Rice ball manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

The rice roll manufacturing device of the present application comprises a housing, an outer heating unit, a conveying unit and a heating unit, and can uniformly heat the rice while spirally conveying the rice. Thus, the rice roll with thin thickness and precisely controllable moisture content can be manufactured, and the durability thereof is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a rice roll manufacturing apparatus, and more specifically, to a rice roll manufacturing apparatus that increases the shelf life of rice and enables mass production of seaweed rice rolls and the like through automated rice processing. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, various processed rice-based foods suitable as meal replacements, such as seaweed rice rolls, triangular seaweed rice rolls, and rice crackers, have been introduced. However, seaweed rice rolls and triangular seaweed rice rolls have a shelf life of no more than 24 hours, and their production and sales processes are inefficient due to their predominantly manual production. Furthermore, rice crackers are produced by placing a thin layer of rice into a pan-shaped mold and heating its outer surface; essentially, the entire process, from placing the rice to heating to removing it from the mold, must be done manually, resulting in low production efficiency.

[0003] To address these issues, a rice roll manufacturing apparatus based on Patent Document 1 has been proposed.

[0004] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to make the rice roll thinner. Although it is possible to make thin rice rolls, there is a problem that it is difficult to properly control the heating temperature.

[0005] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent No. 10-1226770 (January 28, 2013) Summary of the Invention Technical problems to be solved The present invention was made in view of the aforementioned problems, and its object is to provide a rice roll manufacturing apparatus capable of producing thin rice rolls.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a rice roll manufacturing apparatus that can control the moisture content of rice rolls within a precise range while manufacturing thin rice rolls, and also improves the durability of the rice rolls.

[0007] Technical solution To achieve the aforementioned objective, a rice roll manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a rice roll having a cylindrical shape, an internal cavity, and heat-hardening surfaces on its inner and outer sides, characterized in that it includes: a housing for accommodating rice; an outer heating unit connected to one side of the housing and heating the outer surface of the rice; a first heating unit for providing heat to the outer heating unit; a conveying unit disposed inside the housing and the outer heating unit, for moving the rice from the housing toward the outer heating unit by rotational motion; and a second heating unit inserted into the interior of the conveying unit on one side and generating heat. The housing includes: a first body having a cylindrical internal structure with a first diameter; a second body having a cylindrical internal structure with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; and an inclined portion for connecting the first body and the second body. The conveying unit includes: a first screw located inside the first body; a second screw partially located inside the second body and partially located inside the outer heating unit; and an inner heating unit disposed outside the remaining portion of the second screw and located inside the outer heating unit.

[0008] A spool is provided on the other side of the second heating unit. Multiple annular connectors are coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the spool. The power line connected to the second heating unit is configured to pass through a through hole formed inside the spool, and the power line is electrically connected to the connector. Power is supplied by pressing the contact terminals of the connector's outer peripheral surface.

[0009] It is also provided with multiple connecting bolts, the lower part of each connecting bolt is inserted into and fixed to the spool in a direction parallel to the through hole, the wire connected to the second heating unit is fastened to the connecting bolt, and the spool has a connecting wire inside for connecting the lower part of the connecting bolt to the connector.

[0010] The contact terminal includes a first contact terminal and a second contact terminal. The first contact terminal is connected to the other side of the first finger. One side of the first finger is rotatably connected to the guide rod. One side of the second contact terminal is rotatably connected to the guide rod. The second contact terminal is connected to the other side of the second finger, which is located at a position symmetrical to the first finger. The second contact terminal has an elastic device that applies pressure in the direction that the distance between one side of the first finger and the other side of the second finger decreases.

[0011] Beneficial effects According to one embodiment of the present invention, a rice roll manufacturing apparatus is provided that can produce thin rice rolls, control the moisture content of the rice rolls within a precise range, and improve their durability. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a rice roll making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 This is an exploded view schematically illustrating a rice roll making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a perspective view illustrating the main parts of a rice roll making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts of a rice roll making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing the shape of the ingredients combined inside the rice roll. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The advantages and features of the invention, as well as methods for achieving these advantages and features, will become apparent from the embodiments described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided to ensure a complete disclosure of the invention and to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand its scope. Throughout this specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0018] The terminology used in this specification is for describing embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. In this specification, unless expressly stated otherwise, the singular forms include the plural forms. The terms "comprising" and / or "including" as used in this specification do not exclude the addition of more than one other component, step, action, and / or element beyond the stated component, step, action, and / or element.

[0019] The structure and effects of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a rice roll making apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is an exploded view schematically illustrating a rice roll making apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a perspective view illustrating the main parts of the rice roll making apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of the rice roll making apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 It is a diagram showing the shape of the ingredients combined inside the rice roll.

[0021] Figure 5The diagram shows the shape of the ingredients 13 combined inside the rice roll 10. The rice roll 10 is made of a cylindrical shape, with an inner cavity 11 inside, and heat-hardened surfaces 12 on the inner and outer sides.

[0022] Placing rice inside the heat-cured surface 12 can significantly extend its shelf life because the heat-cured surface 12 prevents air from entering.

[0023] Furthermore, when the moistened ingredient 13 is placed into the inner cavity 11, the moisture in the ingredient 13 penetrates into the interior of the heated and hardened surface, softening the originally hardened rice and thus achieving a soft texture. In one embodiment, if the moistened ingredient 13 is placed into the inner cavity 11 of the rice roll 10, and the seaweed 14 is attached to the outer surface of the rice roll 10 and rolled up, a texture similar to seaweed rice rolls can be obtained. In the process of making seaweed rice rolls, steps such as spreading rice on each sheet of seaweed and placing ingredients must be done manually. However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when using the rice roll manufacturing device 100, the rice roll manufacturing process can be automated. In addition, the processes of adding ingredients into the rice roll and attaching seaweed to the outside of the rice roll can also be automated, thereby achieving automated and efficient production of seaweed rice rolls.

[0024] The rice roll making apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 120, an outer heating unit 130, a first heating unit 140, a conveying unit 150, and a second heating unit 160. Furthermore, the rice roll making apparatus 100 may also include a support member 110 for supporting the housing 120, the conveying unit 150, etc., and a drive device 180 for rotating the conveying unit 150.

[0025] In one embodiment, the housing 120 may include a first body 121, a second body 122, and an inclined portion 123. The internal structures of the first body 121 and the second body 122 may be cylindrical. In this case, the inner diameter of the first body 121 may be a first diameter, and the inner diameter of the second body 122 may be a second diameter, and the second diameter may be smaller than the first diameter. Furthermore, the inclined portion 123 may be provided between the first body 121 and the second body 122.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first body 121 may be provided with a material supply unit 124. Rice can be introduced into the housing 120 through the material supply unit 124.

[0027] Although not illustrated, in one embodiment, the first body 121 may have a tapered internal structure. In this case, the inclined portion 123 and the first body 121 may be continuous and integral. In this case, in the tapered internal structure, the inner diameter may decrease towards the outer heating unit 130, but the change in diameter does not necessarily have to be linear.

[0028] In one embodiment, the outer heating unit 130 is disposed on one side of the second body 122, and the outer heating unit 130 may have a cylindrical shape. In one embodiment, the first heating unit 140 may perform the function of providing heat to the outer heating unit 130. In one embodiment, the first heating unit 140 may be attached to the outer surface of the outer heating unit 130.

[0029] In one embodiment, the conveying unit 150 is disposed inside the housing 120 and the outer heating unit 130, and a rotational operation causes the rice inside the housing 120 to move along a first direction. This first direction can refer to the direction from the housing 120 toward the outer heating unit 130. Simultaneously, when the conveying unit 150 rotates in the opposite direction, the material inside the housing 120 can be conveyed along a second direction opposite to the first direction. In one embodiment, the conveying unit 150 may include a first screw 151, a second screw 152, and an inner heating unit 153. In one embodiment, the first screw 151 may be located inside the first body 121, and the second screw 152 may be located inside the second body 122 and the outer heating unit 130. Furthermore, since the first screw 151 and the second screw 152 are located inside the housing 120, they can be configured to correspond to the size and shape of the housing 120. For example, when the inner cylindrical diameter of the first body 121 has a first diameter and the inner cylindrical diameter of the second body 122 has a second diameter, the first screw 151 may have a diameter slightly smaller than the first diameter, and the second screw 152 may have a diameter slightly smaller than the second diameter. In one embodiment, the inner heating unit 153 may be disposed on one side of the second screw 152 and may be implemented as a smooth cylindrical shape without a screw. In one embodiment, the conveying unit 150 may include a first gear 154 connected to the drive device 180 and receiving rotational force from the drive device 180 to rotate the conveying unit 150. In this case, the drive device 180 may include a motor 181 equipped with a second gear 182 and a power transmission belt 183 connected between the first gear 154 and the second gear 182. Figure 3 As shown, the power transmission belt 183 can be implemented as a chain, and the first gear 154 can be connected to at least one of the transmission unit 150 and the spool 164.

[0030] In one embodiment, the second heating unit 160 is inserted into the interior of the conveying unit 150 and can perform the function of generating heat. In one embodiment, the second heating unit 160 may include a heating wire. In this case, the second heating unit 160 may include a first heating unit 161, a second heating unit 162, a wire receiving unit 163, and a connector 165. In one embodiment, the first heating unit 161 may be located at a position corresponding to the inner heating unit 153, and the second heating unit 162 may be located at a position corresponding to the second screw 152. In this case, the first heating unit 161 and the second heating unit 162 may have different temperatures. For example, the temperature of the second heating unit 162 may be set lower than the temperature of the first heating unit 161. Therefore, when the rice is overheated when in contact with the second screw 152, the moisture content of the rolled rice decreases, resulting in the rice hardening and becoming stuck between the conveying unit 150 and the outer heating unit 130. While mitigating this phenomenon, the relatively high temperature of the second heating unit 162 ensures that the rolled rice discharged to the outside of the outer heating unit 130 is adequately heated.

[0031] In one embodiment, the heating elements, such as heating wires and carbon heating elements, are concentrated inside the first heating unit 161 and the second heating unit 162, and only the power cord can be housed in the wire receiving unit 163. In another embodiment, a portion of the heating element may also be disposed in the wire receiving unit 163, if desired.

[0032] In one embodiment, connector 165 may be located on the other side of wire receiving unit 163. Second heating unit 160 must be connected to transfer unit 150 and transfer heat to the surface of transfer unit 150. For this purpose, second heating unit 160 must rotate with transfer unit 150, thus ensuring that external power is smoothly supplied to the power cord located inside second heating unit 162 and that the power cord is not twisted relative to the external power source. For this purpose, connector 165 is formed as a ring, and terminals 171-1, 171-2, 171-3, and 171-4 contact the surface of connector 165; however, even if connector 165 rotates, connector 165 may have a structure that maintains contact with the terminals.

[0033] In one embodiment, connector 165 may be disposed on the surface of linear shaft 164, and as... Figures 1 to 4As shown, a plurality of connectors 165-1, 165-2, 165-3, and 165-4, insulated from each other, are disposed on the surface of the spool 164. A through-hole 164-1 is formed inside the spool 164, and a power line disposed in the first heating unit 140 is located inside this through-hole 164-1, and the power line can be electrically connected to each of the plurality of connectors 165-1, 165-2, 165-3, and 165-4. The accompanying drawings show four connectors 165-1, 165-2, 165-3, and 165-4, but the number of connectors can be varied as needed.

[0034] In one embodiment, the power cord connected to the heating wire can be connected to the first connector 165-1 and the second connector 165-2, and the temperature sensor signal line can be connected to the third connector 165-3 and the fourth connector 165-4. Therefore, it is possible to detect in real time whether the temperature of the second heating unit 160 is maintained within an appropriate temperature range, and the temperature of the second heating unit 160 can be controlled in real time using the temperature detection results. In one embodiment, a controller 173 connected via wire 172 to the first to fourth terminals 171-1, 171-2, 171-3, and 171-4 detects the temperature of the second heating unit 160 and maintains an appropriate temperature. Additionally, although not shown, the controller 173 is electrically connected to the first heating unit 140 and the motor 181 to perform temperature control and speed control.

[0035] In another embodiment, the first heating wire can be connected to the first connector 165-1 and the second connector 165-2, and the second heating wire can be connected to the third connector 165-3 and the fourth connector 165-4. In this case, the first heating wire can be placed in the first heating unit 161, and the second heating wire can be placed in the second heating unit 162. Furthermore, although not shown, separate temperature sensors and temperature sensor signal lines for temperature detection can be further provided. Therefore, the temperatures of the first heating unit 161 and the second heating unit 162 can be checked and adjusted. Simultaneously, the temperature sensor is positioned away from the boundary between the first heating unit 161 and the second heating unit 162, thus allowing for more accurate measurement of the independent temperatures of the first heating unit 161 and the second heating unit 162.

[0036] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the connecting bolt 166 can be fastened to the spool 164, and the lower part of the connecting bolt 166 can be electrically connected to the connector 165 via the connecting wire 167. Furthermore, the wire passing through the through hole 164-1 can contact the upper part of the connecting bolt 166. Therefore, an electrical connection between the wire and the connector 165 can be achieved. Additionally, when the first to fourth connectors 165-1, 165-2, 165-3, and 165-4 are arranged in the spool 164, the connecting bolt 166 is also provided with first to fourth connecting bolts 166-1, 166-2, and 166-3, so that electrical connections with the first to fourth connectors 165-1, 165-2, 165-3, and 165-4 can be achieved respectively via the first to fourth connecting wires 167-1, 167-2, and 167-3.

[0037] In one embodiment, a contact terminal may be provided that contacts the outer surface of each connector 165, and this contact terminal may be connected to the aforementioned controller 173. In this case, the contact terminal may include a first contact terminal 178 and a second contact terminal 179. Furthermore, the first contact terminal 178 may be coupled to the other side of the first finger 175, and the second contact terminal 179 may be coupled to the other side of the second finger 176. At this time, one side of the first finger 175 and one side of the second finger 176 are rotatably coupled to the guide rod 174, and an elastic device 177 is provided for pressing the first finger 175 and the second finger 176 in a direction that brings the distance between the one side of the first finger 175 and the other side of the second finger 176 closer. Therefore, the first contact terminal 178 and the second contact terminal 179 are pressed into contact with the connector 165, allowing for the smooth transmission of electrical energy and signals.

[0038] In one embodiment, the contact terminals may be made of a material with a lower hardness than connector 165. Therefore, when the contact terminals come into contact with connector 165 and connector 165 rotates repeatedly, the wear on the contact terminals may be greater than the wear on connector 165. In extreme cases, connector 165 may hardly wear, and only the contact terminals may wear. While the contact terminals can be easily attached to and detached from the first finger 175, the separation and connection of connector 165 from spool 164 is relatively inconvenient. By making the contact terminals more prone to wear, the replacement cycle of connector 165 can be extended, whereas the replacement cycle of easily replaceable contact terminals can be relatively short.

[0039] Although representative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

[0040] Industrial applicability By utilizing the rice roll manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the rice roll manufacturing process can be automated and made more efficient, thus making it applicable to fields such as food processing and catering industries that require large-scale production and quality assurance.

Claims

1. A rice roll manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that, as a rice roll device having a cylindrical shape, an internal cavity, and thermosetting surfaces on its inner and outer sides, the apparatus is characterized in that, include: The outer shell is used to hold the rice that has been placed inside. An external heating unit is connected to one side of the housing and heats the outer surface of the rice. The first heating unit provides heat to the outer heating unit; A conveying unit is disposed inside the housing and the outer heating unit, and moves the rice from the housing to the outer heating unit by rotational motion; as well as The second heating unit is inserted into the interior of the transmission unit on one side and generates heat. The housing includes: The first main body has a cylindrical internal structure with a first diameter; The second body has a cylindrical internal structure with a second diameter smaller than that of the first body; and An inclined portion is used to connect the first main body and the second main body. The transmission unit includes: The first screw is located inside the first body; The second screw is partially located inside the second main body and partially located inside the outer heating unit; and The inner heating unit is disposed on the outside of the remaining portion of the second screw and located inside the outer heating unit.

2. The rice roll making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, A spool is provided on the other side of the second heating unit. Multiple ring connectors are coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the spool. The power line connected to the second heating unit is configured to pass through a through hole formed inside the spool, and the power line is electrically connected to the connectors, and is powered by contact terminals that are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the connectors.

3. The rice roll making apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes multiple connecting bolts, the lower part of which is inserted into and fixed to the spool along a direction parallel to the through hole. The wires connected to the second heating unit are fastened to the connecting bolts. The spool contains a connecting wire for connecting the lower part of the connecting bolt to the connector.

4. The rice roll making apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The contact terminal includes a first contact terminal and a second contact terminal. The first contact terminal is connected to the other side of the first finger, and one side of the first finger is rotatably connected to the guide rod. One side of the second contact terminal is rotatably connected to the guide rod, and the second contact terminal is connected to the other side of a second finger located symmetrical to the first finger. It also has an elastic device that applies pressure in a direction in which the distance between one side of the first finger and the other side of the second finger decreases.

Images