Ice cream extruding mechanism

Abstract

The utility model discloses an ice cream extruding mechanism which comprises a container moving assembly, a stock bin and an extruding assembly, the container moving assembly comprises a moving device and a bracket used for placing a container, the bracket is arranged on the moving device and can move along the moving device, and the extruding assembly is arranged above the container moving assembly. The extrusion assembly comprises a refrigeration cylinder and a spiral push rod, one end of the refrigeration cylinder is provided with a discharging port, the discharging port is correspondingly provided with a discharging pipe, the discharging pipe is correspondingly located above the bracket, the spiral push rod is arranged in the refrigeration cylinder through the rotating assembly and used for pushing ice cream in the refrigeration cylinder into the discharging pipe from the discharging port, and the stock bin is arranged above the extrusion assembly. The stock bin is communicated with the refrigerating cylinder through a pipeline and used for conveying ice cream raw materials into the refrigerating cylinder. The utility model provides an ice cream extruding mechanism which can extrude ice cream into a corresponding container and can be better connected with other mechanisms of a self-service ice cream vending machine for use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of self-service ice cream vending machine technology, and in particular to an ice cream extrusion mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Existing ice cream vending machines are mainly semi-self-service. Ice cream is first added to the machine's hopper, and then a person manually dispenses the ice cream from the dispensing spout using a handheld container. However, this semi-self-service system has several problems: manual dispensing can result in inconsistent quantities, and the dispensing spout is susceptible to environmental contamination. A fully self-service system would require both the container and the ice cream dispensing mechanism to be located inside the machine, with only a retrieval opening for customers. Therefore, a new ice cream dispensing mechanism is needed that is compatible with fully self-service ice cream vending machines, ensuring that the container corresponds correctly to the dispensing mechanism. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ice cream extrusion mechanism that can extrude ice cream into the corresponding container and better connect with other mechanisms of a self-service ice cream vending machine.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the ice cream extrusion mechanism disclosed in this utility model is:

[0005] An ice cream extrusion mechanism includes a container moving assembly, a hopper, and an extrusion assembly. The container moving assembly includes a moving device and a bracket for placing the container. The bracket is mounted on the moving device and is movable along the moving device. The extrusion assembly is positioned above the container moving assembly and includes a cooling cylinder and a spiral pusher. One end of the cooling cylinder has a discharge port, and a corresponding discharge pipe is provided at the discharge port. The discharge pipe is located above the bracket. The spiral pusher is mounted inside the cooling cylinder via a rotating assembly and is used to push the ice cream inside the cooling cylinder from the discharge port into the discharge pipe. The hopper is positioned above the extrusion assembly and is connected to the cooling cylinder via a pipe for transferring ice cream ingredients into the cooling cylinder.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment, the moving device includes a motor, a lead screw, and a guide rail. The bracket is slidably connected to the guide rail via a moving block. The motor is fixed to one end of the guide rail. The lead screw is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor and is arranged parallel to the guide rail. The moving block is threadedly connected to the lead screw.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, the outlet of the refrigeration cylinder is provided with a boss, and the inside of the boss is provided with a channel that runs vertically through it. The channel is connected to the outlet of the refrigeration cylinder. The discharge pipe is located at the lower end of the channel, and a valve stem is slidably provided at the upper end of the channel. The valve stem is slidably located above the discharge pipe by a push rod motor, and the valve stem slides into the discharge pipe.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the lower end of the discharge pipe is provided with a pressure plate, which contacts the upper end of the container placed on the cup body.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, both sides of the pressure plate are provided with upward-curving fins.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the hopper is provided with stirring claws, which are rotatably connected to the hopper via bearings, and the stirring claws have a four-claw structure.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the hopper is equipped with a residual material sensor.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the ice cream extrusion mechanism disclosed in this utility model are as follows: ice cream is pre-added into the hopper, and the ice cream in the hopper is transferred to the refrigeration cylinder through a pipe. The cup body is moved by a moving device, which can be adapted to the connection of different mechanism processes in a fully self-service ice cream vending machine, such as container placement and dispensing. When the bracket moves the container to the bottom of the dispensing pipe, the spiral push rod inside the refrigeration cylinder rotates under the drive of the rotating component, pushing the ice cream in the refrigeration cylinder from the dispensing port into the dispensing pipe, where it falls into the container below, completing the ice cream extrusion operation. Then, the moving device moves the bracket and the container loaded with ice cream to the next mechanism, completing the automated connection and realizing the ice cream extrusion operation of the fully self-service ice cream vending machine. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ice cream extrusion mechanism according to this utility model.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the container moving component of an ice cream extrusion mechanism according to this utility model.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the extrusion component of an ice cream extrusion mechanism according to this utility model.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the hopper structure of an ice cream extrusion mechanism according to this utility model. Detailed Implementation

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

[0018] Please refer to Figure 1 An ice cream extrusion mechanism includes a container moving assembly 10, a hopper 20, and an extrusion assembly 30. The container moving assembly 10 includes a moving device 11 and a bracket 12 for placing the container. The bracket 12 is disposed on the moving device 11 and can move along the moving device 11. The extrusion assembly 30 is disposed above the container moving assembly 10 and includes a cooling cylinder 31 and a spiral pusher. One end of the cooling cylinder 31 is provided with a discharge port, and a discharge pipe 33 is provided correspondingly to the discharge port. The discharge pipe 33 is located above the bracket 12. The spiral pusher is disposed in the cooling cylinder 31 through a rotating assembly 32 and is used to push the ice cream in the cooling cylinder 31 from the discharge port to the discharge pipe 33. The hopper 20 is disposed above the extrusion assembly 30 and is connected to the cooling cylinder 31 through a pipe 21 for transferring ice cream raw materials to the cooling cylinder 31.

[0019] Ice cream is pre-added to the hopper 20 and then transferred to the refrigeration cylinder 31 via the pipe 21. The cup is moved by the moving device 11, which can adapt to the connection of different mechanisms and processes in the fully self-service ice cream vending machine, such as container placement and dispensing. When the bracket 12 moves the container to below the dispensing pipe 33, the spiral pusher inside the refrigeration cylinder 31 rotates under the drive of the rotating component 32, pushing the ice cream in the refrigeration cylinder 31 from the dispensing port into the dispensing pipe 33. The ice cream then falls into the container below the dispensing pipe 33, completing the ice cream extrusion operation. The moving device 11 then moves the bracket 12 and the container containing the ice cream to the next mechanism, completing the automated connection and realizing the ice cream extrusion operation of the fully self-service ice cream vending machine.

[0020] Furthermore, in the above structure, during actual installation and use, it is set in a low-temperature environment to ensure that the ice cream will not melt. Specifically, a refrigeration unit can be installed inside the ice cream vending machine to ensure that the internal environment is always at a low level. In addition, the pipe 21 between the hopper 20 and the refrigeration cylinder 31 can be driven by a peristaltic pump to move the ice cream. The use of a peristaltic pump can prevent other parts from coming into contact with the ice cream in the pipe and causing contamination.

[0021] Please refer to Figure 2 The moving device 11 includes a motor 111, a lead screw 112 and a guide rail 113. The bracket 12 is slidably connected to the guide rail 113 via a moving block 114. The motor 111 is fixed to one end of the guide rail 113. The lead screw 112 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor 111 and is arranged parallel to the guide rail 113. The moving block 114 is threadedly connected to the lead screw 112.

[0022] The motor 111 drives the lead screw 112 to rotate, while the moving block 114 is restricted by the guide rail 113 and cannot rotate. This converts the rotational motion of the lead screw 112 into linear motion, which drives the moving block 114 to move linearly along the guide rail 113. This ensures that the movement will not cause the container to tip over or the ice cream to spill.

[0023] Please refer to Figure 3 The outlet of the refrigeration cylinder 31 is provided with a boss 34. The boss 34 has a channel that runs vertically through it. The channel is connected to the outlet of the refrigeration cylinder 31. The discharge pipe 33 is located at the lower end of the channel. A valve stem 35 is slidably provided at the upper end of the corresponding channel. The valve stem 35 is slidably located above the discharge pipe 33 by a push rod motor 36, and the valve stem 35 slides into the discharge pipe 33.

[0024] When the ice cream is squeezed into the discharge pipe 33 by the spiral pusher, the pusher motor 36 drives the valve rod 35 to rise and contract, so that the discharge pipe 33 and the channel are connected. Thus, the ice cream can be smoothly squeezed into the discharge pipe 33 and fall into the container through the discharge pipe 33. After the ice cream is squeezed out, the pusher motor 36 drives the valve rod to fall, further squeezing the ice cream remaining in the discharge pipe 33 into the container. At the same time, it blocks the discharge pipe 33 and the channel, which plays a sealing role and prevents the discharge pipe 33, the channel and the refrigeration cylinder 31 from being contaminated when they are not working.

[0025] A pressure plate 37 is provided at the lower end of the dispensing pipe 33. The pressure plate 37 contacts the upper part of the container placed on the cup body, and both sides of the pressure plate 37 are provided with upward-curving fins. In some commercially available ice creams, it is necessary to ensure that the surface is flat to facilitate subsequent packaging, topping, or 3D printing. Therefore, a pressure plate 37 is installed below the dispensing pipe 33 to limit the height of the ice cream being added and to make the surface flat. When the container moves along the guide rail 113 after the ice cream has been added, it can be further smoothed by the pressure plate 37 to facilitate subsequent processes. The fins on both sides of the pressure plate 37 are for guiding purposes and also to prevent the edges of the pressure plate 37 from being too sharp and damaging the container.

[0026] Please refer to Figure 4 The bottom of the hopper 20 is equipped with a stirring claw 22. The stirring claw 20 and the hopper 22 are rotatably connected by a bearing. The stirring claw 22 has a four-claw structure. The stirring claw 22 can be driven by a motor to rotate. When the stirring claw 22 is used, the ice cream in the hopper 20 is kept in a stirring state to avoid a large temperature difference between the upper and lower layers, which would affect the taste. At the same time, the stirring claw 22 can also be used to push the ice cream towards the cooling cylinder 31.

[0027] The bottom of the hopper 20 is equipped with a residual material sensor 23, which is a single float level switch used to detect the amount of ice cream remaining in the hopper 20. When the amount of ice cream remaining is lower than the set value, an alarm will be issued to remind the staff to replenish it in time.

[0028] This utility model provides an ice cream extrusion mechanism. Ice cream is pre-added to a hopper, and the ice cream in the hopper is transferred to a refrigeration cylinder through a pipe. A moving device drives the cup to move, thus adapting to the connection of different mechanisms and processes in a fully self-service ice cream vending machine, such as container placement and dispensing. When the bracket moves the container to below the dispensing pipe, the spiral pusher inside the refrigeration cylinder rotates under the drive of the rotating component, pushing the ice cream in the refrigeration cylinder from the dispensing port into the dispensing pipe, where it falls into the container below, completing the ice cream extrusion operation. Then, the moving device drives the bracket and the container loaded with ice cream to the next mechanism, completing the automated connection and realizing the ice cream extrusion operation of a fully self-service ice cream vending machine.

[0029] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this utility model without departing from the essence and scope of the technical solutions of this utility model.

Claims

1. An ice cream extrusion mechanism, characterized in that, The device includes a container moving assembly, a hopper, and an extrusion assembly. The container moving assembly includes a moving device and a bracket for placing the container. The bracket is mounted on the moving device and can move along the moving device. The extrusion assembly is located above the container moving assembly and includes a cooling cylinder and a spiral pusher. One end of the cooling cylinder has a discharge port, and a corresponding discharge pipe is provided at the discharge port. The discharge pipe is located above the bracket. The spiral pusher is mounted inside the cooling cylinder via a rotating assembly and is used to push the ice cream in the cooling cylinder from the discharge port into the discharge pipe. The hopper is located above the extrusion assembly and is connected to the cooling cylinder via a pipe for transferring ice cream ingredients into the cooling cylinder.

2. The ice cream extrusion mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The moving device includes a motor, a lead screw, and a guide rail. The bracket is slidably connected to the guide rail via a moving block. The motor is fixed to one end of the guide rail. The lead screw is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor and is arranged parallel to the guide rail. The moving block is threadedly connected to the lead screw.

3. The ice cream extrusion mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outlet of the refrigeration cylinder is provided with a boss, and the inside of the boss is provided with a channel that runs vertically through it. The channel is connected to the outlet of the refrigeration cylinder. The discharge pipe is located at the lower end of the channel, and a valve rod is slidably provided at the upper end of the channel. The valve rod is slidably located above the discharge pipe by a push rod motor, and the valve rod slides into the discharge pipe.

4. An ice cream extrusion mechanism as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The lower end of the discharge pipe is equipped with a pressure plate, which contacts the upper end of the container placed on the cup body.

5. An ice cream extrusion mechanism as described in claim 4, characterized in that, Both sides of the pressure plate are provided with upward-curving fins.

6. An ice cream extrusion mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the hopper is equipped with stirring claws, which are rotatably connected to the hopper via bearings, and the stirring claws have a four-claw structure.

7. An ice cream extrusion mechanism as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The bottom of the hopper is equipped with a residual material sensor.

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