Raw material discharging device

Abstract

Provided is a device for discharging a raw material in a ring shape, the device being capable of improving the uniformity of the thickness and density of the raw material. This device (4) for discharging a raw material (D) in a ring shape is provided with: a discharge cylinder (41) having an outlet (41b); a screw (7) disposed within the discharge cylinder and having a rotation axis (A); and an outlet device (8) disposed at an outlet in the discharge cylinder. The outlet device includes a nozzle member (82), and an annular outlet gap (8a) for discharging the raw material is formed between the nozzle member and the outlet of the discharge cylinder. The outlet device is configured so that the nozzle member rotates about an eccentric axis (B) offset from the rotation axis, thereby changing the size of the outlet gap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for discharging raw materials in a ring shape to form raw material sheets such as bread ingredients. Background Technology

[0002] Devices are known to discharge bread ingredients and other raw materials in a ring shape (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 60-066932

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-065818 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0008] The thickness and density of the raw material sheets formed from the raw materials discharged from the apparatus described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are sometimes uneven.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can improve the uniformity of the thickness and density of raw materials and discharge the raw materials in a ring shape.

[0010] Solution for solving the problem

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the apparatus of the present invention, which discharges raw materials in an annular shape, comprises: a discharge cylinder having an outlet; a screw disposed within the discharge cylinder and having a rotation axis; and an outlet device disposed at the outlet within the discharge cylinder, the outlet device including a nozzle member, forming an annular outlet gap for discharging raw materials between the nozzle member and the outlet of the discharge cylinder, the outlet device being configured to cause the nozzle member to rotate eccentrically relative to the rotation axis, thereby varying the size of the outlet gap.

[0012] In this device, the size of the outlet gap is varied by eccentrically rotating the nozzle component. At a larger outlet gap, the material is more easily discharged. This larger outlet gap moves circumferentially through the eccentric rotation, thus the area where material is more easily discharged also moves circumferentially, generating circumferential flow of the material and promoting uniformity in its thickness and density. Furthermore, by varying the size of the outlet gap, an action similar to striking the discharged material is created, thereby further promoting uniformity in the material's thickness and density.

[0013] In the above-described apparatus of the present invention, preferably the nozzle component and the screw are driven to rotate independently of each other.

[0014] In the device described above according to the present invention, the nozzle member preferably includes an enlarged diameter portion whose outer diameter increases toward the outlet of the discharge cylinder, and a nozzle portion whose outer diameter remains constant toward the outlet of the discharge cylinder and forms an outlet gap. The enlarged diameter portion preferably includes a plurality of recesses and protrusions that extend radially and are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0015] In the above-described apparatus of the present invention, the discharge cylinder preferably extends in the vertical direction.

[0016] In the above-described apparatus of the present invention, preferably, the cut portion for discharging the raw material in an annular shape into a raw material sheet is provided at the outlet of the discharge cylinder.

[0017] In the above-described apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the outlet portion of the discharge cylinder is configured as a replaceable outer nozzle, and by replacing the outer nozzle and nozzle components, the outer diameter and thickness of the annular raw material can be changed. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic front view of a raw material sheet supply device, including a raw material discharge device.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic right view of the raw material sheet supply device.

[0020] Figure 3 It means Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the flow of raw materials in the raw material feeding device.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional view of the raw material opening device.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a 3D view of a screw used for conveying raw materials.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the raw material discharge device.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a bottom view of the raw material discharge device.

[0025] Figure 8A It is a top view showing the operation of the cutting device.

[0026] Figure 8B This is a side view showing the operation of the cutting device.

[0027] Figure 9A It is a top view showing the operation of the cutting device.

[0028] Figure 9B This is a side view showing the operation of the cutting device.

[0029] Figure 10AIt is a top view showing the operation of the cutting device.

[0030] Figure 10B This is a side view showing the operation of the cutting device.

[0031] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of a nozzle component in a modified example.

[0032] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram showing the flow of raw materials in a modified raw material feeding device.

[0033] Figure 13 This is a three-dimensional view of the material opening device in a modified example.

[0034] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view of the raw material discharge device in a modified example. Detailed Implementation

[0035] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the raw material sheet supply device 1 includes: a raw material dividing device 2, which divides the raw material block D1 into elongated raw materials D2; a conveying device 3, which conveys the elongated raw materials D2; a raw material discharging device 4, which receives the conveyed elongated raw materials D2 and discharges annular raw materials (continuous raw materials) D4; a raw material opening device 5, which turns the annular raw materials D4 into flat raw material sheets D5; and a delivery device 6, which delivers the raw material sheets D5.

[0036] The raw material dividing device 2 includes: a hopper 21 that receives blocks of raw material D1; and a cutter 22 disposed below the hopper 21 and dividing the lower portion of the blocks of raw material D1 in an elongated (rod-like) manner. The cutter 22 is, for example, a pair of rotating blade cutters (so-called star cutters) or sliding plate cutters.

[0037] The conveying device 3 includes: a horizontal first conveyor 31 disposed below the raw material dividing device 2; a second conveyor 32 disposed downstream of the first conveyor 31 and inclined downward as it moves downstream; and a sensor (not shown) that detects the raw material being conveyed toward the raw material discharge device 4.

[0038] The raw material discharge device 4 includes: a cylindrical hopper (discharge cylinder) 41 extending vertically and having an inlet 41a and an outlet 41b (see reference). Figure 6 The screw 7 for conveying raw materials is disposed within the hopper 41; the outlet device 8 is disposed at the outlet (lower end) 41b of the hopper 41 and forms an annular outlet gap 8a between it and the hopper 41 (see reference). Figure 6); and raw material cutting device 9, which is disposed at the inlet (upper end) 41a of hopper 41 and cuts fine raw material D2 into raw material balls (small pieces of raw material) D3. Raw material discharge device 4 will be described in detail later.

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, the raw material opening device 5 includes: a cutting portion 51, which forms a cut at one circumferential location (downstream of the delivery device 6) of the annular raw material D4; a pair of spreaders 52 and a pair of guide rollers 53, which open the raw material D4 over the delivery device 6; and a sensor 54, which detects the raw material D4. The cutting portion 51 includes: a first plate-shaped member 51a, which forms a cut at one location of the annular raw material D4; and two second plate-shaped members 51b, which extend obliquely downward from the first plate-shaped member 51a. The spreaders 52 are positioned below and to the sides of the cutting portion 51. Each spreader 52 is configured to rotate a plurality of horizontally extending rollers along a circular track in the rotational direction R3. Each guide roller 53 extends horizontally and is positioned at the end of the opened raw material and near the delivery device 6. The spreaders 52 and guide rollers 53 have known structures, therefore detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0040] The delivery device 6 includes: an upstream conveyor 61 located below the raw material discharge device 4; a downstream conveyor 62 disposed downstream of the upstream conveyor 61; and a pair of gauge rollers 63 disposed between the upstream conveyor 61 and the downstream conveyor 62. The upstream conveyor 61 is configured to receive the opened raw material D5 from above and convey it in the conveying direction S.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, the cutting portion 51, a pair of spreaders 52, and a pair of guide rollers 53 of the raw material opening device 5 are arranged on the downstream side of the conveying direction S relative to the annular raw material D4, configured to cut and open the annular raw material D4. As a result, the inner surface of the annular raw material D4 becomes the upper surface of the raw material D5 above the upstream conveyor 61.

[0042] Next, the raw material discharge device 4 will be described in detail.

[0043] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the cylindrical hopper (discharge cylinder) 41 is concentrically arranged with the rotation axis A of the screw 7, and has an upper surface 41c and a lower surface 41d.

[0044] The screw 7 includes a hollow rotating shaft 71, three helical blades 72 mounted around the rotating shaft 71, and a screw drive unit 73 connected to the rotating shaft 71 and causing the rotating shaft 71 to rotate about the rotation axis A (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0045] The outer diameter of the inlet (upper) 71a of the rotating shaft 71 is approximately constant, while the outer diameter of the outlet (lower) 71b of the rotating shaft 71 becomes tapered in a manner that increases toward the outlet 41b.

[0046] The outer diameter of the blades 72 is constant, but slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the hopper 41 for rotation within the hopper 41. Each blade 72 includes an inlet portion 72a located upstream with a large helix angle (e.g., 30 degrees or more) and a conveying portion 72b located downstream with a smaller helix angle (e.g., 20 degrees or less). The large helix angle is preferably set to ensure that the raw material balls D3 cut by the raw material cutting device 9 smoothly reach the conveying portion 72b. Each blade 72 has an upper surface 72c and a lower surface 72d as its longitudinal end face. The upper surfaces 72c of the three blades 72 are located in the same horizontal plane. Preferably, the inlet 41a of the hopper 41 is located at the upper surface 72c, and the upper surfaces 72c of the blades 72 and the upper surface 41c of the hopper 41 are in the same plane. The lower surfaces 72d of the three blades 72 are located in the same horizontal plane. An inlet space S1 is formed between the inlet portion 72a of the blade 72 and the hopper 41, and a conveying space S2 is formed between the conveying portion 72b of the blade 72 and the hopper 41. The upper surface 72c of the blade 72 is exposed at the inlet 41a of the hopper 41. The circumferential pitch P of the blade 72 is a length corresponding to 120 degrees. The opening of the inlet space S1 in the upper surface 72c is, for example, 37 cm circumferentially × 20 cm radially.

[0047] The screw drive unit 73 includes a housing 73a, a hollow shaft 73b rotatably supported on the housing 73a and connected to a rotating shaft 71, and a motor 73c that rotates the hollow shaft 73b.

[0048] like Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the outlet device 8 includes a cylindrical eccentric bushing 81 that rotates eccentrically relative to the rotation axis A of the screw 7, a nozzle member 82 rotatably mounted on the eccentric bushing 81 via a bearing 85, a rotation prevention member 83 mounted on the lower surface 82d of the nozzle member 82, and an outlet drive unit 84 that rotates the eccentric bushing 81 (see reference). Figure 3 The outlet drive unit 84 includes a drive shaft 84a connected to the eccentric bushing 81 and passing through the rotating shaft 71 and the hollow shaft 73b of the screw 7, and a motor 84b that rotates the drive shaft 84a.

[0049] The nozzle component 82 includes an upstream expanding section 82a and a downstream nozzle section 82b. The outer diameter of the expanding section 82a is tapered, increasing towards the outlet 41b, and is preferably substantially continuous with the outer diameter of the rotation axis 71 of the screw 7. The outer diameter of the nozzle section 82b is constant towards the outlet 41b. A pressing space S3 is formed between the expanding section 82a and the hopper 41, and a nozzle space S4 is formed between the nozzle section 82b and the hopper 41. The lower surface 41d of the hopper 41 and the lower surface 82d of the nozzle component 82 are preferably located in the same horizontal plane. An annular outlet gap 8a is formed by the hopper 41 and the nozzle component 82. The annular outlet gap 8a includes a maximum gap C1 and a minimum gap C2. The upper surface 82c of the nozzle component 82 is slidable along the lower surface 72d of the blade 72 and is supported in the vertical direction by a bearing 85. Therefore, the nozzle component 82 is configured to rotate eccentrically within the hopper 41. When the nozzle component 82 rotates one revolution, the positions of the maximum gap C1 and the minimum gap C2 also rotate one revolution around the rotation axis A. That is, the size of the outlet gap 8a varies between the maximum gap C1 and the minimum gap C2 at any given location. The maximum gap C1 is, for example, 6 to 20 mm, and the variation range of the maximum gap C1 and the minimum gap C2 is, for example, 4 to 10 mm. The rotation prevention component 83 is configured to prevent the nozzle component 82 from rotating by cooperating with the first plate-shaped component 51a of the raw material opening device 5. The rotational speed of the nozzle component 82 (eccentric bushing 81) (e.g., 100 to 400 rpm) is preferably greater than the rotational speed of the screw 7 (e.g., 10 to 40 rpm).

[0050] like Figures 8A to 10B As shown, the raw material cutting device 9 disposed at the inlet 41a of the hopper 41 includes a guide roller 91 and a cutting plate 92 disposed adjacent to the guide roller 91. The guide roller 91 is rotatable about an axis extending in the radial direction of the hopper 41 in the rotational direction R2, and is disposed obliquely relative to the elongated raw material D2 to guide the elongated raw material D2 between adjacent blades 72 (inlet space S1). The guide roller 91 includes a lower edge that is in the same plane as the upper surface 72c of the blade 72. The cutting plate 92 includes a lower surface 92a that is in approximately the same plane as the upper surface 72c of the blade 72, and the lower surface 92a is configured to cooperate with the upper surface 72c of the blade 72 to cut the elongated raw material D2 to obtain a raw material ball D3.

[0051] The operation of the raw material sheet supply device 1 will now be explained.

[0052] A block of raw material D1 is fed into the hopper 21 of the raw material dividing device 2. Using a cutter 22 located below the hopper 21, the lower part of the block of raw material D1 is divided into elongated raw material D2. The cross-section of the elongated raw material D2 is, for example, 13 cm wide × 7 cm high, which is smaller than the pitch P of the blade 72. The elongated raw material D2 is conveyed to the raw material discharge device 4 by the first conveyor 31 and the second conveyor 32.

[0053] The elongated raw material D2 is fed from above to the hopper 41 using a downwardly inclined second conveyor 32. That is, the raw material D2 is fed in a direction substantially the same as the rotation axis A of the screw 7. Preferably, if a sensor (not shown) detects that the raw material D2 is extending from the hopper 41, the speed of the first conveyor 31 and the second conveyor 32 is reduced.

[0054] In addition, the guide roller 91 guides the slender raw material D2 into the hopper 41. Figure 8A as well as Figure 8B The elongated material D2 is oriented circumferentially towards the hopper 41. When the tip of the elongated material D2 enters the space S1 of the hopper 41 ( Figure 9A as well as Figure 9B The slender raw material D2 is cut into raw material balls (small pieces of raw material) D3 by using the upper surface 72c of the blade 72 rotating at a constant speed and the lower surface 92a of the cutting plate 92. Figure 10A as well as Figure 10B Therefore, raw material balls D3 are supplied one by one between blades 72. That is, the raw material balls D3 are supplied in a direction approximately in the same direction as the rotation axis A of the screw 7. The size of the raw material balls D3 is smaller than the pitch P, for example, 13×7×18cm. Since raw material balls D3 smaller than the pitch P of the blades 72 are supplied between the blades 72 of the screw 7, the raw material balls D3 can be reliably supplied to the space S1 between the hopper 41 and the screw 7. As a result, the density of the raw material D4 discharged from the hopper 41 is stable, and the uniformity of the thickness and density of the raw material sheet D5 can be improved.

[0055] In the inlet space S1, the raw material ball D3 is fed into the conveying space S2 by falling under its own weight. Then, the blade 72 presses the raw material ball D3 toward the outlet 41b in both the conveying space S2 and the pressing space S3. Next, in the pressing space S3 and the nozzle space S4, the raw material ball D3 is pressed tightly together, thereby bonding it (integrating it).

[0056] The volume of the pressing space S3 and the volume of the nozzle space S4 (the size of the outlet gap 8a) change due to the eccentric rotation of the nozzle component 82. When the volume of the pressing space S3 decreases, the material integration is promoted. Compared to the minimum gap C2, the material D4 is more easily discharged at the maximum gap C1. The maximum gap C1 moves circumferentially due to the eccentric rotation, thus the area where the material D4 is easily discharged also moves circumferentially, resulting in circumferential flow of the material and promoting uniformity of its thickness and density. Furthermore, by changing the size of the outlet gap 8a, an action similar to striking the discharged material D4 is generated, thereby promoting uniformity of the thickness and density of the material D4. As a result, product weight deviation can be reduced.

[0057] A cut is formed in the annular raw material D4 through the cut section 51. The raw material D4 is then opened by the spreader 52 and guide roller 53 to form a raw material sheet D5. The raw material sheet D5 is then supplied to the conveying surface of the feeding device 6. At this time, as... Figure 4 As shown, the inner surface of the annularly discharged raw material D4 becomes the upper surface. Preferably, after detecting the relaxation or tension of the raw material sheet D5 using sensor 54, the rotational speed of the screw 7 and nozzle component 82 is increased or decreased. The thickness of the raw material sheet D5 is adjusted using gauge roller 63, and the raw material sheet D5 is then fed out from the downstream conveyor 62.

[0058] The embodiments of the raw material discharge device and method of the present invention have been described, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0059] The ingredients are not limited to bread ingredients; they can also be pastry ingredients. Alternatively, instead of making a cut in the ring-shaped ingredient D4, two layers of ingredient can be formed.

[0060] The discharge cylinder (hopper) 41 extends vertically, but it can also extend laterally. In this case, the inlet 41a of the discharge cylinder 41 is generally located on the side of the screw 7, and the blades 72 are exposed at the inlet 41a. The pitch P of the blades 72 is determined linearly. In the above embodiment, the screw 7 has three blades 72, but it can also have one or more.

[0061] In the above embodiment, raw material balls D3 obtained by cutting the elongated raw material D2 are supplied to the hopper 41, but pre-formed raw material balls D3 can also be supplied to the hopper 41. Alternatively, instead of supplying the elongated raw material D2 cut by the raw material dividing device 2, continuous elongated raw material D2 can be supplied.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the outer diameter of the nozzle portion 82b of the nozzle member 82 is constant towards the outlet 41b, but it may decrease or increase towards the outlet 41b (lower surface 82d). Furthermore, the outer peripheral surfaces of the enlarged diameter portion 82a and the nozzle portion 82b may include spiral, straight, or other protruding convex portions and / or grooves, pits, or other recesses (spiral, straight, etc.). For example, as... Figure 11 As shown, the expanding portion 82a' of the nozzle component 82 may also include a plurality of recesses 82e and a plurality of protrusions 82f that extend linearly and radially and are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. In this case, the circumferential movement of the raw material ball D3 entering the recesses 82e (between the protrusions 82f) relative to the expanding portion 82a' is restricted. This has the effect of promoting flow toward the outlet 41b and making the thickness and density of the raw material in the circumferential direction of the raw material ball D3 in the pressing space S3 uniform. As a result, the thickness and density of the raw material D4 discharged from the outlet 41b are uniform.

[0063] like Figure 12 As shown in the modified example of the raw material feeding device 101, the cutting portion 51, the pair of spreaders 52, and the pair of guide rollers 53 of the raw material opening device 5 can also be configured to be positioned upstream of the annular raw material D4 in the conveying direction S, cutting and opening the annular raw material D4. Thus, as... Figure 13 As shown, the outer surface of the annular raw material D4 becomes the upper surface of the raw material D5 that opens above the upstream conveyor 61. Thus, by changing the configuration of the raw material opening device 5 according to the properties of the raw material, the upper surface of the raw material D5 that opens above the upstream conveyor 61 can become the inner surface of the annular raw material D4 (see reference). Figure 4 It can also be called the outer surface (see reference). Figure 13 ).

[0064] like Figure 12 Similar to the raw material feeding device 101 in the modified example shown, a multi-roller stretcher 64 can be used in the delivery device 6 instead of a pair of gauge rollers 63. The stretcher 64 includes: a lower roller 64a disposed below the raw material sheet D5; a plurality of stretching rollers 64c disposed above the raw material sheet D5 and arranged circumferentially; and a drive unit 64d that causes the stretching rollers 64c to revolve around the circumference. Each stretching roller 64c can rotate freely while revolving around the circumference. The stretcher 64 may also include a drive unit that forcibly rotates each stretching roller 64c. It is expected that the stretcher 64 will have a higher stretching efficiency for the raw material sheet D5 than the stretching efficiency of a pair of gauge rollers 63. Therefore, when the stretcher 64 supplies the raw material sheet D5 thinned to the desired thickness to the downstream conveyor 62, it can reduce damage to the raw material sheet D5 compared to a pair of gauge rollers 63.

[0065] It can also be like Figure 14As shown in the modified example of the raw material discharge device 4', the outlet portion of the hopper 41' is configured as a replaceable outer nozzle 91, and the outlet 41b is narrowed. This creates a nozzle space S4 between the nozzle portion 82b and the outer nozzle 91 of the hopper 41'. For example, by changing the outer nozzle 91 and the nozzle member 82, the outer diameter and thickness of the annular raw material D4 can be arbitrarily changed. That is, the width and thickness of the raw material sheet D5 can be changed.

[0066] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0067] 4, 4': Raw material discharge device; 7: Screw; 8: Outlet device; 8a: Annular outlet gap; 41, 41': Hopper (discharge cylinder); 41b: Outlet; 82: Nozzle component; 82a: Expansion section; 82b: Nozzle section; 91: Outer nozzle; A: Rotation axis; D4: Annular raw material (continuous raw material).

Claims

1. An apparatus (4, 4') that discharges raw material (D4) in a ring shape, wherein, The device (4, 4') has: Discharge cylinder (41), which has an outlet (41b); A screw (7), which is disposed within the discharge cylinders (41, 41') and has a rotation axis (A); and An outlet device (8) is disposed at the outlet (41b) within the discharge cylinder (41). The outlet device (8) includes a nozzle component (82) forming an annular outlet gap (8a) for discharging raw material (D4) between the nozzle component (82) and the outlet (41b) of the discharge cylinder (41, 41'). The outlet device (8) is configured to cause the nozzle member (82) to rotate eccentrically relative to the rotation axis (A) so as to change the size of the outlet gap (8a).

2. The apparatus (4, 4') according to claim 1, wherein, The nozzle component (82) and the screw (7) are driven to rotate independently of each other.

3. The apparatus (4, 4') according to claim 1, wherein, The nozzle component (82) includes: an enlarged diameter portion (82a) whose outer diameter increases toward the outlet (41b) of the discharge cylinder (41, 41'); and a nozzle portion (82b) whose outer diameter is constant toward the outlet (41b) of the discharge cylinder (41, 41') and forms the outlet gap (8a).

4. The apparatus (4, 4') according to claim 1, wherein, The discharge cylinders (41, 41') extend in the vertical direction.

5. The apparatus (4, 4') according to claim 1, wherein, A cutout (51) for making the raw material discharged in a ring shape into a raw material sheet is provided at the outlet (41b) of the discharge cylinder (41, 41').

6. The apparatus (4, 4') according to claim 3, wherein, The enlarged diameter portion (82a) includes a plurality of recesses (82e) and protrusions (82f) that extend radially and are alternately arranged circumferentially.

7. The apparatus (4') according to claim 1, wherein, The outlet portion of the discharge cylinder (41') is configured as a replaceable outer nozzle (91). By replacing the outer nozzle (91) and the nozzle component (82), the outer diameter and thickness of the annular raw material (D4) can be changed.

Images