sandwich cake assembly machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a sandwich biscuit assembly machine (1), the assembly machine (1) comprising a depositing unit (12) configured to deposit a predetermined dose of a pastry filling (GP) onto a biscuit shell (CB), referred to as a filled biscuit shell (CB), an assembly unit (11) configured to deposit a biscuit shell (CB) onto a filled biscuit shell (CB), thus forming a sandwich biscuit, a conveyor assembly (14) comprising at least one production line (141), each production line (141) comprising two linear cords (143) extending between the workstations of the assembly machine (1), and a motorized drive system for the at least two linear cords (143) of each production line (141), such that all the linear cords (143) are animated by a translational movement under the workstations.To allow a temporary interruption of a biscuit shell (CB) on the production line (141), the conveyor assembly (14) includes at least one stop (145) retractable from a lower space of the assembly machine (1) located below the linear cords (143). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: sandwich cake assembly machine

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of the food industry, and in particular equipment for the design and mass production of processed products. More particularly, the invention relates to a sandwich cake assembly machine.

[0002] Such sandwich cakes are composed of a pastry filling housed between a first biscuit shell and a second biscuit shell. In a known manner, the making of such sandwich cakes is done through several successive steps. During a first step, the biscuit shells are made, and the pastry filling made. During a second step, called assembly, the biscuit shells are arranged on a conveyor assembly of an assembly machine so that, on one of the biscuit shells, the pastry filling is deposited and the other shell is superimposed on the biscuit shell decorated with the pastry filling.

[0003] In the state of the art, the use of conveyor belts on such assembly machines is known. The known conveyor belts take the form of solid surfaces used for depositing and transporting biscuit shells between different work stations of the assembly machine, or for transporting sandwich cakes thus assembled. The biscuit shells or sandwich cakes rest on such conveyor belts, thus providing a larger contact surface and excellent stability.

[0004] A first known disadvantage of these conveyor belts lies in their complexity and their mass which leads to an increase in complexity and weight of these assembly machines. Also, for large manufacturing units and large production volumes, such assembly machines incorporating conveyor belts are particularly suitable. On the other hand, for smaller manufacturing units and production volumes, such known assembly machines are too bulky and not optimal.

[0005] Furthermore, in order to regulate the movement of the biscuit shells or sandwich cakes produced on the assembly machine, it is known to use a regulation system which makes it possible, at certain work stations of the assembly machine, to control the advancement or temporary immobilization of a biscuit shell in order to be able to carry out a step in the preparation of the sandwich cake. For example, at a work station used to place the pastry filling on a biscuit shell, or at a work station used to assemble the sandwich biscuit with another biscuit shell, it is necessary to interrupt the de- relative placement of the biscuit shells by the conveyor belt.

[0006] To this end, a first known solution consists of controlling the conveyor belt in order to interrupt its advancement. A known disadvantage of this solution lies in the reduction of the production rates of such an assembly machine since all the other work stations are then interrupted, while the conveyor belt is restarted. A second known solution consists of opposing the movement of the biscuit shells with a temporary obstacle, while the conveyor belt produces a continuous movement. In this second known solution, the obstacle comes into abutment against the biscuit shells, temporarily interrupting their movement while the conveyor belt continues its course underneath. Such a solution is preferred because it is less complex to implement.However, due to the presence of the conveyor belt under the biscuit shells, it is then necessary for the obstacle to be placed along the production line from a direction opposite to said conveyor belt, and in particular from above.

[0007] This solution, although suitable for assembly machines for very large series, leads to safety constraints which make it less suitable for smaller series assembly machines. Indeed, it is then necessary to add barriers and protective covers to these functionalities in order to avoid any accident with an operator of these known assembly machines. The objective is then to prevent an operator from trapping a limb in the assembly machine during its operation, due to the movement of the obstacle at the level of the conveyor belt in particular.

[0008] This configuration thus leads to an increase in the complexity of these assembly machines, as well as an increase in their weight and dimensions.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to propose a new assembly machine in order to respond at least to a large extent to the preceding problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to propose such an assembly machine which is simpler to manufacture, less expensive and lighter.

[0011] Another aim of the invention is to guarantee better safety of use and ease of maintenance and cleaning.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to propose a more compact assembly machine offering better visibility on the production of biscuits.

[0013] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all of their possible combinations, the various optional features set out below. In particular, the following description is given with reference to the schematic drawings annexed below, in which:

[0014] [Fig.l] illustrates a three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a machine assembly according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0015] [Fig.2] illustrates a first detailed view of the assembly machine illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0016] [Fig.3] illustrates a second detail view of the assembly machine illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0017] [Fig.4] illustrates a third detail view of the assembly machine illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0018] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0019] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0020] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0021] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 4, and according to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a sandwich biscuit assembly machine 1, the assembly machine 1 comprising:

[0022] - a conveyor assembly 14 configured to move CB biscuit shells sandwiches between several workstations;

[0023] - a deposition unit 12 located at a first workstation, the deposition unit 12 being configured to deposit on a CB biscuit shell a predetermined dose of a GP pastry filling, called a filled CB biscuit shell;

[0024] - an assembly unit 11 located at a second workstation, the unit assembly 11 being configured to deposit a CB biscuit shell on a filled CB biscuit shell, thereby forming a sandwich biscuit.

[0025] In the assembly machine 1 according to the first aspect of the invention, the conveying assembly 14 comprises:

[0026] - at least one production line 141, each production line 141 comprising at least two linear cords 143 which extend between the work stations of the assembly machine 1;

[0027] - a motorized drive system for the at least two linear cords 143 of each production line 141, so that all the linear cords 143 are animated by a translational movement under the work stations.

[0028] Such an assembly machine 1 thus makes it possible to free up space in front of the production lines 141 and the supply lines 142, thus facilitating access for an operator. In addition, such an assembly machine 1 is more compact, in particular, it is then possible to place control electronics behind the electrical machine, facilitating maintenance operations and access to the production lines 141. Thus such an assembly machine 1 allows better control of the production lines. Finally, such a production machine is easier to deploy and use.

[0029] The assembly machine 1 according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0030] - each at least one linear cord 143 is formed of a plastic or metal material metal;

[0031] - the drive system comprises first drive pulleys 140 located at a first longitudinal end of the assembly machine 1, and second drive pulleys 140 located at a second longitudinal end of the assembly machine 1, the linear cords 143 of each at least one production line 141 extending parallel to each other between the first drive pulleys 140 and the second drive pulleys 140. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to generate a translational movement of the linear cords through a rotational movement of the drive pulleys 140;

[0032] - each drive pulley 140 comprises a plurality of circumferential grooves ential inside which each linear cord 143 is inserted. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to optimize the connection of the cords with the drive pulleys 140 and to limit their wear;

[0033] - the conveying assembly 14 comprises a substrate 144 placed under the at least two linear cords 143 of each production line 141, such that said linear cords 143 are placed in an intermediate position between the substrate 144 and the assembly unit 11 or the deposition unit 12. The substrate 144 makes it possible to provide a closed interface between the upper face of the linear cords 143 on which the biscuit shells CB rest and an interior volume of the assembly machine 1;

[0034] - the substrate 144 comprises, for each production line 141, at least two linear grooves located directly above each at least two linear cords 143, said linear cords 143 extending respectively at least partly in said corresponding linear grooves. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to guide the linear cords 143, while maintaining easy cleaning of the assembly machine 1;

[0035] - the conveying assembly 14 comprises, for each production line 141, at at least one retractable stop 145 configured to be able to take a first configuration, called closed configuration, in which said at least one stop 145 opposes the movement of a biscuit shell CB along its production line 141 and a second configuration, called open configuration, in which said at least one stop 145 allows movement of a biscuit shell CB along its production line 141. Each stop 145 is located on the side of the substrate 144 or, more generally, on one side of the linear cords 143. Unlike previously known systems, each stop 145 is located and extends from a lower area to the upper face of the linear cords 143.This advantageous configuration makes it possible to improve the safety of the assembly machine 1, because such stoppers 145 which are raised from the substrate 144 avoid any risk of pinching or crushing a limb of an operator acting on the assembly machine 1 during its operation. Consequently, unlike known assembly machines, it is then possible not to enclose the machine in protective casings. Consequently, access to the machine, visual inspection of the production lines, and interventions on the machine or on the production lines are simplified; .

[0036] - for a given production line 141, the at least one stop 145 is located between or beyond said at least two linear cords. In particular, for a given production line 141 and for a given position along the conveying assembly 14, in the case where the conveying element comprises a single stop 145 per production line 141, then the stop 145 is preferably located in a middle position between the at least two linear cords 143. In the case where the at least one stop 145 is located between the at least two linear cords 143 of a given production line 142, then, for a given pair of linear cords 143, each at least one stop 145 is located between the two corresponding linear cords 143, taken in a direction perpendicular to the two linear cords 143.In the case where the at least one stop 145 is located beyond the at least two linear cords 143 of a given production line 142, then, for a given pair of linear cords 143, each at least one stop 145 is located outside the two corresponding linear cords 143, taken in a direction perpendicular to the two linear cords 143. In the case where the conveying assembly 14 comprises two stop stops 145 per production line 142, then the two stop stops 145 are located on either side of the linear cords 143. Furthermore, for a given production line 141 and for a given position along the conveying assembly 14, in the case where the conveying element comprises two stop stops 145 per production line 141, then the 145 stop stops are preferred. symmetrically distributed relative to a median axis located between the at least two linear cords 143;

[0037] - for a given production line 141, the conveying assembly 14 comprises first stops 145 located directly above the assembly unit 11, so that, when said first stops 145 are configured in their closed configuration, a biscuit shell CB is centered directly above the assembly unit 11. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to guarantee optimal assembly of an upper biscuit shell CB on a lower biscuit shell CB topped with pastry filling GP;

[0038] - for a given production line 141, the conveying assembly 14 comprises second stops 145 located directly above the depositing unit 12, so that, when said second stops 145 are configured in their closed configuration, a biscuit shell CB is centered directly above the depositing unit 12. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to guarantee optimal deposit of the pastry filling GP on a biscuit shell CB;

[0039] - the assembly machine 1 comprises a unit 13 for turning over a shell of biscuit CB, the turning unit 13 forming a third work station, the conveyor assembly 14 comprising at least two feed lines 142, each feed line 142 comprising at least two linear cords 143 which extend towards the turning unit 13 of the assembly machine 1, the drive system being configured to drive in translation the at least two linear cords 143 of each feed line 142 towards the turning unit 13. Each feed line 142 makes it possible to send CB biscuit shells towards the turning unit, some of which must be turned before final assembly by the assembly unit 11. This advantageous configuration of the assembly machine 1 thus makes it possible, as mentioned above, to make it more compact and to facilitate access and visibility to the feed lines 142;

[0040] - the turning unit 13 comprises, for each pair of supply lines 142 associated with a production line 141, a turning ramp 131 of a biscuit shell CB, the turning ramp 131 being configured to allow a turning of the biscuit shell CB, so that, at the outlet of the turning ramp 131, if said biscuit shell CB was resting via a lower face on the at least two linear cords 143 of one of the two supply lines 142 when it was upstream of the turning ramp 131 is now resting against the at least two linear cords of the production line 141 via an upper face. Advantageously, the turning ramp 131 is supplied by a specific supply line 142, the assembly machine 1 further comprising another supply line 142 which does not serve the turning ramp turning 131, so as to be able to supply on the at least one production line 141, turned CB biscuit shells and, alternately, unturned CB biscuit shells;

[0041] - the at least two supply lines 142 are located high up with respect to the at least two supply lines 142. at least one corresponding production line 141, the associated turning ramp 131 being inclined so that a biscuit shell CB slides on the turning ramp 131 towards the corresponding production line 141 by simple effect of gravity while turning on itself;

[0042] - the drive system comprises third drive pulleys 140 located near the drive unit of the assembly machine 1, and the fourth drive pulleys 140 located at a distance from said turning unit 13, the linear cords 143 of each at least two supply lines 142 extending parallel to each other between the third drive pulleys 140 and the fourth drive pulleys 140;

[0043] - the substrate 144 of the conveying assembly 14 extends under the at least two linear cords 143 of each feed line 142, such that said linear cords 143 are placed above the substrate 144;

[0044] - at each supply line 142, the substrate 144 comprises at least two linear grooves located directly above each at least two linear cords 143, said linear cords 143 extending respectively at least partly in said corresponding linear grooves;

[0045] - the conveying assembly 14 comprises, for each supply line 142, at at least one third retractable stop 145 placed near the turning ramp 131, the at least one third stop 145 being configured to be able to take a first configuration, called closed configuration, in which said at least one third stop 145 opposes the movement of a biscuit shell CB along its feed line 142 and a second configuration, called open configuration, in which said at least one third stop 145 allows movement of a biscuit shell CB along its feed line 142;

[0046] - for a given supply line 142, the at least one third stop 145 is located between said at least two linear cords. Furthermore, for a given supply line 142, in the case where the conveying element comprises a single third stop 145 per supply line 142, then the third stop 145 is preferably located in a middle position between the at least two linear cords 143. On the other hand, for a given supply line 142 and for a given position along the conveying assembly 14, in the case where the conveying element comprises two third stop stops 145 per line feed line 142, then the third stops 145 are preferably distributed symmetrically with respect to a median axis located between the at least two linear cords 143. Optionally, according to another variant embodiment, for a given feed line 142, the at least one third stop 145 may be located beyond said at least two linear cords. In other words, for a given production line 142, the third stop or stops 145 may be located outside the two linear cords 143, taken in a direction perpendicular to said linear cords 143, or on either side of said at least two linear cords 143;

[0047] - preferably, the assembly machine 1 comprises twice as many lines supply lines 142 than production lines 141. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the compactness of the production machine. Preferably, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly machine 1 comprises two production lines 141 operating in parallel with each other and four supply lines 142 operating in parallel with each other. Thus, the use of linear cords makes it possible to make both the production lines 141 and the supply lines 142 more compact and which makes possible visual control and simplified manual access to said production lines 141 and supply lines 142. Such compactness then makes it possible to size the assembly machine 1 with a greater number of supply lines 142 compared to the production lines 141.It is then possible to more easily place CB biscuit shells - sometimes different from each other for the same sandwich biscuit - on the supply lines. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to simplify and facilitate the work of the operators, to facilitate their access to the assembly machine 1 and to reduce the risks of injury due to safer kinematics of the conveyor assembly 14 and, more particularly, of the linear cords 143 and the stop stops 145; .

[0048] - the substrate 144 comprises openings 146 inside which the stops 145, such that the stops 145 extend beyond the openings 146 of the substrate 144 when configured in their closed configuration, and said stops 145 are housed in the openings 146 of the substrate 144 when configured in their open configuration. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to allow adjustment of the assembly machine 1 according to the dimensions of CB biscuit shells and sandwich biscuit shells to be manufactured;

[0049] - the openings 146 have oblong shapes, the conveying assembly 14 comprising a longitudinal adjustment member for the stops 145 in order to be able to adjust a relative position between said stops 145 and the assembly unit H;

[0050] - the assembly machine 1 comprises a safety system 15 comprising a ge nator of an optical comb forming a plane which extends at least along one side of the assembly machine 1, along the conveying assembly 14, ii an optical receiver configured to detect a light flux at one end of the optical comb, the safety system 15 being configured to detect any obstacle in the optical comb and to interrupt the operation of said assembly machine 1 following such detection. Unlike known assembly machines 1, and taking into account the interest of the conveying assembly 14 and, more particularly, of the linear cords 143 and the stop stops 145 for the safety of the assembly machine and the associated operators, it is now possible to no longer use protective casings to avoid possible injuries with the assembly machine 1 during its use. Consequently, the safety system 15 can then be of the optical type.

[0051] In summary, the invention relates to a sandwich biscuit assembly machine 1, the assembly machine 1 comprising a depositing unit 12 configured to deposit on a biscuit shell CB a predetermined dose of a pastry filling GP, called a filled biscuit shell CB, an assembly unit 11 configured to deposit a biscuit shell CB on a filled biscuit shell CB, thus forming a sandwich biscuit, a conveying assembly 14 comprising at least one production line 141, each production line 141 comprising two linear cords 143 which extend between the work stations of the assembly machine 1, and a motorized drive system for the at least two linear cords 143 of each production line 141, so that all the linear cords 143 are driven by a translational movement under the work stations.In order to allow a temporary interruption of a CB biscuit shell on the production line 141, the conveying assembly 14 comprises at least one stop 145 retractable from a lower space of the assembly machine 1 located below the linear cords 143.

[0052] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. A sandwich biscuit assembly machine (1), the assembly machine (1) comprising: - a conveying assembly (14) configured to move sandwich biscuit shells (CB) between several work stations; - a depositing unit (12) located at a first workstation, the depositing unit (12) being configured to deposit on a biscuit shell (CB) a predetermined dose of a pastry filling (GP), called a filled biscuit shell (CB); - an assembly unit (11) located at a second workstation, the assembly unit (11) being configured to deposit a biscuit shell (CB) on a filled biscuit shell (CB), thereby forming a sandwich biscuit; the conveying assembly (14) comprising: - at least one production line (141), each production line (141) comprising two linear cords (143) which extend between the work stations of the assembly machine (1); - a motorized drive system for the at least two linear cords (143) of each production line (141), so that all the linear cords (143) are driven in a translational movement under the work stations; characterized in that the assembly machine (1) comprises a unit (13) for turning over a biscuit shell (CB), the turning over unit (13) forming a third work station, the conveying assembly (14) comprising at least two feed lines (142), each feed line (142) comprising at least two linear cords (143) which extend towards the turning over unit (13) of the assembly machine (1), the drive system being configured to drive in translation the at least two linear cords (143) of each feed line (142) towards the turning over unit (13); and in that the turning unit (13) comprises, for each pair of supply lines (142) associated with a production line (141), a turning ramp (131) for a biscuit shell (CB), the turning ramp (131) being configured to allow a turning of the biscuit shell (CB), so that, at the outlet of the turning ramp- turning (131), if said biscuit shell (CB) was supported via a lower face on the at least two linear cords (143) of one of the two supply lines (142) when it was upstream of the turning ramp (131) is now supported against the at least two linear cords of the production line (141) via an upper face; and in that the at least two supply lines (142) are located high up with respect to the at least one corresponding production line (141), the associated turning ramp (131) being inclined so that a biscuit shell (CB) slides on the turning ramp (131) towards the corresponding production line (141) by simple effect of gravity while turning over on itself; and in that the assembly machine (1) has twice as many feed lines (142) as production lines (141).

2. Assembly machine (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the conveying assembly (14) comprises a substrate (144) placed under the at least two linear cords (143) of each production line (141), so that said linear cords (143) are placed in an intermediate position between the substrate (144) and the assembly unit (11) or the deposition unit (12).

3. Assembly machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the conveying assembly (14) comprises, for each production line (141), at least one retractable stop (145) configured to be able to take a first configuration, called closed configuration, in which said at least one stop (145) opposes the movement of a biscuit shell (CB) along its production line (141) and a second configuration, called open configuration, in which said at least one stop (145) allows movement of a biscuit shell (CB) along its production line (141).

4. Assembly machine (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, for a given production line (141), the at least one stop (145) is located between or beyond said at least two linear cords.

5. Assembly machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the conveying assembly (14) comprises, for each supply line (142), at least one third stop

6. retractable stop (145) placed near the turning ramp (131), the at least one third stop (145) being configured to be able to take a first configuration, called closed configuration, in which said at least one third stop (145) opposes the movement of a biscuit shell (CB) along its feed line (142) and a second configuration, called open configuration, in which said at least one third stop (145) allows movement of a biscuit shell (CB) along its feed line (142). An assembly machine (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the substrate (144) has openings (146) within which the stops (145) extend, such that the stops (145) extend beyond the openings (146) of the substrate (144) when configured in their closed configuration, and said stops (145) are housed in the openings (146) of the substrate (144) when configured in their open configuration.

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