Polymerization nozzle and method for merging dough in the circumferential direction

Abstract

To provide a conjugate nozzle and a method for joining different kinds of dough in a circumferential direction.SOLUTION: A conjugate nozzle 1 comprises: an outer nozzle 3; an inner nozzle 4; a cylindrical inner wall 22 extending downward from the inner nozzle; and a guide wall 24 extending downward from the inner nozzle to partially surround the inner wall in a peripheral direction outside the inner wall. The inner wall and the guide wall constitute a lateral outlet opening 25b directed in a peripheral direction, and the lateral outlet opening is configured to allow second dough supplied between the inner wall and the guide wall to be exposed. The inner wall and the outer nozzle are configured such that the second dough exposed in the lateral outlet opening is covered with first dough supplied between the inner wall and the outer nozzle and that the second dough extruded from the lateral outlet opening toward the first dough in the peripheral direction enters an inside of the first dough along the inner wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a polymerization nozzle and method that are used in a stuffing machine or the like and merge different doughs in the circumferential direction.

Background Art

[0002] There are known a polymerization nozzle and method that discharge two types of doughs with different colors to form a food with a color-separated pattern (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the food formed by the polymerization nozzle and method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the boundary between different doughs is distinct. On the other hand, there is also a demand for products with a blurred appearance of the boundary.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a polymerization nozzle and method for merging different doughs in the circumferential direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the polymerization nozzle according to the present invention for merging a first fabric and a second fabric comprises an outer nozzle, an inner nozzle disposed inside the outer nozzle and having a hollow cylindrical portion, a cylindrical inner wall extending downward from the inner nozzle, a guide wall extending downward from the inner nozzle on the outside of the inner wall so as to partially surround the inner wall in the circumferential direction, and an opening formed in the inner nozzle between the inner wall and the guide wall. The inner wall and the guide wall constitute a circumferentially oriented lateral outlet opening, and the lateral outlet opening is configured such that the second fabric supplied from the opening is exposed between the inner wall and the guide wall. The inner wall and the outer nozzle are configured to cover the second fabric exposed at the lateral outlet opening with the first fabric supplied between the inner wall and the outer nozzle, and the second fabric extruded circumferentially from the lateral outlet opening toward the first fabric merges with the first fabric and enters the inside of the first fabric along the inner wall.

[0007] With the polymerization nozzle configured in this way, the second dough is extruded circumferentially from the lateral outlet opening toward the first dough, causing the first and second doughs to merge. This allows the second dough to penetrate the inside of the first dough along the inner wall, forming a boundary region where the thickness of the first dough increases circumferentially as the thickness of the second dough decreases circumferentially.

[0008] In the polymerization nozzle described above, preferably, the guide wall is formed integrally with the inner nozzle, and the outer surface of at least one circumferential end of the guide wall is separated from the outer nozzle so as to form a gap between it and the outer nozzle, and more preferably, it is inclined inward so as to form a wedge-shaped gap.

[0009] In the polymerization nozzle described above, preferably, the horizontal cross-section of the inner surface of the outer nozzle decreases towards the bottom.

[0010] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, the method according to the present invention for merging a first fabric and a second fabric is characterized by preparing a cylindrical inner wall and a guide wall that partially surrounds the outside of the inner wall in the circumferential direction, supplying the second fabric between the inner wall and the guide wall, supplying the first fabric so as to cover the second fabric that is exposed in the circumferential direction between the inner wall and the guide wall, and pushing the second fabric toward the first fabric in the circumferential direction to merge the first and second fabrics, thereby causing the second fabric to penetrate inside the first fabric along the inner wall, and forming a boundary region in which the thickness of the first fabric increases in the circumferential direction as the thickness of the second fabric decreases in the circumferential direction.

[0011] In the above method, preferably, a gap is formed between the outer nozzle and the guide wall, the first material is supplied to the gap, and more preferably, the gap has a wedge-shaped cross-section. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a partial cross-sectional view of a filling machine including a polymerization nozzle according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the bottom side of the inner nozzle. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1, without any fabric. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1, showing the fabric in its current state. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of food. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the food product. [Figure 7] This is a partial cross-sectional view of a filling machine including a modified polymerization nozzle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] An embodiment of the polymerization nozzle according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In the following description, "circumferential direction" refers to the direction around the central axis C of the polymerization nozzle 1, "outside" refers to the side farther from the central axis, and "inside" refers to the side closer to the central axis.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the stuffed product forming machine 100 includes a polymerization nozzle 1 and a shutter type cutting device 9. The cutting device 9 includes a plurality of shutter pieces 9a that can be opened and closed. Since the cutting device 9 is a prior art, its description is omitted.

[0015] The polymerization nozzle 1 has a cylindrical main body 2, a cylindrical outer nozzle 3, a cylindrical inner nozzle 4, and a cylindrical center member 5. The outer nozzle 3, the inner nozzle 4, and the center member 5 constitute passages 10 and 11 for supplying two types of outer skin materials D1 and D2, as will be described later.

[0016] The polymerization nozzle 1 further has double inner pipes 7 and 8 disposed inside the center member 5. The inner pipes 7 and 8 constitute passages 12 and 13 for supplying two types of inner materials F1 and F2, as will be described later.

[0017] The main body 2 is separable into an upper part 2a and a lower part 2b. The center member 5 is inserted into the upper part 2a of the main body 2. The outer nozzle 3 is disposed below the center member 5 and is held by the lower part 2b of the main body 2. The inner nozzle 4 is disposed inside the outer nozzle 3 and below the center member 5, and is supported by the center member 5, for example, by screwing. The outer nozzle 3 has an inner surface 3a, and the horizontal cross-section of the inner surface 3a becomes smaller downward.

[0018] The upper part 2a of the main body 2 has a first inlet passage 10a through which the first outer skin material D1 is supplied and a second inlet passage 11a through which the second outer skin material D2 is supplied. The center member 5 has an outer peripheral surface 5a and an inner peripheral surface 5b. The outer peripheral surface 5a has a groove 5c that communicates with the first inlet passage 10a and leads downward, and a through-hole 5d that communicates with the second inlet passage 11a and the inner peripheral surface 5b.

[0019] The groove 5c communicates with the inner space of the outer nozzle 3. Thus, the first inlet passage 10a, the groove 5c of the center member 5, and the space between the outer nozzle 3 and the inner nozzle 4 constitute a passage 10 for supplying the first outer skin material D1. It is preferable that an agitator 6 with blades for promoting the supply of the first outer skin material D1 is provided in the passage 10.

[0020] The through-hole 5d communicates with the inner space of the inner nozzle 4. Thus, the second inlet passage 11a, the through-hole 5d, the space between the center member 5 and the inner pipe 7, and the space between the inner nozzle 4 and the inner pipe 7 constitute a passage 11 for supplying the second outer skin material D2.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the inner nozzle 4 has a hollow cylindrical portion 21 and a bottom wall 21a.

[0022] The polymerization nozzle 1 further has a cylindrical inner wall 22 extending downward from the inner nozzle 4, a guide wall 24 extending downward from the inner nozzle 4 so as to partially surround the inner wall 22 in the circumferential direction outside the inner wall 22, and an opening 23 formed in the inner nozzle 4 between the inner wall 22 and the guide wall

[24] . In the present embodiment, the opening 23 is formed in the bottom wall 21a and extends approximately 180 degrees in the circumferential direction along the guide wall 24. In the present embodiment, the inner wall 22 and the guide wall 24 are integrally formed with the inner nozzle 4. It is preferable that the level of the lower end of the inner wall 22 and the level of the lower end of the guide wall 24 are the same.

[0023] The space inside the cylindrical portion 21 preferably communicates with the space inside the inner wall 22 through the central opening 22a of the bottom wall 21a. Also, the passage 11 for supplying the second outer skin material D2 communicates with the space 26 between the inner wall 22 and the guide wall 24 through the opening 23. Further, the inner wall 22 and the guide wall 24 constitute a downward lower outlet opening 25a and a vertically long horizontal outlet opening 25b directed in the circumferential direction. Also, the passage 10 communicates with the space 27 between the outer nozzle 3 and the inner wall 22. It is preferable that the vertical length of the guide wall 24 is greater than the interval between the guide wall 24 and the inner wall 22.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the guide wall 24 is separated from the inner surface 3a of the outer nozzle 3 at its upper end, but is in contact with the inner surface 3a of the outer nozzle 3 at its lower end. Therefore, the first outer shell material D1 supplied to the area outside the guide wall 24 (the space between the outer nozzle 3 and the guide wall 24) 27a is configured to be removed from the area outside the guide wall 24 at the lower end of the guide wall 24.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the outer surface 24b of the circumferential end 24a of the guide wall 24 is preferably away from the outer nozzle 3 and more preferably inclined inward. This allows the first outer shell material D1 to fit into the gap 28 (preferably with a wedge-shaped cross-section) between the guide wall 24 and the outer nozzle 3 at the lower end of the guide wall 24.

[0026] The first inner pipe 7 has a first inlet passage 12a into which the first inner material F1 is supplied. The second inner pipe 8 is positioned inside the first inner pipe 7 and has a second inlet passage 13a into which the second inner material F2 is supplied. The first inner pipe 7 is preferably fitted into the central opening 22a and inner wall 22 of the bottom wall 21a and extends downward below the inner wall 22.

[0027] Next, the operation of the polymerization nozzle according to the present invention will be described.

[0028] The first outer shell material D1 is supplied to the first entrance passage 10a, and the second outer shell material D2 is supplied to the second entrance passage 11a.

[0029] The first outer shell material D1 is supplied through the passage 10 (through the groove 5c of the center member 5 and the space between the outer nozzle 3 and the inner nozzle 4) to the space 27 between the outer nozzle 3 and the inner wall 22 and the space 27a between the outer nozzle 3 and the guide wall 24. It is preferable to accelerate the supply of the first outer shell material D by rotating the agitator 6. The second outer shell material D2 is supplied through the passage 11 (between the center member 5 and the inner nozzle 4 and the first inner pipe 7) and the opening 23 to the space 26 between the inner wall 22 and the guide wall 24. This exposes the second outer shell material D2 circumferentially at the lateral outlet opening 25b between the inner wall 22 and the guide wall 24. The first outer shell material D1 covers the second outer shell material D2 which is exposed circumferentially at the lateral outlet opening 25b.

[0030] Next, the second outer shell material D2 is pushed out circumferentially from the lateral exit opening 25b toward the first outer shell material D1 in the space 27, bringing the first outer shell material D1 and the second outer shell material D2 together. At this time, since the first outer shell material D1 covers the second outer shell material D2 which is exposed circumferentially at the lateral exit opening 25b, the second outer shell material D2 that has been pushed out circumferentially enters the inside of the first outer shell material D1 along the inner wall 22.

[0031] As the first and second outer shell materials D1 and D2 move downward along the elongated horizontal exit opening 25b, the second outer shell material D2 further penetrates circumferentially into the interior of the first outer shell material D1. As a result, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a boundary region DR1 is formed in which the thickness of the first outer shell material D1 increases circumferentially as the thickness of the second outer shell material D2 decreases circumferentially. That is, the boundary region DR1 between the first and second outer shell materials D1 expands circumferentially. In the boundary region DR1, the interface surface DB between the first and second outer shell materials D1 extends diagonally from the guide wall 24 to the inner wall. If the first outer shell material D1 is a relatively transparent fabric, the boundary between the first and second outer shell materials D2 can be blurred when the product P is viewed from the outside.

[0032] Furthermore, as the first outer shell material D1 and the second outer shell material D2 are extruded downward from the upper end to the lower end of the guide wall 24, the horizontal cross-section of the inner surface 3a of the outer nozzle 3 becomes smaller. Also, the first outer shell material D1 fits into the gap 28 (wedge-shaped cross-section) between the end 24a of the guide wall 24 and the outer nozzle 3.

[0033] At the lower end of the guide wall 24, the inner surface 3a of the outer nozzle 3 contacts the guide wall 24, so that the region where the first outer shell material D1 exists and the region where the second outer shell material D2 exists are separated in the circumferential direction. At this time, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the sum of the thicknesses of the first outer shell material D1 and the second outer shell material D2 is approximately constant in the circumferential direction, and the outer shell materials D1 and D2 are tubular. Furthermore, as described above, a boundary region DR1 is formed in which the thickness of the first outer shell material D1 increases in the circumferential direction as the second outer shell material D2 becomes thinner.

[0034] Furthermore, when the first outer shell material D1 is pushed out below the lower end of the guide wall 24, the thin first outer shell material D1 that has entered the (wedge-shaped cross-section) gap 28 between the end 24a of the guide wall 24 and the outer nozzle 3 remains on top of the second outer shell material D2, forming a boundary region DR2. In the case of a wedge-shaped cross-section gap 28, the thickness of the second outer shell material D2 decreases toward the first outer shell material D1 in the boundary region DR2.

[0035] In boundary regions DR1 and DR2, the thickness of the first outer shell material D1 is thin or changes, so if the first outer shell material D1 is a relatively transparent material, the boundary between the first outer shell material D1 and the second outer shell material D2 can be blurred.

[0036] When the first outer shell material D1 and the second outer shell material D2 are further pushed downward, the cross-section of the inner surface 3a of the outer nozzle 3 becomes even smaller, and the first outer shell material D1 and the second outer shell material D2 are compressed and tightly adhered to each other.

[0037] Furthermore, the first inner material F1 and the second inner material F2 are extruded into the tubular outer material D1 and D2. Finally, the first outer material D1 and the second outer material D2 are extruded in a tubular shape, and the double inner material F1 and F2 are extruded inside them. After that, the rod-shaped material may be cut with a cutting device 9 to form a spherical product P or a rod-shaped product.

[0038] Although examples of polymerization nozzles according to the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, various modifications are possible within the claims, and these are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the outer surface 24b of the circumferential end 24a of the guide wall 24 is inclined inward to form a gap 28. However, as a modified example, a recess may be provided on the inner surface 3a of the outer nozzle 3 to form a gap between the guide wall 24 and the outer nozzle 3. In the above embodiment, the gap 28 is formed at both circumferential ends 24a of the guide wall 24, but it may be formed at only one circumferential end 24a. Furthermore, the gap 28 may have a wedge-shaped cross-section or a cross-section of the same width.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the inner wall 22 was integrally formed with the inner nozzle 4, but it may also be formed by, for example, the first inner pipe 7. Similarly, although the guide wall 24 was integrally formed with the inner nozzle 4, it may also be formed by, for example, the outer nozzle 3.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the lateral exit opening 25b was configured at both circumferential ends 24a of the guide wall 24, but the lateral exit opening 25b may be configured at only one circumferential end 24a. In this case, it is preferable that the space between the inner wall 22 and the other circumferential end 24a be closed off by a partition wall or the like.

[0042] The horizontal cross-sectional shapes of the inner pipe 7, inner wall 22, and inner surface 3a of the outer nozzle 3 are arbitrary and may be circular, or polygonal, such as a square. Similarly, the contour of the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the guide wall 24 is arbitrary and may be arc-shaped or composed of multiple sides of a polygon.

[0043] In the above embodiment, internal materials F1 and F2 were supplied, but it is not necessary to supply internal materials F1 and F2 by, for example, eliminating the internal space of the inner wall 22.

[0044] In the above embodiment, a product P in which two types of outer shell materials D1 and D2 are joined in the circumferential direction was described. However, for example, by separating the passage 11 in the circumferential direction, three or more types of outer shell materials may be joined in the circumferential direction.

[0045] Furthermore, by configuring the outer nozzle 3 and inner nozzle 4 to be rotatable, the boundary between different fabrics may be made into a spiral pattern.

[0046] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7, the agitator 6 may be removed, and instead, the outer nozzle 3 may be configured to rotate at any speed. This promotes the circumferential movement of the first outer shell material D1 and the second outer shell material D2, making it easier for the second outer shell material D2 to penetrate circumferentially into the inside of the first outer shell material D1. As a result, even if the first outer shell material D1 and the second outer shell material D2 are relatively hard doughs that do not easily form a boundary region DR1, such as mochi dough, it becomes possible to form a boundary region DR1. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 1 Polymerization nozzle 3. Outer nozzle 3a Inner surface 4. Inner nozzle 21 Cylinder part 22 Inner wall 23 Aperture 24 Guide Wall 24a Circumferential end 24b External surface 25b Side exit opening 28 gaps D1 First outer shell material (first base material) D2 Second outer shell material (second base material) DR1 border area

Claims

1. A polymerization nozzle (1) for combining a first dough (D1) and a second dough (D2), Outer nozzle (3) and An inner nozzle (4) is positioned inside the outer nozzle (3) and has a hollow cylindrical portion (21), A cylindrical inner wall (22) extending downward from the inner nozzle (4), A guide wall (24) extends downward from the inner nozzle (4) on the outside of the inner wall (22) so as to partially surround the inner wall (22) in the circumferential direction, The inner nozzle (4) has an opening (23) formed between the inner wall (22) and the guide wall (24), The inner wall (22) and the guide wall (24) constitute a lateral exit opening (25b) oriented in the circumferential direction. The lateral exit opening (25b) is configured such that the second fabric (D2) supplied from the opening (23) is exposed between the inner wall (22) and the guide wall (24). The polymerization nozzle (1) is configured such that the inner wall (22) and the outer nozzle (3) cover the second fabric (D2) exposed at the lateral outlet opening (25b) with the first fabric (D1) supplied between the inner wall (22) and the outer nozzle (3), and that the second fabric (D2) extruded circumferentially from the lateral outlet opening (25b) toward the first fabric (D1) merges with the first fabric (D1) and enters the inside of the first fabric (D1) along the inner wall (22).

2. The polymerization nozzle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the guide wall (24) is formed integrally with the inner nozzle (4), and the outer surface (24b) of at least one circumferential end (24a) of the guide wall (24) is separated from the outer nozzle (3) so as to form a gap (28) between it and the outer nozzle (3).

3. The polymerization nozzle (1) according to claim 2, wherein the outer surface (24b) of at least one circumferential end (24a) of the guide wall (24) is inclined inward to form a wedge-shaped gap (28) between it and the outer nozzle (3).

4. The polymerization nozzle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal cross-section of the inner surface (3a) of the outer nozzle (3) becomes smaller towards the bottom.

5. The polymerization nozzle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the outer nozzle (3) is configured to be rotatable.

6. A method for combining a first dough (D1) and a second dough (D2) supplied to a polymerization nozzle (1), The polymerization nozzle (1) includes an outer nozzle (3), an inner nozzle (4) disposed inside the outer nozzle (3), a cylindrical inner wall (22), and a guide wall (24) that partially surrounds the outside of the inner wall (22) in the circumferential direction. The second fabric (D2) is supplied from the inner nozzle (4) between the inner wall (22) and the guide wall (24). The first fabric (D1) is supplied from the outer nozzle (3) so as to cover the second fabric (D2) which is exposed in the circumferential direction between the inner wall (22) and the guide wall (24). The second fabric (D2) is extruded circumferentially toward the first fabric (D1), causing the first fabric (D1) and the second fabric (D2) to merge, thereby causing the second fabric (D2) to penetrate into the inside of the first fabric (D1) along the inner wall (22). A method for forming a boundary region (DR1) in which the thickness of the first fabric (D1) increases in the circumferential direction as the thickness of the second fabric (D2) decreases in the circumferential direction.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein a gap (28) is formed between the outer nozzle (3) and the guide wall (24), and the first fabric (D1) is supplied to the gap (28).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the gap (28) has a wedge-shaped cross-section.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the outer nozzle (3) is rotated.

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