Automatic popcorn vending machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of food processing equipment, in particular to a popcorn vending machine which comprises a cabinet, a controller and an ordering device. A grain adding device, a boiler, a stirring device, a slurry adding device, a seasoning powder adding device, a cup falling device, a cup conveying mechanism, a cooling mechanism and a cleaning mechanism are arranged in the cabinet. The ordering device is connected with the controller and is used for inputting purchase information and / or payment information. According to the popcorn vending machine, seasoning slurry can be added in the popcorn making process, seasoning powder which is not suitable for heating and stirring can be added, the made popcorn is richer in taste, the stirred popcorn can be discharged into a cup more easily and is not prone to scattering, the popcorn vending machine can adapt to cups of various calibers, and the popcorn vending machine is suitable for popularization and application. The temperature is not too high when the popcorn is made and the user takes the popcorn, and the popcorn is crisp in taste and not prone to scalding the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of food processing equipment, in particular to an automatic popcorn vending machine. Background Art

[0002] Popcorn is a snack deeply loved by the public. Traditional popcorn machines generally adopt the methods of manual feeding, manual production and manual vending, which are time-consuming and laborious. With the development of technology, some automatic popcorn vending machines have been introduced on the market, which greatly meet the needs of playing areas such as cinemas, shopping malls and amusement scenic spots. However, the existing automatic popcorn vending machines, although they can automatically make popcorn, usually have the following problems: 1. The flavors of the made popcorn are not rich and diverse enough to meet the needs of users; 2. They cannot perform self-cleaning; 3. When the popcorn is poured into the cup, part of the popcorn is easily spilled into the popcorn machine, which not only causes waste, but also easily breeds bacteria and increases the maintenance cost; 4. When the popcorn is made and waiting for the user to pick it up, the temperature is too high, the taste is not crispy enough, and it is easy to scald the user and affect the use experience; 5. The structure is complex, the structure is not compact enough, the space occupation is large, and the manufacturing cost is high. Content of the Utility Model

[0003] In order to overcome the defects existing in the prior art, the task of the utility model is to provide an automatic popcorn vending machine, which can add flavoring slurries (such as oil, syrup, jam, etc.) during the process of making popcorn, and can also add flavoring powders that are not suitable for heating and stirring (such as seaweed powder, cumin powder, etc.). The made popcorn has richer flavors, and it is easier to discharge the stirred popcorn into the cup, the discharge is cleaner and not easy to spill, and it can adapt to cups of various diameters. And it can perform self-cleaning on the stirring device after each discharge of popcorn to avoid flavor mixing. Moreover, when the popcorn is made and waiting for the user to pick it up, the temperature is not too high, the taste is crisper, it will not scald the user, and the structure design is ingenious and compact.

[0004] The task of the utility model is realized through the following technical solutions:

[0005] A popcorn vending machine comprises a cabinet, on which a pickup port is provided, wherein a grain material adding device, a boiler, a stirring device, a slurry adding device, a seasoning powder adding device, a cup dropper, a cup transporting mechanism, a cooling mechanism and a cleaning mechanism are arranged in the cabinet; the grain material adding device is connected to the boiler, and the boiler is used to make popcorn from the grain material; the stirring device comprises a stirring pot and a pot bottom frame arranged up and down, the stirring pot is provided with a stirrer, the stirrer passes through the stirring pot and is connected to a stirring motor, the boiler and the slurry adding device are respectively connected to the stirring pot through a feeding pipe, and can respectively transport popcorn and seasoning slurry to the stirring pot, the lower end of the stirring pot is open, the pot bottom frame comprises a material dropping channel, a cover plate arranged in the material dropping channel, and a cover plate driving mechanism capable of driving the cover plate to move to close or open the lower port of the stirring pot; the cup dropper can store a plurality of cups and can drive a single cup to drop downward, and the cup transporting mechanism can move to the bottom of the cup dropper to receive and hold the cups. The cup can be moved with the cup to the bottom of the material drop channel to receive popcorn, and the cup containing popcorn can be moved to the bottom of the cooling mechanism and the outlet of the seasoning powder adding device to cool down and add seasoning powder; the cleaning mechanism includes a nozzle, a water receiving funnel, a lifting mechanism and a waste water tank, the nozzle is arranged on the stirring pot and can spray cleaning water into it, the water receiving funnel is located under the material drop channel and can be driven by the lifting mechanism to move up and down, and when the water receiving funnel moves to the lower dead point, an escape space for the cup to pass through can be formed between the water receiving funnel and the material drop channel; when the water receiving funnel moves to the upper dead point, the water receiving funnel can receive the cleaning waste water falling from the material drop channel and guide the cleaning waste water into the waste water tank; the vending machine also includes a controller and an ordering device, the ordering device is connected to the controller and is used for inputting purchase information and / or payment information, and controls the automatic operation of the popcorn vending machine through the controller.

[0006] As a preferred technical solution, the grain material adding device includes a grain bin and a feeding mechanism arranged at the lower end outlet of the grain bin, the feeding mechanism includes a feeding barrel, a feeding drive mechanism for driving the feeding barrel to move horizontally back and forth between a first position and a second position, and a fixed lower baffle, and an upper baffle is also connected to the feeding barrel, wherein the moving direction of the feeding barrel is parallel to the upper baffle and the lower baffle, and when the feeding barrel is in the first position, the upper port of the feeding barrel is connected to the discharge port of the grain bin and the lower baffle blocks the lower port of the feeding barrel, and when the feeding barrel moves to the second position, the lower port of the feeding barrel is staggered with the lower baffle and connected to the feed port of the boiler and the upper baffle blocks the discharge port of the grain bin, and a transverse columnar scraper spring is installed on the side of the discharge port of the grain bin close to the second position, and when the feeding barrel moves from the first position toward the second position, the lower part of the scraper spring can be against the upper port of the feeding barrel to achieve scraping.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution, the stirrer includes a stirring shaft and a stirring frame installed at the lower end of the stirring shaft. A sleeve is also sleeved outside the stirring shaft. The stirring shaft and the sleeve are either non-contact or rotatably connected, and there is a cavity channel between them. The upper part of the sleeve extends out of the stirring pot and is connected to a hot air pipe. Several air inlet holes are provided at intervals on the side wall of the sleeve. A temperature sensing probe is also provided between the stirring shaft and the sleeve. The tail end or signal wire of the temperature sensing probe extends out of the stirring pot through an opening on the sleeve. An exhaust hole and a filter screen are also provided on the stirring pot, and an exhaust pipe is connected to the outside of the exhaust hole.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution, one side of the cover plate is pivotally connected to the blanking channel. The cover plate driving mechanism includes a cover plate motor, a driving gear provided at the output end of the cover plate motor, a sector gear provided on the back of the cover plate, and a travel switch or position sensor for detecting the flipping angle of the cover plate. The driving gear meshes with the sector gear, and the cover plate motor can drive the cover plate to flip up and down through the transmission of the driving gear and the sector gear. A sealing ring is provided at the lower port of the stirring pot, and sealing can be achieved when the cover plate flips up to press against the lower port of the stirring pot.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the flavor powder adding device includes at least one flavor powder bin, a powder conveying screw, a screw driving motor, and a powder dropping channel. A cylindrical powder conveying channel matching the outer diameter of the powder conveying screw is provided at the lower part of the flavor powder bin. The powder conveying channel communicates with the flavor powder bin and the powder dropping channel. At least part of the powder conveying screw is located in the powder conveying channel. By driving the powder conveying screw to rotate through the screw driving motor, the flavor powder in the flavor powder bin can be output to the powder dropping channel and fall out through the powder dropping channel.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, at least one stirring disk is further provided in the flavor powder bin. The stirring disk is pivotally connected in the flavor powder bin. A toothed ring matching the powder conveying screw is provided on the outer periphery of the stirring disk. The toothed ring meshes with the powder conveying screw. At least one stirring blade protrudes from the side surface of the stirring disk. When the powder conveying screw rotates, it can drive the stirring disk to rotate, so as to stir the flavor powder in the flavoring bin through the stirring disk.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the cooling mechanism includes a cooling air box provided at the outlet of the powder dropping channel. An opening for the cup to enter is provided on the cooling air box. Several cooling air outlets are provided on the inner side wall and the top wall of the cooling air box. Each cooling air outlet communicates with a cooling air duct and a cooling fan. The cooling air box is provided at the inner side wall of the cabinet. The side wall shared by the cooling air box and the cabinet and the top wall of the cooling air box are both hollow sandwich structures and are interconnected, and both are provided with the cooling air outlets. The hollow sandwich forms the cooling air duct.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the cup transporting mechanism includes a rotating frame, a rotating frame motor, and a cup holder for holding cups. The rotating frame motor can drive the rotating frame to rotate around a vertical axis. The cup holder is arranged at one end of the cup rack far from the axis. A guardrail for preventing the cup from slipping is provided in the circumferential direction of the cup holder. The cup transporting mechanism further includes at least three travel switches or position sensors, corresponding to the rotating frame rotating below the cup dropping device, below the material dropping channel, and below the powder dropping channel respectively, so as to control the rotating frame to stop when it is driven to rotate to the above positions.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, a heat preservation cavity is further provided in the cabinet. The side wall of the heat preservation cavity is provided with heat preservation materials. The slurry adding device is arranged in the heat preservation cavity. The slurry adding device includes a plurality of slurry tanks for storing liquid slurry. Each slurry tank is connected with a conveying pipe. A conveying pump is arranged on the conveying pipe. The end of the conveying pipe extends to the rear of the stirring pot and then penetrates out of the heat preservation cavity and is connected to the corresponding feeding port of the stirring pot. A heating module and a heat storage module are further provided in the heat preservation cavity. The heating module can heat the space in the heat preservation cavity. The heat storage module contains a heat storage medium, so as to store heat and release heat when the temperature in the heat preservation cavity is lower than the medium temperature.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, an automatic popcorn vending machine provided by the present utility model can not only add flavoring slurries (such as oil, syrup, jam, etc.) during the process of making popcorn, but also add flavoring powders that are not suitable for heating and stirring (such as seaweed powder, cumin powder, etc.). The made popcorn has a richer taste, is more likely to be discharged into the cup after stirring is completed, is discharged more cleanly, is not easy to spill, can adapt to cups of various calibers, and can self-clean the stirring device after each discharge of popcorn to avoid flavor mixing. Moreover, when the popcorn is made and waiting for the user to pick it up, the temperature is not too high, the taste is crispier, it will not scald the user, and the structural design is ingenious and compact.

[0015] The concept, specific structure and effects of the present utility model will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of the present utility model. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic external structure diagram of the automatic popcorn vending machine in the embodiment;

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic internal structure diagram of the automatic popcorn vending machine in the embodiment after hiding the cabinet door;

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic structure diagram of the material discharging structure;

[0019] Figure 4 is Figure 3 the schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of

[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic structural view of the mixing pot;

[0021] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a schematic structural view after hiding the pot body of the mixing pot;

[0022] Figure 7 is a schematic structural view of the bottom pot stand;

[0023] Figure 8 is a schematic structural view of the flavor powder adding device;

[0024] Figure 9 is a schematic sectional structural view of the flavor powder adding device;

[0025] Figure 10 is Figure 2 a schematic structural view in another perspective state

[0026] Figure 11 is Figure 10 an enlarged schematic view of part A in

[0027] Figure 12 is a schematic structural view of the cup transporting mechanism;

[0028] Figure 13 is a schematic structural view of the water receiving funnel and the lifting mechanism;

[0029] Figure 14 is an internal schematic structural view of the popcorn vending machine in the embodiment with the rear cabinet panel hidden.

[0030] Wherein: cabinet 1, pick-up opening 11, ordering device 12, heat preservation cavity 13, heating module 131, heat storage module 132, hot box 133, hot water tank 134, grain adding device 2, grain bin 21, feeding mechanism 22, feeding tube 221, upper baffle 2211, feeding drive mechanism 222, lower baffle 223, scraping spring 224, fixed guide frame 225, position sensor 226, boiler 3, stirring device 4, mixing pot 41, sealing ring 411, bottom pot stand 42, blanking channel 421, cover plate 422, cover plate motor 423, driving gear 424, sector gear 425, second travel switch 426, stirrer 43, stirring shaft 431, stirring frame

[0031] 432, sleeve 433, air inlet hole 4331, hot air pipe 434, temperature sensing probe 435, stirring motor 44, feeding pipe 45, exhaust pipe 46, slurry adding device 5, slurry tank 51, conveying pipe 52, conveying pump 53, flavor powder adding device 6, flavor powder bin 61, powder conveying screw 62, screw driving motor 63,

[0032] Powder dropping channel 64, cooling air box 641, cooling air outlet 6411, powder conveying channel 65, stirring disc 66, gear ring 661, stirring blades 662, cup dropping device 7, cup conveying mechanism 8, rotating frame 81, rotating shaft 811, support 812, rotating frame motor 82, cup holder 83, guardrail 831, fixing frame 84, bearing seat 85, third travel switch 86, cleaning mechanism 9, nozzle 91, water receiving funnel 92, lifting mechanism 93, mounting frame 931, vertical track 932, slider 933, connecting frame 934, lifting motor 935, transmission belt set 936, first travel switch 937, waste water tank 94, cup 100. Detailed implementation mode

[0033] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present utility model more clear and understandable, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present utility model and are not used to limit the present utility model. It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "connected" or "communicated with" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or connected to the other element through other intermediate elements. Without special instructions, it can be a non-detachable connection or a detachable connection. Similar expressions are only for the purpose of illustration and are not used to limit the present utility model.

[0034] Embodiment:

[0035] As Figure 1-14 shown, this embodiment provides a popcorn vending machine, which includes a cabinet 1, a pickup opening 11 is provided on the cabinet 1, and a grain feeding device 2, a boiler 3, a stirring device 4, a slurry feeding device 5, a seasoning powder feeding device 6, a cup dropping device 7, a cup conveying mechanism 8, a cooling mechanism and a cleaning mechanism 9 are arranged in the cabinet 1;

[0036] The grain feeding device 2 is connected to the boiler 3 and can supply grain to it, and the boiler 3 is used to make popcorn from the grain;

[0037] The stirring device 4 includes a stirring pot 41 and a bottom pot frame 42 arranged up and down. A stirrer 43 is arranged in the stirring pot 41. The stirrer 43 passes through the stirring pot 41 and is connected to a stirring motor 44. The boiler 3 and the slurry feeding device 5 are respectively connected to the stirring pot 41 through a feeding pipe 45 and can respectively convey popcorn and seasoning slurry to the stirring pot 41. The lower end of the stirring pot 41 is open. The bottom pot frame 42 includes a blanking channel 421, a cover plate 422 arranged in the blanking channel 421, and a cover plate driving mechanism that can drive the cover plate 422 to turn up and down to close or open the lower port of the stirring pot 41;

[0038] The cup dropping device 7 can store a number of cups 100 and drive a single cup 100 to drop downward. The cup transporting mechanism 8 can move below the cup dropping device 7 to receive the cup 100, and can carry the cup 100 to move below the blanking channel 421 to receive popcorn, and can carry the cup 100 filled with popcorn to move below the outlets of the cooling mechanism and the flavoring powder adding device 6 to perform cooling and adding flavoring powder.

[0039] The cleaning mechanism 9 includes a nozzle 91, a water receiving funnel 92, a lifting mechanism 93 and a waste water tank 94. The nozzle 91 is arranged in the mixing pot 41 and can spray cleaning water into it. The water receiving funnel 92 is located below the blanking channel 421 and can be driven by the lifting mechanism 93 to move up and down. When the water receiving funnel 92 moves to the lower dead point, a clearance space for the cup 100 to pass through can be formed between the water receiving funnel 92 and the blanking channel 421. When the water receiving funnel 92 moves to the upper dead point, the water receiving funnel 92 can receive the cleaning waste water falling from the blanking channel 421 and introduce the cleaning waste water into the waste water tank 94. In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 93 includes a mounting frame 931, a vertical track 932 arranged on the mounting frame 931, a slider 933 matching the track, a connecting frame 934 connecting the slider 933, a lifting motor 935 for driving the slider 933 to move up and down along the track, a transmission belt group 936, and a first travel switch 937 for controlling the stroke range of the water receiving funnel 92. The water receiving funnel 92 is mounted on the connecting frame 934.

[0040] It further includes a controller and an ordering device 12. The ordering device 12 is connected to the controller and is used for inputting purchase information and / or payment information. The controller is connected to the grain adding device 2, the boiler 3, the stirring device 4, the slurry adding device 5, the flavoring powder adding device 6, the cup dropping device 7, the cup transporting mechanism 8, the cooling mechanism and the cleaning mechanism 9 and can control their operations. In this embodiment, the ordering device 12 is a human-computer interaction touch screen arranged on the cabinet door of the cabinet 1.

[0041] An automatic popcorn vending machine provided in this embodiment can heat and stir the original popcorn made by the boiler 3 and the flavoring slurry (such as oil, syrup, various jams, etc.) into semi-finished popcorn by setting a stirring device 4 and a slurry adding device 5. By setting a flavoring powder adding device 6, the flavoring powder that is not suitable for heating and stirring (such as seaweed powder, cumin powder, etc.) can be sprinkled on the semi-finished popcorn in the cup 100 to make finished popcorn. The made popcorn has a richer taste and can meet the needs of more users with different requirements. By setting the stirring device 4 to include two parts, a stirring pot 41 and a bottom frame 42, the original popcorn and the flavoring slurry are heated and stirred and mixed by using the stirring pot 41. After the stirring is completed, it is not necessary to turn it over and pour it. Only by turning the cover plate 422 up and down can the bottom of the stirring pot 41 be opened to discharge the stirred popcorn into the cup 100. The discharge is cleaner, the structural design is ingenious and compact, and the occupied space is small. The falling popcorn is guided and limited by the blanking channel 421, so that it is easier to discharge the stirred popcorn into the cup 100 and it is not easy to spill. Moreover, by controlling the downward turning angle of the cover plate 422, the opening size of the stirring pot 41 can be adjusted to facilitate adapting to cups 100 with different diameters. By setting a cooling mechanism, the cup 100 containing popcorn and the popcorn therein can be cooled down so that the temperature is not too high when the user takes it, the taste is crisper, and the user will not be scalded. By setting a cleaning mechanism 9, and the cleaning mechanism 9 includes a water receiving funnel 92 that can be lifted up and down. When the cup transporting mechanism 8 transports the cup 100 to receive materials below the blanking channel 421, the water receiving funnel 92 can be lowered to form an avoidance space. When cleaning is required, the water receiving funnel 92 is lifted to receive the cleaning wastewater falling from the blanking channel 421 and guide the cleaning wastewater into the wastewater tank 94.

[0042] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, the grain adding device 2 includes a grain bin 21 and a feeding mechanism 22 arranged at the lower end outlet of the grain bin 21, the feeding mechanism 22 includes a fixed guide frame 225, a feeding barrel 221 slidably connected in the fixed guide frame 225, a feeding drive mechanism 222 for driving the feeding barrel 221 to move back and forth laterally between a first position and a second position, a fixed lower baffle 223, and a position sensor 226, and an upper baffle 2211 is also connected to the feeding barrel 221, wherein the moving direction of the feeding barrel 221 is parallel to the upper baffle 2211 and the lower baffle 223, and when the feeding barrel 2 When 21 is in the first position, the upper port of the lower barrel 221 is connected to the discharge port of the grain bin 21 and the lower baffle 223 covers the lower port of the lower barrel 221; when the lower barrel 221 moves to the second position, the lower port of the lower barrel 221 is offset from the lower baffle 223 and is connected to the feed port of the boiler 3 and the upper baffle 221 covers the discharge port of the grain bin 21; a transverse columnar scraper spring 224 is installed on one side of the discharge port of the grain bin 21 close to the second position; when the lower barrel 221 moves from the first position to the second position, the lower part of the scraper spring 224 can be against the upper port of the lower barrel 221 to achieve scraping. By setting up the feeding mechanism 22, it is possible to distribute an equal amount of raw materials to the popcorn making device each time, so that the amount of popcorn produced each time can be kept consistent, thereby improving the user experience of consumers, and the structure is simple, the operation is stable, and the manufacturing, assembly and maintenance costs are low; by setting up the scraper spring 224, the raw materials protruding from the upper end of the feeding barrel 221 can be scraped flat when the feeding barrel 221 moves to the second position after the loading is completed, and because the scraper spring 224 has a certain elasticity, it is not easy to crush the raw materials, and the standard spring that is easy to purchase is used to scrape the materials, which is low in cost and good in effect.

[0043] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, the stirrer 43 includes a stirring shaft 431 and a stirring frame 432 installed at the lower end of the stirring shaft 431. A sleeve 433 is also sleeved outside the stirring shaft 431. The stirring shaft 431 and the sleeve 433 are either non-contact or rotatably connected, and there is a cavity channel between them. The upper part of the sleeve 433 extends out of the stirring pot 41 and is connected to a hot air pipe 434. The lower end of the sleeve 433 extends to the lower end of the stirring shaft 431, and several air inlet holes 4331 are arranged at intervals on the side wall of the sleeve. A temperature sensing probe 435 is also arranged between the stirring shaft 431 and the sleeve 433. The tail end or signal wire of the temperature sensing probe 435 extends out of the stirring pot 41 through an opening on the sleeve 433. An exhaust hole and a filter screen are also arranged on the stirring pot 41, and a exhaust pipe 46 is connected to the outside of the exhaust hole. In this solution, by arranging the sleeve to enclose a cavity channel around the stirring shaft 431 and providing several air inlet holes 4331 arranged at intervals on the side wall of the sleeve, it is convenient to evenly input hot air into the stirring pot 41 to achieve uniform heating, and it is also convenient to arrange the temperature sensing probe 435 by using the cavity channel. In other embodiments, instead of setting a hot air pipe, hot air can be directly supplied into the stirring pot 41 through the popcorn feeding pipe communicating with the boiler 3.

[0044] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, one side of the cover plate 422 is pivotally connected to the blanking channel 421. The cover plate driving mechanism includes a cover plate motor 423, a driving gear 424 arranged at the output end of the cover plate motor 423, a sector gear 425 arranged on the back of the cover plate 422, and a second travel switch 426 for detecting the flipping angle of the cover plate 422. The driving gear 424 meshes with the sector gear 425. The cover plate motor 423 can drive the cover plate 422 to flip up and down through the transmission of the driving gear 424 and the sector gear 425. A sealing ring 411 is arranged at the lower port of the stirring pot 41, and sealing can be achieved when the cover plate 422 flips up to press against the lower port of the stirring pot 41. In this solution, by arranging the sector gear 425, the rotational torque transmitted from the cover plate motor 423 to the cover plate 422 can be amplified, the pressure of the cover plate 422 pressing against the lower port of the stirring pot 41 can be increased, so as to improve the sealing effect, and the structure is simple and the work is stable.

[0045] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, the flavor powder adding device 6 includes a plurality of flavor powder bins 61, a powder conveying screw 62, a screw driving motor 63, and a powder dropping channel 64. A horizontal cylindrical powder conveying channel 65 matching the outer diameter of the powder conveying screw 62 is provided at the lower part of the flavor powder bin 61. The powder conveying channel 65 communicates with the flavor powder bin 61 and the powder dropping channel 64. At least part of the powder conveying screw 62 is located in the powder conveying channel 65. By driving the powder conveying screw 62 to rotate through the screw driving motor 63, the flavor powder in the flavor powder bin 61 can be output to the powder dropping channel 64 and dropped through the powder dropping channel 64. In this solution, by using a horizontal powder conveying screw 62 to convey the flavor powder, it is convenient to control the output amount of the flavor powder, avoid excessive output of the flavor powder, and has a simple structure and convenient control.

[0046] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, a stirring disk 66 is further provided in the flavor powder bin 61. The stirring disk 66 is pivotally connected in the flavor powder bin 61. A gear ring 661 matching the powder conveying screw 62 is provided on the outer periphery of the stirring disk 66. The gear ring 661 meshes with the powder conveying screw 62. A plurality of stirring blades 662 protrude from the side surface of the stirring disk 66. When the powder conveying screw 62 rotates, it can drive the stirring disk 66 to rotate, so as to stir the flavor powder in the flavoring bin through the stirring disk 66. In this solution, by providing the stirring disk 66, it can drive the stirring disk 66 to rotate when the powder conveying screw 62 rotates to stir the flavoring in the flavor powder bin 61 to prevent caking, and there is no need to additionally provide a driving mechanism for the stirring disk 66, and the structural design is ingenious.

[0047] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, the cooling mechanism includes a cooling air box 641 provided at the outlet of the powder dropping channel 64. An opening for the cup 100 to enter is provided on the cooling air box 641. A plurality of cooling air outlets 6411 are provided on the inner side wall and the top wall of the cooling air box 641. Each cooling air outlet 6411 communicates with the cooling air duct and the cooling fan. The cooling air box 641 is provided at the inner side wall of the cabinet 1. The side wall shared by the cooling air box 641 and the cabinet 1 and the top wall of the cooling air box 641 are both of a hollow sandwich structure and communicate with each other, and both are provided with the cooling air outlets 6411. The hollow sandwich forms the cooling air duct. In this solution, by providing the cooling air box 641 to cool down the cup 100 containing popcorn, it can not only cool the outer side wall of the cup 100, but also cool the popcorn in the cup 100 through the upper port of the cup 100, and the cooling effect is better; and by setting the cooling air box 641 at the outlet of the powder dropping channel 64, it can not only cool down the cup 100 containing popcorn at this place, but also sprinkle flavor powder into the cup 100 at this place, which can simplify the cup conveying path and process of the cup conveying mechanism 8.

[0048] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, the cup transporting mechanism 8 includes a rotating frame 81, a rotating frame motor 82, and a cup holder 83 for receiving the cup 100. The rotating frame motor 82 can drive the rotating frame 81 to rotate around a vertical axis. The cup holder 83 is arranged at one end of the cup rack away from the axis. A guardrail 831 for preventing the cup 100 from slipping is provided in the circumferential direction of the cup holder 83. The cup transporting mechanism 8 further includes at least three third travel switches 86, respectively corresponding to the rotating frame 81 rotating below the cup dropping device 7, below the blanking channel 421, and below the powder dropping channel 64, so as to control the rotating frame 81 to stop when driving the rotating frame 81 to rotate to the above positions. In this solution, the cup 100 is moved by the rotating frame 81. Compared with the linear cup transporting mechanism 8, it can easily realize the movement of the cup 100 in the horizontal and vertical spaces inside the popcorn machine, so as to more easily realize the matching of the cup 100 transporting position with different devices inside the popcorn machine, with less space occupied, simple and stable structure, low failure rate, and more convenient for accurately positioning the transporting position of the cup body and not prone to deviation.

[0049] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, the cup transporting mechanism 8 further includes a fixed frame 84. The rotating frame 81 includes a vertical rotating shaft 811 and a bracket 812 installed on the rotating shaft 811. The cup holder 83 is arranged at one end of the bracket 812 away from the rotating shaft 811. Two bearing seats 85 are provided on the fixed frame 84. The rotating shaft 811 passes through the bearing seats 85 and can rotate relative to them. A driven wheel is fixedly provided on the rotating shaft 811. The rotating frame motor 82 is fixedly installed on the fixed frame 84 and a driving wheel is provided on its output shaft. The driving wheel and the driven wheel are connected by a transmission belt, so that the rotating frame 81 can be driven to rotate by the rotating frame motor 82.

[0050] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, a heat preservation cavity 13 and a production cavity are provided in the cabinet 1. The boiler 3, the stirring device 4 and the cup conveying mechanism 8 are all arranged in the production cavity. The side wall of the heat preservation cavity 13 is provided with heat preservation materials. The slurry adding device 5 is arranged in the heat preservation cavity 13. The slurry adding device 5 includes a plurality of slurry tanks 51 for storing liquid slurry. Each slurry tank 51 is connected with a conveying pipe 52. A conveying pump 53 is arranged on the conveying pipe 52. The end of the conveying pipe 52 extends to the rear of the stirring pot 41 and then passes through the heat preservation cavity 13 and is connected to the corresponding feeding port of the stirring pot 41. A heating module 54 and a heat storage module 132 are also arranged in the heat preservation cavity 13. The heating module 54 can heat the space in the heat preservation cavity 13. The heat storage module 132 contains a heat storage medium so as to store heat and release heat when the temperature of the heat preservation cavity 13 is lower than the medium temperature. By providing the heat preservation cavity 13, heat preservation materials are coated on the inner side wall of the heat preservation cavity 13, and a heating module 131 capable of heating the space in the heat preservation cavity 13 and a heat storage module 132 capable of storing heat and releasing heat when the temperature of the heat preservation cavity 13 is lower than the medium temperature are arranged in the heat preservation cavity 13, so that it is convenient to maintain the temperature in the heat preservation cavity 13 suitable for storing the slurry tanks 51 of liquid slurry, prevent the liquid slurry from solidifying, and the slurry conveying pipes 52 all extend to the rear of the stirring pot 41 and then pass through the heat preservation cavity 13 and are directly connected to the corresponding feeding ports of the stirring pot 41, which can maximize the shortening of the conveying pipes 52 exposed to the external environment of the heat preservation cavity 13 and reduce the heat loss of the conveying pipes, so that it is not necessary to coat the plastic pipes with heat preservation materials and the slurry can be prevented from solidifying.

[0051] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, a metal heat box 133 is also arranged in the heat preservation cavity 13. The heating module 131 and the heat storage module 132 are both arranged in the heat box 133. Figure 14 The upper cover plate of the heat box 133 is hidden in the figure. In this solution, by arranging the heating module 131 and the heat storage module 132 in the metal heat box 133, the heat generated by the heating module 131 can be more easily absorbed and stored by the heat storage module 132 while increasing the temperature of the heat preservation cavity 13, so that it is more convenient to maintain the temperature in the heat preservation cavity 13.

[0052] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, a hot air pipe 434 is also arranged in the heat preservation cavity 13. The hot air pipe 434 is connected to an air pump and passes through the heat storage module 132 and the heating module 131 and then extends to the rear of the stirring device 4 and then passes through the heat preservation cavity 13 and is connected to the stirring device 4. In this solution, the heating module 131 can be used to heat the air in the hot air pipe 434, so that hot air can be provided for the stirring device 4 to realize the heating, stirring and mixing of popcorn and flavoring slurry.

[0053] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, a hot water tank 134 is further provided in the heat preservation chamber 13. The hot water tank 134 is connected with a water inlet pipe and a drain pipe. After the water inlet pipe penetrates out of the heat preservation chamber 13, it is connected to the water tank, and the drain pipe extends to the rear of the stirring device and then penetrates out of the heat preservation chamber 13 and is connected to the flushing nozzle of the stirring device. In this solution, the hot water tank 134 can be used to heat the cleaning water, improve the cleaning effect, and at the same time, the heat dissipation of the hot water tank 134 can be recovered to increase the temperature in the heat preservation chamber 13, realizing the recovery and utilization of waste heat.

[0054] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, the heat preservation chamber 13 includes a storage tank chamber located below the production chamber and a pump chamber located behind the production chamber. Each of the slurry tanks and the hot water tank 134 are arranged in the storage tank chamber, and each of the transfer pumps and the metal hot box 133 are arranged in the pump chamber. Preferably, a circulation fan and a circulation air duct are further provided in the heat preservation chamber 13, and the circulation air duct communicates the storage tank chamber and the pump chamber so that the air in the two can circulate.

[0055] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, an air inlet pipe and an air inlet fan are connected to the boiler, and the air inlet of the air inlet pipe communicates into the heat preservation chamber 13. In this solution, the heat preservation chamber 13 can be used to provide hot air with a relatively high temperature to the boiler, which is convenient for the boiler to work.

[0056] Based on the above popcorn making and selling method of the popcorn vending machine, it includes the following steps:

[0057] S1. The ordering device 12 obtains the purchase information and sends the purchase information to the controller. The controller controls the grain adding device 2, the boiler 3, the stirring device 4, the slurry adding device 5, the seasoning powder adding device 6, the cup dropping device 7, the cup transporting mechanism 8, the cooling mechanism and the cleaning mechanism 9 to operate according to the set program according to the purchase information;

[0058] S2. The grain adding device 2 adds grains into the boiler 3. The boiler 3 bakes the grains into original flavor popcorn. The cup dropping device 7 drives a single cup 100 to drop onto the cup transporting mechanism 8, and the cup transporting mechanism 8 moves the cup 100 to below the blanking channel 421;

[0059] S3. The boiler 3 discharges the made original flavor popcorn into the stirring pot 41. The slurry adding device 5 adds seasoning slurry into the stirring pot 41. The stirring pot 41 mixes, heats and stirs the original flavor popcorn and the seasoning slurry into semi-finished popcorn;

[0060] S4. The cover plate driving mechanism drives the cover plate 422 to turn downwards and open. The semi-finished popcorn in the stirring pot 41 falls into the empty cup 100 on the cup transporting mechanism 8 through the blanking channel 421;

[0061] S5. The cup transporting mechanism 8 transports the cup 100 filled with semi-finished popcorn into the cooling air box 641. The cooling fan is started to cool it down. The flavor powder adding device 6 sprinkles the flavor powder on the semi-finished popcorn in the cup 100 to make finished popcorn.

[0062] S6. The cup transporting mechanism 8 transports the cup 100 filled with finished popcorn to the pickup port 11. After the user takes away the cup 100, the cup transporting mechanism 8 resets.

[0063] S7. The lifting mechanism 93 drives the water receiving funnel 92 to run upward to the upper dead point. The cover plate driving mechanism drives the cover plate 422 to an inclined state for easy cleaning. The nozzle 91 sprays cleaning water to clean the stirring pot 41, the stirrer 43, the blanking channel 421 and the cover plate 422. The waste water after cleaning falls into the water receiving funnel 92 and flows through the water receiving funnel 92 to the waste water tank 94. Then the lifting mechanism 93 drives the water receiving funnel 92 to run downward to the lower dead point to complete the reset, and the cover plate driving mechanism drives the cover plate 422 to rotate upward to close the stirring pot 41 to complete the reset.

[0064] It should be noted that devices such as the boiler 3 and the cup dropping device 7 in this patent can all use the existing technologies in the field. Although the structures and working principles thereof are not further described and defined in detail in this patent, it does not affect those skilled in the art to understand and implement this patent.

[0065] The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present application and the explanation of the applied technical principles. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the utility model involved in the present application is not limited to the technical solutions formed by the specific combination of the above technical features, and should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above technical features or their equivalent features without departing from the inventive concept. For example, the technical solutions formed by mutually replacing the above features with the (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in the present application.

Claims

1. An automatic popcorn vending machine, including a cabinet, with a pick-up opening provided on the cabinet, characterized in that, The cabinet is equipped with a grain adding device, a boiler, a stirring device, a slurry adding device, a seasoning powder adding device, a cup dropper, a cup transporting mechanism, a cooling mechanism and a cleaning mechanism; The grain adding device is connected to the boiler, and the boiler is used to make the grain into popcorn; The stirring device comprises a stirring pot and a pot bottom frame arranged in an upper and lower manner, wherein a stirrer is arranged in the stirring pot, the stirrer passes through the stirring pot and is connected to a stirring motor, the boiler and the slurry adding device are respectively connected to the stirring pot through a feeding pipe, and can respectively convey popcorn and seasoning slurry to the stirring pot, the lower end of the stirring pot is open, and the pot bottom frame comprises a material dropping channel, a cover plate arranged in the material dropping channel, and a cover plate driving mechanism capable of driving the cover plate to move to close or open the lower port of the stirring pot; The cup dropper can store a plurality of cups and can drive a single cup to drop downwards, the cup transport mechanism can move to the bottom of the cup dropper to receive the cups, and can move the cups to the bottom of the drop channel to receive popcorn, and can move the cups containing popcorn to the bottom of the cooling mechanism and the outlet of the seasoning powder adding device to cool down and add seasoning powder; The cleaning mechanism comprises a nozzle, a water receiving funnel, a lifting mechanism and a waste water tank. The nozzle is arranged on the stirring pot and can spray cleaning water into the stirring pot. The water receiving funnel is located below the material dropping channel and can be driven by the lifting mechanism to move up and down. When the water receiving funnel moves to the lower dead point, an escape space for the cup to pass through can be formed between the water receiving funnel and the material dropping channel. When the water receiving funnel moves to the upper dead point, the water receiving funnel can receive the cleaning waste water falling from the material dropping channel and guide the cleaning waste water into the waste water tank. The invention also comprises a controller and an ordering device. The ordering device is connected to the controller and is used for inputting purchase information and / or payment information, and controls the automatic operation of the popcorn vending machine through the controller.

2. The popcorn vending machine according to claim 1, wherein The grain material adding device includes a grain bin and a feeding mechanism arranged at the outlet of the lower end of the grain bin, the feeding mechanism includes a feeding barrel, a feeding drive mechanism for driving the feeding barrel to move horizontally back and forth between a first position and a second position, and a fixed lower baffle, the feeding barrel is also connected to an upper baffle, wherein the moving direction of the feeding barrel is parallel to the upper baffle and the lower baffle, when the feeding barrel is in the first position, the upper port of the feeding barrel is connected to the discharge port of the grain bin and the lower baffle covers the lower port of the feeding barrel, when the feeding barrel moves to the second position, the lower port of the feeding barrel is staggered with the lower baffle and connected to the feed port of the boiler and the upper baffle covers the discharge port of the grain bin, a transverse columnar scraper spring is installed on the side of the discharge port of the grain bin close to the second position, when the feeding barrel moves from the first position to the second position, the lower part of the scraper spring can be against the upper port of the feeding barrel to achieve scraping.

3. The popcorn vending machine according to claim 1, wherein, The stirrer includes a stirring shaft and a stirring frame installed at the lower end of the stirring shaft. A sleeve is also sleeved outside the stirring shaft. The stirring shaft and the sleeve are either non-contact or rotatably connected, and there is a cavity channel between them. The upper part of the sleeve extends out of the stirring pot and is connected with a hot air pipe. A number of air inlet holes are provided at intervals on the side wall of the sleeve. A temperature sensing probe is also provided between the stirring shaft and the sleeve. The tail end or signal wire of the temperature sensing probe extends out of the stirring pot through an opening on the sleeve. An exhaust hole and a filter screen are also provided on the stirring pot, and an exhaust pipe is connected to the outside of the exhaust hole.

4. The popcorn vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, One side of the cover plate is pivotally connected to the blanking channel. The cover plate driving mechanism includes a cover plate motor, a driving gear provided at the output end of the cover plate motor, a sector gear provided on the back of the cover plate, and a travel switch or position sensor for detecting the flipping angle of the cover plate. The driving gear meshes with the sector gear. The cover plate motor can drive the cover plate to flip up and down through the transmission of the driving gear and the sector gear. A sealing ring is provided at the lower port of the stirring pot, and sealing can be achieved when the cover plate flips up to press against the lower port of the stirring pot.

5. The popcorn vending machine according to claim 1, wherein, The flavoring powder adding device includes at least one flavoring powder bin, a powder conveying screw, a screw driving motor, and a powder dropping channel. A cylindrical powder conveying channel matching the outer diameter of the powder conveying screw is provided at the lower part of the flavoring powder bin. The powder conveying channel communicates with the flavoring powder bin and the powder dropping channel. At least part of the powder conveying screw is located in the powder conveying channel. By driving the powder conveying screw to rotate through the screw driving motor, the flavoring powder in the flavoring powder bin can be output to the powder dropping channel and dropped through the powder dropping channel.

6. The popcorn vending machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, At least one stirring disc is also provided in the flavoring powder bin. The stirring disc is pivotally connected in the flavoring powder bin. A toothed ring matching the powder conveying screw is provided on the outer periphery of the stirring disc. The toothed ring meshes with the powder conveying screw. At least one stirring blade protrudes from the side surface of the stirring disc. When the powder conveying screw rotates, it can drive the stirring disc to rotate, so as to stir the flavoring powder in the flavoring bin through the stirring disc.

7. The automatic popcorn vending machine according to claim 5, wherein, The cooling mechanism includes a cooling air box provided at the outlet of the powder dropping channel. An opening for the cup to enter is provided on the cooling air box. A number of cooling air outlets are provided on the inner side wall and the top wall of the cooling air box. Each cooling air outlet communicates with a cooling air duct and a cooling fan. The cooling air box is provided at the inner side wall of the cabinet. The side wall shared by the cooling air box and the cabinet and the top wall of the cooling air box are both of a hollow sandwich structure and communicate with each other, and the cooling air outlets are both provided. The hollow sandwich forms the cooling air duct.

8. The automatic popcorn vending machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cup conveying mechanism includes a rotating frame, a rotating frame motor, and a cup holder for receiving the cup. The rotating frame motor can drive the rotating frame to rotate around a vertical axis. The cup holder is arranged at one end of the cup frame far from the axis. A guardrail for preventing the cup from slipping is provided in the circumferential direction of the cup holder. The cup conveying mechanism also includes at least three travel switches or position sensors, corresponding to the rotating frame rotating below the cup dropping device, below the blanking channel, and below the powder dropping channel respectively, so as to control the rotating frame to stop when driving the rotating frame to rotate to the above positions.

9. The popcorn vending machine according to claim 1, wherein, The cabinet further includes a heat preservation cavity. The side wall of the heat preservation cavity is provided with heat preservation materials. The slurry adding device is arranged in the heat preservation cavity. The slurry adding device includes a plurality of slurry tanks for storing liquid slurry. Each slurry tank is connected with a conveying pipe. A conveying pump is arranged on the conveying pipe. The end of the conveying pipe extends to the rear of the stirring pot and then penetrates out of the heat preservation cavity and is connected to the corresponding feeding port of the stirring pot. A heating module and a heat storage module are also arranged in the heat preservation cavity. The heating module can heat the space in the heat preservation cavity. The heat storage module contains a heat storage medium so as to store heat and release heat when the temperature of the heat preservation cavity is lower than the temperature of the medium.

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