Ice cream production conveying and feeding device

Abstract

The present invention discloses an ice cream production conveying and loading device, which relates to the technical field of ice cream conveying and loading, including a conveyor chain, a plurality of movable seats are provided on the conveyor chain, and a clamping part is hinged on the movable seat; the clamping part includes a limiting ring rail arranged around the outer ring of the conveyor chain, an assembly seat which is engaged with the limiting ring rail at one end and moves along its track, and a clamping part for fixing the ice cream and capable of rotation is provided on the assembly seat. Through the design of the special-shaped rail segment a and the rail segment b on the limiting ring rail, a gradual angle adjustment of ice cream dipping and resetting is achieved, and combined with continuous rotation dynamics, the juice is driven to disperse along the rotation tangential direction, avoiding the concentration of the juice to the original inclined low end in the traditional resetting action, so that the juice has a radially uniform distribution trend during the solidification process, which significantly slows down sagging, and the dynamic surface tension gradient caused by the rotation causes the juice to form an inward contraction force at the edge of the ice cream, preventing droplets from sagging.

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 the sauce and immersed in the sauce. The existing conveying structure is inserted into the sauce downward and reset when the ice cream is fully coated with the sauce. 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 tilted immersion to horizontal reset, 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 sagging. When the sauce flows downward from the edge of the ice cream, the sauce will detach 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 by designing 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 the droplets from sagging.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an ice cream production conveying and loading device, comprising:

[0006] A conveyor chain, wherein a plurality of movable seats are provided on the conveyor chain, and clamping parts are hinged on the movable seats;

[0007] The clamping member includes a limiting ring rail arranged around the outer ring of the conveyor 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;

[0008] The limiting ring rail has two interconnected rail sections a and b, rail section a is concave and rail section b is convex. When the assembly seat moves to rail section a and tilts downward, the clamping piece simultaneously tilts downward and rotates to drive the ice cream to rotate in an inclined shape, 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 piece and the ice cream are always in a rotating state.

[0009] 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.

[0010] Furthermore, a semi-arc-shaped slot is provided at the butt joint end between the assembly seat and the limiting ring rail, and the semi-arc-shaped slot is clamped at the outer end of the limiting ring rail.

[0011] Furthermore, a lower rack is assembled and provided below the rail section a, and an upper rack is assembled and provided above the rail section b, and the clamping parts cooperate with the lower rack and the upper rack to drive respectively.

[0012] Furthermore, a driving gear is provided on the clamping member. When the clamping member tilts downward, the driving gear engages with the lower rack. When the clamping member tilts upward, the driving gear engages with the upper rack.

[0013] Furthermore, the teeth of the lower rack and the upper rack are both obliquely shaped and mesh with the teeth of the inclined driving gear.

[0014] Furthermore, the clamping member includes two clamping jaws that clamp each other, and one end of the two clamping jaws is driven by a telescopic member.

[0015] Furthermore, a pressing plate is provided on the clamping surface of the clamping jaw, and a plurality of obliquely arranged friction pads are provided on the pressing surface of the pressing plate.

[0016] Furthermore, the clamping member also includes an upper splint, a lower splint, a clamping ring and an oblique side plate. One end of the upper splint and the lower splint are hinged to the mounting end. The outer sides of the upper splint and the lower splint are sleeved with a clamping ring. The upper and lower inner walls of the clamping ring are wedge-shaped, and oblique side plates are arranged inside both sides of the clamping ring.

[0017] Technical effects and advantages of the present invention:

[0018] 1. The present invention realizes gradual angle adjustment of ice cream dipping and resetting through the design of special-shaped track segments a and b on the limiting ring track. Combined with continuous rotation dynamics, the problem of uneven wrapping is solved from the perspectives of mechanics and rheology. The dynamic surface tension gradient caused by rotation causes the juice to form an inward contraction force at the edge of the ice cream, preventing droplets from sagging. Through the tilt angle and synchronous rotation action, the liquid surface contact mode of the ice cream is transformed from vertical impact to gradual shear immersion, effectively preventing liquid splashing. While the ice cream is tilted to wrap, combined with continuous rotation dynamics, the wrapping is made more uniform, ensuring the top wrapping while preventing the ice cream stick from being immersed.

[0019] 2. A pressing plate is provided on the clamping surface of the clamping jaws of the present invention, and a plurality of obliquely arranged friction pads are provided on the pressing surface of the pressing plate. When the pressing plate is clamped, the friction pad at its bottom end is tightly pressed against the popsicle stick, thereby increasing the friction force of the clamping surface and improving the stability between the pressing plate and the popsicle stick during the clamping process.

[0020] 3. When the upper and lower clamping plates of the present invention are squeezed by the wedge-shaped surface, the elastic protrusions on the oblique side plates are squeezed, causing the elastic protrusions to deform and tightly wrapping the width surfaces on both sides of the popsicle stick. The popsicle stick can be clamped on all four sides when the stick is in a vertical state, preventing the popsicle stick from being displaced when one end has a large counterweight, thereby improving the clamping tightness and stability, and clamping on all four sides to increase the tightness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the conveyor chain and the clamping member structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the limiting ring rail structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembled structure of the limiting ring rail and the assembly seat of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 2 A magnified view of point A;

[0026] Figure 6 A plan view of the drive gear and lower rack structure of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a dynamic schematic diagram of the ice cream of the present invention being immersed in the wrapping material;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of a clamping member according to Example 1 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 9 A side sectional view of the clamping member structure according to embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 10 A side sectional view of the clamping state of the clamping member of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 11 It is a top cross-sectional view of the clamping structure of the present invention.

[0032] In the picture:

[0033] 1. Conveyor chain; 11. Moving seat; 2. Clamping part; 21. Limiting ring rail; 211. Rail section a; 212. Rail section b; 22. Assembly seat; 221. Semi-arc slot; 23. Clamping part; 231. Clamping claw; 232. Pressing plate; 233. Upper clamping plate; 234. Lower clamping plate; 235. Clamping ring; 236. Oblique side plate; 2361. Elastic bump; 24. Driving gear; 3. Lower rack; 4. Upper rack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] In order to better understand the ice cream production, conveying and loading device provided by this embodiment, the following first briefly introduces the existing ice cream production and conveying equipment. The existing conveying equipment, when passing through the wrapping area, is immersed in the wrapping trough by tilting downward in a flat manner. When the ice cream is tilted and immersed, the coverage of the sauce is determined by the immersion depth and angle. When wrapping in a flat static state, if the tilting depth is not enough, the top of the ice cream may not be able to contact the sauce, but increasing the depth will allow the ice cream stick to be partially immersed, resulting in contamination or structural damage to the ice cream stick, affecting the appearance or function of the product. The specification is intended to solve the above technical problems. The embodiment of the present application provides an ice cream production, conveying and loading device. While the ice cream is tilted to wrap, combined with continuous rotation dynamics, the wrapping is more uniform, and ensures that the top is wrapped while preventing the ice cream stick from being immersed.

[0036] Example 1: Reference Figure 1 - Figure 8 , which is the first embodiment of the present invention, provides an ice cream production conveying and loading device, including a conveyor chain 1. The conveyor chain 1 is connected with the front-end injection molding machine and the rod insertion machine through the preset track of the limit ring rail 21 to achieve positioning accuracy, ensuring that the ice cream blank accurately enters the clamping part 23. The clamping part 23 is driven by pneumatic or electric servo. The conveyor chain 1 is linked with the PLC through the encoder to achieve a synchronization error of ≤0.1 second between the clamping part 2 and each workstation, ensuring process beat matching. In view of the difference in process time of different workstations, the conveyor chain 1 can achieve production line balance through segmented speed regulation.

[0037] The conveyor chain 1 is provided with a plurality of movable seats 11, and the movable seats 11 are hinged with a clamping member 2, which includes a limiting ring rail 21 arranged around the outer ring of the conveyor chain 1, an assembly seat 22 that is engaged with the limiting ring rail 21 at one end and moves along its track, and a clamping member 23 for fixing the ice cream and capable of rotation is provided on the assembly seat 22. The limiting ring rail 21 has two sections of rail segments a211 and rail segments b212 that are connected to each other. The rail segment a211 is concave and the rail segment b212 is convex. The seat 22 moves to the rail section a211 and tilts downward, and the clamping part 23 tilts downward synchronously and rotates to drive the ice cream to rotate in an inclined shape, so that the clamped ice cream is immersed downward into the coating trough at an inclined angle. It should be noted that the existing ice cream is pressed vertically downward in a horizontal state to enter the coating trough, causing violent fluctuations in the liquid level and easily causing liquid splashing. In this solution, the liquid surface contact mode of the ice cream is transformed from vertical impact to gradual shear immersion through the tilt angle and synchronous rotation action, which effectively prevents liquid splashing.

[0038] When the assembly seat 22 moves to the track section b212, 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 22 passes through the track section a211 and the track section b212, the clamping part 23 and the ice cream are always in a rotating state. Through the design of the special-shaped track sections a211 and b212 on the limiting ring rail 21, a gradual angle adjustment of the ice cream dipping and resetting is achieved. Combined with the continuous rotation dynamics, the problem of uneven coating is solved from the perspective of mechanics and rheology.

[0039] Specifically, when the assembly seat 22 moves along the concave track section a211, the clamping member 23 drives the ice cream to immerse into the material tank at a gradual tilt angle, reducing the shear rate gradient. The tilt angle gradually increases, so that the shear rate of the juice flow changes smoothly, avoiding the difference in the thickness of the wrapped material caused by the sudden change of local flow rate. The clamping member 23 rotates continuously to make the various points on the surface of the ice cream alternately high and low, and the periodic balance of centrifugal force and gravity forces the juice to be evenly covered instead of unilateral accumulation. When it is reset to the horizontal state, the convex design of the track section b212 makes the ice cream tilt upward first. At this time, the juice flows back toward the ice cream handle under the action of gravity, and produces the Coriolis effect through rotation, driving the juice to disperse along the tangential direction of rotation, avoiding the concentration of the juice to the original inclined low end in the traditional reset action. The ice cream continues to rotate after being reset to the horizontal position. The centrifugal force field generated by its angular velocity is superimposed on the gravity field to form a synthetic acceleration direction tilt, forcing the juice to produce a radially uniform distribution trend during the solidification process, significantly slowing down sagging. The dynamic surface tension gradient caused by rotation causes the juice to form an inward contraction force at the edge of the ice cream to prevent droplets from sagging.

[0040] The concave curve of track section a211 adopts a catenary or parabola trajectory instead of a simple arc, so that the angular acceleration of the ice cream changes continuously when it is immersed, avoiding the inertial impact caused by the traditional broken line track.

[0041] A mounting block extends from one side of the movable seat 11, and one end of the assembly seat 22 is hinged to the mounting block. The assembly seat 22 is connected to the movable seat 11 in a hinged manner, so that the assembly seat 22 can tilt when passing through the rail section a211 and the rail section b212.

[0042] A semi-arc-shaped slot 221 is provided at the docking end of the assembly seat 22 and the limiting ring rail 21. The semi-arc-shaped slot 221 is clamped to the outer end of the limiting ring rail 21. The semi-arc-shaped slot 221 and the limiting ring rail 21 are movably clamped, so that the assembly seat 22 can move along the track of the limiting ring rail 21 to achieve regional angle adjustment.

[0043] A wrapping trough is provided at the bottom of one side of the track section a211. Wrapping material is injected into the wrapping trough, and the ice cream is immersed in the wrapping trough for rolling and wrapping. The wrapping is evenly carried out by rotating to ensure that the top is wrapped while preventing the ice cream stick from being immersed.

[0044] A lower rack 3 is assembled and provided at the bottom of the rail section a211, and an upper rack 4 is assembled and provided at the top of the rail section b212. The clamping member 23 cooperates with the lower rack 3 and the upper rack 4 for driving respectively. 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. Upper ends of both sides of the lower rack 3 extend with upper oblique sections that match the track of the rail section a211, and the upper oblique sections are equipped with tooth grooves that mesh with the driving gear 24. Lower ends of both sides of the upper rack 4 extend with tooth grooves that mesh with the track of the rail section b212. The matching lower inclined section is also equipped with tooth grooves that mesh with the drive gear 24. The lower rack 3 and the upper rack 4 can both use magnetic quick-release bases. Replacing different tooth modules can be completed in a short time. It is suitable for sauces of different viscosities such as chocolate and jam. The gear meshing force is monitored by strain gauges, and the speed of the conveyor chain 1 is dynamically adjusted to ensure that the transmission accuracy is maintained after the rack is worn. The above content realizes the precise decoupling and control of the tilt depth and rotation speed during the ice cream coating process, fundamentally solving the industry problems of uneven coating and ice cream stick contamination in the traditional dipping process, while having the advantages of high reliability and energy saving.

[0045] The teeth of the lower rack 3 and the upper rack 4 are both obliquely shaped, and mesh with the teeth of the inclined driving gear 24. The obliquely shaped teeth are used to adapt to the alignment angle of the teeth of the inclined driving gear 24 to ensure alignment accuracy.

[0046] 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 opening and closing the clamping jaws 231.

[0047] 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. When the pressing plate 232 is clamped, the friction pad at its bottom end is tightly pressed against the popsicle stick, increasing the friction force of the clamping surface and improving the stability between the pressing plate 232 and the popsicle stick during the clamping process.

[0048] Example 2: Reference 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 was found that when the popsicle stick rotates following the clamping member 23, when it rotates to a vertical state, the vertical ends of the popsicle stick are not limited, and it only relies on clamping on both sides. As a result, when the popsicle stick has a larger counterweight at one end, it rotates around the clamping point, and the tilt position of the popsicle stick changes, affecting subsequent operations.

[0049] In order to solve the above problems, this embodiment provides another clamping member 23, which can clamp the four sides of the ice cream stick in the vertical state, preventing the ice cream stick from shifting when one end has a large counterweight, thereby improving the clamping tightness and stability.

[0050] The clamping member 23 also includes an upper splint 233, a lower splint 234, a clamping ring 235 and an oblique side plate 236. One end of the upper splint 233 and the lower splint 234 are hinged to the mounting end. The outer side of the upper splint 233 and the lower splint 234 is sleeved with a clamping ring 235. The upper and lower inner walls of the clamping ring 235 are wedge-shaped, and oblique side plates 236 are provided on both sides of the clamping ring 235. Elastic protrusions 2361 are provided on the docking surface of the oblique side plates 236. The width of the oblique side plates 236 is smaller than the width of the ice cream stick. The ice cream stick is connected to the upper splint 233 and the lower splint 234. After alignment, the clamping ring 235 is pushed by the cylinder and moves on the surface of the upper clamping plate 233 and the lower clamping plate 234, and the upper and lower inner walls of the clamping ring 235 are used to tighten the upper and lower clamping plates 233 and the lower clamping plates 234, so that the upper and lower clamping plates 233 and the lower clamping plates 234 tightly clamp the popsicle stick inside. When the upper and lower clamping plates 233 and 234 are squeezed by the wedge-shaped surface, the elastic protrusions 2361 on the oblique side plates 236 are squeezed, causing the elastic protrusions 2361 to deform, tightly wrapping the wide surfaces on both sides of the popsicle stick, achieving four-sided clamping and increasing the tightness.

[0051] Finally, it should be noted that the above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features therein. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ice cream production conveying and feeding device, characterized in that: include: A conveyor chain (1), wherein a plurality of movable seats (11) are provided on the conveyor chain (1), and a clamping member (2) is hingedly connected to the movable seat (11); The clamping member (2) includes a limiting ring rail (21) arranged around the outer ring of the conveyor chain (1), an assembly seat (22) with one end engaged with the limiting ring rail (21) and movable along the track thereof, and a rotatable clamping member (23) for fixing the ice cream is provided on the assembly seat (22); The limiting ring rail (21) has two sections of rail segments a (211) and rail segments b (212) connected to each other, the rail segment a (211) is concave, and the rail segment b (212) is convex. When the assembly seat (22) moves to the rail segment a (211) and tilts downward, the clamping member (23) simultaneously tilts downward and rotates to drive the ice cream to rotate in an inclined shape, so that the clamped ice cream is immersed in the coating groove at an inclined angle. When the assembly seat (22) moves to the rail segment b (212), 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 (22) passes through the rail segment a (211) and the rail segment b (212), the clamping member (23) and the ice cream are always in a rotating state; A lower rack (3) is assembled and provided below the rail section a (211), and an upper rack (4) is assembled and provided above the rail section b (212). The clamping member (23) cooperates with the lower rack (3) and the upper rack (4) for driving, respectively. A driving gear (24) is provided on the clamping member (23). When the clamping member (23) tilts downward, the driving gear (24) engages with the lower rack (3), and when the clamping member (23) tilts upward, the driving gear (24) engages with the upper rack (4).

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

3. The ice cream production conveying and feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A semi-arc-shaped slot (221) is provided at the butt end of the assembly seat (22) and the limiting ring rail (21), and the semi-arc-shaped slot (221) is clamped to the outer end of the limiting ring rail (21).

4. The ice cream production conveying and feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The teeth of the lower rack (3) and the upper rack (4) are both oblique and mesh with the teeth of the inclined drive gear (24).

5. The ice cream production conveying and feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping member (23) comprises two clamping jaws (231) that clamp each other, and one end of the two clamping jaws (231) is driven by a telescopic member.

6. The ice cream production conveying and feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A pressing plate (232) is provided on the clamping surface of the clamping jaw (231), and a plurality of obliquely arranged friction pads are provided on the pressing surface of the pressing plate (232).

7. The ice cream production conveying and feeding device according to claim 5, 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 oblique side plate (236), one end of the upper clamping plate (233) and the lower clamping plate (234) are hinged to the mounting end, the outer sides of the upper clamping plate (233) and the lower clamping plate (234) are sleeved with a clamping ring (235), the upper and lower inner walls of the clamping ring (235) are wedge-shaped, and oblique side plates (236) are provided inside both sides of the clamping ring (235).

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