A chocolate sculpting apparatus

Abstract

A chocolate carving device applied to a shaped chocolate, comprising a feeding piece, a positioning piece and a laser carving piece, the feeding piece can transport the chocolate along a first direction, an upper end of the feeding piece is provided with a supporting piece, the chocolate is placed on the supporting piece, the positioning piece is installed on one side of the feeding piece in a second direction, the feeding piece can send the chocolate to the positioning piece along the second direction, the positioning piece is used for fixing the chocolate on the supporting piece and sending the carved chocolate back to the upper end of the feeding piece along the second direction, the feeding piece continues to transport the carved chocolate along the first direction, and the laser carving piece is used for laser carving the surface to be carved of the chocolate, without complex design of a forming mold of the chocolate, the problem of low yield of the chocolate caused by bubbles is avoided, the flexibility of carving is higher, the overall structure is simple, production cost is reduced, and carving efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of chocolate processing technology, and in particular to a chocolate carving device. Background Technology

[0002] Chocolate, as a dessert with a special aroma and taste, is often given as a gift. As chocolate has been given more and more significance as a gift, its shape has gradually evolved from the traditional block and ball shapes to irregular shapes. In the production process of chocolate, more and more attention is being paid to the design of the texture or pattern on the surface of the chocolate to increase the overall exquisiteness of the chocolate.

[0003] Traditional chocolate production methods primarily involve processing chocolate using molds carved with different textures or patterns. During production, molten chocolate is directly poured into the mold and allowed to cool and solidify. However, during the molding process, air bubbles can easily be carried into the molten chocolate, resulting in gaps on the surface of the chocolate after it has solidified. This can lead to incomplete textures or patterns on the surface of the chocolate, or even hollow areas inside the chocolate, affecting the production yield and processing efficiency. In particular, when the textures or patterns are complex, the development cost of the molds is high, which limits the production process. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a chocolate carving device that eliminates the need for complex designs of chocolate molding molds, avoids the problem of low yield of chocolate caused by air bubbles, provides greater carving flexibility, has a simple overall structure, helps reduce production costs, and improves carving efficiency.

[0005] This utility model provides a chocolate carving device for shaping chocolate, including a feeding component, a positioning component, and a laser engraving component. The feeding component can convey chocolate along a first direction, and a tray is placed on the upper end of the feeding component, on which the chocolate is placed. The positioning component is installed on one side of the feeding component in a second direction, and the feeding component can convey the chocolate to the positioning component along the second direction. The positioning component is used to fix the chocolate on the tray and to send the carved chocolate back to the upper end of the feeding component along the second direction. The feeding component continues to convey the carved chocolate along the first direction. The laser engraving component is used to laser engrave the surface of the chocolate to be carved.

[0006] In one embodiment, a pusher is mounted on one side of the feeding member in the second direction. The pusher includes a pusher plate and a power member. The power member is used to drive the pusher plate to move in the second direction. The pusher plate can move to the upper end of the feeding member, contact the support member, and apply a force in the second direction to the support member.

[0007] In one embodiment, the pusher plate has a push rod protruding from one end in the second direction, and the support member has a positioning hole on at least one side in the second direction. The positioning hole cooperates with the push rod, and the push rod can enter or exit the positioning hole as the pusher plate moves.

[0008] In one embodiment, the positioning member includes a base, a guide plate, and a limiting plate. The two guide plates are installed on both sides of the base in a first direction so as to be able to contact the two ends of the support member in the first direction. The limiting plate is installed on the side of the base away from the feeding member in a second direction so as to be able to contact one end of the support member in the second direction.

[0009] In one embodiment, the support member has a first air hole that penetrates the support member along its thickness direction, and the base has a second air hole that penetrates the base along its thickness direction. When the support member moves onto the base, the first air hole and the second air hole communicate with each other.

[0010] In one embodiment, a pusher is mounted on the end of the limiting plate away from the feeding member in the second direction. The pusher includes a pusher plate and a power member. The power member is used to drive the pusher plate to move in the second direction. The pusher plate can pass through the limiting plate to contact the support member and apply a force in the second direction to the support member to push the support member to the upper end of the feeding member.

[0011] In one embodiment, the power component includes a near mounting plate, a far mounting plate, a movable plate, and a connecting shaft. The connecting shaft extends along a second direction. The near mounting plate and the far mounting plate are parallel and mounted at both ends of the connecting shaft. The movable plate passes through the connecting shaft and is movable along the connecting shaft. The pusher plate is mounted on the movable plate.

[0012] In one embodiment, an air supply component is also included. The air supply component is disposed on one side of the laser-engraved component and is movable along a first direction, a second direction, and a vertical direction with the laser-engraved component. The air supply component includes a nozzle for blowing air onto the chocolate at the positioning component.

[0013] In one embodiment, a temperature detection element is installed on one side of the laser-engraved part, and the temperature detection element is used to detect the temperature of the chocolate in real time during the laser engraving process.

[0014] In one embodiment, a waste collection component is also included, which is located below the positioning component and is used to collect waste from the chocolate during the laser engraving process.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: The feeding component enables the loading of pre-shaped chocolate for engraving and the unloading of chocolate after engraving. It also works with the support and positioning components to position the chocolate for subsequent laser engraving operations. The support component supports the chocolate and, together with the positioning components, fixes it in place. Compared to mechanical engraving, laser engraving is less likely to damage the chocolate, minimizing breakage. It also eliminates the need for complex mold designs and avoids the problem of low yield caused by air bubbles. The engraving is more flexible, the overall structure is simple, which helps reduce production costs and improve engraving efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the support and positioning member in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] In the picture: 10-Feeding component; 11-Support component; 111-Positioning hole; 112-First air hole; 12-Push component; 121-Push plate; 122-Push rod; 123-Near mounting plate; 124-Far mounting plate; 125-Modible plate; 126-Connecting shaft; 127-Power source; 20-Positioning component; 21-Base; 211-Second air hole; 22-Guide plate; 23-Limiting plate; 231-Through groove; 24-Slide seat; 30 - Laser engraving part; 31 - Temperature detection part; 40 - Air supply component; 41 - Air nozzle; 42 - Air speed regulating component; 50 - Waste collection components; 51 - Scanner; 60-Chocolate. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The specific embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the description of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0022] Unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "setup," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms based on the specific circumstances.

[0023] The terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” and “outer,” etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product is in use. They are used only for the convenience of description and simplification, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0024] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used merely to distinguish elements with similar attributes, not to indicate or imply relative importance or a specific order.

[0025] The terms “include,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, which includes not only the elements listed but also other elements not expressly listed.

[0026] The chocolate carving equipment proposed in this utility model is applied to shaped chocolate, which refers to finished chocolate after cooling and shaping in a mold. The chocolate carving equipment proposed in this utility model is used to carve textures or patterns on shaped chocolate. When processing chocolate in a mold, there is no need to design complex textures or patterns in the mold. It is sufficient to make the surface of the chocolate flat or have simple textures or patterns.

[0027] To facilitate understanding of the positional relationships, connection relationships, and relative motion relationships between the components in this utility model, refer to... Figure 2 ,definition Figure 2 In this context, the X direction is the first direction, and the Y direction is the second direction.

[0028] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1As shown, the chocolate carving equipment proposed in this utility model includes a feeding component 10, a positioning component 20, and a laser-engraved component 30, combined with... Figure 2 The feeding component 10 can convey the chocolate 60 along the first direction to send the chocolate 60 from the feeding end to the discharging end, wherein the feeding end is one end of the first direction and the discharging end is the other end of the first direction. The chocolate 60 at the feeding end is not engraved, and the chocolate 60 at the discharging end is engraved.

[0029] A support 11 is placed on the upper end of the feeding component 10, and chocolate 60 is placed on the support 11. A positioning component 20 is installed on one side of the feeding component 10 in the second direction. The feeding component 10 can feed the support 11 and the chocolate 60 on it to the positioning component 20 in the second direction. The positioning component 20 is used to fix the chocolate 60 on the support 11 and send the engraved chocolate 60 and the support 11 back to the upper end of the feeding component 10. The feeding component 10 continues to feed the engraved chocolate 60 in the first direction. The laser engraving component 30 is used to perform laser engraving on the surface of the chocolate 60 to be engraved.

[0030] The feeding component 10 enables the feeding of the pre-shaped chocolate 60 before engraving and the unloading of the chocolate 60 after engraving. It also works with the support component 11 and the positioning component 20 to position the chocolate 60 for subsequent laser engraving operations. The support component 11 supports the chocolate 60 and works with the positioning component 20 to fix the chocolate 60. Compared with mechanical engraving, the laser engraving component 30 is less likely to damage the chocolate 60, minimizing breakage. It also eliminates the need for complex designs for the chocolate molding mold and avoids the problem of low yield of chocolate 60 caused by air bubbles. The engraving is more flexible, the overall structure is simple, which helps to reduce production costs and improve engraving efficiency.

[0031] In one example of this embodiment, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2 The feeding component 10 uses a conveyor belt, and the temperature of the conveyor belt is configured to be constant to prevent the chocolate 60 on the upper end of the support 11 from melting, or to prevent the chocolate 60 from melting and sticking to the support 11.

[0032] In one example of this embodiment, the shaped chocolate 60 can be manually placed onto the tray 11, and then the tray 11 can be placed onto the feeding device 10, with the carving side of the chocolate 60 facing upwards. In another example, the shaped chocolate 60 can be automatically placed onto the tray 11 by a robot or similar device, and then placed on the upper end of the feeding device 10 by a robot or similar device, with the carving side of the chocolate 60 facing upwards.

[0033] In one example of this embodiment, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2The feeding component 10 is equipped with a pusher 12 on one side of the second direction. The pusher 12 includes a pusher plate 121 and a power component. The power component is used to drive the pusher plate 121 to move in the second direction. The pusher plate 121 can move in the second direction to the upper end of the feeding component 10, contact the support component 11, and apply a force in the second direction to the support component 11 to push the support component 11 to the positioning component 20 that cooperates with it.

[0034] In this example, such as Figure 2 As shown, a push rod 122 protrudes from one end of the pusher plate 121 in the second direction, in conjunction with... Figure 3 The support member 11 has a positioning hole 111 on at least one side in the second direction. The positioning hole 111 cooperates with the push rod 122. When the push plate 121 moves in the second direction, the push rod 122 can enter or exit the positioning hole 111 with the movement of the push plate 121 to ensure the stability of the movement of the support member 11. The push plate 121 can apply a stable pushing force to the support member 11 through the push rod 122.

[0035] In this example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the power component includes a near mounting plate 123, a far mounting plate 124, a movable plate 125, and a connecting shaft 126. The connecting shaft 126 extends along a second direction. The near mounting plate 123 and the far mounting plate 124 are parallel and mounted at both ends of the connecting shaft 126. The movable plate 125 passes through the connecting shaft 126 and can move along the connecting shaft 126. The aforementioned pusher plate 121 is mounted on the movable plate 125 so that the pusher plate 121 can be driven to move through the movable plate 125.

[0036] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the proximity mounting plate 123 is mounted on one side of the feeder 10 in the second direction. Optionally, the proximity mounting plate 123 and the feeder 10 are detachably connected by screws to facilitate maintenance and replacement.

[0037] Furthermore, the pusher plate 121 is screwed onto the movable plate 125 for easy maintenance and replacement.

[0038] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the power component also includes a power source 127, which is mounted on one of the near mounting plate 123 and the far mounting plate 124. The power source 127 includes a piston, one end of which is connected to the movable plate 125. When the power source 127 is working, the piston can extend and retract in the second direction, thereby driving the movable plate 125 to move along the connecting shaft 126.

[0039] In one example of this embodiment, such as Figure 3As shown, the positioning component 20 includes a base 21, guide plates 22, and limiting plates 23. The two guide plates 22 are installed on both sides of the base 21 in the first direction to contact the two ends of the support 11 in the first direction. The guide plates 22 can guide the support 11 and work with the pusher plate 121 to ensure that the position of the support 11 relative to the base 21 is accurate. The limiting plate 23 is installed on the side of the base 21 away from the feeder 10 in the second direction. The limiting plate 23 is used to contact one end of the support 11 in the second direction to ensure that the support 11 can move into position relative to the base 21 in the second direction.

[0040] In this example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the support 11 has a first air hole 112 that penetrates the support 11 along its thickness direction. The base 21 has a second air hole 211 that penetrates the base 21 along its thickness direction. A vacuum device is connected to the lower end of the base 21 to vacuum-adhere and fix the chocolate 60 on the support 11 through the first air hole 112 and the second air hole 211. More specifically, by setting the guide plate 22 and the limiting plate 23, when the support 11 moves to the base 21, the positions of the first air hole 112 and the second air hole 211 correspond and connect. Then, the vacuum device is activated, which can fix the chocolate 60 to the base 21.

[0041] In this example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the positioning member 20 includes a pusher 12, which includes a pusher plate 121 and a power member. The power member is used to drive the pusher plate 121 to move in the second direction. The pusher plate 121 can pass through the limiting plate 23 to contact the support member 11 and apply a force in the second direction to the support member 11 to push the support member 11 to the upper end of the feeding member 10 in the second direction.

[0042] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the limiting plate 23 has a through groove 231, which cooperates with the pusher plate 121 so that the pusher plate 121 can pass through the limiting plate 23 and contact the support member 11 on the base 21.

[0043] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, a pusher plate 121 has a pusher rod 122 protruding from one end in the second direction. The support member 11 has a positioning hole 111 on at least one side in the second direction. The positioning hole 111 cooperates with the pusher rod 122. When the pusher plate 121 moves in the second direction, the pusher rod 122 can enter or exit the positioning hole 111 with the movement of the pusher plate 121 to ensure the stability of the movement of the support member 11. The pusher plate 121 can apply a stable pushing force to the support member 11 through the pusher rod 122.

[0044] In this example, such as Figure 3As shown, the lower end of the base 21 is connected to a slide 24, which allows the base 21 to move in the first direction. The pusher 12 on the feeder 10 can feed the chocolate 60 to the positioning member 20 at the feeding end. The base 21 moves in the first direction to cooperate with the laser engraving member 30 and can feed the chocolate 60 to the middle position of the feeder 10 or near the discharge end. After the engraving is completed at this position, the chocolate 60 is fed to the feeder 10 and then to the discharge end through the feeder 10, which can improve the continuity of production.

[0045] In one example of this embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the laser engraving component 30 is mounted on the upper end of the positioning component 20. The laser engraving component 30 is configured to move relative to the chocolate 60 in the first direction, the second direction, and the up and down direction to perform laser engraving operation on the chocolate 60 on the base 21.

[0046] In this example, the laser engraving part 30 uses a laser generator, which can perform laser engraving on the chocolate 60 by adjusting the wavelength, intensity and other values ​​of the laser, thereby achieving different engraving depths and realizing complex chocolate shapes, making it more flexible.

[0047] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the chocolate engraving equipment proposed in this utility model also includes an air supply component 40, which is installed on one side of the laser engraving component 30 and can move synchronously with the laser engraving component 30. The air supply component 40 includes a nozzle 41, which can blow air towards the positioning component 20 to adjust the temperature of the chocolate 60 on the base 21, and at the same time blow away the residue of the chocolate 60 generated during laser engraving.

[0048] In this example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the air supply component 40 also includes a wind speed regulating component 42 for adjusting the speed of the airflow blown out by the air nozzle 41.

[0049] In this example, such as Figure 1 As shown, a temperature detection element 31 is installed on one side of the laser engraving part 30. The temperature detection element 31 is used to detect the temperature of the chocolate 60 in real time during the engraving process. If the temperature is detected to be too high, the air supply element 40 can blow cold air onto the chocolate 60 to regulate the temperature of the chocolate 60 in real time and avoid the thermal effect of the laser on the chocolate 60.

[0050] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the chocolate carving equipment proposed in this utility model also includes a waste collection component 50. The waste collection component 50 is located below the positioning component 20. During or after the carving process, the waste such as chocolate 60 fragments generated during the carving process can be collected in the waste collection component 50 by the air blowing of the air supply component 40 for subsequent centralized processing.

[0051] In this example, when it is necessary to clean the surface of the chocolate 60, a flexible cleaning brush can be used in conjunction with the air supply component 40 to achieve cleaning.

[0052] In this example, if the position of the positioning member 20 relative to the feeding member 10 is movable, that is, when the positioning member 20 includes the aforementioned slide 24, the waste collection member 50 can be installed at the lower end of the base 21 and move synchronously with the base 21, or the waste collection member 50 can be fixedly installed on one side of the feeding member 10, and the size of the waste collection member 50 in the first direction is configured to be greater than or equal to the movement stroke of the base 21.

[0053] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, a scanner 51 is provided above the feeding component 10 and / or the positioning component 20. The scanner 51 is used to scan the shape and surface data of the chocolate 60, and then cooperate with the laser engraving component 30 to adjust the engraving method of the laser engraving component 30.

[0054] The above description is only a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A chocolate carving device, applied to shaped chocolate (60), characterized in that, The device includes a feeding component (10), a positioning component (20), and a laser engraving component (30). The feeding component (10) can convey chocolate (60) along a first direction. A support component (11) is placed on the upper end of the feeding component (10), and the chocolate (60) is placed on the support component (11). The positioning component (20) is installed on one side of the feeding component (10) in a second direction. The feeding component (10) can convey the chocolate (60) to the positioning component (20) along the second direction. The positioning component (20) is used to fix the chocolate (60) on the support component (11) and to send the engraved chocolate (60) back to the upper end of the feeding component (10) along the second direction. The feeding component (10) continues to convey the engraved chocolate (60) along the first direction. The laser engraving component (30) is used to laser engrave the surface of the chocolate (60) to be engraved.

2. The chocolate carving equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding component (10) has a pusher (12) installed on one side in the second direction. The pusher (12) includes a pusher plate (121) and a power component. The power component is used to drive the pusher plate (121) to move in the second direction. The pusher plate (121) can move to the upper end of the feeding component (10), contact the support component (11), and apply a force in the second direction to the support component (11).

3. The chocolate carving equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pusher plate (121) has a push rod (122) protruding from one end in the second direction. The support member (11) has a positioning hole (111) on at least one side in the second direction. The positioning hole (111) cooperates with the push rod (122). The push rod (122) can enter or exit the positioning hole (111) as the pusher plate (121) moves.

4. The chocolate carving equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning component (20) includes a base (21), guide plates (22) and a limiting plate (23). The two guide plates (22) are installed on both sides of the base (21) in a first direction so as to be able to contact the two ends of the support (11) in the first direction. The limiting plate (23) is installed on the side of the base (21) away from the feeder (10) in a second direction so as to be able to contact one end of the support (11) in the second direction.

5. The chocolate carving equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The support (11) is provided with a first air hole (112), which penetrates the support (11) along the thickness direction of the support (11). The base (21) is provided with a second air hole (211), which penetrates the base (21) along the thickness direction of the base (21). When the support (11) moves to the base (21), the first air hole (112) and the second air hole (211) are connected.

6. The chocolate carving equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting plate (23) has a pusher (12) installed at one end away from the feeding member (10) in the second direction. The pusher (12) includes a pusher plate (121) and a power member. The power member is used to drive the pusher plate (121) to move in the second direction. The pusher plate (121) can pass through the limiting plate (23) and contact the support member (11), and apply a force in the second direction to the support member (11) to push the support member (11) to the upper end of the feeding member (10).

7. The chocolate carving equipment according to claim 2 or 6, characterized in that, The power component includes a near mounting plate (123), a far mounting plate (124), a movable plate (125), and a connecting shaft (126). The connecting shaft (126) extends along a second direction. The near mounting plate (123) and the far mounting plate (124) are parallel and are mounted at both ends of the connecting shaft (126). The movable plate (125) passes through the connecting shaft (126) and is capable of moving along the connecting shaft (126). The pusher plate (121) is mounted on the movable plate (125).

8. The chocolate carving equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an air supply component (40), which is located on one side of the laser-engraved component (30) and can move along the first direction, the second direction and the up and down direction with the laser-engraved component (30). The air supply component (40) includes a nozzle (41), which is used to blow air onto the chocolate (60) at the positioning component (20).

9. The chocolate carving equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that, A temperature detection element (31) is installed on one side of the laser-engraved part (30), and the temperature detection element (31) is used to detect the temperature of the chocolate (60) in real time during the laser engraving process.

10. The chocolate carving equipment according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that, It also includes a waste collection component (50), which is located below the positioning component (20) and is used to collect waste from the chocolate (60) during the laser engraving process.

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