A food processing apparatus for producing pre-prepared meals

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of food processing technology, and more particularly to a food processing device for producing pre-prepared dishes. The device includes columns, clamps, and a material container. Two sets of columns are symmetrically arranged, each with a rotatable clamp at its top. The material container is fixedly connected between the clamps, and has a liquid outlet with a valve at its bottom. The device also includes a feeding mechanism, comprising a slide rail, a slider, and a drive assembly. An inclined slide rail is mounted on the side of the column, with its top end positioned above the material container. A slider is slidably connected within the slide rail. This invention, by installing a feeding mechanism on the side of the material container, allows the container to automatically rise above the container under the control of the drive assembly for feeding. The mechanical drive design saves manpower, reduces labor intensity, and ensures the container remains stable during lifting, effectively preventing spillage, waste, and contamination.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of food processing technology, and in particular to a food processing device for producing pre-prepared dishes. Background Technology

[0002] Pre-prepared meals, also known as pre-cooked foods, generally refer to semi-finished or finished products made from various agricultural, livestock, poultry, and aquatic products as raw materials, along with seasonings and other auxiliary ingredients, through pre-selection, preparation, and other processes. Pre-prepared meals typically require storage or transportation under cold chain conditions and are intended for consumption by consumers or food service providers after simple heating or cooking.

[0003] Existing pre-prepared food processing equipment often requires manual lifting of containers containing main ingredients and seasonings onto a mixing tank. The containers are then tilted to allow the materials to fall into the tank for stirring and heating. When producing pre-prepared dishes such as Hakka sour soup, sour soup fish, and sour soup beef, the soup component is relatively large and heavy. Adding the soup to the mixing tank usually requires multiple people to lift and add the ingredients, resulting in high labor costs and intensity. Furthermore, during manual transport of the soup, it is easy for it to shake and spill out of the container, causing contamination and damage to the ground, personnel, or equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to design a food processing device for producing pre-prepared dishes that allows for convenient ingredient addition. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a food processing device for producing pre-prepared dishes that facilitates the addition of ingredients.

[0005] The technical solution is as follows: A food processing equipment for producing pre-prepared dishes includes columns, clamps, and a material bucket. Two sets of columns are symmetrically arranged, each with a rotatable clamp at its top. A material bucket is fixedly connected between the clamps. The bottom of the material bucket has a liquid outlet with a valve. The equipment also includes a feeding mechanism, which includes a slide rail, a slider, a drive assembly, a tray, a support frame, a container, and a fixing assembly. An inclined slide rail is installed on the side of the column, with its top end above the material bucket. A slider is slidably connected inside the slide rail. A drive assembly for driving the slider to move along the slide rail is installed on the column. A rotatable tray is installed on the upper side of the slider, and a support frame for supporting the tray is installed on the lower side of the slider. A container adapted to the tray is provided on the tray, and the container and the tray are detachably connected by the fixing assembly.

[0006] As a further preferred embodiment, the drive assembly includes a first support, a first motor, a screw, and a protrusion. The first support, which is on the same side as the slide rail, is fixedly installed on the column. The first motor is installed on the first support. A screw parallel to the long side of the slide rail is rotatably installed in the middle of the slide rail. The slider has an internal threaded hole adapted to the screw. The slider and the screw are threaded together. The output shaft of the first motor is coaxially connected to the screw. The support plate has a protrusion extending towards the column side.

[0007] As a further preferred embodiment, the fixing assembly includes a guide seat, a limiting rod, and a first elastic element. The tray and the material box are symmetrically provided with grooves on both sides, and the bottom surface of the tray is symmetrically installed with guide seats. Each guide seat is provided with a slidable limiting rod. The limiting rod can be inserted into the groove to fix the material box on the tray. The first elastic element connects the limiting rod and the guide seat.

[0008] As a further preferred embodiment, the fixing assembly also includes a support rod and a trapezoidal block, with the support rod extending downwards from the guide seat mounted on the slide rail, and the trapezoidal block mounted on the support rod capable of opening the limiting rod.

[0009] As a further preferred embodiment, a tilting mechanism is also included, which includes a second support, a second motor, an incomplete gear, and a spur gear. The second support is fixedly installed on the column, and the second motor is provided on the second support. The incomplete gear is coaxially connected to the output shaft of the second motor. A spur gear that rotates synchronously with the fixed clamp is provided on the side of the column, and the spur gear meshes with the incomplete gear.

[0010] As a further preferred embodiment, a limiting mechanism is also included, which includes a movable block and an arc-shaped clamping block. A vertical groove is provided on the column on the side of the second motor, and a movable block that can slide up and down is provided in the groove. An arc-shaped clamping block that extends horizontally toward the material bucket side is installed on the movable block.

[0011] As a further preferred embodiment, the limiting mechanism further includes a support rod and a rack, with the support rod extending toward the side of the incomplete gear mounted on the movable block, and a rack meshing with the incomplete gear mounted at the end of the support rod.

[0012] As a further preferred embodiment, the limiting mechanism further includes a fixed block, a vertical rod, and a second elastic element. The fixed block is installed on the column below the movable block, and the bottom of the movable block is provided with a vertical rod that extends downward through the fixed block. The fixed block and the movable block are connected by a second elastic element.

[0013] The present invention has the following advantages: 1. The present invention has a feeding mechanism installed on the side of the material bucket, which enables the material container to automatically rise to the top of the material bucket under the control of the drive component for feeding. The mechanical drive design not only saves manpower and reduces labor intensity, but also ensures that the material container remains stable during the lifting process, thereby effectively preventing the soup in the material container from spilling out, causing waste and pollution. 2. Through the design of the fixing components, the present invention enables the material box and the tray to automatically connect and fix when the slider rises and automatically disconnect when the slider falls back to its original position. This eliminates the need for manual fixing and unfixing when the material box is placed on and removed, improving the efficiency of material box replacement and facilitating the continuous addition of various materials. 3. The present invention, through the cooperation of the tilting mechanism and the limiting mechanism, can clamp and limit the material barrel during the mixing and processing to improve the stability of the material barrel. After the food in the material barrel is processed, the limiting mechanism can be released by electric control, and the material barrel can be tilted to facilitate the removal of the food. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged view of the feeding mechanism of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the support frame of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the driving component of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the guide seat and limiting rod of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixing component of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the tilting mechanism of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the limiting mechanism of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the support rod and rack of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixing block and the vertical rod of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 12 This is a partially enlarged view of the limiting mechanism of the present invention.

[0026] Wherein: 1-Column, 2-Fixing clamp, 3-Material bucket, 4-Feeding mechanism, 41-Slide rail, 42-Slider, 43-Panel, 44-Support frame, 45-Material container, 5-Drive assembly, 51-First support, 52-First motor, 53-Screw, 54-Protrusion, 6-Fixing assembly, 61-Guide seat, 62-Limiting rod, 63-First elastic element, 64-Support rod, 65-Trapezoidal block, 7-Tilting mechanism, 71-Second support, 72-Second motor, 73-Incomplete gear, 74-Spur gear, 8-Limiting mechanism, 81-Moving block, 82-Arc-shaped clamping block, 83-Support rod, 84-Rack, 85-Fixing block, 86-Vertical rod, 87-Second elastic element. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solution will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be noted that the terms "up," "down," "left," and "right" used in this document refer only to the position of the structure shown in the corresponding drawings. The serial numbers assigned to components in this document, such as "first," "second," etc., are only used to distinguish the described objects and have no sequential or technical meaning. Unless otherwise specified, terms such as "connection" and "linkage" in this application include both direct and indirect connections (linkages). Example 1

[0028] A food processing device for producing pre-prepared dishes, such as Figures 1-7As shown, the device includes a column 1, a fixing clamp 2, and a material bucket 3. Two sets of columns 1 are symmetrically arranged, each with a rotatable fixing clamp 2 at its top. The fixing clamp 2 consists of a rod that can rotate relative to the column 1 and a clamping part at the end of the rod. The material bucket 3 is bolted between the fixing clamps 2. The material bucket 3 is made of stainless steel, and the ingredients for the dish can be stirred and heated inside it. The bottom of the material bucket 3 has a liquid outlet with a valve, allowing dishes without large solid pieces to be directly dispensed from the outlet. The device also includes a feeding mechanism 4 for adding the main ingredients and seasonings for the pre-made dish to the material bucket 3. The feeding mechanism 4 includes a slide rail 41, a slider 42, a drive assembly 5, a tray 43, a support frame 44, a container 45, and a fixing assembly 6. The right side of the right column 1 is bolted to the device. An inclined slide rail 41 is provided, with its top end positioned above the material hopper 3. A slider 42 is slidably connected within the slide rail 41. The slider 42 is U-shaped with its opening tilted upwards. A drive assembly 5 is mounted on the column 1 to drive the slider 42 to move along the slide rail 41. A rotatable support plate 43 is mounted at the upper opening of the slider 42. The support plate 43 consists of a shaft and a flat plate connected to the slider 42. A support frame 44 is mounted on the lower side of the slider 42 to support the support plate 43. The support frame 44 consists of two crossbars and an inverted U-shaped fixing frame. The support plate 43 remains horizontal under the action of the support frame 44. A matching material container 45 is provided on the support plate 43. The material container 45 adopts a modular design, and the material container 45 and the support plate 43 are detachably connected by a fixing assembly 6.

[0029] like Figure 5 As shown, the drive assembly 5 includes a first support 51, a first motor 52, a screw 53, and a protrusion 54. The first support 51, which is on the same side as the slide rail 41, is fixedly installed on the column 1 by bolts. The first motor 52, which is inclined at the same angle as the slide rail 41, is installed on the first support 51. The first motor 52 is a reduction rotary motor. The screw 53, which is parallel to its long side, is rotatably installed in the middle of the slide rail 41. The slider 42 has an internal threaded hole that matches the screw 53. The slider 42 is threadedly engaged with the screw 53. When the screw 53 rotates, the slider 42 can move along the slide rail 41. The output shaft of the first motor 52 is coaxially connected to the screw 53. The support plate 43 is symmetrically provided with protrusions 54 that extend horizontally towards the column 1. When the slider 42 moves above the material bucket 3, the top plate of the slide rail 41 can squeeze and push the protrusions 54 to rotate. A torsion spring is connected between the support plate 43 and the slider 42.

[0030] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the fixing component 6 includes a guiding seat 61, a limiting rod 62, a first elastic member 63, a support rod 64 and a trapezoidal block 65. Square grooves are symmetrically formed at the same positions on both sides of the support plate 43 and the material storage box 45. The guiding seats 61 are symmetrically installed at the bottom surface of the support plate 43 through bolts. The guiding seats 61 each have a slidable limiting rod 62. The limiting rod 62 is an L-shaped rod that can fit against the side surface of the support plate 43, and its side part is a T-shaped that is adapted to the groove. The limiting rod 62 can be inserted into the groove to fix the material storage box 45 on the support plate 43. A first elastic member 63 is connected between the limiting rod 62 and the guiding seat 61. The first elastic member 63 can be a stainless steel compression spring. The bottom end of the slide rail 41 is fixedly installed with a support rod 64 extending downward below the guiding seat 61. The support rod 64 is in a "U" shape. A trapezoidal block 65 that can expand the limiting rod 62 is welded to the top of the support rod 64. The trapezoidal block 65 is an isosceles trapezoid with both side inclined surfaces facing the end surface of the limiting rod 62.

[0031] When using this processing equipment to produce prefabricated dishes, place the material storage box 45 containing the main ingredients above the support plate 43 and align the material storage box 45 and the support plate 43. At this time, the limiting rod 62 cannot slide toward the middle along the guiding seat 61 under the restricting action of the trapezoidal block 65. The limiting rod 62 is not inserted into the groove, and the first elastic member 63 is in a compressed state. The support plate 43 remains horizontal under the action of the support frame 44. Subsequently, drive the first motor 52 to work, so that it drives the screw rod 53 to rotate. The rotation of the screw rod 53 causes the slider 42 to slide upward along the slide rail 41. The limiting rod 62 gradually disengages from the trapezoidal block 65 and gradually moves toward the direction close to the support plate 43 under the reset action of the first elastic member 63. The limiting rod 62 is inserted into the groove to fix the material storage box 45 on the support plate 43. Until the slider 42 moves close to the top end of the slide rail 41, the material storage box 45 is above the material bucket 3. The convex block 54 inside the support plate 43 contacts the top plate of the slide rail 41 and rotates counterclockwise under the extrusion of the top plate during the continuous movement, thereby driving the support plate 43 and the material storage box 45 to rotate synchronously to an inclined state. The main ingredients in the material storage box 45 are poured into the material bucket 3. After the feeding is completed, drive the first motor 52 to rotate in the reverse direction, so that it drives the slider 42 to slide back to the bottom end of the slide rail 41. The convex block 54 disengages from the top plate of the slide rail 41. The support plate 43 rotates back under the action of the torsion spring between it and the slider 42 and its own gravity. The bottom of the support plate 43 is reattached to the top surface of the support frame 44 to maintain a horizontal state. When the slider 42 moves back to the initial position at the bottom, the bottom of the support plate 43 contacts the trapezoidal block 65 again. The trapezoidal block 65 pushes the limiting rod 62 to move outward to release the connection between the material storage box 45 and the support plate 43. Subsequently, the empty material storage box 45 can be removed, and a material storage box 45 containing other main ingredients or ingredients can be replaced for feeding. After the product ingredients are added, the stir-frying machine can be driven to stir and heat the material bucket 3 to complete the production of prefabricated dishes. Embodiment 2

[0032] Based on Example 1, such as Figure 8 As shown, it also includes a tilting mechanism 7 for tilting the material bucket 3. The tilting mechanism 7 includes a second support 71, a second motor 72, an incomplete gear 73, and a spur gear 74. The second support 71 is fixedly installed on the left column 1 by bolts. The second motor 72 is provided on the second support 71. The second motor 72 is a speed reduction rotary motor. The incomplete gear 73 is coaxially connected to the output shaft of the second motor 72. The spur gear 74 is provided on the side of the column 1 and rotates synchronously with the fixed clamp 2. The spur gear 74 meshes with the incomplete gear 73. When the incomplete gear 73 rotates until its teeth contact the spur gear 74, it can push the spur gear 74 to drive the fixed frame 2 to rotate together.

[0033] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, it also includes a limiting mechanism 8 for limiting the shaking of the material bucket 3. The limiting mechanism 8 includes a movable block 81, an arc-shaped clamping block 82, a support rod 83, and a rack 84. A vertical groove is provided on the column 1 on the side of the second motor 72, and a movable block 81 that can slide vertically up and down is provided in the groove. The two ends of the movable block 81 extend through the column 1. An arc-shaped clamping block 82 extending horizontally to the side of the material bucket 3 is installed on the movable block 81 by bolts. The arc-shaped clamping block 82 consists of two horizontally extending straight rods and an arc-shaped clamping part that matches the curvature of the material bucket 3. A support rod 83 extending to the side of the incomplete gear 73 is installed on the movable block 81 by welding. The tail end of the support rod 83 is parallel to the column 1. A rack 84 that meshes with the incomplete gear 73 is welded to the tail end of the support rod 83.

[0034] like Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the limiting mechanism 8 also includes a fixed block 85, a vertical rod 86, and a second elastic element 87. A square fixed block 85 is provided below the movable block 81 and is fixedly installed on the inner side of the column 1 by a snap-fit. A vertical rod 86 is welded to the bottom of the movable block 81 and extends vertically downward through the fixed block 85. The vertical rod 86 can slide up and down relative to the fixed block 82. A second elastic element 87 is connected between the fixed block 85 and the movable block 81. The second elastic element 87 can be a stainless steel compression spring.

[0035] After the food in the material bin 3 is processed, the second motor 72 drives the incomplete gear 73 to rotate counterclockwise. The teeth of the incomplete gear 73 first contact the rack 84, causing it to move the support rod 83 and the movable block 81 downwards. The movable block 81 and the vertical rod 86 move downwards relative to the fixed block 85, and the second elastic element 87 is compressed. The arc-shaped clamp 82 moves downwards with the movable block 81 and disengages from the material bin 3, and the rotation of the material bin 3 is no longer restricted. Subsequently, the teeth of the incomplete gear 73 contact the spur gear 74, squeezing... The pressure pushes the spur gear 74 to drive the fixed clamp 2 to rotate relative to the column 1, which in turn drives the material barrel 3 to rotate clockwise and tilt, so as to facilitate the removal of the processed food inside. After the food is removed, the control of the second motor 72 reverses. Under the action of the incomplete gear 73, the material barrel 3 first rotates back to its original position. Then, the movable block 81 can be lifted by the drive of the rack 84 and the reset action of the second elastic element 87. The arc-shaped clamp 82 rises along the outer wall of the material barrel 3 and fits against it, thereby limiting the material barrel 3 to prevent it from shaking violently.

[0036] Although this disclosure has been described with respect to only a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure will understand that various other embodiments can be devised without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A food processing equipment for producing pre-prepared dishes, comprising a column (1), a fixing clamp (2) and a material bucket (3), wherein two sets of columns (1) are symmetrically arranged, and each column (1) is provided with a rotatable fixing clamp (2) at its top, and a material bucket (3) is fixedly connected between the fixing clamps (2), and the bottom of the material bucket (3) is provided with a liquid outlet with a valve; characterized in that It also includes a feeding mechanism (4), which includes a slide rail (41), a slider (42), a drive assembly (5), a tray (43), a support frame (44), a container (45), and a fixing assembly (6). An inclined slide rail (41) is installed on the side of the column (1). The top of the slide rail (41) is located above the material bucket (3). A slider (42) is slidably connected inside the slide rail (41). A drive assembly (5) for driving the slider (42) to move along the slide rail (41) is installed on the column (1). A rotatable tray (43) is installed on the upper side of the slider (42). A support frame (44) for supporting the tray (43) is installed on the lower side of the slider (42). A container (45) adapted to the tray (43) is provided on the tray (43). The container (45) and the tray (43) are detachably connected by the fixing assembly (6).

2. A food processing apparatus for producing a pre-prepared dish according to claim 1, characterised in that, The drive assembly (5) includes a first support (51), a first motor (52), a screw (53), and a protrusion (54). The first support (51) is fixedly installed on the column (1) on the same side as the slide rail (41). The first motor (52) is installed on the first support (51). The screw (53) parallel to its long side is rotatably installed in the middle of the slide rail (41). The slider (42) has an internal thread hole that matches the screw (53). The slider (42) and the screw (53) are threaded together. The output shaft of the first motor (52) is coaxially connected to the screw (53). The support plate (43) has a protrusion (54) extending toward the column (1).

3. A food processing apparatus for producing a pre-prepared dish according to claim 2, wherein, The fixing component (6) includes a guide seat (61), a limiting rod (62) and a first elastic element (63). The tray (43) and the container (45) are symmetrically provided with grooves on both sides. The bottom surface of the tray (43) is symmetrically provided with guide seats (61). Each guide seat (61) is provided with a sliding limiting rod (62). The limiting rod (62) can be inserted into the groove to fix the container (45) on the tray (43). The first elastic element (63) is connected between the limiting rod (62) and the guide seat (61).

4. A food processing apparatus for producing a pre-prepared dish according to claim 3, wherein, The fixing component (6) also includes a support rod (64) and a trapezoidal block (65). The slide rail (41) is equipped with a support rod (64) extending downward toward the guide seat (61), and the support rod (64) is equipped with a trapezoidal block (65) that can open the limiting rod (62).

5. A food processing apparatus for producing a pre-prepared dish according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes a tilting mechanism (7), which includes a second support (71), a second motor (72), an incomplete gear (73) and a spur gear (74). The second support (71) is fixedly installed on the column (1), and the second motor (72) is provided on the second support (71). The incomplete gear (73) is coaxially connected to the output shaft of the second motor (72). The spur gear (74) is provided on the side of the column (1) and rotates synchronously with the fixed clamp (2). The spur gear (74) meshes with the incomplete gear (73).

6. A food processing apparatus for producing a pre-prepared dish according to claim 5, wherein, It also includes a limiting mechanism (8), which includes a movable block (81) and an arc-shaped clamping block (82). A vertical groove is provided on the column (1) on the side of the second motor (72), and a movable block (81) that can slide up and down is provided in it. An arc-shaped clamping block (82) that extends horizontally to the side of the material bucket (3) is installed on the movable block (81).

7. A food processing apparatus for producing a pre-prepared dish according to claim 6, wherein, The limiting mechanism (8) also includes a support rod (83) and a rack (84). The support rod (83) extending to the side of the incomplete gear (73) is installed on the movable block (81), and the rack (84) meshing with the incomplete gear (73) is installed at the end of the support rod (83).

8. A food processing apparatus for producing a pre-prepared dish according to claim 7, wherein, The limiting mechanism (8) also includes a fixed block (85), a vertical rod (86), and a second elastic element (87). The fixed block (85) is installed on the column (1) below the movable block (81). The bottom of the movable block (81) is provided with a vertical rod (86) that extends downward through the fixed block (85). The second elastic element (87) connects the fixed block (85) and the movable block (81).

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