inclined, and are engaged with the teeth of the inclined driving gear.

[0011] Further, the clamping member includes two mutually clamping jaws, and one ends of the two jaws are driven by a telescopic member.

[0012] Further, a pressing plate is arranged on the clamping surface of the jaw, and a plurality of obliquely arranged friction pads are arranged on the pressing surface of the pressing plate.

[0013] Further, the clamping member further includes an upper clamping plate, a lower clamping plate, a clamping ring and an inclined side plate. One ends of the upper clamping plate and the lower clamping plate are both hinged to the installation end. A clamping ring is sleeved outside the upper clamping plate and the lower clamping plate. The upper and lower inner walls of the clamping ring are wedge-shaped, and inclined side plates are arranged inside both sides of the clamping ring.

[0014] Technical effects and advantages of the present invention: 1. Through the design of the special-shaped rail section a and the rail section b on the limiting ring rail, the present invention realizes the gradual angle adjustment of the ice cream dipping and resetting. Combined with the continuous rotation dynamics, the problem of uneven coating is solved from the perspectives of mechanics and rheology. The dynamic surface tension gradient caused by rotation makes the sauce form a force that contracts inward at the edge of the ice cream, preventing the liquid droplets from drooping. Through the inclination angle and synchronous rotation action, the liquid surface contact mode of the ice cream is transformed from vertical impact to progressive shear immersion, effectively preventing liquid splashing. While the ice cream is inclined for coating, combined with the continuous rotation dynamics, the coating is made more uniform, and the top coating is ensured while avoiding the immersion of the ice cream stick.

[0015] 2. A pressing plate is arranged on the clamping surface of the jaw of the present invention, and a plurality of obliquely arranged friction pads are arranged on the pressing surface of the pressing plate. When the pressing plate clamps, the friction pads at the bottom end thereof are tightly pressed against the ice cream stick, increasing the friction force of the clamping surface and improving the stability between the pressing plate and the ice cream stick during the clamping process.

[0016] 3. When the upper clamping plate and the lower clamping plate are extruded by the wedge-shaped surface, the elastic bumps on the inclined side plate are extruded, causing the elastic bumps to deform and tightly wrapping the width surfaces on both sides of the ice cream stick. This can clamp the four sides of the ice cream stick in the vertical state of the ice cream stick, prevent the ice cream stick from shifting when the weight at one end is relatively large, improve the clamping tightness and stability, and increase the fastening degree by clamping the four sides. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the conveying chain and the clamping member structure of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the limiting ring rail structure of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the split structure of the limiting ring rail and the assembly seat of the present invention; Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 2 is an enlarged view of part A; Figure 6 is a plan view of the driving gear and the lower rack structure of the present invention; Figure 7 is a dynamic diagram of the ice cream dipping into the wrapping material of the present invention; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the clamping member structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 9 is a side sectional view of the clamping member structure of Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 10 is a side sectional view of the clamping state of the clamping member of the present invention; Figure 11 is a top sectional view of the clamping member structure of the present invention.

[0018] In the figure: 1. Conveying chain; 11. Moving seat; 2. Clamping member; 21. Limiting ring rail; 211. Rail section a; 212. Rail section b; 22. Assembly seat; 221. Semi-circular clamping groove; 23. Clamping member; 231. Claw; 232. Pressing plate; 233. Upper clamping plate; 234. Lower clamping plate; 235. Clamping ring; 236. Inclined side plate; 2361. Elastic bump; 24. Driving gear; 3. Lower rack; 4. Upper rack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0020] To better understand an ice cream production conveying and feeding device provided in this embodiment, a brief introduction to the existing ice cream production conveying equipment will be given first. When the existing conveying equipment passes through the wrapping material area, it is inclined downward in a planar manner and immersed into the wrapping material tank. When the ice cream is inclined and immersed, the coverage range of the sauce is determined by the immersion depth and angle. When wrapping the material in a planar static state, if the inclination depth is insufficient, the top of the ice cream may not be able to contact the sauce, but increasing the depth will cause part of the ice cream stick to be immersed, resulting in the ice cream stick being contaminated or its structure being damaged, affecting the appearance or function of the product. The specification aims to solve the above technical problems. The embodiment of the present application provides an ice cream production conveying and feeding device, which combines a continuous rotation dynamic while the ice cream is being wrapped at an inclination, making the wrapping more uniform, ensuring that the top is wrapped while avoiding the ice cream stick from being immersed.

[0021] Embodiment 1: Refer to Figure 1 - Figure 8 , which is the first embodiment of the present invention, provides an ice cream production conveying and feeding device, including a conveying chain 1. The conveying chain 1 is in precise positioning docking with the front-end injection molding machine and the stick inserting machine through the preset track of the limit ring rail 21, ensuring that the ice cream blank accurately enters the clamping member 23. The clamping member 23 is driven by pneumatic or electric servo. The conveying chain 1 is linked with the PLC through an encoder, realizing that the synchronous error between the clamping member 2 and each working station is ≤0.1 second, ensuring that the process beats match. In view of the process time difference of different working stations, the conveying chain 1 can achieve line balance through segmented speed regulation.

[0022] A number of moving seats 11 are arranged on the conveying chain 1. A clamping member 2 is hinged on the moving seat 11. The clamping member 2 includes a limit ring rail 21 arranged around the outer circle of the conveying chain 1, an assembly seat 22 clamped to the limit ring rail 21 at one end and moving along its track. A clamping member 23 for fixing the ice cream and capable of rotating is arranged on the assembly seat 22. The limit ring rail 21 has two mutually connected rail segments a211 and b212. The rail segment a211 is concave, and the rail segment b212 is convex. When the assembly seat 22 moves to the rail segment a211, it inclines downward, and the clamping member 23 synchronously inclines downward and rotates to drive the ice cream to rotate and be in an inclined state, so that the clamped ice cream is immersed into the wrapping material tank at an inclined angle. It should be noted that the existing ice cream enters the wrapping material tank vertically under a horizontal state, causing violent fluctuations in the liquid surface and easily resulting in liquid splashing. In this solution, through the inclined angle and synchronous rotation action, the liquid surface contact mode of the ice cream is changed from vertical impact to progressive shear immersion, effectively preventing liquid splashing.

[0023] When the assembly seat 22 moves to the rail section b212, it drives the ice cream to tilt upward, causing the coating on the ice cream to flow towards the ice cream stick. When the assembly seat 22 passes through the rail section a211 and the rail section b212, the clamping member 23 and the ice cream are always in a rotating state. Through the design of the special-shaped rail sections a211 and b212 on the limit ring rail 21, a gradual angle adjustment for ice cream dipping and resetting is achieved. Combined with the continuous rotation dynamics, the problem of uneven coating is solved from the perspectives of mechanics and rheology.

[0024] Specifically, when the assembly seat 22 moves along the concave rail section a211, the clamping member 23 drives the ice cream to dip into the material tank at a gradually increasing inclination angle, reducing the shear rate gradient. The inclination angle gradually increases, making the change in the shear rate of the sauce flow smooth, avoiding the difference in coating thickness caused by sudden changes in local flow velocity. The continuous rotation of the clamping member 23 makes each point on the surface of the ice cream alternately at high and low positions. Through the periodic balance of centrifugal force and gravity, the sauce is forced to evenly cover rather than accumulate on one side. When resetting to the horizontal state, the convex design of the rail section b212 causes the ice cream to tilt upward first. At this time, the sauce flows back towards the ice cream stick under the action of gravity, and the Coriolis effect generated by rotation drives the sauce to disperse along the tangential direction of rotation, avoiding the concentration of the sauce towards the original lower inclined end in the traditional reset action. After the ice cream is reset to the horizontal position, it still rotates. The centrifugal force field generated by its angular velocity, superimposed on the gravity field, forms a synthetic acceleration direction that is inclined, forcing the sauce to have a radially uniform distribution trend during the curing process, significantly slowing down the sag. The dynamic surface tension gradient caused by rotation makes the sauce form a force that contracts inward at the edge of the ice cream, preventing the liquid droplets from drooping.

[0025] The concave curve of the rail section a211 adopts a catenary or parabolic trajectory instead of a simple circular arc, so that the angular acceleration of the ice cream during dipping changes continuously, avoiding the inertial impact caused by the traditional broken-line track.

[0026] One side of the moving seat 11 extends with a mounting block. One end of the assembly seat 22 is hinged to the mounting block. The assembly seat 22 is connected to the moving seat 11 in a hinged manner, facilitating the inclination of the assembly seat 22 when passing through the rail section a211 and the rail section b212.

[0027] The docking end of the assembly seat 22 and the limit ring rail 21 is provided with a semi-circular card slot 221. The semi-circular card slot 221 is clamped on the outer end of the limit ring rail 21. The semi-circular card slot 221 and the limit ring rail 21 are movably clamped, enabling the assembly seat 22 to move along the trajectory of the limit ring rail 21 and realizing regional angle adjustment.

[0028] A coating tank is arranged below one side of the rail section a211. The coating tank is filled with coating, and the ice cream is immersed in the coating tank for tumbling coating. Through rotary uniform coating, it ensures that the top coating is evenly coated while avoiding the immersion of the ice cream stick.

[0029] Below the rail section a211, a lower rack 3 is assembled and arranged. Above the rail section b212, an upper rack 4 is assembled and arranged. The clamping member 23 is respectively engaged with the lower rack 3 and the upper rack 4 for driving. A driving gear 24 is arranged on the clamping member 23. When the clamping member 23 inclines downward, the driving gear 24 meshes with the lower rack 3. When the clamping member 23 inclines upward, the driving gear 24 meshes with the upper rack 4. At the upper ends on both sides of the lower rack 3, upper inclined sections matching the trajectory of the rail section a211 extend, and tooth grooves meshing with the driving gear 24 are equipped on the upper inclined sections. At the lower ends on both sides of the upper rack 4, lower inclined sections matching the trajectory of the rail section b212 extend, and tooth grooves meshing with the driving gear 24 are also equipped on the lower inclined sections. Both the lower rack 3 and the upper rack 4 can adopt magnetic quick-install bases. Different tooth profile modules can be replaced within a short time, which is suitable for different viscosity sauces such as chocolate and jam. The gear meshing force is monitored through strain gauges, and the speed of the conveyor chain 1 is dynamically adjusted to ensure the transmission accuracy still remains after the rack is worn. The above content realizes the precise decoupling control of the inclination depth and the rotation speed during the ice cream coating process, fundamentally solves the industry problems of uneven coating and ice cream stick contamination in the traditional dipping process, and at the same time has the advantages of high reliability and energy saving.

[0030] The teeth of both the lower rack 3 and the upper rack 4 are in an oblique shape and are engaged with the teeth of the inclined driving gear 24. The oblique teeth are used to adapt to the alignment angle of the teeth of the inclined driving gear 24, and the alignment accuracy.

[0031] The clamping member 23 includes two clamping jaws 231 that clamp each other. One end of the two clamping jaws 231 is driven by a telescopic member, and the ice cream stick is clamped by the opening and closing of the clamping jaws 231.

[0032] On the clamping surface of the clamping jaw 231, a pressing plate 232 is provided. On the pressing surface of the pressing plate 232, a number of obliquely arranged friction pads are provided. When the pressing plate 232 is clamped, the friction pads at its bottom end are tightly pressed against the ice cream stick, increasing the friction force of the clamping surface and improving the stability between the pressing plate 232 and the ice cream stick during the clamping process.

[0033] Embodiment 2: Refer to Figure 9 - Figure 11 , which is the second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment. During the implementation of the first embodiment, it is found that during the rotation of the ice cream stick following the clamping member 23, when it rotates to the vertical state, there is no limit at the vertical two ends of the ice cream stick, and it only relies on clamping on both sides. As a result, when the weight at one end of the ice cream stick is relatively large, it rotates around the clamping point, and the inclination position of the ice cream stick changes, affecting subsequent operations.

[0034] To solve the above problems, in this embodiment, by setting another clamping member 23, the ice cream stick can be clamped on all four sides in the vertical state, avoiding the displacement of the ice cream stick when the weight at one end is relatively large, and improving the clamping tightness and stability.

[0035] The clamping member 23 further includes an upper clamping plate 233, a lower clamping plate 234, a clamping ring 235 and an inclined side plate 236. One ends of the upper clamping plate 233 and the lower clamping plate 234 are hinged to the mounting end. A clamping ring 235 is sleeved outside the upper clamping plate 233 and the lower clamping plate 234. The upper and lower inner walls of the clamping ring 235 are wedge-shaped. And inclined side plates 236 are arranged inside both sides of the clamping ring 235. Elastic convex points 2361 are arranged on the butting surfaces of the inclined side plates 236. The width of the inclined side plate 236 is smaller than the width of the ice cream stick. After the ice cream stick is aligned with the upper clamping plate 233 and the lower clamping plate 234, the clamping ring 235 is pushed by the air cylinder and moves on the surfaces of the upper clamping plate 233 and the lower clamping plate 234. The upper and lower wedge-shaped inner walls of the clamping ring 235 are used to hoop the upper clamping plate 233 and the lower clamping plate 234, so that the upper clamping plate 233 and the lower clamping plate 234 tightly clamp the ice cream stick inside. When the upper clamping plate 233 and the lower clamping plate 234 are squeezed by the wedge-shaped surface, the elastic convex points 2361 on the inclined side plates 236 are squeezed, causing the elastic convex points 2361 to deform, tightly wrapping the wide surfaces on both sides of the ice cream stick, realizing four-sided clamping and increasing the fastening degree.

[0036] Finally, it should be noted that the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, for those skilled in the art, they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ice cream production conveying and feeding device, characterized in that, Comprising: A conveying chain (1), on which a number of moving seats (11) are provided, and a clamping member (2) is hinged on the moving seat (11); The clamping member (2) includes a limiting ring track (21) arranged around the outer circle of the conveying chain (1), a mounting seat (22) with one end engaged with the limiting ring track (21) and moving along its track, and a clamping member (23) provided on the mounting seat (22) for fixing the ice cream and capable of rotating; The limiting ring track (21) has two connected track segments a (211) and track segment b (212). The track segment a (211) is concave downward, and the track segment b (212) is convex upward. When the mounting seat (22) moves to the track segment a (211), it tilts downward, and the clamping member (23) synchronously tilts downward and rotates to drive the ice cream to rotate and be in an inclined state, so that the clamped ice cream is immersed into the wrapping material tank at an inclined angle. When the mounting seat (22) moves to the track segment b (212), it drives the ice cream to tilt upward, so that the wrapping material on the ice cream flows towards the ice cream handle. And when the mounting seat (22) passes through the track segment a (211) and the track segment b (212), the clamping member (23) and the ice cream are always in a rotating state.

2. The ice cream production conveying and feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that An installation block extends from one side of the moving seat (11), and one end of the mounting seat (22) is hinged to the installation block.

3. The ice cream production conveying and feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A semi-circular clamping groove (221) is formed at the docking end of the mounting seat (22) and the limiting ring track (21), and the semi-circular clamping groove (221) is clamped on the outer side end of the limiting ring track (21).

4. A production conveying and feeding device for ice cream according to claim 1, characterized in that, A lower rack (3) is assembled and arranged below the track segment a (211), and an upper rack (4) is assembled and arranged above the track segment b (212), and the clamping member (23) is respectively driven in cooperation with the lower rack (3) and the upper rack (4).

5. The ice cream production conveying and feeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that, A driving gear (24) is provided on the clamping member (23). When the clamping member (23) tilts downward, the driving gear (24) meshes with the lower rack (3). When the clamping member (23) tilts upward, the driving gear (24) meshes with the upper rack (4).

6. The ice cream production conveying and feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The teeth of the lower rack (3) and the upper rack (4) are both inclined, and are engaged with the teeth of the tilted driving gear (24).

7. The ice cream production conveying and feeding device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The clamping member (23) includes two clamping jaws (231) that clamp each other, and one ends of the two clamping jaws (231) are driven by a telescopic member.

8. The ice cream production conveying and feeding device according to claim 7, characterized in that, A pressing plate (232) is provided on the clamping surface of the clamping jaw (231), and a number of obliquely arranged friction pads are provided on the pressing surface of the pressing plate (232).

9. The ice cream production conveying and feeding device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The clamping member (23) further includes an upper clamping plate (233), a lower clamping plate (234), a clamping ring (235) and an inclined side plate (236). One ends of the upper clamping plate (233) and the lower clamping plate (234) are both hinged to the installation end. A clamping ring (235) is sleeved outside the upper clamping plate (233) and the lower clamping plate (234). The upper and lower inner walls of the clamping ring (235) are wedge-shaped, and inclined side plates (236) are arranged inside both sides of the clamping ring (235).

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