Curling device for dough pieces

Abstract

A curling sheet (10a) has a lower surface facing a conveyor belt (2b), the lower surface including a first portion (11) that has a relatively higher gripping force on a dough piece (D), and a second portion (12) that has a relatively lower gripping force on the dough piece (D). The first portion (11) constitutes the lower surface of the curling sheet (10a) in an upstream region (10e) where curling of the dough piece (D) is begun, and constitutes the middle section in the width direction (B) of the lower surface in a downstream region (10f) where the curling of the dough piece (D) is finished. The second portion constitutes both side sections of the curling sheet.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for curling flat food dough pieces.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a curling apparatus that curls a substantially triangular and flat dough piece conveyed by a lower conveyor using a curling sheet (for example, Patent Document 1). The dough piece is a dough piece for food, and is, for example, a dough piece for bread such as a croissant or a butter roll.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] At both ends of the dough piece that has been curled by the curling apparatus and emerged from the curling sheet, the surface may be rubbed and rough. If the surface is rough, it may deteriorate the quality of the final product.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a curling apparatus capable of reducing the roughness of the surface of the dough piece at both ends of the dough piece emerging from the curling sheet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the curling apparatus according to the present invention is a curling apparatus for curling flat pieces of dough, comprising: a lower conveyor having a conveyor belt for transporting the pieces of dough; and a curling sheet unit disposed on the conveyor belt, wherein the curling sheet unit includes a curling sheet for curling the pieces of dough, the curling sheet has a lower surface facing the conveyor belt, the lower surface includes a first portion having a relatively large gripping force on the pieces of dough and a second portion having a relatively small gripping force on the pieces of dough, the lower surface of the curling sheet is characterized in that the upstream region where the curling of the pieces of dough begins is composed of the first portion, and the downstream region where the curling of the pieces of dough ends is composed of the first portion in the width direction and the sides thereof are composed of the second portion.

[0007] In the above embodiment, preferably, the first portion is an uneven surface and the second portion is a smooth surface.

[0008] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, preferably, the curling sheet unit has a resistance portion in the upstream region that promotes the curling of the fabric pieces, and the resistance portion may include a sheet separate from the curling sheet, or it may include a rod-shaped portion integrated with the curling sheet.

[0009] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, preferably, the curling sheet has notches or holes through which the spray can pass.

[0010] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, preferably, the curling sheet is further provided with weights positioned on both sides in the width direction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view of a curling device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the curling apparatus. [Figure 3] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the curling device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a schematic side view showing a wound fabric piece. [Figure 5] It is a partial enlarged front view of the first embodiment of the curling sheet unit. [Figure 6] It is a view showing the lower surface of the long sheet of the curling sheet unit of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is an enlarged perspective view of the lower surface of the long sheet. [Figure 8] It is a view showing the lower surface of the short sheet of the curling sheet unit of FIG. 5. [Figure 9] It is a side view of the short sheet of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a view showing the lower surfaces of the long sheet and the short sheet of the curling sheet unit of FIG. 5. [Figure 11] It is a partial enlarged front view of the second embodiment of the curling sheet unit. [Figure 12] It is a view showing the lower surface of the long sheet of the curling sheet unit of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] It is a view showing the lower surface of the short sheet of the curling sheet unit of FIG. 11. [Figure 14] It is a side view of the short sheet of FIG. 13 [Figure 15] It is a partial enlarged front view of the third embodiment of the curling sheet unit. [Figure 16] It is a view showing the lower surface of the long sheet of the curling sheet unit of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] It is a side view of the long sheet of FIG. 16.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Embodiments of the curling device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0013] The curling device 1 has a lower conveyor 2 for conveying the fabric piece D in the conveying direction A, a press roller device 3, a curling unit 4, a spray device 5, and a curling position adjusting device 6.

[0014] The fabric piece D is flat and substantially triangular, and its base is aligned in the width direction B perpendicular to the conveying direction A.

[0015] The lower conveyor 2 includes a first conveyor belt 2a, a second conveyor belt 2b arranged adjacent to the first conveyor belt 2a on its downstream side, and a third conveyor belt 2c arranged adjacent to the second conveyor belt 2b on its downstream side. Each of the conveyor belts 2a, 2b, 2c is preferably configured such that the conveyed fabric piece D does not move on the surface of the conveyor belt as much as possible. The speed of the second conveyor belt 2b is preferably faster than the speed of the first conveyor belt 2a and the speed of the third conveyor belt 2c.

[0016] The press roller device 3 is arranged on the first conveyor belt 2a. The press roller device 3 has a press roller 3a arranged above the downstream end of the first conveyor belt 2a, a drive mechanism 3b for moving the press roller 3a up and down (for example, including an air cylinder), and a sensor 3c for detecting the fabric piece D. The press roller 3a is preferably configured to be rotated by another motor. The press roller device 3 is preferably configured to lower the press roller 3a when the fabric piece D reaches the press roller 3a based on the moving distance of the first conveyor belt 2a after detecting the fabric piece D by the sensor 3c.

[0017] The curling unit 4 is positioned on the second conveyor belt 2b. The curling unit 4 includes a frame 4a, an upstream span 4b, a downstream span 4c, a curling sheet unit 10, and a weight 20. The curling sheet unit 10 hangs down from the upstream span 4b. The configuration of the curling sheet unit 10 will be described in detail later. The weight 20 hangs down from the upstream span 4b and the downstream span 4c.

[0018] The spray device 5 is positioned on the second conveyor belt 2b. The spray device 5 has a spray nozzle 5a and a sensor 5b. Preferably, the spray device 5 is configured such that after the sensor 5b detects the dough piece D, spraying by the spray nozzle 5a occurs when the dough piece D reaches the hole 10ca (see Figure 10) of the curling sheet unit 10, based on the distance traveled by the second conveyor belt 2b.

[0019] The curling position adjustment device 6 is positioned on the third conveyor belt 2c. The curling position adjustment device 6 has a frame 6a, a support portion 6b supported by the frame 6a and extending in the conveying direction A at the center of the width direction B, and a pressing portion 6c hanging down from both ends of the support portion 6b.

[0020] As shown in Figure 5, the curling sheet unit 10 has a support portion 22 attached to the upstream span 4b, and a sheet hanging down from the support portion 22 and extending in the conveying direction A along the conveyor belt 2b. In this embodiment, the sheet is composed of a long sheet 10a and a short sheet 10b.

[0021] As shown in Figure 6, the long sheet 10a is rectangular and has a width wider than the fabric piece D and a length sufficient to curl the fabric piece D. The long sheet 10a is preferably flexible in the conveying direction A and the width direction B in order to conform to the shape of the fabric piece D being curled. The long sheet 10a is made of polyester, for example, the same material as the conveyor belt 2b.

[0022] The long sheet 10a has an upstream region 10e that includes the portion where the curling of the dough piece D begins, and a downstream region 10f that includes the portion where the curling of the dough piece D ends. The upstream region 10e also has a notch 10c extending in the transport direction in the center of the width direction B.

[0023] The lower surface 10d of the long sheet 10a includes a first portion 11 that provides a greater grip for curling the fabric piece D, and a second portion 12 that provides a lesser grip. For example, the first portion 11 is an uneven surface, and the second portion 12 is a smooth surface (see Figure 7). The upper surface of the long sheet 10a is any surface.

[0024] The long sheet 10a is made, for example, from a commercially available belt material. This belt material has irregularities on its entire surface. In detail, it mainly has cylindrical protrusions (see Figure 6). Therefore, it is preferable to form the second portion 12 by scraping off the protrusions in the portion corresponding to the second portion 12. As a result, the thickness of the second portion 12 of the long sheet 10a becomes thinner than the thickness of the first portion 11.

[0025] On the lower surface 10d of the curling sheet 10a, the upstream region 10e where the curling of the dough piece D begins is composed of a first portion 11 extending in the width direction B, and the downstream region 10f where the curling of the dough piece D ends is composed of the first portion 11 in the center in the width direction B, with the second portion 12 on both sides. In the region between the upstream region 10e and the downstream region 10f, the first portion 11 narrows toward the downstream side in the conveying direction A, that is, the second portion 12 widens toward the downstream side in the conveying direction A.

[0026] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the short sheet 10b is rectangular, has the same width as the long sheet 10a, and is positioned in the upstream region 10e on top of the long sheet 10a and between it and the notch 10c to form a hole 10ca. For example, the short sheet 10b is made of the same material as the long sheet 10a (e.g., polyester), and its lower surface has the same uneven surface as the first portion 11. It is also preferable that a plurality of rod-shaped portions 10g extending in the conveying direction be attached to the upper surface of the short sheet 10b. The rod-shaped portions 10g are made of polyester, for example. The short sheet 10b and the rod-shaped portions 10g constitute a resistance portion for forming the core of the fabric piece D.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the weights 20 are, for example, stainless steel chains, and are placed on the curling sheet 10a and on both sides in the width direction B.

[0028] Next, the operation of the curling device according to the present invention will be described.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, a nearly triangular piece of dough D, with its base aligned in the width direction B, is transported by the first conveyor belt 2a. The piece of dough D is detected by the sensor 3a of the press roller device 3, and as the piece of dough D passes the press roller 3a, the press roller 3a is lowered to hold the piece of dough D while transporting it.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, when the dough piece D comes into contact with the curling sheet unit 10, that is, the upstream region 10e of the long sheet 10a, a core for curling is formed and curling begins. The upstream region 10e is formed by the first portion 11 which has gripping force, so it provides resistance to the upper surface of the dough piece D and promotes the formation of the core of the dough piece D. The resistance portion (short sheet 10b and rod-shaped portion 10g) also adds resistance to the upper surface of the dough piece D and promotes the formation of the core of the dough piece D. The core of the dough piece D is drawn between the second conveyor belt 2b and the curling sheet unit 10 and begins to roll. At this time, it is preferable that the dough piece D between the core of the dough piece D and the press roller 3a is stretched. Once the dough piece D has passed the press roller 3a, the press roller 3a is raised.

[0031] Furthermore, the rear end of the dough piece D is detected by the sensor 5b of the spray device 5, and water is sprayed from the spray nozzle 5a when the rear end of the dough piece D passes through the hole 10ca. This causes the rear end of the dough piece D to adhere to the curled dough piece D. This is to prevent the rear end of the dough piece D from separating from the adhesion point and causing the curled dough piece DC to unravel. Since the spray nozzle 5a is positioned downstream of the press roller 3a and the upstream region 10e, water does not adhere to the press roller 3a and the upstream region 10e, preventing the dough piece D from sticking to them.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the diameter of the curled dough piece D gradually increases. The long sheet 10a of the curling sheet unit 10 conforms to the shape of the dough piece D and bends in the conveying direction A. Also, as shown in Figure 4, the long sheet 10a contacts the dough piece D at its maximum diameter and, due to the flexibility of the long sheet 10a and the weight 20, bends downward toward both sides in the width direction B. This ensures that the dough piece D is curled straight in the conveying direction A. In other words, it prevents the dough piece D from being curled at an angle and prevents variations in the shape of the dough piece DC after curling.

[0033] During the latter half of the curling of the dough piece D and after its completion, the small diameter ends of the core of the dough piece D may come into contact with the long sheet 10a. Since the dough piece D is rolling in contact with the long sheet 10a at its maximum diameter, a speed difference is created between the core of the dough piece D and the long sheet 10a. If the long sheet 10a has a bottom surface with high gripping force, the dough piece D will rub against the long sheet 10, causing its surface to become rough. In the curling device 1 according to the present invention, the bottom surface 10d of the long sheet 10a is composed of a second portion 12 with low gripping force against the dough piece D on both sides in the width direction that come into contact with the core of the dough piece D, at least in the downstream region 10f where the curling of the dough piece D has finished (preferably in the downstream region 10f and the region adjacent to its upstream side). Therefore, even if the dough piece D comes into contact with the long sheet 10, it is possible to suppress the roughening of the surface of the dough piece D. Furthermore, since the center of the width direction B of the lower surface 10d of the long sheet 10a is composed of the first part 11, the rolling of the fabric pieces D and DC can be reliably maintained.

[0034] In order to change the position of the rear end of the dough piece D in the curled dough piece DC to a position where it is in contact with the third conveyor belt 2c, for example, the curled dough piece DC is rolled a predetermined distance between the third conveyor belt 2c and the pressing portion 6c of the curling position adjustment device 6.

[0035] Next, with reference to Figure 11, a first modified example of the curling sheet unit will be described. The curling sheet unit 14 has a support 22 attached to the upstream span 4b and a sheet hanging down from the support 22 and extending in the conveying direction A along the conveyor belt 2b, which consists of a long sheet 14a and two short sheets 14b.

[0036] As shown in Figure 12, the long sheet 14a has a similar configuration to the long sheet 10a of the curling sheet unit 10. The reference numerals assigned to the common components have been changed from 10 to 14, and their descriptions have been omitted.

[0037] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the short sheet 14b is rectangular and has the same width as the distance between the edge of the long sheet 14a and the notch 14c. Two short sheets 14b are arranged in the upstream region 14e on top of the long sheet 14a and not overlapping with the notch 14c. For example, the short sheet 10b is made of the same material as the long sheet 10a, and its lower surface has the same uneven surface as the first portion 11. It is also preferable that multiple rod-shaped portions 14g extending in the conveying direction be attached to the upper surface of the short sheet 14b. The short sheet 14b and the rod-shaped portions 14g constitute a resistance portion for forming the core of the dough piece D. Since the curling sheet unit 14 has a notch 14c, it is preferable to use it when filling is placed inside the dough piece D.

[0038] Next, a second modification of the curling sheet unit will be described with reference to Figure 15. The curling sheet unit 16 has a support 22 attached to the upstream span 4b and a sheet hanging down from the support 22 and extending in the conveying direction A along the conveyor belt 2b, which is composed of a long sheet 16a.

[0039] As shown in Figure 16, the long sheet 16a has a similar configuration to the long sheet 10a of the curling sheet unit 10. The reference numerals assigned to the common components have been changed from 10 to 16, and their descriptions have been omitted.

[0040] As shown in Figure 16, the long sheet 16a has holes 16c in the upstream region 16e and in the center in the width direction B for allowing sprayed water to pass through. Furthermore, it is preferable that multiple rod-shaped portions 16g extending in the conveying direction be attached to the upper surface of the long sheet 16b. The rod-shaped portions 16g constitute a resistance portion for forming the core of the dough piece D.

[0041] Even when using modified curling sheet units 14 and 16, the operation of the curling device 1 according to the present invention is the same as when using curling sheet unit 10.

[0042] Although embodiments of the curling apparatus according to the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. That is, various modifications are possible within the claims, and these are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the first portion 11 was an uneven surface and the second portion 12 was a smooth surface, but it is not limited to this. The shapes of the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 are arbitrary as long as they have different gripping forces against the fabric piece D. For example, the uneven shape of the first portion 11 is arbitrary, and for example, the first portion 11 may be constructed by forming a large number of holes in a smooth surface. In other examples, the first portion 11 may be a surface with relatively high frictional force against the fabric piece D, and the second portion 12 may be a surface with relatively low frictional force against the fabric piece D. In other examples, the surface may be constructed by a combination of two sheets with different surface slipperiness or by a combination of a metal chain and a urethane belt. Also, the long sheets 10a, 14a, and 16a may be constructed by laminating a sheet for the first portion 11 and a sheet for the second portion 12, which are made separately.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the lower surfaces 10d, 14d, and 16d of the long sheets 10a, 14a, and 16a were composed of two parts 11 and 12. However, a third part having an intermediate grip strength between the first part 11 and the second part 12 may be added between the first part 11 and the second part 12, for example.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the shape of the dough piece D was approximately triangular, but it is not limited to that. The shape of the dough piece D may be, for example, a core for curling that protrudes from both sides in the width direction B of the dough piece DC after curling. In this case, generally speaking, the width of the dough piece D narrows towards the rear end (upstream side).

[0046] In the above embodiment, the speeds of the first to third conveyor belts 2a, 2b, and 2c were different, but the speeds of the first to third conveyor belts 2a, 2b, and 2c may be the same as long as the dough pieces D can be curled. Also, the lower conveyor 2 may consist of a single conveyor belt.

[0047] The press roller device 3, spray device 5, and curling position adjustment device 6 may be omitted if they are not necessary for curling the dough piece D. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Curling device 2b Second conveyor belt 4 Curling Unit 10, 14, 16 Curling Sheet Units 10a, 14a, 16a long sheets 10b, 14b Short sheet (resistor section) 10c, 14c notch 10d, 14d, 16d bottom surface 10e, 14e, 16e Upstream region 10f, 14f, 16f Downstream area 10g, 14g, 16g Rod-shaped part (resistance part) 11 Part 1 12. Part 2 16c hole 20 weights A Conveying direction B Width direction D fabric piece DC rolled dough pieces

Claims

1. A curling device (1) for curling flat pieces of dough (D), A lower conveyor (2) having a conveyor belt (2b) for transporting dough pieces (D), The system includes curling sheet units (10, 14, 16) arranged on the conveyor belt (2b), The curling sheet unit (10, 14, 16) includes curling sheets (10a, 14a, 16a) for curling the fabric pieces (D), The curling sheets (10a, 14a, 16a) have lower surfaces (10d, 14d, 16d) facing the conveyor belt (2b), and the lower surfaces (10d, 14d, 16d) include a first portion (11) with a relatively large grip force on the dough pieces (D) and a second portion (12) with a relatively small grip force on the dough pieces (D). The curling device (1) is configured such that the lower surfaces (10d, 14d, 16d) of the curling sheets (10a, 14a, 16a) are composed of the first portion (11) in the upstream region (10e, 14e, 16e) where the curling of the dough pieces (D) begins, and in the downstream region (10f, 14f, 16f) where the curling of the dough pieces (D) has ended, the center in the width direction is composed of the first portion (11), and both sides are composed of the second portion (12).

2. The curling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first portion (11) is an uneven surface and the second portion (12) is a smooth surface.

3. The curling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the curling sheet unit (10, 14, 16) has a resistance portion in the upstream region (10e, 14e, 16e) that promotes the curling of the fabric piece (D).

4. The curling device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the resistive portion includes sheets (10b, 14b) separate from the curling sheets (10a, 14a).

5. The curling device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the resistive portion includes a rod-shaped portion (16g) integrated with the curling sheet (16a).

6. The curling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the curling sheet (10a, 14a, 16a) has notches or holes (10c, 14c, 16c) through which the spray passes.

7. Furthermore, the curling device (1) according to claim 1 has weights (20) placed on the curling sheets (10a, 14a, 16a) and on both sides in the width direction (B).

Images