Blanking structure and popcorn maker

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a kind of blanking structure and popcorn machine, wherein, blanking structure includes: hopper structure, the upper surface of hopper structure is equipped with inlet; hot air passage, along first direction is located in hopper structure inside;Hot air machine, is located outside hopper structure, and hot air machine is connected with hot air passage;Feeding mechanism, along second direction is located in hopper structure inside, and feeding mechanism is located below hot air passage;Screening hopper, is located below feeding mechanism, and screening hopper is equipped with multiple first sieve hole that passes through;Wherein, first direction and second direction are not the height direction of hopper structure.The technical scheme of the utility model, by hot air machine external and by its misplacement setting in the above of feeding mechanism, screening hopper is equipped with sieve hole that passes through, make grain even heating and puffing, continue to screen out dreg, precision feeding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of material feeding structure technology, and more specifically, to a material feeding structure and a popcorn machine. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, popcorn machines use hot air to puff grains. In related technologies, the hot air blower of popcorn machines is usually located at the top of the hopper. Because the hot air blows into the hopper, it is easy to clog the sieve holes when discharging, making it impossible to screen the material properly. In addition, the discharged material contains crumbs, which affects the user's eating experience. Utility Model Content

[0003] The present invention aims to at least solve the technical problem of the difficulty in separating puffed food and crumbs produced by popcorn machines in the prior art or related technologies.

[0004] In view of this, an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention provides a material feeding structure.

[0005] A second aspect of this utility model provides a popcorn machine.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of this utility model provide a material feeding structure, comprising: a hopper structure with a feed inlet on its upper surface; a hot air channel disposed within the hopper structure along a first direction; a hot air blower disposed outside the hopper structure and connected to the hot air channel; a feeding mechanism disposed within the hopper structure along a second direction and located below the hot air channel; and a screening hopper disposed below the feeding mechanism and having multiple through first screen holes; wherein neither the first nor the second direction is the height direction of the hopper structure.

[0007] The material feeding structure proposed in this utility model includes a hopper structure, a hot air channel, a hot air blower, a feeding mechanism, and a screening hopper. The hot air blower sends hot air into the hopper structure through the hot air channel. The hot air is used to heat and puff the grains in the hopper structure. The hopper structure serves as the main body for storing and cooking grains and popcorn. The upper surface of the hopper structure is provided with a feeding inlet for receiving grains to ensure the stability of the grains before heating. The hopper structure provides circulation space for the hot air. The feeding mechanism receives the popcorn below the hot air channel and feeds the popcorn along a second direction. The popcorn is stably conveyed to the sieve hopper to prevent it from accumulating inside the hopper structure. The sieve hopper guides the popcorn outwards and has multiple through-holes. The hot air channel is set in the hopper structure along the second direction. Since neither the first nor the second direction is vertical, the popcorn falling into the sieve hopper is made lighter by the horizontal blowing expansion. Under the action of the sieve hopper, the fragments generated during the puffing process can be continuously screened out, ensuring the integrity of the popcorn, extending the storage time, ensuring the taste, and improving product quality.

[0008] In some technical solutions, the hot air duct may optionally include: a detachably connected crossbeam and a ventilation hood, with the two ends of the crossbeam connected to two opposite side walls of the hopper structure in the first direction, and the ventilation hood located above the crossbeam; wherein, the crossbeam is provided with a first air vent, and the ventilation hood is provided with a second air vent.

[0009] In this technical solution, the hot air duct consists of a crossbeam and a ventilation hood. The crossbeam is used to support the components, ensure the stability of equipment operation, and reduce heat loss. The ventilation hood and the crossbeam together form a hot air duct, guiding the hot air generated by the hot air blower into the duct in a directional manner.

[0010] In some technical solutions, the feeding mechanism optionally includes: a feeding rod extending along a second direction, the outer wall of which is provided with spiral blades; a driving member located at one end of the feeding rod, the driving member being connected to the feeding rod in a transmission manner; and an end cover located at the other end of the feeding rod, the end cover being detachably connected to one side wall of the hopper structure in the second direction.

[0011] In this technical solution, the feeding mechanism is used to send the popcorn inside the hopper structure to the outside. The feeding rod is set inside the hopper structure along the second direction to reduce the probability of structural interference with the hot air channel, and to facilitate the hot air to screen the residue out of the hopper structure. The feeding mechanism is set below the hot air channel, which saves space and has a reasonable layout.

[0012] In some technical solutions, optionally, the height of the end of the feeding rod facing the drive member is higher than the height of the end of the feeding rod facing the end cover; wherein, the shape of the screen hopper is adapted to the shape of the feeding rod.

[0013] In this technical solution, the height of the end of the feeding rod facing the drive component is higher than the height of the end of the feeding rod facing the end cap. The height difference and gravity assist the spiral blades in conveying popcorn, reducing the residence time of the material on the rod, allowing the popcorn to be discharged smoothly, reducing jamming, ensuring that the popcorn moves directionally towards the end cap, reducing the load on the drive component, and extending the equipment life.

[0014] In some technical solutions, optionally, a discharge rack is also included, located at the end of the screen hopper with a smaller height, and the discharge rack has a discharge port at a first angle to the direction of gravity, the first angle being in the range of 0° to 60°.

[0015] In this technical solution, the discharge rack receives the popcorn after screening by the sieve hopper. The discharge rack is located at the end of the sieve hopper with the lower height. The discharge rack serves as the mounting carrier for the discharge port, fixing the angle and position of the discharge port to prevent popcorn from spilling during the output process, reducing waste, and ensuring that the angle of the discharge port is stable and does not shift with equipment vibration. The discharge rack has a discharge port at a first angle to the direction of gravity, with the angle range being 0° to 60°. The discharge port guides the popcorn to slide down along the preset angle, controlling the falling speed of the material. The larger the angle, the faster the speed, and vice versa, preventing material from splashing or clogging and ensuring smooth popcorn conveying.

[0016] In some technical solutions, the solution may optionally include: a receiving tray located below the screen hopper; and a support located below the receiving tray, with the support and the receiving tray abutting against each other on opposite sides perpendicular to the second direction.

[0017] In this technical solution, the bracket provides a stable installation base for the receiving tray, reducing the risk of debris leakage due to tray displacement. The bracket is fitted onto the side wall of the hopper structure, reducing the difficulty of equipment cleaning and minimizing debris leakage.

[0018] In some technical solutions, optionally, a partition is also included, which is disposed on the support and extends toward the bin structure along the height direction, and the partition abuts against the outer wall of the bin structure.

[0019] In this technical solution, the partition is installed on the support and extends towards the hopper structure along the height direction. The partition abuts against the outer wall of the hopper structure. The partition seals the vertical gap between the receiving tray and the outer wall of the hopper structure, preventing the leakage of debris. The partition connects the support and the hopper structure, reducing support offset, realizing fully enclosed collection of debris, reducing pollution, simplifying the cleaning process, and improving maintenance efficiency.

[0020] In some technical solutions, optionally, the screening hopper is rotatably connected to the bin structure, and the rotation axis of the screening hopper is parallel to the second direction.

[0021] In this technical solution, the screening hopper and the bin structure are rotatably connected. The rotation axis of the screening hopper is parallel to the second direction, so that the first screen hole of the screening hopper can be rotated around the axis parallel to the second direction. This facilitates the screening of crushed material from multiple angles, improves the quality of popcorn, and allows for maintenance without disassembly, thus enhancing the ease of operation.

[0022] In some technical solutions, optionally, a temperature sensor is also included, located inside the hot air duct and on the crossbeam.

[0023] In this technical solution, a temperature sensor is used for precise temperature control to improve product quality. The temperature sensor directly contacts the heating airflow in the hot air channel to ensure the authenticity and timeliness of the temperature data, reflecting the actual temperature of the hot air output by the hot air blower in real time, ensuring the stable heating temperature of the popcorn. The temperature sensor is set on the crossbeam, which reduces maintenance costs, reduces the probability of having to replace the entire hot air channel component due to temperature sensor damage, shortens maintenance time, and improves equipment operation and maintenance efficiency.

[0024] In some technical solutions, optionally, the hopper structure has second screen holes on the two side walls in the first direction; wherein the minimum height of the second screen hole is higher than the maximum height of the first screen hole.

[0025] In this technical solution, the hopper structure has second screen holes on the two side walls in the first direction to initially screen the debris in the upper part of the hopper, allowing the fine debris to fall through the screen holes to the receiving tray. The second screen holes can also serve as ventilation openings on the side walls of the hopper to promote the exhaust of hot and humid air inside the hopper. Combined with the dry hot air from the hot air channel, this effectively reduces the humidity inside the hopper and improves the taste of the popcorn.

[0026] An embodiment of the second aspect of this application provides a popcorn machine, including: any of the above-described material feeding structures; a material bin, the material bin having a receiving cavity, the receiving cavity being connected to the material inlet of the material feeding structure.

[0027] The popcorn machine provided in this application includes a feeding structure and a feeding bin, the feeding bin having a receiving cavity that is connected to the feeding port of the feeding structure.

[0028] Since the popcorn machine includes any of the above-mentioned feeding structures, it has the beneficial effects of any of the above-mentioned feeding structures, which will not be elaborated here.

[0029] In some technical solutions, optionally, the material box includes: a box body, the box body having a feeding port on one side in a second direction, and a viewing window on one side in a first direction; a feeding plate, rotatably connected to the box body to open and close the feeding port; wherein the feeding plate and the viewing window are made of light-transmitting material.

[0030] In this technical solution, the material box specifically includes a box body, a viewing window, and a feeding plate. The box body serves as the main frame, and the side walls of the material box are equipped with a viewing window and a feeding plate, making the material box a structure that can be rotated open and closed or sealed.

[0031] Specifically, the box body has a feeding port on one side in the second direction. The feeding port serves as the only entrance for replenishing grains, limiting the feeding position, concentrating the feeding path, reducing material waste during the feeding process, and preventing impurities from entering the receiving cavity from non-feeding ports.

[0032] At least one viewing window is located on the side wall of the popcorn box in the first direction. The viewing window is rotatably connected to the side wall of the box. Multiple viewing windows can display the popcorn status from multiple angles, making it easier for users to confirm whether they need to continue cooking, show the cooking process, and increase the purchase rate.

[0033] The feeding plate controls the opening and closing of the feeding port. The feeding plate is set on the outside of the feeding port. The feeding plate is rotatably connected to the box to open and close the feeding port. When the feeding plate is closed, it seals the feeding port to prevent dust from entering. When it is open, it exposes the feeding port, which is convenient for batch replenishment of grains for puffing.

[0034] The feeding plate and viewing window are made of light-transmitting material, making it easy to observe the inventory, replenish popcorn in a timely manner, simplify cleaning and maintenance, and allow operators to quickly check whether the baffle is clean and meets the hygiene requirements of food equipment.

[0035] In some technical solutions, optionally, a baffle is also included, located inside the feeding port, the height of which is less than the height of the feeding plate.

[0036] In this technical solution, a baffle prevents popcorn from overflowing and guides the flow. The baffle is located inside the feeding port, and its height is less than that of the feeding plate. The height difference guides the popcorn to fall smoothly into the receiving cavity, ensuring smooth feeding, preventing blockage of the feeding port due to material accumulation, and improving feeding efficiency.

[0037] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the description that follows, or may be learned by practice of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a blanking structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a material box according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0040] Figure 3 This diagram shows an exploded view of a popcorn machine component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a popcorn machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0042] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure of a component in a popcorn machine in the related art is shown.

[0043] in, Figures 1 to 4 The correspondence between the reference numerals and component names in the attached drawings is as follows:

[0044] 1: Material feeding structure; 11: Hopper structure; 111: Feed inlet; 112: Second screen hole; 12: Hot air channel; 121: Crossbeam; 122: First air outlet; 123: Ventilation hood; 124: Second air outlet; 125: Temperature sensor; 13: Hot air blower; 14: Feeding mechanism; 141: Feeding rod; 1411: Spiral blade; 142: Drive component; 143: End cover; 15: Screen hopper; 151: First screen hole; 16: Discharge rack; 161: Discharge port; 17: Receiving tray; 18: Support; 19: Partition plate;

[0045] 2: Popcorn machine; 21: Feed bin; 211: Box body; 212: Feeding port; 22: Viewing window; 23: Feeding plate; 24: Baffle.

[0046] Figure 5 The correspondence between the reference numerals and component names in the attached drawings is as follows:

[0047] 131': Horizontal exhaust fan; 132': Vertical exhaust fan. Detailed Implementation

[0048] To better understand the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model, the embodiments of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in these embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0049] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of this application. However, embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0050] In related technologies, popcorn feeding mechanisms on the market include a hopper, a feeding assembly, and a heat circulation assembly. The bottom plate of the hopper is inclined. The feeding assembly is located at the bottom of the hopper and includes a feeding stepper motor, a feeding elongated cavity, a discharge spring, a feeding port, a movable baffle, and a rotary motor. The discharge spring is located inside the feeding elongated cavity and is driven by the feeding stepper motor. The movable baffle is movably located at the bottom of the feeding port and is driven to rotate by the rotary motor. Figure 5 As shown, the heat circulation assembly is located at the top of the silo and includes an air inlet, a vertical exhaust fan 132', a horizontal exhaust fan 131', and a baffle. The air inlet is located on the side of the silo, the horizontal exhaust fan 131' is located to the upper left of the vertical exhaust fan 132', and the baffle is located on the silo and completely covers the vertical exhaust fan 132' and the horizontal exhaust fan 131'. However, the following problems exist:

[0051] 1. Hot air is blown in from the top of the chamber, but the hot air naturally rises and cannot heat the popcorn at the bottom of the chamber. There is no temperature sensor, so the temperature of the popcorn cannot be controlled.

[0052] 2. The lack of a screen to remove broken pieces means that popcorn crumbs are also included in the bucket, negatively impacting the consumer experience.

[0053] 3. The popcorn hopper has no transparent area, so the popcorn cannot be clearly displayed to consumers, which affects their desire to buy.

[0054] The following reference Figures 1 to 4 Some embodiments according to the present invention are described.

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a feeding structure 1, including a hopper structure 11, a hot air channel 12, a hot air blower 13, a feeding mechanism 14, and a screening hopper 15. The hot air blower 13 sends hot air into the hopper structure 11 through the hot air channel 12. The hot air is used to heat and puff the grains in the hopper structure 11. The hopper structure 11 serves as the main body for storing and cooking grains and popcorn. The upper surface of the hopper structure 11 is provided with a feed inlet 111 for receiving grains and ensuring the stability of the grains before heating. The hopper structure 11 provides circulation space for hot air. The feeding mechanism 14 receives the popcorn below the hot air channel 12. The feeding mechanism stably conveys the popcorn to the sieve hopper 15 along the second direction to prevent the popcorn from accumulating in the hopper structure 11. The sieve hopper 15 guides the popcorn to be discharged outward. The sieve hopper 15 is provided with multiple through first sieve holes 151 to continuously screen out the debris generated during the puffing process, ensuring the integrity of the popcorn, extending the storage time, ensuring the taste, and improving product quality.

[0056] The hot air blower 13 provides a heating source and generates hot air. The hot air blower 13 is located outside the hopper structure 11 for easy maintenance and replacement. The layout is reasonable and reduces the space occupied inside the hopper structure 11. The hot air blower 13 is connected to the hot air channel 12 and provides hot air to the hopper structure 11 stably and continuously for heat preservation of puffed grains or popcorn. The hot air channel 12 confines the hot air generated by the hot air blower 13 within the channel to reduce the diffusion of hot air. The hot air channel 12 is located inside the hopper structure 11 along the first direction, which facilitates the hot air to enter the hopper structure 11 along the first direction, so that the hot air is evenly distributed in the hopper structure 11, so that the grains expand evenly, reduce the generation of broken pieces, and extend the storage time of popcorn.

[0057] The feeding mechanism 14 is used to send the popcorn inside the bin structure 11 to the outside. The feeding mechanism 14 is located inside the bin structure 11 along the second direction, which reduces the probability of structural interference with the hot air channel 12 and facilitates the hot air to screen the residue out of the bin structure 11. The feeding mechanism 14 is located below the hot air channel 12, which saves space and has a reasonable layout.

[0058] The first and second directions are not the height directions of the hopper structure, which makes it easier for the feeding mechanism to discharge materials smoothly.

[0059] The screening hopper 15 is used to screen out the broken pieces and improve product quality. The screening hopper 15 is located below the bin structure 11 and receives the popcorn falling from the bin structure 11 to form a continuous discharge channel. The screening hopper 15 is provided with multiple through first screen holes 151. The first screen holes 151 are used to filter the broken pieces and ensure that only whole popcorn enters the discharge process.

[0060] It is understood that by defining the feeding structure 1, which includes a hopper structure 11, a hot air channel 12, a hot air blower 13, a discharge structure, and a sieve hopper 15, the hot air blower 13 sends hot air into the hopper structure 11 through the hot air channel 12. The discharge structure controls the discharge of popcorn. The sieve hopper 15 has through-holes, and the hot air is evenly heated from inside the hopper structure 11, reducing local cooling or overheating of the popcorn and maintaining its crispy texture. The feeding mechanism continuously and quantitatively delivers popcorn. The sieve hopper 15 passes through the first sieve hole 151, ensuring that consumers consume whole popcorn, thus improving the user experience. The hot air channel 12 directionally constrains the hot air, reducing heat loss and ensuring heating efficiency. The hopper structure 11 serves as a transition carrier, reducing the probability of popcorn directly accumulating at the discharge port, lowering the risk of blockage, and improving equipment stability.

[0061] In some embodiments, optionally, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the hot air duct 12 consists of a crossbeam 121 and a ventilation hood 123. The crossbeam 121 is used to support the components, ensure the stability of equipment operation, and reduce heat loss. The ventilation hood 123 and the crossbeam 121 together form the hot air duct 12, guiding the hot air generated by the hot air blower 13 into the duct in a directional manner.

[0062] Specifically, the crossbeam 121 is located inside the hopper structure 11. The two ends of the crossbeam 121 are connected to the two opposite side walls of the hopper structure 11 in the first direction. The crossbeam 121 serves as a supporting structure for the hot air channel 12, ensuring the stability of the hot air channel 12 and evenly distributing the hot air pressure. The crossbeam 121 connects the two side walls of the hopper structure 11 to ensure the stability of the overall structure. The ventilation hood 123 is detachably connected to the crossbeam 121, making it convenient to disassemble and clean up any popcorn crumbs that may accumulate inside the hot air channel 12.

[0063] The ventilation hood 123 is located above the crossbeam 121. The ventilation hood 123 and the crossbeam 121 together form a hot air channel 12 to prevent hot air from spreading outside the hopper structure 11 and improve the utilization rate of hot air. The crossbeam 121 is provided with a first air vent 122 and an air vent at the bottom to guide the airflow upward, preventing hot air from blowing directly and causing popcorn to splatter, so that the hot air heats the grain evenly. The ventilation hood 123 is provided with a second air vent 124 and an air vent on the side to form a horizontal airflow, preventing debris from falling vertically and blocking the hot air channel 12.

[0064] Optionally, one end of the ventilation hood 123 extends from the side wall of the hopper structure 11 to the outside of the hopper structure 11. The hot air blower 13 is detachably connected to the end of the ventilation hood 123 extending out of the hopper structure 11. The end of the ventilation hood 123 extending out of the hopper structure 11 is precisely connected to the hot air blower 13 to reduce hot air leakage at the interface and ensure that all the hot air generated by the hot air blower 13 enters the hot air channel 12. The hot air blower 13 can be disassembled and installed separately without disassembling the hopper or the whole machine, reducing maintenance time and lowering labor and time costs.

[0065] Optionally, the hot air blower 13 and the ventilation hood 123 can be detachably connected to support the replacement of hot air blowers 13 with different power. The heating power can be adjusted according to the amount of popcorn stored, improving the adaptability of the equipment to different usage scenarios and extending the overall service life of the equipment.

[0066] Optionally, the crossbeam 121 can be an I-beam structure or a U-shaped channel structure to ensure structural stability and the flow rate of the hot air channel 12.

[0067] It is understood that by defining the hot air channel 12 as consisting of a detachably connected crossbeam 121 and a ventilation hood 123, popcorn crumbs or dust inside the hot air channel 12 can be quickly disassembled and cleaned, preventing channel blockage from affecting hot air delivery. The first air outlet 122 of the crossbeam 121 and the second air outlet 124 of the ventilation hood 123 form a bidirectional airflow, allowing hot air to diffuse from the upper and lower sides of the hot air channel 12 into the hopper, fully covering the interior of the hopper structure 11. The two ends of the crossbeam 121 are rigidly connected to the side walls of the hopper, ensuring that the hot air channel 12 does not shift when the hot air blower 13 continuously delivers air, thus extending the service life of the equipment.

[0068] In some embodiments, optionally, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the feeding mechanism 14 is used to send the popcorn inside the bin structure 11 to the outside. The feeding rod 141 is arranged in the bin structure 11 along the second direction to reduce the probability of structural interference with the hot air channel 12, and to facilitate the hot air to screen the slag out of the bin structure 11. The feeding mechanism 14 is located below the hot air channel 12, which saves space and has a reasonable layout.

[0069] The feeding mechanism 14 specifically includes a feeding rod 141, a driving component 142, and an end cap 143. The driving component 142 is used to drive the feeding rod 141 to rotate. The feeding rod 141 drives the spiral blades 1411 on the outer wall of the feeding rod 141 to push the popcorn to move in a directional direction and discharge it into the hopper structure 11. The end cap 143 is detachably connected to the side wall to prevent popcorn fragments from entering the transmission structure at the end of the feeding rod 141, ensuring the normal operation of the equipment and guiding the discharge direction of the popcorn.

[0070] Specifically, the feeding rod 141 extends along the second direction to reduce structural interference with the hot air channel 12. The outer wall of the feeding rod 141 is provided with a spiral blade 1411. Through the rotation of the spiral blade 1411, the popcorn in the hopper is stably transported to the discharge end, reducing jamming, lowering the probability of popcorn condensation, improving product quality, and ensuring continuous feeding.

[0071] The drive unit 142 is located at one end of the feeding rod 141 and is connected to the feeding rod 141 in a transmission manner. The drive unit 142 provides rotational power to the feeding rod 141. The end cover 143 is located at the other end of the feeding rod 141 and is detachably connected to one side wall of the hopper structure 11 in the second direction. The end cover 143 can extend the service life of the feeding rod 141, reduce failures caused by debris jamming, reduce maintenance difficulty, and facilitate cleaning and maintenance.

[0072] Optionally, by controlling the start / stop and speed of the drive component 142, the rotation state of the spiral blade 1411 can be adjusted, thereby controlling the start / stop of feeding and the feeding speed to adapt to different feeding needs and improve the flexibility of the equipment.

[0073] Optionally, the drive unit 142 can be a stepper motor or a servo motor, which is convenient for use in high-temperature environments and allows for precise control of the amount of popcorn discharged.

[0074] It is understandable that by limiting the specific components and installation positions of the feeding mechanism 14, the popcorn can be discharged stably, jamming failures can be reduced, the life of the feeding mechanism 14 can be extended, and the sieve hopper 15 can easily screen out the broken pieces.

[0075] In some embodiments, optionally, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the height of the end of the feeding rod 141 facing the drive unit 142 is higher than the height of the end of the feeding rod 141 facing the end cover 143. The height difference and gravity help the spiral blade 1411 to transport popcorn, reduce the residence time of the material on the rod, so that the popcorn can be discharged smoothly, reduce jamming, ensure that the popcorn moves in a direction towards the end cover 143, reduce the load on the drive unit 142, and extend the service life of the equipment.

[0076] It should be emphasized that the screening hopper 15 is located below the feeding mechanism 14. When the feeding mechanism 14 is working, it will push the popcorn in the hopper along the feeding rod 141 to the end and discharge it. The screening hopper 15 is directly below and can receive all the discharged popcorn, preventing the popcorn from falling through the gap between the two and reducing material waste. The shape of the screening hopper 15 is adapted to the shape of the feeding rod 141. The adapted shape can reduce the popcorn from getting stuck in the screening hopper 15 and reduce the feeding blockage caused by the mismatch in shape.

[0077] It is understandable that by limiting the height of the feeding rod 141 toward the drive component 142 to be higher than the height toward the end cover 143, the shape of the sieve hopper 15 is adapted to the feeding rod 141. The feeding rod 141 is tilted, and with the assistance of gravity, the accumulation of materials is reduced, allowing the spiral blades to push the materials to one end of the end cover 143 more easily, reducing the probability of conveying jams and improving feeding efficiency. The shape of the sieve hopper 15 is adapted to the feeding rod 141, so that the popcorn output by the feeding rod 141 falls stably into the sieve hopper 15, reducing material waste caused by spillage. At the same time, it ensures that all materials are screened through the first screen hole 151, making the screening of debris more thorough, improving product quality, reducing the frictional resistance between the spiral blades and the popcorn, reducing the load on the drive component 142, and extending the service life of the feeding mechanism 14.

[0078] In some embodiments, optionally, such as Figure 4 As shown, the discharge rack 16 receives the popcorn after screening by the sieve hopper 15. The discharge rack 16 is located at the end with the smaller height of the sieve hopper 15. The discharge rack 16 serves as the mounting carrier for the discharge port 161, fixing the angle and position of the discharge port to prevent popcorn from spilling during the output process, reducing waste, and ensuring that the discharge port angle is stable and does not shift with equipment vibration. The discharge rack 16 has a discharge port at a first angle to the direction of gravity. The angle range of the first angle is 0° to 60°. The discharge port guides the popcorn to slide down along the preset angle, controlling the falling speed of the material. The larger the angle, the faster the speed, and vice versa, to prevent material from splashing or clogging and to ensure smooth popcorn conveying.

[0079] Optionally, the discharge port can be set to a conical shape to adapt to the filling requirements of different barrel types.

[0080] It is understandable that by limiting the angle of the discharge rack 16 at the end of the screen hopper 15 with a smaller height and the discharge port, the popcorn can slide down naturally by gravity without stagnation or blockage, ensuring a smooth feeding process and improving the efficiency of popcorn filling. The discharge rack 16 is connected to the output end of the screen hopper 15, and the discharge port guides the popcorn to be discharged in a directional manner, reducing waste.

[0081] In some embodiments, optionally, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the bracket 18 provides a stable installation base for the receiving tray 17, reducing the risk of debris leakage due to the displacement of the receiving tray 17. The bracket 18 is fitted onto the side wall of the hopper structure 11, reducing the difficulty of cleaning the equipment and reducing the leakage of debris.

[0082] Specifically, the receiving tray 17 is located below the screen hopper 15. The receiving tray 17 is used to receive the debris that leaks from the first screen hole 151 of the screen hopper 15, reducing debris spillage, collecting debris for easy cleaning, and improving maintenance convenience.

[0083] The support 18 is located below the receiving tray 17. The support 18 provides vertical support for the receiving tray 17 to prevent the receiving tray 17 from falling due to its own weight or the accumulation of debris. The support 18 and the receiving tray 17 abut against each other on opposite sides perpendicular to the second direction to ensure the stability of the receiving tray 17 and reduce debris spillage.

[0084] Optionally, the bracket 18 only restricts displacement perpendicular to the second direction, and the receiving tray 17 can be easily pulled out and placed along the second direction. When cleaning debris, there is no need to disassemble the bracket 18, thus improving maintenance efficiency.

[0085] It is understandable that by limiting the positional connection between the receiving tray 17 and the support 18, the receiving tray 17 can accurately receive the screened debris, reducing debris pollution inside the equipment or on the ground and keeping the equipment clean. The support 18 supports the receiving tray 17 from below and limits the horizontal offset by abutting on both sides to prevent the receiving tray 17 from tilting or falling, ensuring the stability of the debris collection process.

[0086] In some embodiments, optionally, the partition 19 is disposed on the support 18, and the partition 19 extends toward the hopper structure 11 in the height direction, and the partition 19 abuts against the outer wall of the hopper structure 11. The partition 19 blocks the vertical gap between the receiving tray 17 and the outer wall of the hopper structure 11, preventing the leakage of debris. The partition 19 connects the support 18 and the hopper structure 11, reduces the offset of the support 18, realizes fully enclosed collection of debris, reduces pollution, simplifies the cleaning process, and improves maintenance efficiency.

[0087] It is understandable that by limiting the positional connection of the partition 19, the partition 19 effectively blocks debris from splashing, ensuring that all debris falls into the receiving tray 17, reducing unsanitary corners and lowering maintenance costs.

[0088] In some embodiments, optionally, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the sieve hopper 15 is rotatably connected to the bin structure 11. The rotation axis of the sieve hopper 15 is parallel to the second direction, so that the first sieve hole 151 of the sieve hopper 15 can be rotated around the axis parallel to the second direction, which facilitates the sieve hopper 15 to screen out the broken pieces at multiple angles, improves the quality of popcorn, and can be maintained without disassembly, thus improving the ease of operation.

[0089] Optionally, the sieve hopper 15 is fixed under normal conditions, and popcorn crumbs are screened through the first sieve hole 151. The sieve hopper 15 is flipped open during maintenance to expose the internal space for easy cleaning and unblocking.

[0090] It is understandable that by limiting the rotatable connection between the screening hopper 15 and the hopper structure 11, with the rotation axis parallel to the second direction, the hopper structure 11 can be opened and closed, making it easy to open for cleaning or maintenance.

[0091] In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 125 is optionally used for precise temperature control to improve product quality. The temperature sensor directly contacts the heating airflow in the hot air channel 12 to ensure the authenticity and timeliness of the temperature data, reflect the actual temperature of the hot air output by the hot air blower 13 in real time, and ensure the stable heating temperature of the popcorn. The temperature sensor 125 is installed on the crossbeam 121 to reduce maintenance costs, reduce the probability of needing to replace the entire hot air channel 12 component due to damage to the temperature sensor 125, shorten maintenance time, and improve equipment operation and maintenance efficiency.

[0092] Optionally, the temperature sensor 125 is electrically connected to the hot air blower 13 to enhance the intelligence of the equipment, actively control the temperature inside the hopper structure 11, increase the practicality of the cooking equipment, and extend the shelf life of popcorn.

[0093] It is understandable that by limiting the position and connection of the temperature sensor 125, the hot air temperature can be monitored in real time, and the output power of the hot air blower 13 can be adjusted based on the data. For example, the power can be reduced when the temperature is too high and increased when the temperature is too low, so as to ensure that the popcorn in the hopper structure 11 is always at a suitable temperature and improve product quality.

[0094] In some embodiments, optionally, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the bin structure 11 has two second screen holes 112 on its two side walls in the first direction, which preliminarily screen the debris in the upper part of the bin, allowing the fine debris to fall through the screen holes to the receiving tray 17. The second screen holes 112 can also serve as ventilation openings on the side walls of the bin, promoting the discharge of hot and humid air in the bin. Combined with the dry hot air from the hot air channel 12, this effectively reduces the humidity in the bin and improves the taste of the popcorn.

[0095] The minimum height of the second screen hole 112 is higher than the maximum height of the first screen hole 151, forming a dual screening structure to ensure that the slag is screened out, guarantee the continuity of the screening process, and not affect the material discharge efficiency.

[0096] Optionally, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first screen hole 151 and the second screen hole 112 is greater than the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the slag, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the first screen hole 151 and the second screen hole 112 is less than the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the grain, so that the hopper structure 11 can effectively retain the grain for processing and improve the filtration efficiency of the slag.

[0097] Optionally, the bin structure 11 has multiple through second screen holes 112 on the two side walls in the first direction. The second screen holes 112 are located at the bottom of the two side walls and are evenly distributed. They are formed in one stamping process, which reduces heat loss and lowers production costs.

[0098] An embodiment of the second aspect of this application provides a popcorn machine 2, such as... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, it includes: any of the above-mentioned material dropping structures 1; a material box 21, which has a receiving cavity and is connected to the material inlet 111 of the material dropping structure 1.

[0099] The popcorn machine 2 provided in this application includes a feeding structure 1 and a feeding bin 21. The feeding bin 21 has a receiving cavity, which is connected to the feeding port 111 of the feeding structure 1.

[0100] The feed bin 21 is used to store grains or popcorn that have not entered the hopper structure 11 in batches. The feed bin 21 is provided with a receiving cavity, which is connected to the feed inlet 111 of the discharge structure 1. The receiving cavity is connected to the discharge structure 1 through the feed inlet 111 to ensure that the grains go directly from the storage area to the processing area.

[0101] It is understood that by connecting the limited feed bin 21 to the feed dispensing structure 1, popcorn storage space is provided to ensure a continuous supply of grains to the hopper structure 11.

[0102] Since the popcorn machine 2 includes any of the above-mentioned feeding structures 1, it has the beneficial effects of any of the above-mentioned feeding structures 1, which will not be elaborated here.

[0103] In some embodiments, optionally, such as Figure 2 As shown, the material box 21 specifically includes a box body 211, a viewing window 22, and a feeding plate 23. The box body 211 serves as the main frame, and the side walls of the material box 21 are provided with the viewing window 22 and the feeding plate 23, making the material box 21 a structure that can be rotated open and closed or sealed.

[0104] Specifically, the housing 211 has a feeding port 212 on one side in the second direction. The feeding port 212 serves as the only inlet for replenishing grains, limiting the feeding position, concentrating the feeding path, reducing material waste during the feeding process, and preventing impurities from entering the receiving cavity from non-feeding ports.

[0105] At least one viewing window 22 is provided on the side wall of the housing 211 in the first direction. The viewing window 22 is rotatably connected to the side wall of the housing 211. Multiple viewing windows 22 can display the popcorn status from multiple angles, making it easier for users to confirm whether they need to continue cooking, displaying the cooking process, and increasing the purchase rate.

[0106] The feeding plate 23 controls the opening and closing of the feeding port 212. The feeding plate 23 is correspondingly set on the outside of the feeding port 212. The feeding plate is rotatably connected to the box body 211 to open and close the feeding port 212. When the feeding plate 23 is closed, it seals the feeding port 212 to prevent dust from entering. When it is open, it exposes the feeding port 212, which facilitates the batch replenishment of grains for puffing.

[0107] The feeding plate 23 and the viewing window 22 are made of light-transmitting material, allowing customers to clearly see the freshness of the popcorn, stimulating their desire to buy, facilitating the observation of inventory, timely replenishment of popcorn, and simplifying cleaning and maintenance. Operators can quickly check whether the baffle 24 is clean and meets the hygiene requirements of food equipment.

[0108] Optionally, the viewing window 22 and the feeding plate 23 can be made of tempered glass, food-grade acrylic, or polycarbonate to ensure light transmittance and high temperature resistance, and to facilitate cleaning and maintenance.

[0109] It is understood that by defining the material box 21, which includes the box body 211, the viewing window 22 and the feeding plate 23, the feeding plate 23 and the viewing window 22 are made of light-transmitting material, making it convenient to add grains and observe the internal state, and the baffle 24 prevents popcorn from overflowing, reducing waste and ensuring product hygiene.

[0110] In some embodiments, the baffle 24 is optionally used to prevent popcorn from overflowing and to guide the flow. The baffle 24 is located inside the feeding port 212, and the height of the baffle 24 is less than the height of the feeding plate 23. The height difference guides the popcorn to fall smoothly into the receiving cavity, ensuring smooth feeding, preventing the feeding port 212 from being blocked due to material accumulation, and improving feeding efficiency.

[0111] In one specific embodiment, a popcorn machine 2 is provided, comprising a top cover, a housing 211, a feeding glass window (i.e., feeding plate 23), a glass baffle (i.e., baffle 24), a glass viewing window (i.e., viewing window plate 22), a ventilation hood 123, a bottom hopper (i.e., hopper structure 11), a hot air blower 13, a temperature sensor 125, a screw feeding mechanism (i.e., feeding mechanism 14), a discharge channel (i.e., screening hopper 15), a receiving tray 17, a crossbeam 121, and a support 18.

[0112] Specifically, the top cover, glass window, and glass baffle are assembled to the housing 211 using fasteners to form a feeder 21 for storing popcorn. The feed glass window is fixed to the housing 211 by hinges and pins. The glass window can be flipped open for easy feeding, or flipped closed and held closed by the pins.

[0113] Specifically, the temperature sensor 125 is fixed to the crossbeam 121, and the ventilation hood 123 covers the crossbeam 121. The upper limit structure of the crossbeam 121 can fix the ventilation hood 123. The crossbeam 121 and the ventilation hood 123 form a hot air channel 12, in which the temperature sensor 125 is placed. The screw feeding mechanism is assembled to the bottom hopper with fasteners, and the discharge channel is assembled to the bottom hopper with hinges and buckles, which can realize the opening and closing of the discharge channel. The hot air blower 13 is assembled to the end of the hot air channel 12 with fasteners, which can deliver hot air into the channel. The receiving tray 17 is placed on the bracket 18.

[0114] The glass window, glass baffle, and filling glass window are all transparent components, which can directly show the popcorn inside the filling box 21 to consumers.

[0115] The hot air blower 13 and the hot air channel 12 are located at the bottom of the hopper. Both the ventilation hood 123 and the crossbeam 121 have ventilation holes. The hot air blower 13 blows hot air out, and the hot air naturally rises to evenly heat the popcorn in the hopper 21. At the same time, the temperature is precisely controlled by the temperature sensor 125. The ventilation holes of the ventilation hood 123 are located on the side, which can effectively prevent popcorn fragments from entering the hot air channel 12 and blocking the channel.

[0116] The screw feeding mechanism can achieve precise feeding by controlling the start and stop of the motor.

[0117] Both the bottom of the discharge channel and the bottom hopper have sieve holes, allowing popcorn crumbs to fall through the sieve holes onto the receiving tray 17. The receiving tray 17 is placed on the support 18 and is not rigidly fixed, allowing it to be manually removed and placed for easy emptying and cleaning. The support 18 extends upwards on both sides to the bottom hopper, forming baffles 24 on the sides to prevent popcorn crumbs from falling outside the receiving tray 17.

[0118] In this specific embodiment, it can be understood that the material bin 21 is designed with transparent glass, allowing consumers to observe the internal state of the bin 211, which can arouse customers' interest in purchasing. A hot air blower 13 and a hot air channel 12 are designed at the bottom of the material bin 21, allowing hot air to be blown out from the hot air channel 12 at the bottom of the bin 211, which can evenly heat the popcorn from the bottom up, extending the popcorn's storage time and improving its taste. Both the bottom hopper and the discharge channel have openings to screen out popcorn crumbs, preventing them from affecting the customer's taste. A receiving tray 17 is installed below the discharge channel to catch falling popcorn crumbs for easy cleaning. A temperature sensor 125 is installed in the hot air channel 12, which controls the temperature of the hot air blown out by the hot air blower 13, precisely controlling the temperature inside the bin and effectively ensuring the temperature and taste of the popcorn.

[0119] In the technical solution of this utility model, by placing the hot air blower 13 externally and providing through-holes on the sieve hopper 15, the grains are heated and expanded evenly, continuously sifting out the broken pieces, accurately feeding the material, extending the storage time and ensuring the taste, improving product quality, and extending the service life of the equipment.

[0120] In this utility model, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; the term "multiple" refers to two or more unless otherwise explicitly defined. The terms "install," "connect," "join," and "fix" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connect" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; "join" can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0121] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation 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 unit 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.

[0122] In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "specific embodiment," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0123] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A material feeding structure, characterized in that, include: A hopper structure, wherein the upper surface of the hopper structure is provided with a feed inlet; A hot air duct is provided within the bin structure along the first direction; A hot air blower is located outside the hopper structure and is connected to the hot air duct; A feeding mechanism is disposed within the hopper structure along the second direction, and the feeding mechanism is disposed below the hot air channel; A screening hopper is located below the feeding mechanism, and the screening hopper is provided with a plurality of through first screen holes; Wherein, neither the first direction nor the second direction is the height direction of the bin structure.

2. The blanking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hot air channel specifically includes: A detachable crossbeam and a ventilation hood are provided, wherein the two ends of the crossbeam are respectively connected to two opposite side walls of the bin structure in the first direction, and the ventilation hood is located above the crossbeam. The crossbeam is provided with a first air vent, and the ventilation hood is provided with a second air vent.

3. The blanking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding mechanism specifically includes: A feeding rod extends along the second direction, and the outer wall of the feeding rod is provided with spiral blades; A driving component is located at one end of the feeding rod, and the driving component is connected to the feeding rod in a transmission manner; An end cap is provided at the other end of the feeding rod, and the end cap is detachably connected to one side wall of the hopper structure in the second direction.

4. The blanking structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The height of the end of the feeding rod facing the driving member is higher than the height of the end of the feeding rod facing the end cap; The shape of the sieve hopper is adapted to the shape of the feeding rod.

5. The blanking structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: The discharge rack is located at the end of the screen hopper where the height is smaller, and the discharge rack has a discharge port at a first angle to the direction of gravity, the first angle being 0° to 60°.

6. The blanking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A receiving tray is located below the screen hopper; A support is provided below the receiving tray, and the support and the receiving tray abut against each other on opposite sides perpendicular to the second direction.

7. The blanking structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: A partition is provided on the support, and the partition extends toward the bin structure along the height direction, and the partition abuts against the outer wall of the bin structure.

8. The blanking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screening hopper is rotatably connected to the bin structure, and the rotation axis of the screening hopper is parallel to the second direction.

9. The blanking structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: A temperature sensor is located inside the hot air channel and is also located on the crossbeam.

10. The blanking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bin structure has second sieve holes on two side walls in the first direction; The minimum height of the second sieve hole is higher than the maximum height of the first sieve hole.

11. A popcorn machine, characterized in that, include: The blanking structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 10; The material bin has a receiving cavity inside, which is connected to the feed inlet of the material dropping structure.

12. The popcorn machine according to claim 11, characterized in that, The hopper includes: The box body has a feeding port on one side in the second direction and a viewing window on one side in the first direction. A feeding plate is rotatably connected to the housing to open and close the feeding port; The feeding plate and the viewing window are made of light-transmitting material.

13. The popcorn machine according to claim 12, characterized in that, Also includes: A baffle is provided inside the feeding port, and the height of the baffle is less than the height of the feeding plate.

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