Device for coating food products

Abstract

The utility model relates to a device for coating food, which comprises a conveyor, a coating device, a coating device and a coating device, and is characterized in that the conveyor is configured to convey food at a preset speed; a sprayer disposed near a first predetermined position of the conveyor, the sprayer including a valve that periodically opens for a first predetermined time, and configured to spray a potting material to a surface of the food product when the valve is open; the first blocking piece is arranged near a first preset position of the conveyor and is configured to be alternately in a blocking state and a releasing state, and the first blocking piece is in the blocking state when the valve of the sprayer is opened; when the first blocking piece is in the blocking state, the food is prevented from being conveyed by the conveyor, so that the food stays at a first preset position of the conveyor, and when the first blocking piece is in the releasing state, the food is not prevented from being conveyed by the conveyor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of food processing equipment, in particular to equipment for coating food. Background Art

[0002] To meet the flavor requirements of food, it is desired to coat a pouring material onto the surface of food (such as puffed food) during the food processing process. For example, directly adding seasonings to the surface of food, or spraying an adhesive (such as syrup) onto the food so that seasonings or other attachments can adhere to the food during subsequent processing. In current pouring material coating techniques, the pouring material is usually directly sprayed into a drum containing food for stirring and mixing, or the pouring material is sprayed onto a conveyor belt carrying food without distinction. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] The utility model relates to equipment for coating food, including: a conveyor configured to convey food at a predetermined speed; a sprayer disposed near a first predetermined position of the conveyor, the sprayer including a valve that is periodically opened for a first predetermined time and configured to spray a pouring material onto the surface of the food when the valve is opened; a first blocking member disposed near the first predetermined position of the conveyor and configured to alternately be in a blocking state and a releasing state, and the first blocking member is in the blocking state during the opening of the valve of the sprayer; when the first blocking member is in the blocking state, it prevents the food from being conveyed by the conveyor, so that the food stays at the first predetermined position of the conveyor, and when the first blocking member is in the releasing state, it does not prevent the food from being conveyed by the conveyor.

[0004] In some embodiments, the equipment for coating food further includes:

[0005] a second blocking member disposed near a second predetermined position of the conveyor, and the direction from the second predetermined position towards the first predetermined position is the conveying direction of the conveyor;

[0006] wherein, the second blocking member includes a front blocking member and a rear blocking member, the front blocking member and the rear blocking member are sequentially arranged in the conveying direction of the conveyor, and each has a blocking state and a releasing state; when the front blocking member and / or the rear blocking member is in the blocking state, it prevents the food from being conveyed by the conveyor, so that the food stays at the second predetermined position of the conveyor, and when the front blocking member and / or the rear blocking member is in the releasing state, it does not prevent the food from being conveyed by the conveyor; and

[0007] the front blocking member and the rear blocking member are each configured to alternately be in the blocking state and the releasing state, and the front blocking member and the rear blocking member are not simultaneously in the blocking state and not simultaneously in the releasing state.

[0008] In some embodiments, the apparatus for coating a food product further comprises:

[0009] a sensor disposed at a third predetermined position between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position and configured to sense the presence of food; and

[0010] A controller is electrically connected to the sensor and the sprayer and is configured to allow the valve of the sprayer to open in a current cycle when the sensing result of the sensor indicates that the food is present.

[0011] In some embodiments, the apparatus for coating a food product further comprises:

[0012] a sensor disposed at a third predetermined position between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position and configured to sense the presence of food; and

[0013] The controller is electrically connected to the sensor and the sprayer and is configured to control the valve of the sprayer to not open in a current cycle when the sensing result of the sensor indicates that the food does not exist.

[0014] In some embodiments, an apparatus for coating food products comprises a plurality of said sprayers and a plurality of said sensors:

[0015] The conveyor includes a plurality of conveying lanes, and a plurality of foods are arranged in a single row on each conveying lane;

[0016] The number of the sprayers is the same as the number of the conveying lanes, and the sprayers are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the conveying lanes;

[0017] The number of the sensors is the same as the number of the conveying lanes, and the sensors are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the conveying lanes; and

[0018] The controller is configured to, when the sensing result of the sensor indicates that the food does not exist on the conveying lane corresponding to the sensor, disable the valve of the sprayer corresponding to the same conveying lane as the sensor from opening in the current cycle.

[0019] In some embodiments, the apparatus for coating a food product further comprises:

[0020] a material supply pipe connected to the sprayer and configured to supply the pouring material to the sprayer via the valve;

[0021] The feed pipe is a double-layer pipe comprising an inner layer pipe and an outer layer pipe, the inner layer pipe is a conduit for supplying casting material, and the space between the inner layer pipe and the outer layer pipe can be filled with a heat-insulating material.

[0022] In some embodiments, the valve is a spring valve comprising a spring;

[0023] The sprayer further includes a first air inlet; and

[0024] The apparatus for coating food further includes a first air inlet valve that periodically opens for a second predetermined time to allow gas to enter the sprayer through the first air inlet, and the spring is compressed by the gas entering through the first air inlet to open the valve.

[0025] In some embodiments, the sprayer further includes a second air inlet;

[0026] The apparatus for coating food further includes a second air inlet valve that periodically opens for the second predetermined time synchronously with the first air inlet valve to allow gas to enter the sprayer through the second air inlet, and the dressing to be sprayed is dispersed by the gas entering through the second air inlet.

[0027] In some embodiments, the apparatus for coating food further includes:

[0028] A height limiting member that is disposed above a second predetermined position of the conveyor at a predetermined height from the surface of the conveyor.

[0029] In some embodiments, the apparatus for coating food further includes a food feeding portion that includes a vibration actuator, a feeding box, a flat pushing shaft, and an inclined plate;

[0030] Wherein, the vibration actuator is drivingly connected to the feeding box and is configured to apply vibration to the feeding box;

[0031] The feeding box is disposed above the flat pushing shaft;

[0032] The inclined plate has an upper end and a lower end and slopes downward from the upper end to the lower end;

[0033] The flat pushing shaft is disposed above the upper end of the inclined plate; and

[0034] The lower end of the inclined plate is connected to the conveyor.

[0035] In some embodiments, the sprayer is disposed above a first predetermined position of the conveyor at a distance of 20 mm to 60 mm from the surface of the conveyor.

[0036] According to the technical solution of the present utility model, by providing a first blocking member, the food to be coated can stay at the spraying position of the sprayer; the valve of the sprayer is only opened when the food is at the spraying position of the sprayer, rather than continuously spraying the pouring material onto the conveyor belt. According to the above technical solution, the pouring material can be accurately sprayed on the surface of the food to be coated, without being sprayed into the gaps between multiple foods sequentially conveyed on the conveyor belt and thus falling on the conveyor belt. In addition, the time for spraying the pouring material on each food, that is, the first predetermined time when the valve is opened, can be set. Further, the spraying amount of the pouring material can be precisely controlled by adjusting the pressure of the pouring material supply. Description of the Drawings

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for coating food according to the present utility model;

[0038] Figure 2 is a view showing the structure of the second blocking member of the apparatus for coating food according to the present utility model;

[0039] Figure 3 is a view showing the structure of the supply pipe of the apparatus for coating food according to the present utility model;

[0040] Figure 4 is a view showing the structure of the sprayer of the apparatus for coating food according to the present utility model;

[0041] Figure 5 is a view showing the structure of the food feeding part of the apparatus for coating food according to the present utility model. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0042] In the current pouring material coating technology, the pouring material is usually directly sprayed into a drum containing food for stirring and mixing, or the pouring material is sprayed onto the conveyor belt carrying food without distinction. As a result, a large amount of pouring material (such as syrup) adheres to the drum or the conveyor belt, causing waste of raw materials. Moreover, it is difficult to achieve uniform coating of the pouring material during stirring and mixing in the drum, and it is impossible to handle pouring materials with a relatively high viscosity. In addition, the adhesion to the drum or the conveyor belt may lead to potential hygiene risks, such as the risk of bacterial growth and cross - contamination, so a large amount of water is required for cleaning, resulting in an increase in production costs.

[0043] Figure 1A perspective view of the device 100 for coating food according to the present utility model is shown. The device 100 is, for example, a production line for producing food or a part of such a production line. The food in the present utility model is, for example, puffed food such as rice crackers, potato chips, biscuits, etc. The device 100 includes a conveyor 110, a sprayer 120, and a first stopper 130. The conveyor 110 is configured to convey the food to be coated at a predetermined speed. The conveyor 110 includes, for example, a conveyor belt on which the food can be placed and is conveyed under the drive of the conveyor belt. As Figure 1 shown, Figure 1 the conveyor 110 in Figure 1 extends from left to right (it is understood that this extending direction is relative and the conveyor 110 can extend from right to left), and is capable of conveying the food placed thereon from the first end to the second end or from the second end to the first end. In this example, the first end is, for example, Figure 1 the left end in Figure 1 and the second end is, for example,

[0044] the right end in Figure 1 the example of Figure 1The second end of the conveyor shown in the figure. The sprinkler 120 includes a valve that is periodically opened for a first predetermined time and is configured to spray the dressing onto the surface of the food when the valve is open. The dressing can be a liquid or a powder, such as syrup, egg liquid, seasoning, cream, etc. Exemplarily, during the process of spraying the dressing, the sprinkler 120 sprays the dressing in the direction of the conveyor 110. More specifically, the sprinkler 120 sprays the dressing at a first predetermined position of the conveyor 110. That is, the spraying position of the sprinkler 120 can be the first predetermined position. The sprinkler 120 may include a nozzle 128 through which the dressing is sprayed onto the surface of the food. Exemplarily, the nozzle 128 is arranged facing the conveyor belt of the conveyor 110. It should be understood that the valve is a structure that can be opened and closed, and the dressing cannot be supplied from the sprinkler 120 when the valve is closed. The sprinkler 120 may include a structure for storing the dressing so as to spray the stored dressing onto the surface of the food. Alternatively, the apparatus 100 further includes a supply pipe 140. One end of the supply pipe 140 may be connected to the sprinkler 120, and the other end of the supply pipe 140 may be connected to a drum to supply the dressing in the drum to the sprinkler 120, and the sprinkler 120 sprays the dressing onto the surface of the food. In an exemplary embodiment, the drum may be a pressure tank, and by adjusting the pressure of the pressure tank, the pressure of the dressing supplied to the supply pipe 140 and thus to the sprinkler 120 can be adjusted, and thereby the spraying amount of the dressing sprayed by the sprinkler 120 can be controlled. It is easy to understand that the spraying amount per unit time increases as the pressure of the dressing supplied to the sprinkler 120 increases. In this case, it is possible to achieve a stable and adjustable pressure of the dressing supplied to the sprinkler 120.

[0045] The valve of the sprinkler 120 is periodically opened for a first predetermined time, which means that the sprinkler 120 continuously sprays the dressing onto the food for the first predetermined time. The first predetermined time is set according to the flow rate of the sprinkler, the pressure of the dressing supplied to the sprinkler 120, and the demand of the food to be coated for the dressing. For example, it can be a few milliseconds or a few seconds. The cycle of the valve opening of the sprinkler 120 is, for example, the spraying cycle of spraying the food. For example, the valve of the sprinkler 120 is opened once every 2 s, and each time it is opened for the first predetermined time. In this case, the cycle of the valve opening of the sprinkler 120 is 2 s, and one or a row of foods are sprayed every 2 s.

[0046] The first stopper 130 is disposed near the first predetermined position of the conveyor 110. The first stopper 130 has a blocking state and a releasing state and is configured to alternately be in the blocking state and the releasing state. When the first stopper 130 is in the blocking state, it prevents the food from being conveyed by the conveyor 110, so that the food stays at the first predetermined position of the conveyor 110. When the first stopper 130 is in the releasing state, it does not prevent the food from being conveyed.

[0047] As Figure 1As shown, the first blocking member 130 can be a baffle that can be lifted and lowered, and the lowering of the baffle corresponds to the blocking state. When the baffle is lowered, the baffle can contact the conveyor 110, for example, contact the surface of the conveyor belt, thereby preventing the food from being conveyed by the conveyor 110, so that the food stays in front of the baffle (i.e., upstream of the baffle) and stays at the first predetermined position. Alternatively, when the baffle is lowered, the height of the lower edge of the baffle from the surface of the conveyor belt is less than the height at which the food is placed on the conveyor belt, as long as the food can stay in front of the baffle and at the first predetermined position. The raising of the baffle corresponds to the release state. When the baffle is raised, the height of the lower edge of the baffle from the surface of the conveyor belt is greater than the height at which the food is placed on the conveyor belt, and it will not block the conveyed food, allowing the food to be conveyed by the conveyor 110. Exemplarily, the baffle includes a rotating shaft, and the raising and lowering of the baffle are achieved by rotating the rotating shaft. The structure of the first blocking member 130 is not limited to this, and it can also be a baffle that can be telescopically moved, or have other similar structures.

[0048] Further, in this embodiment, the first blocking member 130 is in the blocking state during the opening of the valve of the sprinkler 120, and the time for each time the first blocking member 130 is in the blocking state is greater than the predetermined time for the opening of the valve of the sprinkler 120. Thus, the time for each time the food is blocked by the first blocking member 130 to stay at the first predetermined position is longer than the predetermined time for the opening of the valve, ensuring that the first blocking member 130 is in the blocking state during the spraying of the pouring material by the sprinkler 120, that is, the food is staying at the first predetermined position to be sprayed during the spraying of the pouring material by the sprinkler 120. The operation cycle of the first blocking member 130 is associated with the spraying cycle of spraying the food. For example, in the case of spraying one or a row of foods every 2 s, the first blocking member 130 can be in the release position every 2 s. Further, before the valve of the sprinkler 120 is opened, the first blocking member 130 switches from the release state to the blocking state, and after the valve of the sprinkler 120 is closed, the first blocking member 130 switches from the blocking state to the release state. Thus, the pouring material can be accurately sprayed on the surface of the food, further preventing the pouring material from being sprayed onto the conveyor belt of the conveyor 110.

[0049] According to the technical solution of the present utility model, by providing the first blocking member 130, the food to be coated can stay at the spraying position of the sprinkler 120. The valve of the sprinkler 120 is only opened when the food exists at the spraying position of the sprinkler 120, rather than continuously spraying the pouring material onto the conveyor belt. According to the above technical solution, the pouring material can be accurately sprayed on the surface of the food to be coated, and will not be sprayed into the gaps between the multiple foods sequentially conveyed on the conveyor belt and thus fall onto the conveyor belt. In addition, the time for spraying the pouring material for each food can be set, that is, the first predetermined time for the opening of the valve. Further, the spraying amount of the pouring material can be precisely controlled by adjusting the pressure of the pouring material supply.

[0050] In some embodiments, the device 100 further includes a second blocking member 160. The second blocking member is disposed near a second predetermined position of the conveyor 110. The direction from the second predetermined position towards the first predetermined position is the conveying direction of the conveyor. That is, the second predetermined position is disposed upstream of the first predetermined position. In other words, during the conveyance of the food on the conveyor 110, the food first passes through the second predetermined position and then passes through the first predetermined position. As Figure 1 shown, in the case where the conveyor 110 conveys food from the first end to the second end (i.e., conveys from left to right), the first predetermined position is, for example, Figure 1 one end on the right side of the conveyor shown in, and the second predetermined position is, for example, Figure 1 one end on the left side of the conveyor shown in. It should be understood that the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position are not limited thereto, as long as the direction from the second predetermined position towards the first predetermined position is the conveying direction of the conveyor.

[0051] See Figure 2 , the second blocking member 160 includes a front blocking member 162 and a rear blocking member 164. The front blocking member 162 and the rear blocking member 164 are sequentially disposed in the conveying direction of the conveyor 110 (i.e., the front blocking member 162 is located upstream of the rear blocking member 164), and each has a blocking state and a release state. When the front blocking member 162 and / or the rear blocking member 164 is in the blocking state, it prevents the food from being conveyed by the conveyor 110, so that the food stays at a third predetermined position of the conveyor 110. When the front blocking member 162 and / or the rear blocking member 164 is in the release state, it does not prevent the food from being conveyed by the conveyor 110. The front blocking member 162 and the rear blocking member 164 may be baffles that can be lifted and lowered, and their structures and working principles are the same as or similar to those of the first blocking member 130, and will not be elaborated here.

[0052] The front blocking member 162 and the rear blocking member 164 are configured to alternately be in the blocking state and the release state respectively, and the front blocking member 162 and the rear blocking member 164 are not simultaneously in the blocking state and not simultaneously in the release state.

[0053] By setting the second blocking member 160, the food is regularly conveyed to the first predetermined position. That is, when a plurality of foods are continuously conveyed by the conveyor 110, there is a regular interval between the time when the previous food and the subsequent food are conveyed to the first predetermined position. For example, the food is conveyed to the first predetermined position once every 2 s. In this case, the front blocking member 162 and the rear blocking member 164 can be in the release position once every 2 s. In other words, the operation cycle of the front blocking member 162 and the rear blocking member 164 is associated with the spraying cycle of the food. For example, when one or a row of foods are sprayed every 2 s, the front blocking member 162 and the rear blocking member 164 can be in the release position once every 2 s. Even if the intervals between a plurality of foods upstream of the second predetermined position are irregular, it can be ensured that the intervals between the time when the previous food and the subsequent food reach the first predetermined position are regular and controllable. In addition, this ensures that when a plurality of foods continue to be conveyed after being sorted by the second blocking member 160, there is a certain distance between the previous food and the subsequent food, preventing the subsequent food from being blown up or displaced by the gas blown out by the sprayer 120 when the previous food is being sprayed with the dressing by the sprayer 120.

[0054] The second blocking member 160 is set to have a double-layer structure including a front blocking member 162 and a rear blocking member 164. The front blocking member 162 and the rear blocking member 164 are not simultaneously in the blocking state and not simultaneously in the release state. That is, at the same time, the front blocking member 162 and the rear blocking member 164 are respectively in the blocking state or the release state. For example, when the front blocking member 162 is in the blocking state, the rear blocking member 164 is in the release state; when the front blocking member 162 is in the release state, the rear blocking member 164 is in the blocking state. This can ensure that the food can be effectively blocked when it reaches the second predetermined position, preventing it from being difficult to effectively block the food moving forward rapidly on the conveyor 110 due to the too fast predetermined speed of the conveyor 110 for conveying the food. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the front blocking member 162 and the rear blocking member 164 can also be simultaneously in the blocking state or simultaneously in the release state.

[0055] Furthermore, the conveyor 110 includes at least two sections of conveyor belts. The conveying speed of the conveyor belt in front of the second blocking member 160 is slower than the conveying speed of the conveyor belt behind the second blocking member 160. In this way, when the food is placed on the conveyor belt, it first passes through the slow conveyor belt to reach the second predetermined position (i.e., near the position of the second blocking member 160), and after being sorted by the second blocking member 160, it is then conveyed to the first predetermined position by the fast conveyor belt for spraying the dressing.

[0056] In some embodiments, the device 100 further includes a sensor 150 and a controller. The sensor 150 is disposed at a third predetermined position between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position. The direction from the third predetermined position towards the first predetermined position is the conveying direction of the conveyor 110, and the direction from the second predetermined position towards the first predetermined position is the conveying direction of the conveyor 110. As Figure 1 shown, in the case where the conveyor 110 conveys food from the first end to the second end (i.e., conveys from left to right), the second predetermined position is, for example, Figure 1 one end on the left side of the conveyor 110 shown in Figure 1 the middle part of the conveyor 110 shown in Figure 1 is one end on the right side of the conveyor 110 shown in. It is easy to understand that the second predetermined position, the third predetermined position, and the first predetermined position are sequentially arranged in the conveying direction of the conveyor 110. That is, the third predetermined position is set upstream of the first predetermined position, and the second predetermined position is set upstream of the third predetermined position. During the process of the food being conveyed on the conveyor 110, it first passes through the second predetermined position, then through the third predetermined position, and finally through the first predetermined position.

[0057] The sensor 150 can be, for example, an infrared sensor configured to sense the presence of food. The sensing position of the sensor 150 is, for example, the third predetermined position of the conveyor 110. It should be understood that the sensor 150 is not limited to an infrared sensor and can be other sensors capable of detecting the presence of an object.

[0058] The controller is electrically connected to the sensor 150 and the sprinkler 120. Additionally or alternatively, the controller is communicatively connected to the sensor 150 and the sprinkler 120 (e.g., signal connection). The controller can communicate with the sensor 150 or the sprinkler 120 to mutually transmit signals or instructions. The controller can be, for example, a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). A PLC is a dedicated digital computer used for an automated control system and is widely applied in the industrial control field. Its main function is to receive signals from sensors and input devices, and after logical operations and program control, output control signals to actuators and output devices to achieve automated control of the production process. It should be understood that the controller is not limited to a PLC and can also be other computing devices.

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, the controller is configured to allow the valve of the sprayer 120 to open when the sensing result of the sensor 150 indicates the presence of food. For example, the sensor 150 may be configured to send a sensing signal to the controller when it senses that food is present at the third predetermined position of the conveyor 110, and the sensing signal at this time indicates the presence of food. When the controller receives the sensing signal sent from the sensor 150 within one cycle (which means that the sensing result of the sensor 150 indicates that food is indeed present in this cycle), the controller allows the valve of the sprayer 120 to open in the current cycle. The cycle is, for example, the spraying cycle for spraying food, that is, the cycle during which the valve of the sprayer 120 opens. For example, in the case where the valve of the sprayer is opened once every 2 s, the cycle is 2 s, and one or a row of foods are sprayed every 2 s. Alternatively, the sensor 150 may be configured to send a sensing signal to the controller when it does not sense the presence of food at the third predetermined position of the conveyor 110 within a certain cycle, and the sensing signal at this time indicates that food is not present at the third predetermined position. In this case, when the controller does not receive the sensing signal sent from the sensor 150 within one cycle, the controller allows the valve of the sprayer 120 to open in the current cycle. According to the foregoing description, the valve of the sprayer 120 opens periodically for a first predetermined time, and the controller allowing the valve of the sprayer 120 to open in the current cycle means that the controller does not prevent the valve of the sprayer 120 from opening in the current cycle.

[0060] In another exemplary embodiment, the controller is configured to control the valve of the sprayer 120 not to open in the current cycle when the sensing result of the sensor 150 indicates the absence of food. For example, the sensor 150 may be configured to send a sensing signal to the controller when it senses that food is present at the third predetermined position of the conveyor 110, and the sensing signal at this time indicates the presence of food. When the controller does not receive the sensing signal sent from the sensor 150 within one cycle, which means that the sensing result of the sensor 150 indicates the absence of food, the controller causes the valve of the sprayer 120 not to open in the current cycle. The cycle is, for example, the spraying cycle for spraying food, that is, the cycle during which the valve of the sprayer 120 opens. For example, in the case where the valve of the sprayer is opened once every 2 s, the cycle is 2 s, and one or a row of foods are sprayed every 2 s. Alternatively, the sensor 150 may be configured to send a sensing signal to the controller when it does not sense the presence of food at the third predetermined position of the conveyor 110 within a certain cycle, and the sensing signal at this time indicates that food is not present at the third predetermined position. In this case, the sensor 150 sending a sensing signal indicating the absence of food to the controller means that the sensing result of the sensor 150 indicates the absence of food, and the controller causes the valve of the sprayer 120 not to open in the current cycle, that is, prevents the valve of the sprayer 120 from opening in the current cycle.

[0061] In this embodiment, the distance between the third predetermined position and the first predetermined position of the conveyor 110 is determined according to the response time of the sensor 150 and the predetermined speed at which the conveyor 110 conveys food. More specifically, the distance between the third predetermined position and the first predetermined position of the conveyor 110 is greater than the product of the response time of the sensor 150 and the predetermined speed at which the conveyor 110 conveys food. According to this configuration, the controller can timely control whether the valve of the sprayer 120 is opened in the current cycle.

[0062] According to this embodiment, by providing the sensor 150, when there is no food passing through the third predetermined position or the first predetermined position in a certain cycle due to uneven placement of food on the conveyor 110, the valve of the sprayer 120 is not opened in the current cycle, so that the pouring material is not sprayed onto the conveyor belt surface of the conveyor 110 due to the absence of food.

[0063] In some embodiments, the controller is also electrically connected or communicatively connected (such as signal connection) to the conveyor 110, the first stopper 130, and the second stopper 160. The controller can set or modify the following parameters: the predetermined speed at which the conveyor 110 conveys food, the duration of the first stopper 130 in the blocking state and the time and duration in the released state, the time points and durations of the front stopper 162 and the rear stopper 164 in the second stopper 160 in the blocking state and the time points and durations in the released state, etc. By setting the above parameters, the controller makes the first stopper 130 in the blocking state during the period when the valve of the sprayer 120 is opened, and ensures that the conveyor 110 conveys one or a row of food to the first predetermined position in each cycle.

[0064] In some embodiments, the device 100 includes a plurality of sprayers 120 and a plurality of sensors 150. The conveyor 110 includes a plurality of conveyor lanes 111-116, and each conveyor lane can accommodate food arranged in a single row. The conveyor lanes 111-116 can be defined by setting separators (such as partitions) on the conveyor belt of the conveyor 110. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the conveyor lanes 111-116 extend in the left-right direction. The number of sprayers 120 is the same as the number of conveyor lanes 111-116, and the sprayers 120 are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the conveyor lanes 111-116. The number of sensors 150 is the same as the number of conveyor lanes 111-116, and the sensors 150 are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the conveyor lanes 111-116. For example, in Figure 1It is respectively shown in the figure that the device 100 includes six conveyor lanes, six sprayers 120 and six sensors 150. Each sprayer 120 is configured to spray the casting material onto the surface of the food in the corresponding conveyor lane when its valve is opened. Each sensor 150 is configured to sense whether food exists on the conveyor lane corresponding to the sensor 150; for example, each sensor 150 is configured to send a sensing signal to the controller when it senses that food exists on the conveyor lane corresponding to the sensor in the third predetermined position, or is configured to send a sensing signal to the controller when it does not sense that food exists on the conveyor lane corresponding to the sensor 150 in the third predetermined position within a cycle.

[0065] In this embodiment, the controller is configured to, when the sensing result of the sensor 150 indicates that no food exists on the conveyor lane corresponding to the sensor 150, not open the valve of the sprayer 120 corresponding to the same conveyor lane as the sensor 150 in the current cycle. For example, among the conveyor lanes 111-116, after the food to be coated is sorted by the second stopper 160, downstream of the second stopper 160, food exists on the conveyor lanes 111-115 within a cycle, while no food exists on the conveyor lane 116. In this case, within this cycle, the valves of the sprayers 120 corresponding to the conveyor lanes 111-115 are normally opened, while the valve of the sprayer 120 corresponding to the conveyor lane 116 is not opened, so that the sprayers 120 corresponding to the conveyor lanes 111-115 spray the casting material onto the surface of the food on the conveyor lanes 111-115, while the sprayer 120 corresponding to the conveyor lane 116 does not spray the casting material.

[0066] According to this configuration, the valve of the sprayer 120 corresponding to a conveyor lane is opened only when food exists on the corresponding conveyor lane. If no food exists on a certain conveyor lane, the corresponding valve of the sprayer 120 is not opened. Thus, the casting material can be accurately sprayed onto the surface of the food, further preventing the casting material from being sprayed onto the conveyor belt of the conveyor 110.

[0067] In some embodiments, when the first stopper 130 is in the blocking state, it simultaneously prevents the food on multiple conveyor lanes 111-116 from being conveyed by the conveyor; when the front stopper 162 or the rear stopper 164 of the second stopper 160 is in the blocking state, it simultaneously prevents the food on multiple conveyor lanes 111-116 from being conveyed by the conveyor.

[0068] Such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the first blocking member 130 and the second blocking member 160 are baffles that span multiple conveyor lanes 111 - 116. When in the blocking state, they simultaneously prevent the food on the multiple conveyor lanes 111 - 116 from being conveyed by the conveyor. Thus, after the food on the multiple conveyor lanes 111 - 116 is blocked by the first blocking member 130 or the second blocking member 160, when the first blocking member 130 or the second blocking member 160 switches to the release state, the food on the multiple conveyor lanes 111 - 116 passes through and advances in rows, facilitating the pouring and spraying of the food on the multiple conveyor lanes 111 - 116 in rows.

[0069] Refer again to Figure 2 , since the front blocking member 162 is in the release state while the rear blocking member 164 is in the blocking state, therefore, each time the front blocking member 162 is in the release state, only one row of food is allowed to pass through, and the food in the row behind is blocked by the rear blocking member 164 in the blocking state. In this specification, "one row of food" refers to a row of food arranged along the arrangement direction of the conveyor lane (for example, the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the conveyor). The second blocking member 160 is set to a double-layer structure including the front blocking member 162 and the rear blocking member 164, and at the same time, the front blocking member 162 and the rear blocking member 164 are respectively in the blocking state and the release state, avoiding the situation where it is difficult to control the regular interval of the food conveyed to the first predetermined position because multiple rows of food pass through quickly when the front blocking member 162 or the rear blocking member 164 is in the release state.

[0070] In some embodiments, the device 100 further includes a feed pipe 140. The feed pipe 140 is configured to supply the pouring material to the sprayer 120 via the valve. Referring also to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the sprayer 120 further includes a feed inlet 122 and is connected to the feed pipe 140 through the feed inlet 122. Exemplarily, the valve is provided inside the main body of the sprayer 120. Alternatively, the valve can also be provided at the feed inlet 122. The opening and closing of the valve control whether the pouring material supplied through the feed pipe 140 can flow out through the sprayer 120. As Figure 3As shown, the feed pipe 140 is a double-layer pipe including an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer is a conduit for conveying the casting material, and the heat-insulating substance can be filled between the inner layer and the outer layer. The feed pipe 140 includes an outer-layer filling inlet 142 and an outer-layer filling outlet 144. The heat-insulating substance can flow in and out through the outer-layer filling inlet 142 and the outer-layer filling outlet 144, so as to be filled between the inner layer and the outer layer. The heat-insulating substance is, for example, warm water, or other solid, liquid or solid-liquid mixed heat-insulating substances. Exemplarily, warm water is continuously supplied between the inner layer and the outer layer via the outer-layer filling inlet 142, and the hot water flowing into the space between the inner layer and the outer layer flows out from the outer-layer filling outlet 144, so that flowing warm water is continuously supplied between the inner layer and the outer layer. It is easy to understand that the positions and functions of the outer-layer filling inlet 142 and the outer-layer filling outlet 144 can be interchanged. As a further embodiment, a vacuum can be provided between the inner layer and the outer layer of the feed pipe 140, so as to play a role in heat-insulating the casting material conveyed in the inner layer of the feed pipe 140. By heat-insulating the casting material conveyed in the feed pipe 140, it is possible to prevent the casting material from condensing in the feed pipe 140 and causing blockage.

[0071] In some embodiments, the valve is a spring valve including a spring. The valve is opened in the state where the spring is compressed and closed in the state where the spring is released; the sprayer 120 further includes a first air inlet 124, and the first air inlet 124 and the feed inlet 122 are different inlets of the sprayer 120. The device 100 for coating food further includes a first air inlet valve, and the first air inlet valve is periodically opened for a second predetermined time to allow gas to enter the sprayer 120 through the first air inlet 124. More specifically, the first air inlet 124 is connected to the air treatment assembly 180 (to be described later) via a first air pipe through the first air inlet valve. The first air inlet valve can be arranged near the sprayer 120 or near the air treatment assembly 180, or arranged in the first air pipe. It is easy to understand that in the state where the first air inlet valve is opened, gas is allowed to enter the sprayer 120 through the first air inlet 124, and in the state where the first air inlet valve is closed, gas cannot enter the sprayer 120 through the first air inlet 124. In the state where the first air inlet valve is opened, gas enters the sprayer 120 through the first air inlet 124, and the spring is compressed by the gas entering through the first air inlet 124, so that the valve is opened.

[0072] In this embodiment, by opening the first air inlet valve, gas enters the sprayer 120 through the first air inlet 124, so that the valve of the sprayer 120 is opened. That is, after the first air inlet valve is opened, the valve of the sprayer 120 is opened. The second predetermined time can be approximately equal to the first predetermined time, or slightly longer than the first predetermined time. Considering that there is a certain time interval between the time point when the first air inlet valve is opened and the time point when the valve of the sprayer 120 is opened, the second predetermined time can be set to be longer than the first predetermined time.

[0073] The first intake valve can be a solenoid valve that can be electrically connected to a controller. The controller can set or modify the following parameters: the time point at which the first intake valve is periodically opened and the duration of the second predetermined time, as well as the length of the opening cycle of the first intake valve, etc. By setting the above parameters, the opening time of the solenoid valve can be controlled, thereby controlling the opening time of the valve of the sprayer 120 to cooperate with the first blocking member 130 so that the first blocking member 130 is in a blocking state during the opening period of the valve of the sprayer 120.

[0074] In this embodiment, the opening of the valve of the sprayer 120 is controlled by controlling the opening of the first intake valve. It is easy to understand that in an embodiment including the sensor 150, when the sensing result of the sensor 150 indicates that no food is present, the controller controls the first intake valve not to open in the current cycle, so that the valve of the sprayer 120 does not open in the current cycle. In an embodiment where the conveyor 110 includes multiple conveyor lanes, when the sensing result of the sensor 150 indicates that no food is present on the conveyor lane corresponding to the sensor 150, the first intake valve of the sprayer 120 corresponding to the same conveyor lane as the sensor 150 is not opened in the current cycle, so that the valve of the sprayer 120 does not open in the current cycle.

[0075] In some embodiments, the sprayer further includes a second intake port 126. The second intake port 126, the first intake port 124, and the feed port 122 are different inlets of the sprayer 120. The device 100 for coating food further includes a second intake valve that periodically opens for the second predetermined time synchronously with the first intake valve to allow gas to enter the sprayer 120 through the second intake port 126. More specifically, the second intake port 126 is connected to the air treatment assembly 180 (to be described later) via a second intake pipe through the second intake valve. The second intake valve can be disposed near the sprayer 120 or near the air treatment assembly 180, or disposed in the second intake pipe. It is easy to understand that in the state where the second intake valve is open, gas is allowed to enter the sprayer 120 through the second intake port 126, and in the state where the second intake valve is closed, gas cannot enter the sprayer 120 through the second intake port 126. In the state where the second intake valve is open, gas enters the sprayer 120 through the second intake port 126, and the material to be sprayed is dispersed by the gas entering through the second intake port 126. When the material is liquid, the material is atomized.

[0076] Furthermore, the gas entering the sprayer 120 through the second intake port 126 surrounds the material flowing out through the valve. In this way, the material can be fully dispersed and atomized.

[0077] The second intake valve may be a solenoid valve, which can be electrically connected to the controller. The controller can set or modify the following parameters: the time point at which the second intake valve is periodically opened and the duration of the second predetermined time, as well as the length of the opening cycle of the first intake valve, etc. In a specific implementation, the first intake valve and the second intake valve are opened and closed synchronously so that when the pouring material flows out of the sprinkler 120 through the valve of the sprinkler 120, it can be dispersed by the gas entering through the second intake port 126.

[0078] In some embodiments, the device 100 further includes an air treatment assembly 180. The air treatment assembly 180 is configured to supply compressed air to the first intake port 124 and the second intake port 126 via the first intake pipe and the second intake pipe respectively. That is, the gas supplied to the first intake port 124 and the second intake port 126 of the sprinkler 120 can be compressed air. Compressed air refers to air after being pressurized, so that the pressure is greater, it is easy to compress the spring of the spring valve, and it is easy to disperse the pouring material.

[0079] As Figure 1 shown, the air treatment assembly 180 includes six pressure reducing valves 181-186. The upper three pressure reducing valves 181-183 and the lower three pressure reducing valves 184-186 are arranged in two rows in an array form. Each pressure reducing valve is connected to the compressed air tank through a pipeline. The compressed air tank stores pressurized air. The pressurized air stored in the compressed air tank usually needs to be decompressed by the pressure reducing valves 181-186 before being supplied to the sprinkler 120. The pressure reducing valves 181-186 are configured to decompress the air from the compressed air tank, so as to supply the decompressed air to the sprinkler 120. It should be understood that although the pressure of the decompressed air is smaller than the air pressure in the compressed air tank, it is also greater than the standard atmospheric pressure. By adjusting the pressure reducing valves 181-186, pressurized air with stable and adjustable pressure can be supplied to the sprinkler 120. As Figure 1 shown, exemplarily, the three pressure reducing valves 181-183 in the first row are respectively connected to the second intake port 126 of each sprinkler 120 among the plurality of sprinklers 120 through the second intake pipe, and the three pressure reducing valves 184-186 in the second row are connected to the first intake port 124 of each sprinkler 120 among the plurality of sprinklers 120 through the first intake pipe. It is easy to understand that the connection correspondence between each pressure reducing valve and the intake port is not limited to this, as long as it is ensured that each first intake port 124 and the second intake port 126 are connected to the pressure reducing valve of the air treatment assembly 180.

[0080] Further, the air handling assembly 180 further includes an air filter. The air filter is configured to filter the air to remove bacteria or particulate matter, ensuring that the air leading to the sprayer 120 is clean. In some embodiments, the air filter is disposed near the conveyor belt, but the installation position of the air filter is not limited thereto, as long as it is ensured that the air passes through the air filter before entering the sprayer 120.

[0081] In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 further includes a height limiting member 170. As Figure 2 shown, the height limiting member 170 is disposed above the second predetermined position of the conveyor 110 at a predetermined height from the surface of the conveyor 110. Exemplarily, the height limiting member 170 is, for example, a bar whose axial direction extends along the conveying direction of the conveyor 110. In the case where the conveyor 110 includes a plurality of conveying lanes 111-116, a plurality of height limiting members 170 are respectively disposed above the plurality of conveying lanes 111-116. The predetermined height of the height limiting member 170 from the surface of the conveyor 110 refers to the predetermined height of the lower surface of the height limiting member 170 from the surface of the conveyor 110, and may be set, for example, to be equal to the height of the upper surface of the food conveyed on the conveyor 110 from the surface of the conveyor 110, or greater than the height of the upper surface of the food conveyed on the conveyor 110 from the surface of the conveyor 110 but less than twice the height of the upper surface of the food conveyed on the conveyor 110 from the surface of the conveyor 110. In the setting area of the height limiting member 170, the food is conveyed through the gap between the height limiting member 170 and the conveyor 110.

[0082] By providing the height limiting member, it is possible to ensure that the food conveyed on the conveyor 110 does not overlap or stack, ensuring that the food is evenly distributed after being conveyed through the second predetermined position.

[0083] In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 further includes a food feeding portion 190. The food feeding portion 190 is connected to the conveyor 110 upstream of the second predetermined position. The food feeding portion 190 includes a vibration actuator, a feeding box 192, a flat dial shaft 194, and an inclined plate 196. The feeding box 192, the flat dial shaft 194, and the inclined plate 196 are arranged in sequence in the same direction as the conveying direction of the conveyor. More specifically, refer to Figure 5 shown and arranged in sequence from left to right. The vibration actuator is drivingly connected to the feeding box 192 and is configured to apply vibration to the feeding box 192. The vibration actuator is, for example, a motor. The feeding box 192 is disposed above the flat dial shaft 194; during production, the food to be coated is placed in the feeding box 192, and the food falls to the flat dial shaft 194 as the feeding box 192 vibrates. The flat dial shaft 194 can rotate around the rotation axis. The extending direction of the dial shaft is orthogonal to the direction from the feeding box 192 towards the inclined plate 196. As Figure 5As shown, the flat dial shaft 194 can be a dial wheel with a rotating shaft. The flat dial shaft 194 has a plurality of blades radially extending from the rotating shaft. When the food to be coated drops to the flat dial shaft 194, the food is dialed by the plurality of blades of the rotating flat dial shaft 194. Figure 5 Three consecutively arranged flat dial shafts 194-1, 194-2, and 194-3 are shown. It is easily understood that the number of flat dial shafts 194 is not limited to this. Further, the rotational speeds at which each flat dial shaft 194 rotates around the rotating shaft can be different. The flat dial shaft 194 (such as flat dial shaft 194-3) among the plurality of flat dial shafts 194 that is farther from the feeding box 192 can have the highest rotational speed.

[0084] Further, the food feeding part 190 can also include a feeding conveyor belt 195. The feeding conveyor belt 195 is located below the plurality of flat dial shafts 194, and the conveying direction is from the feeding box 192 towards the inclined plate 196. The heights of the plurality of flat dial shafts 194 from the feeding conveyor belt 195 can be different. The flat dial shaft 194 among the plurality of flat dial shafts 194 that is farther from the feeding box 192 can have the smallest height from the feeding conveyor belt 195. After being sorted by the flat dial shafts 194, the food falls onto the inclined plate 196 in a single layer without overlap.

[0085] The inclined plate 196 has an upper end and a lower end, and slopes downward from the upper end to the lower end; the flat dial shaft 194 is arranged above the upper end of the inclined plate 196; and the lower end of the inclined plate 196 is connected to the conveyor 110. Further, as Figure 5 shown, the inclined plate 196 can be divided into two sections, for example, including a first inclined plate 196-1 and a second inclined plate 196-2 that are connected to each other. The second inclined plate 196-2 includes a plurality of channels defined by a separator (such as a partition board). Each channel is correspondingly connected to a plurality of conveyor channels 111-116 of the conveyor 110. The slope of the second inclined plate 196-2 is greater than the slope of the first inclined plate 196-1. It is easily understood that the controller is also electrically connected to the vibration actuator and the flat dial shaft 194, and is configured to set or modify the vibration frequency of the vibration actuator and the rotational speed of the flat dial shaft 194.

[0086] It should be understood that in this application, the "above" and "below" described do not necessarily mean directly above or directly below the component, but can mean obliquely above or obliquely below the component.

[0087] The food feeding part 190 can sort the fed food, and the food to be coated enters the plurality of conveyor channels of the conveyor 110 in a single layer without overlap, so that the subsequent spraying work can be easily carried out.

[0088] In some embodiments, as Figure 1As shown, the sprayer 120 is disposed above the first predetermined position of the conveyor 110, at a distance of 20 mm to 60 mm from the surface of the conveyor 110. If the distance between the sprayer 120 and the surface of the conveyor 110 is too small, it is easy for the pouring material to be directly sprayed onto the surface of the conveyor 110 around the food during the spraying process. If the distance between the sprayer 120 and the surface of the conveyor 110 is too large, it is easy for the pouring material to rebound instantaneously when sprayed onto the surface of the food, thus affecting the coating effect of the pouring material and easily contaminating the conveyor. The distance between the sprayer 120 and the surface of the conveyor 110 is preferably 20 mm to 60 mm, so that the pouring material can be accurately sprayed onto the surface of the food, further preventing the pouring material from being sprayed onto the conveyor belt of the conveyor 110.

[0089] According to the technical solution of the present invention, the pouring material can be accurately sprayed onto the surface of the food to be coated, avoiding problems such as waste of raw materials and hygienic risks caused by spraying the pouring material onto other positions of the equipment. In addition, the technical solution of the present invention can accurately control the spraying amount of the pouring material.

[0090] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as the scope described in this specification.

[0091] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation manners of the present invention. Their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the utility model patent shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. Equipment for coating food, characterized in that, Comprising: A conveyor configured to convey food at a predetermined speed; A sprayer disposed near a first predetermined position of the conveyor, the sprayer including a valve that is periodically opened for a first predetermined time and configured to spray a dressing onto the surface of the food when the valve is opened; And A first stopper disposed near the first predetermined position of the conveyor and configured to alternately be in a blocking state and a releasing state, and the first stopper is in the blocking state during the opening of the valve of the sprayer; when the first stopper is in the blocking state, it prevents the food from being conveyed by the conveyor, so that the food stays at the first predetermined position of the conveyor, and when the first stopper is in the releasing state, it does not prevent the food from being conveyed by the conveyor.

2. The apparatus for coating food according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further comprising: A second stopper disposed near a second predetermined position of the conveyor, and the direction from the second predetermined position towards the first predetermined position is the conveying direction of the conveyor; Wherein, the second stopper includes a front stopper and a rear stopper, the front stopper and the rear stopper are sequentially arranged in the conveying direction of the conveyor, and each has a blocking state and a releasing state; when the front stopper and / or the rear stopper is in the blocking state, it prevents the food from being conveyed by the conveyor, so that the food stays at the second predetermined position of the conveyor, and when the front stopper and / or the rear stopper is in the releasing state, it does not prevent the food from being conveyed by the conveyor; and The front stopper and the rear stopper are each configured to alternately be in the blocking state and the releasing state, and the front stopper and the rear stopper are not in the blocking state at the same time and are not in the releasing state at the same time.

3. The apparatus for coating food according to claim 2, characterized in that, Further comprising: A sensor disposed at a third predetermined position between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position and configured to sense the presence of food; And A controller electrically connected to the sensor and the sprayer and configured to allow the valve of the sprayer to be opened in the current cycle when the sensing result of the sensor indicates the presence of food.

4. The apparatus for coating food according to claim 2, characterized in that, Further comprising: A sensor disposed at a third predetermined position between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position and configured to sense the presence of food; And A controller electrically connected to the sensor and the sprayer and configured to control the valve of the sprayer not to be opened in the current cycle when the sensing result of the sensor indicates the absence of food.

5. The device for coating food according to claim 4, characterized in that, Including a plurality of the sprayers and a plurality of the sensors: The conveyor includes a plurality of conveying lanes, and a plurality of foods are arranged in a single row on each conveying lane; The number of the sprayers is the same as the number of the conveying lanes, and the sprayers are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the conveying lanes; The number of the sensors is the same as the number of the conveying lanes, and the sensors are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the conveying lanes; and The controller is configured to, when the sensing result of the sensor indicates that the food does not exist on the conveying lane corresponding to the sensor, cause the valve of the sprayer corresponding to the same conveying lane as the sensor not to be opened in the current cycle.

6. The device for coating food according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Further comprising: A feed pipe, which is connected to the sprayer and configured to supply the pouring material to the sprayer via the valve; Wherein, the feed pipe is a double-layer pipe including an inner layer pipe and an outer layer pipe. The inner layer pipe is a conduit for supplying the pouring material, and the space between the inner layer pipe and the outer layer pipe can be filled with a heat-insulating substance.

7. The device for coating food according to claim 6, characterized in that: The valve is a spring valve including a spring; The sprayer further includes a first air inlet; and The device for coating food further includes a first air inlet valve, which periodically opens for a second predetermined time to allow gas to enter the sprayer through the first air inlet. The spring is compressed by the gas entering through the first air inlet to open the valve.

8. The device for coating food according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sprayer further includes a second air inlet; The device for coating food further includes a second air inlet valve, which synchronously and periodically opens for the second predetermined time with the first air inlet valve to allow gas to enter the sprayer through the second air inlet. The pouring material to be sprayed is dispersed by the gas entering through the second air inlet.

9. The device for coating food according to claim 2, characterized in that, It further includes: A height limiting member, which is arranged above the second predetermined position of the conveyor at a predetermined height from the surface of the conveyor.

10. The apparatus for coating food according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, It further includes a food feeding part, which includes a vibration actuator, a feeding box, a flat dial shaft and an inclined plate; Wherein, the vibration actuator is drivingly connected to the feeding box and configured to apply vibration to the feeding box; The feeding box is arranged above the flat dial shaft; The inclined plate has an upper end and a lower end and slopes downward from the upper end to the lower end; The flat dial shaft is arranged above the upper end of the inclined plate; and The lower end of the inclined plate is connected to the conveyor.

11. The apparatus for coating food according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The sprayer is arranged above the first predetermined position of the conveyor at a distance of 20 mm to 60 mm from the surface of the conveyor.

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