Automatic food cutting and forming machine

Abstract

The utility model discloses an automatic food cutting and forming machine which comprises a machine frame provided with a conveying track inclining downwards, and the width of the conveying track is matched with the radial size of food. The stock bin is communicated with the upper end of the conveying track; the cutting assembly is in butt joint with the lower end of the conveying rail. The cutting assembly comprises a material receiving channel piece used for receiving food, a forming circular pipe arranged in the material receiving channel piece and vertically arranged, a forming cutter arranged under the forming circular pipe and used for cutting the food into finished products in set shapes, and a downward pressing mechanism used for driving the food to be downwards pressed into the forming circular pipe to form cylindrical materials. The linear vibration module is arranged at the bottom of the conveying rail and used for driving the food to move from the stock bin to the cutting assembly; and the screening device is used for receiving the food output from the cutting assembly and screening out finished products. The automatic food cutting and forming machine can automatically and efficiently cut food into set shapes and sizes, and is high in production efficiency, stable in forming quality and good in sanitation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of food production technology, and in particular to an automatic food cutting and forming machine. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, food needs to be cut into a predetermined shape for transport to the next process. For example, to process spherical potato products, a mold is used to scoop out spherical potatoes one by one from the inside of the potato. Since the surface of the spherical potatoes must be free of skin, the traditional method is to peel the potatoes first, and then manually use a mold to scoop out the spherical potatoes. This production method is very slow, and the shape and size stability of the produced food is poor, and hygiene is also difficult to guarantee. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, one of the objectives of this utility model is to provide an automatic food cutting and forming machine that can automatically and efficiently cut food into a set shape and size, with high production efficiency, stable forming quality, and good hygiene.

[0004] An automatic food cutting and forming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a frame, on which a downwardly inclined conveying track is provided, the width of which is adapted to the radial dimension of the food so that the food is arranged in a single row along the length direction of the conveying track; a hopper, disposed on the frame and connected to the upper end of the conveying track; a cutting assembly, connected to the lower end of the conveying track, the cutting assembly including a receiving channel for receiving the food, a vertically arranged forming tube disposed within the receiving channel, a forming blade disposed directly below the forming tube to cut the food into finished products of a set shape, and a pressing mechanism for driving the food downward into the forming tube to form cylindrical material; a linear vibration module, disposed at the bottom of the conveying track, for driving the food from the hopper to the cutting assembly; and a screening device for receiving the food output from the cutting assembly and screening out the finished products.

[0005] The automatic food cutting and forming machine according to the embodiments of this utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0006] Individual food items are placed in the hopper and move towards the cutting assembly along the slope of the conveyor track with the help of a linear vibration module. The pressing mechanism presses the food into the forming tube to form a cylindrical material. Then, the forming blade acts on the cylindrical material to cut it into finished products of the set shape. Finally, the food residue outside the finished products is separated by a screening device. The above automatic food cutting and forming machine can automatically and efficiently cut food into the set shape and size, with high production efficiency, stable forming quality, and good hygiene.

[0007] In some embodiments of this utility model, the frame has multiple conveying tracks spaced apart along the width direction of the conveying track, and the input end of each conveying track is connected to the same side of the hopper. A height limiting roller is rotatably mounted on the frame, spanning above the input end of each conveying track.

[0008] In some embodiments of this utility model, the hopper is a rectangular frame with an upward opening. The rectangular frame is hollowed out on one side near the conveying track to connect the input ends of each of the conveying tracks. The conveying track includes two symmetrically arranged guide plates. The guide plate has a guide slope at one end near the hopper. A funnel-shaped flow inlet is defined between the two guide slopes of the same conveying track.

[0009] In some embodiments of this utility model, there is an assembly gap between the guide plates of two adjacent conveying tracks, and the frame is provided with a V-shaped guide plate for blocking the assembly gap. The two guide surfaces of the V-shaped guide plate guide the food into the conveying tracks on both sides respectively.

[0010] In some embodiments of this utility model, the height limiting roller includes a roller body and flexible brush strips covering the outer peripheral wall of the roller body. The roller body is connected to a first driver that drives it to rotate. When the first driver drives the roller body to rotate, it drives the food to move toward the conveying track.

[0011] In some embodiments of this utility model, the receiving channel component is a frustum-shaped receiving hopper that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The forming tube is concentrically arranged with the receiving hopper. The diameter of the forming tube is smaller than the diameter of the smaller end of the receiving hopper, and the upper end of the forming tube is located below the receiving hopper. The receiving hopper has a plurality of limiting springs that can clamp food evenly distributed around its axis. The plurality of limiting springs form a frustum shape that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom.

[0012] In some embodiments of this utility model, the forming tool is a metal ring, the inner diameter of the metal ring is equal to the inner diameter of the forming tube, and a drive shaft extending radially along the side wall of the metal ring is connected to the drive shaft, which is connected to a rotary driver that drives it to rotate.

[0013] In some embodiments of this utility model, the frame is provided with an installation frame, the upper end plate of the installation frame is provided with an installation hole for fixing the receiving hopper, and the outer peripheral wall of the forming round tube is provided with a plurality of ribs extending outward along its radial direction at intervals. The ribs are connected to the inner wall of the installation frame, and the upper edge of the ribs is provided with an upward blade.

[0014] In some embodiments of this utility model, the mounting frame includes a left side plate, a right side plate, a front side plate, and a rear side plate that are spliced ​​together. The left side plate, the right side plate, the front side plate, and the rear side plate are all provided with positioning holes. The side edge of the rib away from the formed round tube is provided with a plugging protrusion that is inserted into the positioning hole.

[0015] In some embodiments of this utility model, the screening device includes a long, upward-opening material trough and a long mesh screen tube connected to one end of the material trough. A feeding screw is rotatably mounted on the frame, passing through the material trough and the long mesh screen tube along the length of the material trough. The long mesh screen tube has columns arranged circumferentially around the feeding screw. The distance between adjacent columns allows food residue to be discharged and prevents the finished product from being discharged.

[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the automatic food cutting and forming machine of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the combined structure of the hopper, conveyor track, and height-limiting roller in the embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cutting component in the embodiment;

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A structural exploded view of the cutting component after the pressing mechanism has been removed.

[0022] Figure label:

[0023] Frame 100; Mounting frame 110; Rib plate 120; Insertion protrusion 121; Blade part 130; Positioning insertion hole 140; Conveying track 200; Guide plate 210; Guide slope 220; V-shaped guide plate 230; Hopper 300; Cutting assembly 400; Receiving channel component 410; Forming round tube 420; Forming cutter 430; Limiting spring 440; Drive shaft 450; Rotary drive 460; Pressing mechanism 470; Linear vibration module 500; Screening device 600; Material trough 610; Long strip mesh screen tube 620; Feeding screw 630; Height limiting roller 700; Roller body 710; Flexible brush strip 720. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0025] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as the terms "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If "first" or "second" is used in the description, it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0027] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0028] Reference Figures 1 to 4This utility model discloses an automatic food cutting and forming machine, comprising: a frame 100, on which a downwardly inclined conveying track 200 is provided, the width of which is adapted to the radial dimension of the food so that the food is arranged in a single row along the length of the conveying track 200; a hopper 300, disposed on the frame 100 and connected to the upper end of the conveying track 200; and a cutting assembly 400, which is connected to the lower end of the conveying track 200, the cutting assembly 400 including a receiving channel 410 for receiving food and a receiving channel 410 disposed on the receiving channel 200. The material channel component 410 includes a vertically arranged forming tube 420, a forming cutter 430 located directly below the forming tube 420 to cut food into finished products of a set shape, and a pressing mechanism 470 that drives the food downward into the forming tube 420 to form cylindrical material; a linear vibration module 500 located at the bottom of the conveying track 200 for driving the food from the hopper 300 to the cutting assembly 400; and a screening device 600 for receiving the food output from the cutting assembly 400 and screening out the finished products.

[0029] Individual food items are placed in the hopper 300 and moved along the slope of the conveyor track 200 with the assistance of the linear vibration module 500 to the receiving channel 410. The pressing mechanism 470 presses the food into the forming tube 420 to form a cylindrical material. Then, the forming cutter 430 cuts the cylindrical material into finished products of a set shape. Finally, the screening device 600 separates the remaining food material from the finished products. This automatic food cutting and forming machine can automatically and efficiently cut food into set shapes and sizes, with high production efficiency, stable forming quality, and good hygiene. Taking potatoes as an example, the width of the conveyor track 200 only allows a single row of potatoes to pass through, which is beneficial for arranging potatoes sequentially. The automatic food cutting and forming machine also includes an isolation device for separating the food to be processed from the food to be processed. In this embodiment, the isolation device includes a pressing cylinder and a sponge block connected to the output end of the pressing cylinder. When a potato moves along the conveying track 200 into the cutting assembly 400, the pressing cylinder drives the sponge block to block all the potatoes behind it. The sponge block can be adapted to press down potatoes of different sizes. After the potatoes in the cutting assembly 400 have finished processing, the pressing cylinder lifts the sponge block to allow another potato to enter the cutting assembly 400. The cutting assembly 400 has a photoelectric sensor. When another potato enters the cutting assembly 400, the machine's industrial control computer again controls the pressing cylinder to drive the sponge block to move downward to block all the potatoes behind it.

[0030] See Figure 1 and Figure 2In some embodiments of this utility model, to improve the efficiency of cutting and forming, the frame 100 has multiple conveying tracks 200 spaced apart along the width direction of the conveying tracks 200. The input end of each conveying track 200 is connected to the same side of the hopper 300. A height limiting roller 700 is rotatably mounted on the frame 100, spanning above the input end of each conveying track 200. It is understood that the function of the height limiting roller 700 is to prevent two food items from stacking along their height direction, ensuring that the food items are arranged sequentially.

[0031] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments of this utility model, the hopper 300 is a rectangular frame with an upward opening. One side of the rectangular frame near the conveying track 200 is hollowed out to connect the input ends of each conveying track 200. Each conveying track 200 includes two symmetrically arranged guide plates 210. One end of each guide plate 210 near the hopper 300 has a guide slope 220. A funnel-shaped flow inlet is defined between the two guide slopes 220 of the same conveying track 200. It can be understood that multiple conveying tracks 200 can be formed by arranging an even number of guide plates 210 at intervals along a straight line on the bottom plate of the rectangular frame. This simplifies the configuration of the conveying tracks 200. Furthermore, the funnel-shaped flow inlet defined between the two guide plates 210 of the same conveying track allows food to enter the conveying track 200 along the flow inlet, preventing jamming at the input end of the conveying track 200.

[0032] The guide plates 210 of two adjacent conveying tracks 200 have an assembly gap. The frame 100 is provided with a V-shaped guide plate 230 to cover the assembly gap. The two guide surfaces of the V-shaped guide plate 230 guide the food into the conveying tracks 200 on both sides. The V-shaped guide plate 230 can prevent dirt from detaching from the surface of the food from being trapped in the assembly gap, and can also guide the food into the conveying tracks 200 on both sides.

[0033] See Figure 2 In some embodiments of this utility model, the height-limiting roller 700 includes a roller body 710 and flexible brush strips 720 covering the outer peripheral wall of the roller body 710. The roller body 710 is connected to a first driver that drives its rotation. When the first driver drives the roller body 710 to rotate, it drives the food to move towards the conveying track 200. It should be noted that foods such as potatoes and onions have different sizes. Larger foods are prone to colliding with the roller body 710, while smaller foods are difficult to limit. The flexible brush strips 720 solve this problem.

[0034] See Figure 3and Figure 4 In some embodiments of this utility model, the receiving channel component 410 is a frustum-shaped receiving hopper that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The forming tube 420 is concentrically arranged with the receiving hopper. The diameter of the forming tube 420 is smaller than the diameter of the smaller end of the receiving hopper, and the upper end of the forming tube 420 is located below the receiving hopper. The receiving hopper has a plurality of limiting springs 440 that can clamp food evenly distributed around its axis. The plurality of limiting springs 440 form a frustum-shaped structure that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom.

[0035] The pressing mechanism 470 includes a column with a lifting cylinder at the output end of the lifting cylinder. The diameter of the column is smaller than the inner diameter of the forming tube 420. Before the food falls into the receiving hopper, the lower end of the limiting spring 440 elastically abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the column. The food enters the receiving hopper from the conveying track 200 and is elastically clamped by the limiting spring 440. Multiple limiting springs 440 can center the food and stabilize its position in the horizontal direction. As the pressing mechanism 470 presses the food into the forming tube 420 to form cylindrical material, the portion of the food located on the outer periphery of the forming tube 420 becomes food residue. Then, the forming cutter 430 cuts the cylindrical material to form a finished product of a set shape.

[0036] See Figure 4 In some embodiments of this utility model, the forming cutter 430 is a metal ring, the inner diameter of which is equal to the inner diameter of the forming tube 420. A drive shaft 450 extending radially along the sidewall of the metal ring is connected to the sidewall of the metal ring, and a rotary actuator 460 is connected to the drive shaft 450 to drive its rotation. It is understood that the rotary actuator 460 drives the drive shaft 450 to rotate, and the metal ring, while rotating, cuts the cylindrical material to form a spherical finished product. The diameter of the spherical part is equal to the diameter of the cylindrical material, thereby maximizing the utilization rate of the cylindrical material and forming a finished product with the largest possible spherical diameter. Of course, in other embodiments, the forming cutter 430 is a blade, which can cut shorter cylindrical finished products.

[0037] See Figure 4 In some embodiments of this utility model, the frame 100 is provided with a mounting frame 110. The upper end plate of the mounting frame 110 has mounting holes for fixing the receiving hopper. Multiple ribs 120 extending radially outward are distributed at intervals on the outer peripheral wall of the forming tube 420. The ribs 120 are connected to the inner wall of the mounting frame 110, and the upper edge of the ribs 120 has an upward-facing blade 130. It can be understood that the ribs 120 not only support and fix the forming tube 420, but also cut food scraps into fan shapes to facilitate separation by the subsequent screening device 600.

[0038] See Figure 4 In some embodiments of this utility model, the mounting frame 110 includes a left side plate, a right side plate, a front side plate, and a rear side plate that are spliced ​​together. Each of the left side plate, right side plate, front side plate, and rear side plate is provided with a positioning insertion hole 140. The side edge of the rib plate 120 away from the formed round tube 420 is provided with an insertion protrusion 121 that inserts into the positioning insertion hole 140. It can be understood that there are four rib plates 120 forming a cross shape. When the mounting frame 110 is spliced, the rib plates 120 and the formed round tube 420 on the rib plates 120 can be fixed simultaneously, making installation very convenient.

[0039] See Figure 1 In some embodiments of this utility model, the screening device 600 includes a long, upward-opening material trough 610 and a long mesh screen tube 620 connected to one end of the material trough 610. A feeding screw 630 is rotatably mounted on the frame 100, passing through the material trough 610 and the long mesh screen tube 620 along the length direction of the material trough 610. The long mesh screen tube 620 has columns arranged circumferentially around the feeding screw 630. The distance between adjacent columns allows food residue to be discharged and prevents the finished product from being discharged. Understandably, the finished product and food scraps fall into the feed trough 610 together after cutting. The feed screw 630 transports the finished product and food scraps to the long mesh screen tube 620. The end of the long mesh screen tube 620 is connected to a container for holding the finished product, and a container for collecting food scraps is provided directly below the long mesh screen tube 620. As the feed screw 630 drives the finished product and food scraps to move along the length of the long mesh screen tube 620, the food scraps will be discharged from the distance between the adjacent bars.

[0040] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0041] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic food cutting and forming machine, characterized in that, include: A frame (100) is provided with a downwardly inclined conveying track (200), the width of which is adapted to the radial dimension of the food so that the food is arranged in a single row along the length of the conveying track (200). A hopper (300) is located on the frame (100) and is connected to the upper end of the conveying track (200); The cutting assembly (400) is connected to the lower end of the conveying track (200). The cutting assembly (400) includes a receiving channel (410) for receiving food, a vertically arranged forming tube (420) disposed in the receiving channel (410), a forming cutter (430) disposed directly below the forming tube (420) to cut the food into a finished product of a set shape, and a pressing mechanism (470) for driving the food downward into the forming tube (420) to form a cylindrical material. A linear vibration module (500) is located at the bottom of the conveying track (200) and is used to drive food from the hopper (300) to the cutting assembly (400); A screening device (600) is used to receive the food output from the cutting assembly (400) and screen out the finished products.

2. The automatic food cutting and forming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame (100) has multiple conveying tracks (200) spaced apart along the width direction of the conveying track (200). The input end of each conveying track (200) is connected to the same side of the hopper (300). A height limiting roller (700) is rotatably mounted on the frame (100) and spans above the input end of each conveying track (200).

3. The automatic food cutting and forming machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The hopper (300) is a rectangular frame with an upward opening. The rectangular frame has a hollowed-out side near the conveying track (200) to connect the input ends of each conveying track (200). The conveying track (200) includes two symmetrically arranged guide plates (210). The end of the guide plate (210) near the hopper (300) has a guide slope (220). A funnel-shaped flow inlet is defined between the two guide slopes (220) of the same conveying track (200).

4. The automatic food cutting and forming machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: There is an assembly gap between the guide plates (210) of two adjacent conveying tracks (200), and the frame (100) is provided with a V-shaped guide plate (230) for covering the assembly gap. The two guide surfaces of the V-shaped guide plate (230) respectively guide the food into the conveying tracks (200) on both sides.

5. The automatic food cutting and forming machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The height limiting roller (700) includes a roller body (710) and flexible brush strips (720) covering the outer peripheral wall of the roller body (710). The roller body (710) is connected to a first driver that drives it to rotate. When the first driver drives the roller body (710) to rotate, it drives the food to move toward the conveying track (200).

6. The automatic food cutting and forming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiving channel component (410) is a frustum-shaped receiving hopper that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The forming tube (420) is concentrically arranged with the receiving hopper. The diameter of the forming tube (420) is smaller than the diameter of the smaller end of the receiving hopper, and the upper end of the forming tube (420) is located below the receiving hopper. The receiving hopper has a plurality of limiting springs (440) that can clamp food evenly distributed around its axis. The plurality of limiting springs (440) form a frustum shape that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom.

7. The automatic food cutting and forming machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The forming tool (430) is a metal ring, the inner diameter of which is equal to the inner diameter of the forming tube (420). The sidewall of the metal ring is connected to a drive shaft (450) extending radially therefrom, and the drive shaft (450) is connected to a rotary driver (460) that drives it to rotate.

8. The automatic food cutting and forming machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The frame (100) is provided with a mounting frame (110). The upper end plate of the mounting frame (110) is provided with mounting holes for fixing the receiving hopper. The outer peripheral wall of the forming round tube (420) is provided with a number of ribs (120) that extend radially outward. The ribs (120) are connected to the inner wall of the mounting frame (110). The upper edge of the ribs (120) is provided with an upward-facing blade (130).

9. The automatic food cutting and forming machine according to claim 8, characterized in that: The mounting frame (110) includes a left side plate, a right side plate, a front side plate and a rear side plate that are spliced ​​together. The left side plate, the right side plate, the front side plate and the rear side plate are all provided with positioning holes (140). The side edge of the stiffening plate (120) away from the formed round tube (420) is provided with a plugging protrusion (121) that is inserted into the positioning hole (140).

10. The automatic food cutting and forming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The screening device (600) includes a long, upward-opening trough (610) and a long mesh screen tube (620) connected to one end of the trough (610). A feeding screw (630) is rotatably mounted on the frame (100) and passes through the trough (610) and the long mesh screen tube (620) along the length of the trough (610). The long mesh screen tube (620) has columns arranged circumferentially around the feeding screw (630). The distance between adjacent columns allows food residue to be discharged and prevents the finished product from being discharged.

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