Bean curd shaping, pasteurizing and cooling equipment

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of bean curd production equipment, and relates to bean curd shaping, pasteurization and cooling equipment which comprises a rack, a circulating conveying chain is arranged on the rack, and the chain sequentially passes through an upper layer heating shaping area and a lower layer heat exchange cooling area along a conveying path. A plurality of side opening type box carrying units for carrying bean curds are arranged between the chains, the box carrying units are tightly arranged in the conveying direction and are conveyed along with the chains in a circulating mode, a feeding unfolding area is formed at the upper corner of the front conveying end of each box carrying unit, a discharging unfolding area is formed at the lower corner of each box carrying unit, and a transition unfolding area is formed at the corner of the rear conveying end of each box carrying unit. Openings of the box carrying units of the feeding unfolding area and the discharging unfolding area face downwards, and openings of the box carrying units of the transition unfolding area face upwards. The bean curd shaping, pasteurizing and cooling equipment provided by the utility model has the advantages of simple structure, large loading amount and high automation degree.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of tofu production equipment, and relates to a tofu shaping, pasteurization and cooling equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Chinese utility model patent CN221355615U (publication date: July 19, 2024) discloses an automatic heating and cooling integrated machine for tofu, including a cooling box, a heating box fixed to the top of the cooling box, and insulation curtains fixed to the inner top walls of both the cooling box and the heating box. A transmission mechanism is fixed inside both the heating box and the cooling box. A heating plate is fixed inside the heating box, and a cooling plate is fixed inside the cooling box. A fixing component is fixed to the left side of the cooling box, and a transfer component is fixed to the left side of the fixing component. A feed inlet is fixed to the top of the heating box, and a storage tank is fixed to the top of the feed inlet. In this automatic heating and cooling integrated machine for tofu, pre-framed tofu is placed into the heating box through the feed inlet. By activating the transmission mechanism, the tofu frame passes over the heating plate to complete its shaping. As the tofu frame is about to leave the heating box, the transfer component transfers it to the cooling box for cooling.

[0003] The aforementioned automatic heating and cooling integrated tofu machine requires the tofu to be packed into frames before it can be placed into the heating chamber for circulation. Furthermore, the heating, shaping, and cooling processes require two conveyor belt systems, making its structure relatively complex and energy-intensive. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a tofu shaping, pasteurization, and cooling device, which has the advantages of simple structure, large material capacity, and high degree of automation.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A tofu shaping, pasteurization, and cooling device includes a frame on which a circulating conveying chain is mounted. The chain passes sequentially along a conveying path through an upper heating and shaping sterilization zone and a lower heat exchange and cooling zone. Several side-opening carrier units for carrying tofu are arranged between the chain. The carrier units are closely arranged along the conveying direction and circulate with the chain. The carrier units form a feeding unfolding zone at the upper corner of the conveying front end, a discharging unfolding zone at the lower corner, and a transition unfolding zone at the corner of the conveying rear end. The carrier units in the feeding and discharging unfolding zones have downward openings, while the carrier units in the transition unfolding zone have upward openings.

[0007] In the above-mentioned tofu shaping, pasteurization and cooling equipment, the two ends of the carrier unit are respectively fixed on the chains on both sides, and each link of the chain corresponds to a carrier unit.

[0008] In the above-mentioned tofu shaping, pasteurization and cooling equipment, the transition expansion zone is located at the upper corner of the rear end of the conveying process. The upstream of the transition expansion zone extends upward along the conveying direction to form an upward conveying section, and the downstream of the conveying process smoothly transitions to the bottom conveying section through an inclined conveying section.

[0009] In the above-mentioned tofu shaping, pasteurization and cooling equipment, a feeding mechanism is provided on the outside of the feeding unfolding area. The feeding mechanism includes a feeding push plate and a feeding conveyor belt arranged parallel to the carrier unit. The feeding push plate is located on the outside of the feeding conveyor belt. The feeding push plate is driven to move inward by a feeding cylinder. When the carrier unit is conveyed to the corresponding position of the feeding conveyor belt, its bottom is in a horizontal position.

[0010] In the above-mentioned tofu shaping, pasteurization and cooling equipment, a feeding mechanism is provided below the feeding unfolding area. The feeding mechanism includes a feeding platform, a feeding pusher plate and a feeding conveyor belt arranged parallel to the carrier unit. The feeding conveyor belt is located on the outside of the feeding platform and the feeding pusher plate is located on the inside of the feeding platform. The feeding pusher plate is driven to move outward by a feeding cylinder.

[0011] In the above-mentioned tofu shaping, pasteurization and cooling equipment, the heating shaping and sterilization zone includes a shaping chamber and a pasteurization chamber, and the heating chamber is equipped with water heated by steam heating pipes.

[0012] In the above-mentioned tofu shaping, pasteurization and cooling equipment, the heat exchange and cooling zone includes a pre-cooling chamber and a cooling chamber. The water in the pre-cooling chamber exchanges heat with room temperature water through a plate heat exchanger, and the water in the cooling chamber exchanges heat with chilled water through a plate heat exchanger.

[0013] In the above-mentioned tofu shaping, pasteurization and cooling equipment, the carrier unit is provided with a number of through holes for water supply; preferably, the carrier unit is provided with through holes on all four sides and the bottom.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages:

[0015] This invention provides a tofu shaping, pasteurization, and cooling device. It employs closely spaced carrier units to transport the filled tofu, significantly increasing the material capacity of the shaping and cooling machine. During transport, the side openings of the carrier units are closed by downstream carrier units, only becoming detachable at specific corners of the conveyor line. Therefore, this invention eliminates the need for any intermediate transfer mechanisms to complete the entire conveying process from loading to unloading. Furthermore, this invention features loading and unloading mechanisms at two detachable corners, achieving fully automated operation of tofu shaping, pasteurization, and cooling. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the conveying front end of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of point B;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the rear end of the conveyor of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of point C;

[0022] Reference numerals: 1. Frame; 2. Chain; 3. Heating, shaping and sterilization zone; 4. Heat exchange and cooling zone; 5. Carrier unit; 6. Feeding and unfolding zone; 7. Discharging and unfolding zone; 8. Transition unfolding zone; 9. Feeding pusher plate; 10. Feeding conveyor belt; 11. Feeding cylinder; 12. Discharging platform; 13. Discharging pusher plate; 14. Discharging conveyor belt; 15. Discharging cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. See also: Figure 1-6 :

[0024] A tofu shaping, pasteurization, and cooling device includes a frame 1, on which a circulating conveying chain 2 is installed. The chain 2 passes sequentially along the conveying path through an upper heating and shaping sterilization zone 3 and a lower heat exchange and cooling zone 4. Several side-opening carrier units 5 for carrying tofu are arranged between the chain 2. The carrier units 5 are closely arranged along the conveying direction and are circulated along the chain 2. The carrier units 5 form a feeding expansion zone 6 at the upper corner of the conveying front end, a discharging expansion zone 7 at the lower corner, and a transition expansion zone 8 at the corner of the conveying rear end. The openings of the carrier units 5 in the feeding expansion zone 6 and the discharging expansion zone 7 face downwards, while the openings of the carrier units 5 in the transition expansion zone 8 face upwards.

[0025] The operation process of this embodiment is as follows: During the linear conveying of the closely arranged carrier units 5, the bottom of the next carrier unit 5 can cover the side opening of the previous carrier unit 5, forming a closed conveying cavity. At corners, due to changes in the conveying angle, adjacent carrier units 5 will form an angle with the chain 2, meaning the closed conveying cavity will open. When the carrier unit 5 opens, its opening may face upwards or downwards depending on the conveying point. When its opening faces upwards, the tofu inside the carrier unit 5 can still be held by the carrier unit 5 and will not fall out. When its opening faces downwards, the tofu inside the carrier unit 5 will detach. (Refer to Appendix) Figure 1-6 Specifically, the tofu (boxed) after filling is fed into the loading and unfolding area 6 at the upper corner of the conveyor head and enters the box-carrying unit 5 to start the conveying cycle. During the forward conveying process, the opening of the box-carrying unit 5 is closed. The box-carrying unit 5 carries the tofu through the heating, shaping and sterilization area 3. After the tofu is heated, shaped and sterilized, it enters the transition unfolding area 8 to transition to the lower heat exchange and cooling area 4. In the transition unfolding area 8, since the opening of the box-carrying unit 5 faces upward, the tofu will not fall out of the box-carrying unit 5. Then, the box-carrying unit 5 carries the tofu through the heat exchange and cooling area 4. After cooling, the tofu is conveyed to the unloading unfolding area 7. Since the opening of the box-carrying unit 5 in the unloading unfolding area 7 faces downward, the tofu will detach from the box-carrying unit 5 and the conveying cycle will end.

[0026] In this embodiment, the two ends of the carrier unit 5 are respectively fixed on the chains 2 on both sides, and each link of the chain 2 corresponds to a carrier unit 5.

[0027] Comparison Appendix Figure 5 and attached Figure 6 The aforementioned transition expansion zone 8 is located at the upper corner of the rear end of the conveying process. The upstream of the transition expansion zone 8 extends upward along the conveying direction to form an upward conveying section, and the downstream of the conveying process smoothly transitions to the bottom conveying section through an inclined conveying section. By setting the upward conveying section and the inclined conveying section, the right angle of the lower corner of the rear end of the conveying process can be decomposed into multiple small-angle inclined corners, preventing the carrier unit 5 from detaching due to an excessively large expansion angle when it is conveyed to the lower corner.

[0028] This embodiment further provides an automatic feeding device. Specifically, a feeding mechanism is provided on the outer side of the feeding unfolding area 6. The feeding mechanism includes a feeding push plate 9 and a feeding conveyor belt 10 arranged parallel to the carrier unit 5. The feeding push plate 9 is located on the outer side of the feeding conveyor belt 10. The feeding push plate 9 is driven to move inward by the feeding cylinder 11. When the carrier unit 5 is conveyed to the corresponding position of the feeding conveyor belt 10, its bottom is in a horizontal position. The tofu after filling is conveyed to the outer side of the carrier unit 5 with the feeding conveyor belt 10. The feeding cylinder 11 is activated, and the feeding cylinder 11 drives the feeding push plate 9 to move inward. The feeding push plate 9 pushes the tofu to the bottom outer side of the carrier unit 5. Then, it flips upward with the carrier unit 5 and is conveyed forward. During the conveying process, the tofu enters the inner cavity of the previous carrier unit 5. The bottom of the next carrier unit 5 (the carrier unit 5 that carries the pusher) closes the previous carrier unit 5.

[0029] This embodiment further provides an automatic feeding device. Specifically, a feeding mechanism is provided below the feeding unfolding area 7. The feeding mechanism includes a feeding platform 12, a feeding pusher plate 13, and a feeding conveyor belt 14 arranged parallel to the carrier unit 5. The feeding conveyor belt 14 is located on the outside of the feeding platform 12, and the feeding pusher plate 13 is located on the inside of the feeding platform 12. The feeding pusher plate 13 is driven to move outward by the feeding cylinder 15. After the tofu has been shaped and cooled, it is transported to the feeding unfolding area 7 along with the carrier unit 5. After the carrier unit 5 unfolds, the tofu detaches from the carrier unit 5 and falls into the feeding platform 12 below. The feeding cylinder 15 is activated, and the feeding cylinder 15 drives the feeding pusher plate 13 to move outward. The feeding pusher plate 13 pushes the tofu to the feeding conveyor belt 14, and the feeding conveyor belt 14 outputs the tofu.

[0030] The heating, shaping, and sterilization zone 3 mentioned above includes a shaping chamber and a pasteurization chamber. The shaping chamber and the pasteurization chamber are respectively equipped with water heated by steam heating pipes. The tofu is shaped by heating water in the shaping chamber and then sterilized by heating water in the pasteurization chamber. The length and temperature of the shaping chamber and the pasteurization chamber are determined by the time and temperature required for shaping and sterilization.

[0031] The aforementioned heat exchange and cooling zone 4 includes several pre-cooling chambers and cooling chambers. The water in the pre-cooling chambers exchanges heat with room temperature water through a plate heat exchanger, and the water in the cooling chambers exchanges heat with chilled water through a plate heat exchanger. The heated and shaped tofu is pre-cooled by the water in the pre-cooling chambers and then cooled by the water in the cooling chambers.

[0032] The aforementioned carrier unit 5 is provided with several through holes for water supply; preferably, the carrier unit 5 is provided with through holes on its four sides and bottom.

[0033] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. Therefore, all equivalent changes made to the structure, shape, and principle of the present utility model should be covered within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A tofu setting, pasteurizing and cooling apparatus comprising a frame (1) on which a circulating conveyor chain (2) is provided, characterized in that, The chain (2) passes sequentially through the upper heating, shaping and sterilization zone (3) and the lower heat exchange and cooling zone (4) along the conveying path. Several side-opening carrier units (5) for carrying tofu are arranged between the chains (2). The carrier units (5) are closely arranged along the conveying direction and are conveyed in a cycle with the chain (2). The carrier units (5) form a feeding expansion zone (6) at the upper corner of the conveying front end, a discharging expansion zone (7) at the lower corner, and a transition expansion zone (8) at the corner of the conveying rear end. The carrier units (5) in the feeding expansion zone (6) and the discharging expansion zone (7) have their openings facing downwards, while the carrier units (5) in the transition expansion zone (8) have their openings facing upwards.

2. The tofu setting, pasteurizing and cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The transition expansion area (8) is located at the upper corner of the rear end of the conveying process. The upstream of the transition expansion area (8) extends upward along the conveying direction to form an upward conveying section, and the downstream of the conveying process smoothly transitions to the bottom conveying section through an inclined conveying section.

3. The tofu setting, pasteurizing and cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein A feeding mechanism is provided on the outside of the feeding unfolding area (6). The feeding mechanism includes a feeding push plate (9) and a feeding conveyor belt (10) arranged parallel to the carrier unit (5). The feeding push plate (9) is located on the outside of the feeding conveyor belt (10). The feeding push plate (9) is driven to move inward by the feeding cylinder (11). When the carrier unit (5) is conveyed to the corresponding position of the feeding conveyor belt (10), its bottom is in a horizontal position.

4. The tofu molding, pasteurizing and cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein A feeding mechanism is provided below the feeding unfolding area (7). The feeding mechanism includes a feeding platform (12), a feeding pusher (13), and a feeding conveyor belt (14) arranged parallel to the carrier unit (5). The feeding conveyor belt (14) is located on the outside of the feeding platform (12), and the feeding pusher (13) is located on the inside of the feeding platform (12). The feeding pusher (13) is driven to move outward by the feeding cylinder (15).

5. The tofu molding, pasteurizing and cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The heating, shaping, and sterilization zone (3) includes a shaping chamber and a pasteurization chamber, and water heated by steam heating pipes is installed in the shaping chamber and the pasteurization chamber respectively.

6. The tofu molding, pasteurizing and cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The heat exchange and cooling zone (4) includes a pre-cooling box and a cooling box. The water in the pre-cooling box exchanges heat with room temperature water through a plate heat exchanger, and the water in the cooling box exchanges heat with chilled water through a plate heat exchanger.

7. The tofu shaping, pasteurization, and cooling equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier unit (5) is provided with several through holes for water supply.

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