Noodle string group automatic wave shape forming device

Abstract

To develop a novel method for imparting a wave shape to a noodle string group cut from a noodle cutting machine.SOLUTION: A noodle string group automatic wave shape forming device comprises a noodle cutting device 2 that includes a pair of cutting rolls, a conduit 3 through which a noodle string group MS after being cut discharged from the noodle cutting device 2 passes, a blocking plate 5 capable of blocking the discharge of the noodle string group at an outlet part of the conduit 3, and an opening and closing mechanism for the blocking plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a noodle string wave forming device that can automatically form a predetermined wave state in a noodle string cut out by a cutting blade roll during the production of noodle strings. [Background technology]

[0002] Chinese noodles and other noodle strands used in instant noodles such as ramen are often produced by forming a curled state known as a wave. To achieve this curled (wavy) state, a noodle sheet adjusted to a specified noodle thickness is fed into a cutting blade device comprising a pair of cutting blade rolls, and the cut noodle strands are swept out of the grooves of the cutting blade rolls by the scraper. As they pass through a roughly rectangular conduit, the worker blocks the outlet of the conduit with the palm of their hand, blocking the noodle strands and causing them to bend and fold repeatedly, forming a so-called "curled state." The worker then releases their palm, allowing the noodle strands to continue to form waves.

[0003] The work of forming the waves was done manually by workers, so the wave state varied depending on the worker and it was largely dependent on the worker's skill and intuition. On the other hand, when aiming to automate the production of noodle strings with increased efficiency, it would be useful if the wave formation could be performed automatically and mechanically.

[0004] In particular, the production of instant noodles and the like requires large-scale factory production, and there is a high possibility that this will contribute to promoting automation of the production of noodle strings on such production lines. The following prior art has been disclosed as a technique for automatically forming waves in noodle strings: [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 9-224546

[0006] The above-mentioned prior art requires a pressure plate or the like that extends downward from the noodle strip cutout portion, which requires a certain distance downward. Therefore, methods other than the prior art may be considered. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, the inventors set out to develop a new method for imparting waves to a group of noodle strings cut out by a cutting device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] As a result of intensive research by the present inventors, a noodle string cutting device including a pair of cutting blade rolls, a blocking plate capable of blocking the group of noodle strings discharged from the noodle string cutting device after being cut; an opening and closing mechanism for the blocking plate; The inventors discovered that by providing an opening and closing mechanism for the blocking plate, it is possible to produce a suitably wavy noodle string, and thus completed the present invention. That is, the first invention of the present application is: "A noodle string cutting device including a pair of cutting blade rolls, a conduit through which a group of cut noodle strings discharged from the noodle string cutting device passes; a blocking plate capable of blocking the discharge of the noodle strings at an outlet of the conduit; an opening and closing mechanism for the blocking plate; This is an automatic wave forming device for noodle strings.

[0009] Next, the blocking plate is preferably biased to an open state. That is, the second invention of the present application is: "The automatic wave-forming device for noodle strings according to claim 1, wherein the blocking plate is biased so as to be in a closed state."

[0010] Next, it is preferable that the blocking plate be controlled so as to open at a timing after a predetermined time has elapsed since the noodle band or group of noodle strings passed through a predetermined position. That is, the third invention of the present application is: "An automatic wave-forming device for noodle strands according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blocking plate is controlled to open at a timing after a predetermined time has elapsed since the noodle sheet or noodle strands passed a predetermined position."

[0011] Next, when the blocking plate reaches a predetermined opening state, it is preferable to control the blocking plate to be fully opened. That is, the fourth invention of the present application is: "An automatic noodle string wave forming device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the damming plate is controlled to be fully opened when the damming plate reaches a predetermined opening state."

[0012] Next, it is preferable to determine the state of the noodle strings discharged when the blocking plate is in a half-open state, and adjust the opening degree accordingly. That is, the fifth invention of the present application is: "An automatic wave-forming device for noodle strands according to claim 1 or 2, which is controlled to determine the state of the noodle strands being discharged when the blocking plate is in a half-open state and adjust the opening degree." [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] By using the automatic wave-forming device for noodle strings of the present invention, it is possible to automatically impart waves (curls) to the noodle strings cut out from the cutting device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an entire apparatus for automatically waving noodle strings according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective schematic view showing the internal structure of a conduit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a blocking plate according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a blocking plate according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a damming plate according to the present invention in which a rotating roll is provided at the lower portion thereof. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the process of waving a noodle string cut out in the automatic noodle string wave-forming device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and then discharging the noodle string. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective schematic view of the states (A) and (D) in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing each configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0015] 1 Automatic wave forming device 2 Noodle string cutting device 3 Conduit 5 Damming board 7 Cutting edge roll 7-1 First blade roll 7-2 Second cutting edge roll 8. Housing 9. Kasuri 11 Partition 13. Auxiliary plate for damming board 15 rotation roll 17 Support slots 19 Hinge 21 Convex bend 23 horizontal bar 25 Horizontal bar lifting device 27 Sensors 29 Transport Conveyor 31 Division board MT noodle sheet MS Noodles DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples. The present invention will be described below with reference to examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples. Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an automatic noodle wave-forming device 1 according to the present invention.

[0017] 1, a noodle sheet MT adjusted to a predetermined thickness is cut into noodle strands by cutting blade rolls 7 in a noodle strand cutting device 2, and the noodle strands MS are passed through a conduit (wave box) 3 and stacked in two layers, one above the other, by a blocking plate 5, while being bent, forming a predetermined wave state (curled state). This will be explained in detail below.

[0018] ─Noodle string cutting device─ As shown in FIG. 1 , the cutting device 7 of the present invention is composed of a pair of cutting blade rolls. The pair of cutting blade rolls for cutting noodle strings are arranged side by side, with the first and second cutting blade rolls positioned in the direction of travel of the conveyor. The first cutting blade roll 7-1 and the second cutting blade roll 7-2 form a pair and face each other. Each cutting blade roll 7 has multiple annular grooves formed therein. The flat noodle sheet inserted from above the meshing position by the first cutting blade roll 7-1 and the second cutting blade roll 7-2 is continuously cut at the meshing position, and at the same time, is pushed into the grooves of the cutting blade rolls and transported as the cutting blade rolls 7 rotate.

[0019] The noodle cutting blade roll 7 may have a square blade type, a round blade type, or other types depending on the cross-sectional shape of the noodle strands, and the present invention can of course be applied to any type. In the present invention, the cutting blade is not limited to a square blade type, and may of course be a round blade type or any other type. The first and second cutting blade rolls are fixed to a housing 8, and the rotation shafts of either or both of the first and second cutting blade rolls are connected so that power from a motor or the like is transmitted so that they rotate in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1.

[0020] ─The structure of Kasuri─ In the present invention, scrapers 9 are disposed on each of the first cutting blade roll 7-1 and the second cutting blade roll 7-2. The tip portions of the scrapers 9 fit into the grooves of the cutting blades and have the role of sweeping out the noodle strings that have been pushed into the grooves at the meshing positions of the cutting blade rolls. Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, one scraper 9 is arranged for each cutting blade roll, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the scrapers may be arranged so that they fit into two grooves, an inner position and an outer position, in order from the smaller rotation angle along the rotation direction of the cutting blade roll 7 from the meshing position, and the sweep-out positions for adjacent noodle strings may of course be different for each cutting blade roll.

[0021] Furthermore, even if there is only one scraper, it is possible to use a type in which the cutting edge of the scraper is bent every other one so that the positions at which adjacent noodle strings are swept away are different. In this way, in the present invention, any form is possible as long as it is a style in which some kind of wave is formed by blocking the outlet of the conduit.

[0022] ─Conduit (Wave Box)─ In the present invention, a conduit (wave box) 3 is used to impart a predetermined wave (curled state) to the noodle strings. Inside the conduit (wave box) 3, the noodle strings are stacked in two layers and repeatedly bent, and then compressed to form a wave in the noodle strings.

[0023] The conduit 3 in the present invention can be of various types as long as it is a roughly rectangular cylindrical tube. Various sizes can be selected according to the width and size of the extrusion device described below. Furthermore, the material can be metal such as stainless steel or iron, or of course, plastic. As shown in FIG. 2, the inside of the conduit is partitioned into a plurality of rows, and the noodle strings discharged from the cutting blade roll are separated into groups by partition plates 11.

[0024] ─Damboard─ The present invention is provided with an openable and closable blocking plate 5. The blocking plate 5 of the present invention blocks the noodle strings MS discharged from the conduit 3, causing the noodle strings to repeatedly bend and fold, thereby forming a wave-like shape. Then, after the predetermined wave state is formed, the blocking plate 5 is opened, allowing the wavy noodle strings to be continuously sent out onto the transfer conveyor 29. Then, the noodle strings are transferred to the next process in sequence.

[0025] Next, various methods can be selected as a method for closing the outlet of the conduit 3 with the blocking plate 5. First, the blocking plate 5 can be naturally drooped to form a closed state.

[0026] By devising the shape and structure of the blocking plate, it is possible to adjust the magnitude of the closing state of the opening (the biasing force for closing). For example, Fig. 3 shows an example in which the structure of the thickness of the blocking plate 5 has been devised. Also, Fig. 4 shows an example in which a lightweight auxiliary plate 13 is separately provided in addition to the original blocking plate 5.

[0027] Furthermore, the side of the blocking plate 5 that comes into contact with the noodle strings can be made not only flat, but also U-shaped or recessed, for example, to resemble the palm of a human hand. Furthermore, in order to prevent damage to the noodle strings MS due to contact with the surface of the damming plate 5 when part of the noodle strings is discharged while the damming plate 5 is in a half-open state, a rotating roll 15 or the like may be provided below the surface of the noodle strings that comes into contact with the noodle strings, as shown in Figure 5. When the damming plate 5 is in a half-open state and the noodle strings are discharged, they come into contact with the rotating roll 15 and are thereby discharged, thereby reducing damage to the noodle strings.

[0028] Next, a closed state can be achieved by using an elastic body such as a spring or rubber. Specifically, the closed state can be achieved by adjusting the opening and closing force of the opening by using an elastic body such as a spring or rubber. For example, the outlet of the conduit 3 can be closed by using a spring-loaded hinge 19.

[0029] Next, it is also possible to realize the closed state by electrically controlling the angle of the blocking plate 5. For example, it is possible to completely control the state from the closed state to the open state by using a motor or gear structure attached to rotate the blocking plate 5. For example, it is also possible to control the closing and opening by using a geared motor.

[0030] It is preferable to use a motor that is easy to control the angle, such as a stepping motor, to maintain a predetermined angle. Another method is to open the blocking plate 5 by converting linear motion into rotational force using a link mechanism.

[0031] Next, these can also be combined. That is, the closed state can be achieved by naturally hanging down or by using an elastic body such as a spring, while the noodle strings MS cut out by the cutting blade roll 7 slide down from above, causing the opening to be half-opened by the pressure of a predetermined noodle string, allowing the noodle strings to fall naturally and be discharged, and the damming plate 5 can be electrically controlled to be fully open at a predetermined timing.

[0032] --Regarding the first embodiment of the present invention-- In the first embodiment of the present invention, the damming plate 5 is fixed to the upper surface of an auxiliary frame 17 provided above the conduit 3 by a hinge 19, and the opening state of the discharge part of the conduit can be adjusted by rotating the damming plate 5.

[0033] Furthermore, a convex bent portion 21 that protrudes from the damming plate 5 is welded to the outer surface of the damming plate 5, and a lifting device 25 for the horizontal bar 23 is installed together with this. The tip region of the horizontal bar 23 engages with the recess of the convex bent portion 21, and when the horizontal bar 23 rises, the convex bent portion 21 is pushed up, causing the damming plate 5 to open.

[0034] In addition, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a hinge 19 is used so that the discharge side of the conduit 3 is closed when the blocking plate 5 is allowed to hang down naturally, and the surface of the blocking plate that comes into contact with the noodle strings blocks the opening.

[0035] Of course, other methods for closing the door include adding a spring to the hinge portion and using the elastic force to close the door, or adjusting the biasing force for the closed state. Furthermore, in order to maintain the closure of the blocking plate, a member for pressing the blocking plate from the outside may be used to change (control) the position of the pressing member, thereby adjusting the open / closed state.

[0036] ─Opening and closing mechanism─ In the first embodiment of the present invention, the blocking plate is opened and closed as shown in FIGS. That is, when the noodle sheet MT is fed to the cutting blade roll 7, the noodle sheet MT is detected by a sensor (photoelectric sensor or laser sensor) 27, and the timing is stored in the control device (FIG. 8). 8, the time point when the noodle sheet MT is sent to the cutting blade roll 7 is detected, but this is not limitative and other times are also possible. For example, the passage of the noodle sheet may be detected at any position in the rolling process, which is the previous process, and the timing may be stored.

[0037] The noodle sheet MT sent to the cutting blade rolls 7 is cut by the pair of cutting blade rolls 7, with the noodle strands entering the grooves, and scrapers 9 attached to each cutting blade roll 7 sweep out the noodle strands, and the swept-out noodle strands are sent to the conduit 3. The blocking plate 5 is biased to close the opening, and is normally kept closed. As a result, the noodle strings cut out from the noodle string cutting device travel through the conduit 3 and are folded and stacked while repeatedly bending in two layers, one above the other, to form a so-called "waved (curled) state" (FIGS. 6(A) and 7(A)).

[0038] Next, as the stacking state of the noodle strings increases, the force pressing down on the damming plates 5 increases, causing the damming plates 5 to partially open due to the pressing force exerted by the stacking of the noodle strings MS, and the discharge of some of the noodle strings MS begins. The discharged noodle strings are then transported by the transport conveyor 29 (FIG. 6(B)). At this time, the tip of the horizontal bar 23 is in a position that prevents the blocking plate 5 from opening beyond a predetermined angle.

[0039] Next, when a predetermined set time has elapsed from the timing detected by the sensor 27, the lifting device 25 for the horizontal bar 23 is activated, and the horizontal bar 23 rises (FIG. 6(C)). As horizontal bar 23 rises, the tip of horizontal bar 23 comes into contact with the inside of convex bent portion 21 protruding outward from damming plate 5, pressing it upward and causing damming plate 5 to rotate further. Damming plate 5 then enters a fully open state at the discharge portion of conduit 3. As a result, noodle strings MS in the conduit are discharged one after another while maintaining the continuous bent state in two stages, upper and lower, and are transported by transport conveyor 29 (FIGS. 6(D) and 7(B)).

[0040] After this, the noodle string groups MS to be cut out continue to be discharged and transported while being continuously maintained in the continuously bent state of two levels, upper and lower. A separating plate 31 is provided on the conveyor device to separate each group of noodle strings, that is, each row.

[0041] The first embodiment of the present invention described above is an example, and various variations are of course possible. For example, the detection by the sensor 27 is the timing when the noodle sheet is sent to the cutting blade roll 7, but other timings may also be detected, such as the timing when the passage of the noodle sheet MT is detected at any stage in the rolling process before slitting, or the timing when the noodle string group MS swept out from the cutting blade roll 7 is sent to the conduit 3, or of course other timings.

[0042] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the timing at which the damming plates 5 are fully opened by the raising of the horizontal bar 23 is controlled based on the time from when the noodle sheet MT is fed to the cutting blade rolls 7. However, as an alternative method, the damming plates 5 may be fully opened by the raising of the horizontal bar 23 at the timing when the damming plates 5 are opened to a predetermined angle. Note that a laser distance sensor or the like can be used to determine whether the damming plates 5 have been opened to the predetermined angle.

[0043] Furthermore, as another embodiment, a contact sensor may be attached to the tip of the horizontal bar 23, and when the dam plate rotates to a predetermined angle and comes into contact with it, this may be detected and the door may be fully opened. Furthermore, as another embodiment, a piezoelectric element may be used for the blocking plate 5, and control may be performed so that the plate opens when the pressure of a predetermined group of blocked noodle strings reaches a predetermined value.

[0044] Alternatively, the timing for fully opening the noodle strings may be adjusted by image recognition of the state of the noodle strings MS being discharged in the half-open state (the bent state (wave state) of the noodle strings). In this case, an image recognition sensor or the like may be used.

[0045] In the above embodiments, the horizontal bar 23 is fully opened by raising it using the lifting device 25. However, other than this, it is also possible to rotate the blocking plate 5 by controlling a motor via a gear, or to completely control the opening of the blocking plate by using a link mechanism or the like.

[0046] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, electrical control is not performed until the dam plate 5 is half-opened, and the dam plate is half-opened by the pressure of the noodle strings MS accumulated in the conduit, but this is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the dam plate may also be half-opened by electrical control.

[0047] In addition, in the above embodiment, a method using hinges 19 attached to the blocking plate 5 is shown, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the opening of the blocking plate 5 can be a shutter type or a double door (double swing). Of course, various methods can be selected from these methods. Furthermore, in each of the above aspects, it goes without saying that hydraulic or pneumatic working fluids may be used in addition to parts such as motors, gears, and screws.

[0048] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, waves are formed for multiple rows of noodle string groups MS for each group of noodle string groups MS. In this case, the blocking plates 5 may be opened and closed simultaneously for all rows, or may be opened and closed individually for each row. If each column is to be opened and closed individually, it is necessary to provide a control mechanism for opening and closing each column.

[0049] ─Control device─ The control device for the automatic wave forming device of the present invention is not particularly limited and various known methods can be used. Examples of control methods include PLC and relay control. Furthermore, control methods using a microcomputer are also possible. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] ─Transport conveyor device─ The noodle strands produced by the automatic wave-forming device of the present invention are transported by a predetermined transport conveyor and sequentially transferred to the next process. For example, in the case of producing instant noodles, they are transferred to a steaming process such as conveyor steaming.

[0051] ─Other─ By using the automatic noodle string wave-forming device 1 of the present invention, it is possible to automate the steps of forming noodle string waves, which until now have relied heavily on the skilled intuition of the operator, and this is useful. The present invention can also be effectively used in large-scale production in factories, such as production lines for instant noodles, etc. Furthermore, the use of the present invention can contribute to further promoting automation of one step in a production line for instant noodles, etc.

Claims

1. a noodle string cutting device including a pair of cutting blade rolls; a conduit through which a group of cut noodle strings discharged from the noodle string cutting device passes; a blocking plate capable of blocking the discharge of the noodle strings at an outlet of the conduit; an opening and closing mechanism for the blocking plate; An automatic wave forming device for noodle strings, comprising:

2. 2. The automatic noodle wave forming device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking plate is biased so as to be in a closed state.

3. 3. The automatic wave-forming device for noodle strings according to claim 1, wherein the blocking plate is controlled to open at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the noodle sheet or noodle strings passed through a predetermined position.

4. 3. The automatic noodle wave forming device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking plate is controlled to be fully opened when the blocking plate reaches a predetermined opening state.

5. 3. The automatic noodle wave forming device according to claim 1, wherein the state of the noodle strands discharged when the blocking plate is in a half-open state is judged and the opening degree is adjusted.

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