Apparatus for forming folded food products, and method for forming folded food products.

Abstract

A device (1) for forming a foldable food product (P) in which a flat outer shell ingredient (D) is folded and an inner ingredient (F) is wrapped up, the device (1) having: a pair of molding rollers (66U, 66D); and an end-part-pressing member (59) that is disposed above the pair of molding rollers, the end-part-pressing member being capable of being raised and lowered. The end-part-pressing member can be lowered such that end parts (DB) on both sides of a central part (DC) of the outer shell ingredient are pressed between the pair of molding rollers to form a folded portion in the outer shell ingredient. After the folded part is formed in the outer shell ingredient and the end-part-pressing member is raised, the pair of molding rollers can approach each other such that the folded part in the outer shell ingredient is compressed.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for forming a folded food by folding a flat outer skin material that is food dough to wrap an inner material placed on the outer skin material, and more particularly relates to an apparatus and a method for forming a folded food by rotating a pair of opposing forming rollers. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a dumpling forming apparatus including: a wrapper placing plate provided with an opening through which a dumpling wrapper can be pushed and inserted; an ingredient filling piston that pushes the wrapper into the opening and fills the wrapper with ingredients; and a pair of forming rolls provided with forming recesses for forming ingredient containing portions of dumplings at corresponding positions on the peripheral surfaces thereof. When the pair of forming rolls synchronously rotate inward, the wrapper on the forming rolls is folded in half to wrap the ingredients, the ears of the dumpling are crimped in the gap between the opposing forming rolls, and the dumpling is thus formed.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a food manufacturing apparatus including: a pair of rotating bodies, each of which has a placing portion formed on a side surface thereof for placing a plate-shaped food dough; and a dough supply device disposed above the rotating bodies and configured to supply the food dough to the rotating bodies. When the pair of rotating bodies synchronously rotate inward, the food dough placed across the rotating bodies is folded in half to wrap the content, the food dough is sandwiched between the opposing rotating bodies, and a food with the content enclosed in the food dough is thus manufactured. Further, the dough supply device is configured to stretch the food dough in a direction substantially orthogonal to the thickness of the food dough before placing the food dough on the placing portion. The food manufacturing apparatus rotates the rotating bodies to manufacture the food before the stretched food dough completely shrinks. According to the food manufacturing apparatus, tension can be imparted to the surface of the food dough, and a food with a firm texture can be manufactured.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a food molding apparatus comprising: a receiving member having an opening on which a sheet-like outer shell material is placed; an outer shell material forming means for forming the outer shell material in half by moving the portion of the outer shell material positioned in the opening downward from the opening; a sealing means positioned below the receiving member for sealing the edges of the folded outer shell material; and a sealing means positioned above the receiving member for sealing the upper edge of the folded outer shell material. Furthermore, the outer shell material forming means includes a pushing means for pushing the outer shell material into the opening, and the pushing means has a pair of pushing bars attached to both sides thereof and also includes an inner material supply means. The food molding apparatus also includes a holding means for holding the edges of the outer shell material on the receiving member.

[0005] In the food molding apparatus, the outer shell material is held at both ends on a receiving member by a holding means, and the center of the outer shell material is pushed into the opening by a pressing means, while the edges of the outer shell material are pushed in by a pressing bar, causing it to fold in half. Furthermore, the inner material is supplied to the inside of the outer shell material by an inner material supply means, and after the pressing means is raised, the edges of the folded outer shell material are pressed from both sides by a sealing means and a sealing means, thereby forming the food.

[0006] Patent Document 4 discloses a folding food molding apparatus that includes: a packaging unit on which a flat outer shell material is placed and which consists of a pair of packaging plates having an opening in the center, and which folds and overlaps the peripheral edge of the outer shell material to enclose an inner material placed on the outer shell material and seals it; a pressing member provided so as to be vertically movable relative to the packaging unit and which presses the peripheral edge of the outer shell material against the packaging unit; a bowl-shape forming device that extends a part of the outer shell material located above the opening downward from the opening to form the outer shell material into a bowl shape; a positioning device provided above the packaging unit so as to be vertically movable relative to the packaging unit and which aligns the outer shell material to a required position relative to the packaging unit; and a control device that separately drives and controls the vertical movement of the positioning device and the pressing member. Furthermore, the molding apparatus includes an extension device that pushes the peripheral edges at both ends of the outer shell material downward between the pair of packaging plates. The molding apparatus also includes a reciprocating mechanism that moves the pair of packaging plates closer together and further apart.

[0007] In the molding device, the outer shell material, with the inner material placed on its upper surface, is positioned on a pair of wrapping plates by the positioning member of the positioning device, and its outer shape is formed. Then, with the pressing member pressing the periphery of the outer shell material against the wrapping plates, the outer shell material is formed into a bowl shape by the bowl-shaping device. Furthermore, as the pair of extension members of the extension device descend to a set position between the pair of wrapping plates, which are separated from each other, the periphery of the outer shell material is pushed downward. After the positioning member, pressing member and extension member rise, the pair of wrapping plates move closer to each other, and the periphery of the outer shell material located between the wrapping plates is compressed and sealed. Finally, as the pair of wrapping plates oscillate to close, the periphery of the outer shell material is folded and overlapped, forming a folded food product with sealed periphery. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-089546 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-099566 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-329177 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-194008 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it was found that the placement position of the noodle wrapper on the pair of molding rollers was unstable, and the outer wrapper material could not be folded in half at the desired position. Furthermore, it was found that when the pair of molding rollers rotate synchronously inward, the outer wrapper material slips against the pair of molding rollers, resulting in an unstable shape for the folded food product.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a new molding apparatus and molding method that can stably mold folded food products without the outer material shifting from a desired position relative to the molding roller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve this objective, a folding food molding apparatus is provided, which includes a folding device for folding a flat outer material to enclose an inner material, wherein the folding device includes a pressing device, a pressing device, and a wrapping device disposed below the pressing device, the pressing device is vertically movable relative to the wrapping device and has two end pressing members for pressing both peripheral edges of the outer material placed on the wrapping device into the wrapping device, the wrapping device includes a placement unit and a wrapping unit disposed below the placement unit, the wrapping unit includes two forming rollers disposed opposite to each other, the forming rollers have recesses, the two forming rollers are configured to rotate in opposite directions to each other, and the end pressing members are disposed on both sides of the recesses of the forming rollers.

[0012] For example, the two molding rollers of the packaging unit are configured to be able to move closer to and further away from each other.

[0013] For example, the mounting unit described above includes two mounting members that are arranged opposite each other and can move toward and away from each other, and the pressing device includes two pressing members corresponding to each of the mounting members, and the pressing members are configured to be able to move up and down relative to the mounting members and move toward and away from each other.

[0014] For example, the downward position reached by the end-pressing member is between the opposing molding rollers, and is at the same height as, or higher than, the height at which the axis of the molding roller is positioned.

[0015] For example, the pressing device includes a central pressing member for pressing the inner material into the central part of the outer material, and the central pressing member is configured to be vertically movable relative to the aforementioned mounting member.

[0016] For example, the molding roller is controlled so that the phase of the recess when its rotation is stopped can be adjusted.

[0017] Furthermore, in order to achieve this objective, a method for forming a folded food product in which a flat outer shell material is folded to enclose an inner material is provided, comprising: (a) a step of transferring the outer shell material from a supply conveyor to two mounting members arranged opposite each other, and (b) a step of lowering two pressing members to enclose the outer shell material The process includes: (d) pressing the peripheral edges of the material against the aforementioned mounting members; (f) lowering the end pressing member to push the peripheral edges on both sides of the outer shell material downward from between the aforementioned mounting members and extend it between the opposing molding rollers; (g) raising the end pressing member and bringing the molding rollers closer together to compress the folded portion of the peripheral edges; and (g) rotating the opposing molding rollers inward relative to each other to form the periphery of the outer shell material on which the inner material is placed on the inner surface of the recess formed in the molding rollers, and sealing the opposing peripheral edges of the outer shell material between the sides of the peripheries of the opposing recesses.

[0018] For example, between step (b) and step (d), the process includes a step of stretching the outer material by separating the opposing pressing members from each other and separating the opposing mounting members from each other.

[0019] For example, step (c) includes a step of bringing the opposing pressing members closer together and the opposing mounting members closer together after stretching the outer material.

[0020] For example, in step (a), an inner material is placed on the outer material, and between step (d) and step (f), step (e) is included in which the central part of the outer material is pushed downward through the inner material by lowering the central part pressing member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, folded food products can be stably molded without the outer skin material deviating from a desired position with respect to oppositely arranged molding rollers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a folded food product molding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a folded food product molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing main parts of a pressing device and a pushing device included in the folded food product molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing main parts of an enclosing device included in the folded food product molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a central pushing member, an end pushing member, and an outer skin material. [Figure 5A] FIG. 6 is a front view schematically showing a molding step performed by a folding device included in the folded food product molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a molding step performed by a folding device included in the folded food product molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6A] FIG. 8 is a front view schematically showing a molding step performed by a folding device included in the folded food product molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a molding step performed by a folding device included in the folded food product molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] FIG. 10 is a front view schematically showing a molding step performed by a folding device included in the folded food product molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a molding step performed by a folding device included in the folded food product molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in the folding food molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in the folding food molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in the folding food molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in the folding food molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in the folding food molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13A] This is a schematic perspective view showing a folded food product formed by a folded food product forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13B] This is a schematic perspective view showing a folded food product formed by a folded food product forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13C]This is a schematic perspective view showing a folded food product formed by a folded food product forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a schematic front view showing a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] This is a schematic plan view showing a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This is a schematic perspective view showing the main parts of a pressing device and a pressing device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21A]This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27A]This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32A] This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 33A]This is a schematic front view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 33B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding process by a folding device included in a folding food molding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Referring to the drawings, a molding apparatus 1 for folded food according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The molding apparatus 1 is configured to form folded food P by folding a flattened outer material D so as to enclose an inner material F. The flattened outer material D is obtained, for example, by adjusting and then stretching a rolled dough ball DD. For example, the outer material D is sweet bread dough, the inner material F is cream, and the folded food P is a cream bun.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 4A, the molding apparatus 1 generally includes a base 1A, a supply conveyor 2, a folding device 3, an output conveyor 8, and a control device 9. The supply conveyor 2, the folding device 3, the output conveyor 8, and the control device 9 are mounted on the base 1A. The control device 9 is configured to control the operation of the supply conveyor 2, the folding device 3, and the output conveyor 8. Hereinafter, the transport direction of the outer shell material D will be referred to as "X", the width direction of the supply conveyor 2 which is perpendicular to the transport direction X will be referred to as "Y", and the vertical direction will be referred to as "Z". In addition, in the width direction Y, the right side in the transport direction will be referred to as the "rear" side or "back" side, and the left side in the transport direction will be referred to as the "front" side. As shown in Figure 4B, the outer shell material D includes a peripheral edge DA and a central part DC, and the peripheral edge DA includes two peripheral end portions DB located at both ends. The line connecting the two peripheral ends DB forms a folding line L, which in this embodiment aligns with the width direction Y.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the supply conveyor 2 is configured to supply the outer shell material D on which the inner material F is placed to the folding device 3 by transporting it in the transport direction X. The supply conveyor 2 includes a tip 2A and a measuring device 1B configured to sense the outer shell material D being transported. The tip 2A is extendable and retractable in the transport direction X, that is, it can reciprocate along the transport direction X between an extended position on the downstream side and a standby position on the upstream side. The measuring device 1B is attached to the tip 2A of the supply conveyor 2. The measuring device 1B is, for example, a photoelectric sensor 1B.

[0026] The folding device 3 includes a packaging device 6, a pressing device 4 and a pushing device 5 positioned above the packaging device 6, and a support device 7 positioned below the packaging device 6. Details of these devices 4, 5, 6, and 7 will be described later. In this embodiment, multiple outer shell materials D are supplied by a supply conveyor 2 at predetermined intervals along the transport direction X, and the folding device 3 is configured to simultaneously form two outer shell materials D (downstream outer shell material D1 and upstream outer shell material D2) into two folded food products P (see Figure 1).

[0027] The discharge conveyor 8 is a belt conveyor connected to the downstream side of the support device 7, and is configured to receive the folded food products P from the support device 7 and discharge them downstream. In order to transport the folded food products P in a horizontal position, contact members (not shown), such as rollers, may be placed above the discharge conveyor 8.

[0028] The following describes each component of the folding device 3 in detail.

[0029] The packaging device 6 is configured to fold the outer shell material D (see Figure 9A), which has been pushed downward by the pushing device 5 described later, in half, and to align the semi-circular peripheral edges DA on both sides of the outer shell material D, thereby enclosing the inner material F with the outer shell material D. As shown in Figure 4A, the packaging device 6 includes two mounting units 61 (upstream mounting unit 61U and downstream mounting unit 61D) and two packaging units 65 (upstream packaging unit 65U and downstream packaging unit 65D) corresponding to the two outer shell materials D1 and D2. The packaging units 65 are positioned below the mounting units 61.

[0030] Each of the mounting units 61U and 61D includes a pair of flat mounting members 62 (an upstream mounting member 62U and a downstream mounting member 62D) that are opposite each other. The pair of mounting members 62U and 62D are arranged side by side in the transport direction X so that the outer shell material D can be placed on them, but are positioned close together with a gap in the transport direction X so that the end-pressing member 59, which will be described later, can pass through (see Figure 9A). The pair of mounting members 62U and 62D are also slidable in the transport direction X so that they can move away from the close position to the far position and return from the far position to the close position. Each of the pair of mounting members 62U and 62D has a recess 62A provided in the central part of the side surface facing the other mounting member 62D or 62U. As a result, the recesses 62A of the pair of mounting members 62U and 62D together form an opening 62H in the center of the pair of mounting members 62, which allows the central part DC of the outer shell material D to pass through.

[0031] Each of the packaging units 65U and 65D includes a pair of molding rollers 66 (an upstream molding roller 66U and a downstream molding roller 66D). Each of the molding rollers 66U and 66D has a cylindrical body 66A extending in the longitudinal direction (width direction Y) and a rotating shaft 66B positioned at both ends thereof. The pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D are synchronously rotating between them in the direction in which the outer shell material D is fed from top to bottom (inward). That is, in a front view, the upstream molding roller 66U rotates counterclockwise (leftward), and the downstream molding roller 66D rotates clockwise (rightward). The pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D are also positioned at a distance from each other in the transport direction X to receive the end-pressing member 59, which will be described later (see Figure 9A). Furthermore, the pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D are slidable in the transport direction X so that they can move from a separated position to an approaching position, and from an approaching position back to a separated position.

[0032] Each of the two forming rollers 66U and 66D has a body 66A that, at a predetermined rotational position, faces the body 66A of the other forming roller 66D or 66U and has a cylindrical side surface (circumferential surface). The shape of the recesses 66C of the two forming rollers 66U and 66D is generally symmetrical. Together, the recesses 66C of the forming rollers 66U and 66D form a through hole 66H through which the central part DC of the outer shell material D can pass. The shape of the through hole 66H changes with rotation. As shown in Figure 8B, in the longitudinal section of the central part of the body 66A, the upper boundary point and the lower boundary point between the recess 66C and the side surface are referred to as the upper end 66CA and the lower end 66CB, respectively. In this embodiment, the angle formed by the upper end 66CA and the lower end 66CB with respect to the center of the body 66A is approximately 150 degrees.

[0033] The packaging device 6 further includes a base housing 6A, a drive mechanism 63 for two mounting units 61, a reciprocating mechanism 67 for reciprocating the molding rollers 66 of the two packaging units 65 in the transport direction X, and a rotating mechanism 68 for rotating the molding rollers 66.

[0034] The drive mechanism 63 for the two mounting units 61 includes a pair of first guide members 63A and a pair of second guide members 63B that guide two pairs (four) mounting members 62 in the transport direction X, a pair of upper connecting plates 63C, a pair of lower connecting plates 63D, two connecting brackets 63E, and two actuators 63F. The actuators 63F are, for example, pneumatic cylinders.

[0035] A pair of first guide members 63A and a pair of second guide members 63B, extending in the longitudinal direction, are arranged opposite each other in the width direction Y and along the transport direction X. The first guide members 63A are configured to slidably guide the three upstream of the four mounting members 62 in the transport direction X. The second guide members 63B are configured to slidably guide the remaining mounting member 62, which is located furthest downstream, in the transport direction X.

[0036] The upstream mounting members 62U of the two mounting units 61 are connected to each other from above by a pair of upper connecting plates 63C located near the inside of a pair of first guide members 63A. The upstream mounting member 62U of the upstream mounting unit 61U is also connected to the rod of the actuator 63F mounted on the upstream side of the base housing 6A via a connecting bracket 63E. Thus, the upstream mounting members 62U of the two mounting units 61 are configured to slide together. The downstream mounting members 62D of the two mounting units 61 are connected to each other from below by a pair of lower connecting plates 63D located near the inside of a pair of first guide members 63A and near the inside of a pair of second guide members 63B. The downstream mounting member 62D of the downstream mounting unit 61D is also connected to the rod of the actuator 63F mounted on the downstream side of the base housing 6A via a connecting bracket 63E. Thus, the downstream mounting members 62D of the two mounting units 61 are configured to slide together. As a result, the pair of mounting members 62U and 62D of each of the two mounting units 61 are configured to move away from each other from an approaching position to a separated position, or approach from a separated position to an approaching position, by synchronously reciprocating the two actuators 63F.

[0037] The reciprocating mechanism 67 for the two pairs (four) of forming rollers 66 of the two encasing units 65 includes four pairs of slide plates, arranged opposite each other in the width direction Y and corresponding to the four forming rollers 66, namely, one pair of first slide plates 67A, one pair of second slide plates 67B, one pair of third slide plates 67C, and one pair of fourth slide plates 67D. The rotating shafts 66B on both sides of the four forming rollers 66 are rotatably mounted to the slide plates 67A, 67B, 67C, and 67D via bearings.

[0038] The reciprocating mechanism 67 also includes a pair of upstream connecting plates 67E, a pair of downstream connecting plates 67F, a pair of linear motion guide mechanisms 67G, and a drive mechanism (not shown). The pair of linear motion guide mechanisms 67G, which extend in the longitudinal direction, are arranged along the transport direction X and mounted on the base housing 6A opposite to the width direction Y. Each of the pair of linear motion guide mechanisms 67G has one guide rail 67GA and four movable platforms 67GB that are guided and movable by the guide rail 67GA. The four movable platforms 67GB are mounted, in order from the upstream side, to the first slide plate 67A, the second slide plate 67B, the third slide plate 67C, and the fourth slide plate 67D.

[0039] A pair of first slide plates 67A and a pair of third slide plates 67C are connected to each other by a pair of upstream connecting plates 67E. Similarly, a pair of second slide plates 67B and a pair of fourth slide plates 67D are connected to each other by a pair of downstream connecting plates 67F. A drive mechanism (not shown) is located inside the base housing 6A at the rear of the two packaging units 65 (65U, 65D) and is configured to move the second slide plates 67B and the third slide plates 67C closer to and further away from each other along the transport direction X.

[0040] As a result, the pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D of each of the two packaging units 65 (65U and 65D) are configured to move synchronously toward and away from each other by using the control device 9 to operate the drive mechanism (not shown) of the reciprocating mechanism 67.

[0041] The rotating mechanism 68 for the two pairs (four) of forming rollers 66 of the two encasing units 65 includes four toothed pulleys 68A mounted on the rear rotating shaft 66B of the four forming rollers 66 (66U, 66D), two toothed belts 68B, and two drive motors 68C with reduction gears. One toothed belt 68B is wrapped around the toothed pulley 68A of the upstream forming roller 66U of the two encasing units 65, and the other toothed belt 68B is wrapped around the toothed pulley 68A mounted on the downstream forming roller 66D of the two encasing units 65. In addition, one drive motor 68C is connected via a power transmission mechanism to the front rotating shaft 66B of the upstream forming roller 66U of the upstream encasing unit 65U, and the other drive motor 68C is connected via a power transmission mechanism to the downstream forming roller 66D of the downstream encasing unit 65D.

[0042] As a result, the pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D in each of the two packaging units 65 (65U and 65D) are configured to rotate in sync and in opposite directions to each other by using the control device 9 to synchronously operate the two drive motors 68C of the rotating mechanism 68.

[0043] The support device 7 is positioned below the folding device 3 (packaging device 6) and is configured to support the folded food products P formed by the folding device 3 and transport them to the discharge conveyor 8. Specifically, the support device 7 includes two liftable conveyors 7A (upstream conveyor 7AU and downstream conveyor 7AD) corresponding to two packaging units 65 (65U, 65D) to support two folded food products P, and a transport conveyor 7B positioned between the two liftable conveyors 7A (7AU, 7AD). The lifting position and lifting speed of the two liftable conveyors 7A, and the driving timing and driving speed of the liftable conveyors 7A and the transport conveyor 7B are adjustable by the control device 9.

[0044] Next, the pressing device 4 will be described. The pressing device 4 is configured to press the peripheral edge DA of the outer shell material D against the wrapping device 6. As shown in Figure 3, the pressing device 4 includes a lifting mechanism (not shown) located inside the base 1A, a lifting base 4A attached to the lifting mechanism, and two pressing units 41 (upstream pressing unit 41U and downstream pressing unit 41D) attached to the lifting base 4A and corresponding to the two outer shell materials D1 and D2. The lifting base 4A has a front and a rear on the opposite side and is configured to move up and down relative to the base 1A by the lifting mechanism (not shown). The two pressing units 41U and 41D are positioned above the two mounting units 61U and 61D and the wrapping units 65U and 65D of the wrapping device 6, respectively.

[0045] Each of the two pressing units 41U and 41D includes an actuator 43 that acts in the vertical direction Z, a double-rod type actuator 44 that acts in the transport direction X, and a pair of flat plate-shaped pressing members 42 (an upstream pressing member 42U and a downstream pressing member 42D). The actuators 43 and 44 include, for example, pneumatic cylinders.

[0046] The actuator 43 is mounted on the back of the lifting base 4A and includes a rod configured to reciprocate in the vertical direction Z, and a plate 43A attached to the lower end of the rod. The actuator 43 of the upstream holding unit 41U and the actuator 43 of the downstream holding unit 41D are arranged along the transport direction X and parallel to each other.

[0047] The actuator 44 is mounted on plate 43A and includes two rods configured to reciprocate along the transport direction X, a pair of plates 44A attached to the ends of the two rods, and a pair of substantially rectangular brackets 45 attached to the pair of plates 44A. The pair of brackets 45 extend from the rear side to the front side of the lifting base 4A in the width direction Y, which is perpendicular to the transport direction X.

[0048] A pair of pressing members 42U and 42D are each attached to a pair of brackets 45. The pair of pressing members 42U and 42D are spaced apart to allow the end-pressing member 59, described later, to pass through (see Figure 9A). Each of the pressing members 42U and 42D has a recess 42A provided in the central part of the side facing the other pressing member 42D or 42U. As a result, the recesses 42A of the pair of pressing members 42 together form an opening 42H. The pressing members 42U and 42D are each configured to press the peripheral edge DA of the outer material D against a pair of mounting members 62U and 62D of the packaging device 6 by the operation of the actuator 43 (see Figure 4B). In addition, the pair of pressing members 42U and 42D are movable toward and away from each other in the transport direction X by the reciprocating motion of the actuator 44 controlled by the control device 9.

[0049] The pressure of the compressed air supplied to the actuator 43 is always low, for example, 0.05 MPa. As a result, the rod of the actuator 43 is always actuated in a direction that moves downward from the cylinder, i.e., it is biased. On the other hand, when the lifting base 4A of the pressing device 4 is lowered to lower the pressing device 4 from the upper standby position (see Figure 1), when the pressing member 42 comes into contact with the outer material D on the mounting member 62 of the packaging device 6, the rod of the actuator 43 retracts into the cylinder due to the resistance received from the outer material D because the compressed air is at a low pressure. As a result, the pressing member 42 is configured to lightly press the outer material D against the mounting member 62.

[0050] Next, the pushing device 5 will be described. The entire pushing device 5 is configured to move up and down together with the lifting base 4A of the holding device 4. In detail, the pushing device 5 includes an actuator 5A mounted on the front of the lifting base 4A, two first pushing units 51 mounted on the actuator 5A and corresponding to two outer shell materials D, and two second pushing units 57 mounted on the front of the lifting base 4A and corresponding to two outer shell materials D.

[0051] The actuator 5A has a rod that reciprocates in the vertical direction Z and a retaining bracket 5B attached to the upper end of the rod. For example, the actuator 5A is a pneumatic cylinder.

[0052] Each first push-in unit 51 includes an upper connecting pipe 52 that is detachably fixed to the retaining bracket 5B and has a socket at its lower end, a sliding pipe 53 that has a plug at its upper end that is detachably attached to the socket, and a central push-in member 54 that is replaceably attached to the lower end of the sliding pipe 53. The assembled first push-in unit 51 is configured to allow compressed air to be discharged from the lower surface of the central push-in member 54.

[0053] Each second push-in unit 57 includes a retaining bracket 55 attached to the front of the lifting base 4A and extending in the width direction Y, a sliding bearing 56 detachably fixed to the retaining bracket 55, a bracket 58 attached to the lower surface of the sliding bearing 56 and extending in the width direction Y (longitudinal direction), and a pair of plate-shaped end push-in members 59 attached to both ends of the bracket 58 and extending downward.

[0054] The sliding tube 53 of the first push-in unit 51 is slidably mounted on a sliding bearing 56, thereby positioning the two end push-in members 59 along the width direction Y so as to sandwich the central push-in member 54. The two end push-in members 59 and the central push-in member 54 are positioned between the retaining members 42U and 42D.

[0055] The pushing device 5 is configured to push the outer shell material D, which is held down by the pressing device 4, toward the wrapping device 6. In detail, the second pushing unit 57 (two end pushing members 59) attached to the lifting base 4A of the pressing device 4 is configured to descend integrally with the pressing device 4 (the pressing member 42 until it contacts the outer shell material D) when the pressing device 4 is lowered from the upper standby position. Furthermore, the second pushing unit 57 (two end pushing members 59) can descend further after the pressing unit 41 (pressing member 42) has contacted the outer shell material D on the wrapping device 6 (mounting member 62). As a result, the second pushing unit 57 (two end pushing members 59) is configured to push downwards the peripheral ends DB on both sides of the peripheral edge DA of the outer shell material D. Furthermore, the first pushing unit 51 (central pushing member 54) is positioned above the second pushing unit 57 (two end pushing members 59) and is configured to move up and down relative to the pressing unit 41 (pressing member 42) by operating the actuator 5A. As a result, the first pushing unit 51 (central pushing member 54) does not come into contact with the inner material F while the second pushing unit 57 (two end pushing members 59) is pushing the peripheral end DB of the outer material D, and then pushes the central part DC of the outer material D downward together with (or via) the inner material F. The control device 9 is configured to drive the pressing device 4 and the first pushing unit 51 separately.

[0056] Next, with reference to Figures 5A to 13C, the operation of the folding food product P molding apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0057] The pressing device 4, the pushing device 5, and the wrapping device 6 are set to their initial standby positions. Specifically, the lifting base 4A is raised to the standby position, moving the pressing device 4 (a pair of pressing members 42) and the pushing device 5 (two end pushing members 59 and a central pushing member 54) upward away from the wrapping device 6. Furthermore, the actuator 5A of the pushing device 5 is activated to move the central pushing member 54 upward away from the wrapping device 6. Since the actuator 43 of the pressing device 4 is constantly operated downward, the pair of pressing members 42U and 42D of the pressing device 4 are biased downward. Therefore, the height of the pair of pressing members 42U and 42D is lower than the height of the two end pushing members 59. Also, the height of the two end pushing members 59 is lower than the height of the central pushing member 54 (see Figures 4B and 5A).

[0058] Furthermore, by activating the actuator 44 of the pressing device 4 and the drive mechanism 63 of the mounting unit 61, the pair of pressing members 42U and 42D of the pressing device 4 and the pair of mounting members 62U and 62D of the packaging device 6 are positioned in an approaching position. Also, by activating the reciprocating mechanism 67 of the packaging unit 65, the pair of forming rollers 66U and 66D of the packaging unit 65 are positioned in a separated position. Furthermore, by activating the rotation mechanism 68 of the packaging unit 65, the pair of forming rollers 66U and 66D are positioned so that their respective recesses 66C face opposite (outward) from each other. In other words, the pair of forming rollers 66U and 66D are rotated to a position where their cylindrical sides face each other at the center of their respective bodies 66A (see Figure 5B).

[0059] The tip 2A of the supply conveyor 2 is positioned in a waiting position, retracted toward the upstream side of the transport direction X within the reciprocating range. The required amount of inner material F is placed on the outer material D, and multiple outer material D are placed on the transport surface of the supply conveyor 2 at intervals in the transport direction X, and then transported by the supply conveyor 2 in the transport direction X.

[0060] When the sensor 1B detects the downstream outer shell material D1 during transport, the tip 2A is extended (moved) toward the downstream side in the transport direction X and stopped at the advanced position, covering the mounting unit 61 (61U, 61D) with the tip 2A of the supply conveyor 2. Next, the downstream outer shell material D1 is stopped at a position where its center coincides with the center of the opening 62H of the pair of mounting members 62U, 62D of the downstream mounting unit 61D in a plan view (see Figure 1), and the transport of the outer shell material D by the supply conveyor 2 is stopped. The tip 2A is quickly retracted (moved backward), and the downstream outer shell material D1 is dropped (transferred) from the tip 2A onto the pair of mounting members 62U, 62D of the downstream mounting unit 61D.

[0061] Next, the conveying of the outer shell material D by the supply conveyor 2 is resumed. The outer shell material D2 on the upstream side is stopped at a position where its center coincides with the center of the opening 62H of the pair of mounting members 62U and 62D of the upstream mounting unit 61U in a plan view, and the conveying of the outer shell material D by the supply conveyor 2 is interrupted. The tip 2A is quickly retracted (retracted), and the outer shell material D2 on the upstream side is dropped (transferred) from the tip 2A onto the pair of mounting members 62U and 62D of the upstream mounting unit 61U. Then, the tip 2A is retracted (retracted) to the standby position.

[0062] Since the processes for the two outer shell materials D1 and D2 are the same, only one outer shell material will be described below. The central part DC of the outer shell material D, which has been transferred onto a pair of mounting members 62U and 62D, enters into the opening 62H (opposite recess 62A) and becomes recessed due to the weight of the inner material F and the effect of falling (see mounting process, Figures 5A and 5B). When the central part DC of the outer shell material D becomes significantly recessed, it is caught by the cylindrical sides of a pair of forming rollers 66 (66U, 66D), thereby preventing the outer shell material D from falling from the mounting unit 61 (61D, 61U).

[0063] After retracting the tip 2A to the standby position (upstream end), the lifting base 4A is moved downward to lower the pressing device 4 and the pushing device 5. A pair of pressing members 42 of the pressing device 4 are brought into contact with the upper surface of the peripheral edge DA of the outer shell material D, thereby pressing the outer shell material D toward a pair of mounting members 62. The lifting base 4A is moved further downward, and a portion of the rod of the actuator 43 is retracted (retracted) into the cylinder by the resistance received from the outer shell material D via the pressing members 42. In this state, the descent of the lifting base 4A is temporarily stopped, and the peripheral edge DA of the outer shell material D is held between a pair of pressing members 42U, 42D and a pair of mounting members 62U, 62D (pressing process, see Figures 6A and 6B).

[0064] Next, a pair of pressing members 42U, 42D and a pair of mounting members 62U, 62D are simultaneously moved to the separated position (open state) to stretch the outer shell material D in the transport direction X (stretching process, see Figures 7A and 7B). Specifically, by operating both rod-type actuators 44 of the pressing device 4 and the drive mechanism 63 of the mounting unit 61, the pair of pressing members 42U, 42D and the pair of mounting members 62U, 62D are separated from each other. By stretching the outer shell material D, it becomes easier to position the inner material F inside the outer shell material D in the bowl-shape forming process described later, and the height of the folded food P can be increased.

[0065] Next, a pair of pressing members 42U, 42D and a pair of mounting members 62U, 62D are simultaneously moved to the approach position (closed state) to release the stretched state of the outer shell material D. Also, a pair of forming rollers 66 (66U, 66D) are rotated in the feed direction (in Figures 8A and 8B, the forming roller 66U rotates counterclockwise (left rotation), and the forming roller 66D rotates clockwise (right rotation)) and stopped at a predetermined rotational position (phase) where the recess 66C of the pair of forming rollers 66 (66U, 66D) constitutes the through hole 66H (returning process, see Figures 8A and 8B).

[0066] In this embodiment, in the central part of a pair of forming rollers 66U and 66D, the upper entrance of the through hole 66H is larger than the opening 62H of the pair of mounting members 62 (62U and 62D), and the lower exit of the through hole 66H is smaller than the opening 62H. Preferably, the lower end 66CB of the recess 66C is located below the axis of the forming roller 66.

[0067] By moving the lifting base 4A further down to its lowered end position, the pair of end pressing members 59 of the pressing device 5 are moved downward, so that the lower ends of the pair of end pressing members 59 pass between the pair of mounting members 62U and 62D and reach between the pair of forming rollers 66U and 66D. This pushes the peripheral ends DB on both sides of the outer shell material D downward and lowers the position of the central part DC of the outer shell material D. As a result, the top position of the inner material F is lowered. (Peripheral end pushing process, see Figures 9A and 9B). The central pressing member 54 of the first pressing unit 51 is located above the inner material F.

[0068] The lower end of the end-pressing member 59 preferably reaches the position where the pair of forming rollers 66U and 66D are closest together (i.e., the same height position as where the axis of rotation axis 66B of the pair of forming rollers 66U and 66D is located), or slightly above that position. The stretched peripheral end DB is folded in half so as to follow the sides of the pair of forming rollers 66 (66U and 66D).

[0069] With the lifting base 4A stopped at its lowered end position, the actuator 5A of the pushing device 5 is activated to lower the central pushing member 54 of the first pushing unit 51. As a result, the central pushing member 54 passes through the openings 42H of the pair of pressing members 42 and the openings 62H of the pair of mounting members 62, pushing down the inner material F and stretching and widening the central part DC of the outer material D inside the through hole 66H. Consequently, the outer material D is deformed (formed) into a bowl shape via the inner material F, that is, the inner material F is placed inside the bowl-shaped outer material D. While the outer shell material D is being deformed into a bowl shape, the outer surface (circumferential surface) of the central part DC of the outer shell material D is pressed against a part of the inner surface of the through hole 66H, but the bottom of the central part DC of the outer shell material D can expand without coming into contact with the inner surface of the through hole 66H (see bowl-shape formation process, inner material placement process, Figures 10A and 10B).

[0070] Next, the actuator 5A is activated to raise the central pressing member 54 of the first pressing unit 51, thereby separating the central pressing member 54 from the inner material F (see Figures 11A and 11B). Preferably, compressed air is discharged from the bottom surface of the central pressing member 54 while the first pressing unit 51 is lowered and raised. This prevents the inner material F from adhering to the central pressing member 54. The top position of the inner material F is lower than that of the outer material D, and the inner material F is stably positioned inside the outer material D.

[0071] Next, by raising the lifting base 4A, the pair of end-pressing members 59 are raised, and starting from there, the reciprocating mechanism 67 of the wrapping unit 65 is activated to bring the pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D closer together. The gap between the pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D is set so that the peripheral edges DB (folded portions) on both sides of the outer shell material D are sandwiched and compressed (sealed) by the pair of molding rollers 66 (66U and 66D) (see Figures 11A and 11B).

[0072] Next, the lifting base 4A is moved upward in one swift motion to the standby position (upper end position), thereby simultaneously raising the pair of pressing members 42 of the pressing device 4 and the central pressing member 54 and the pair of end pressing members 59 of the pressing device 5. In the initial stage of raising the lifting base 4A, the actuator 43 of the pressing device 4 is biased downward, so the pair of pressing members 42 maintain contact with the outer shell material D. After that, the pair of pressing members 42 separate from the outer shell material D and move upward.

[0073] Next, a pair of forming rollers 66 (66U, 66D) are rotated in the feeding direction (towards each other and in opposite directions). Since the peripheral edge DB (folded portion) of the outer shell material D is already sandwiched between the pair of forming rollers 66 (66U, 66D), the outer shell material D is prevented from slipping relative to the rotating pair of forming rollers 66 (66U, 66D) and moves downward between the pair of forming rollers 66U, 66D. The sides around the recesses 66C of the pair of forming rollers 66U, 66D, which are in close proximity, gradually sandwich and compress the opposing arc-shaped peripheral portions DA of the outer shell material D from below upward, sealing the arc-shaped peripheral portions DA and forming a sealed portion DF. In addition, the inner surface of the through hole 66H forms the circumferential surface of the central portion DC of the outer shell material D that covers the inner material F. As a result, a semicircular, foldable food product P is formed by covering the inner material F with the outer material D (sealing process, see Figures 11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B).

[0074] Furthermore, by rotating a pair of molding rollers 66 (66U, 66D) inward and in opposite directions, the folded food P is discharged from the two packaging units 65 of the packaging device 6 to the support device 7. Specifically, the two lifting conveyors 7AU and 7AD are raised to the raised position to receive the folded food P, and the two lifting conveyors 7AU and 7AD are lowered to the lowered end position to transport the folded food P and transfer it to the discharge device 8 (discharge process).

[0075] Next, with reference to Figures 14 to 24B, a molding apparatus 1 for folded food according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The molding apparatus 1 of the second embodiment is the same as the molding apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, except that the pressing unit 41 of the molding apparatus 1 is changed to a pressing unit 141 and an outer shape guide device 110 is added. Hereinafter, components that are the same as those of the molding apparatus 1 of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the molding apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0076] The pressing device 4 of the molding apparatus 1 in the second embodiment is configured to make the outer shape of the outer shell material D uniform and to press the peripheral edge DA of the outer shell material D against the wrapping device 6. As shown in Figure 16, the pressing device 4 includes a lifting mechanism (not shown) located inside the base 1A, a lifting base 4A attached to the lifting mechanism, and two pressing units 141 attached to the lifting base 4A and corresponding to two outer shell materials D1 and D2.

[0077] Each of the two pressing units 141 includes an actuator 43 that acts in the vertical direction Z, a double-rod type actuator 44 that acts in the transport direction X, and a pair of pressing members 142. The actuators 43 and 44 include, for example, pneumatic cylinders.

[0078] Each pair of pressing members 142 is attached to a pair of brackets 45. The pair of pressing members 142 are spaced apart so that the end-pressing member 59 can pass through but does not come into contact with the inner material F (see Figure 21A). Preferably, the pair of pressing members 142 have recesses 42A and openings 62H similar to those of the pressing member 42 in the first embodiment. The pair of pressing members 142 are configured to press the peripheral edge DA of the outer material D against a pair of mounting members 62 (62U, 62D) of the packaging device 6 by the operation of the actuator 43 (see Figure 20B). The pair of pressing members 142 are also movable so as to move toward and away from each other in the transport direction X by the reciprocating motion of the actuator 44 controlled by the control device 9.

[0079] The molding apparatus 1 also includes an outer shape guide device 110. In this embodiment, the outer shape guide device 110 includes a pair of outer shape guide members 146 that are slidably attached in the longitudinal direction Z to a pair of pressing members 142 of the pressing unit 141, for example by a combination of pins and holes. The pair of outer shape guide members 146 are configured to be biased downward relative to the pair of pressing members 142, for example by a spring. The pair of outer shape guide members 146 are also movable together with the pair of pressing members 142 so as to move toward and away from each other in the conveying direction X. As a result, the pair of outer shape guide members 146 are slidable on a pair of mounting members 62. Each of the pair of outer shape guide members 146 includes an inner surface 146A for aligning the outer shape of the outer material D placed on the pair of mounting members 62 (62U, 62D) to a predetermined outer shape. The inner surface 146A, in plan view, is, for example, semi-circular in shape and is determined according to the shape of the folded food product P. The retaining member 142 is positioned inside the inner surface 146A of the outer shape guide member 146.

[0080] Next, with reference to Figures 17A to 24B, the operation of the molding apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0081] The pressing device 4, the pushing device 5, and the wrapping device 6 are set to their initial standby positions. Specifically, the lifting base 4A is raised to the standby position, moving the pressing device 4 (a pair of pressing members 142 and a pair of outer guide members 146) and the pushing device 5 (two end pushing members 59 and a central pushing member 54) upward away from the wrapping device 6. Furthermore, the actuator 5A of the pushing device 5 is activated to move the central pushing member 54 upward away from the wrapping device 6. Since the actuator 43 of the pressing device 4 is constantly operated downward, the pair of pressing members 142 and the pair of outer guide members 146 of the pressing device 4 are biased downward. The height of the pair of outer guide members 146 is lower than the height of the pair of pressing members 142. The height of the pair of pressing members 142 is lower than the height of the central pushing member 54. The height of the two end-pressing members 59 is approximately the same as the height of the pair of retaining members 142 (see Figure 17A).

[0082] Furthermore, by activating the actuator 44 of the pressing device 4, the pair of pressing members 142 of the pressing device 4 and the pair of outer shape guide members 146 of the outer shape guide device 110 are positioned in a separated position (state). Also, by activating the drive mechanism 63 of the mounting unit 61, the pair of mounting members 62U and 62D of the packaging device 6 are positioned in a close position (state). Also, by activating the reciprocating mechanism 67 of the packaging unit 65, the pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D of the packaging unit 65 are positioned in a separated position (state). Also, by activating the rotation mechanism 68 of the packaging unit 65, the pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D are positioned so that their respective recesses 66C face opposite each other (outward). In other words, a pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D are rotated in the center of their respective bodies 66A until their cylindrical sides face each other (see Figure 17B).

[0083] Similar to the first embodiment, the upstream outer shell material D1 and the downstream outer shell material D2 are dropped (transferred) onto a pair of mounting members 62 of the upstream mounting unit 61U and a pair of mounting members 62 of the downstream mounting unit 61D.

[0084] Since the processes for the two outer shell materials D1 and D2 are the same, only one outer shell material will be described below. The central part DC of the outer shell material D, which has been transferred onto a pair of mounting members 62, enters into the opening 62H (opposite recess 62A) and becomes recessed due to the weight of the inner material F and the effect of falling (see mounting process, Figures 17A and 17B). When the central part DC of the outer shell material D becomes significantly recessed, it is caught by the cylindrical side surface of a pair of molding rollers 66, thereby preventing the outer shell material D from falling from the mounting unit 61.

[0085] The lifting base 4A is moved downward, causing the pressing device 4 and the pushing device 5 to descend, bringing a pair of outer guide members 146 of the outer guide device 110 into contact with a pair of mounting members 62 around the outer shell material D, and stopping the movement of the lifting base 4A (see Figures 18A and 18B). The pair of pressing members 142 are separated from the outer shell material D.

[0086] Next, the actuator 44 is activated, and while sliding a pair of outer shape guide members 146 on a pair of mounting members 62, the pair of pressing members 142 and the pair of outer shape guide members 146 are moved to a close position, so that the outer shape of the outer shell material D matches the shape of the inner surface 146A of the pair of outer shape guide members 146. Also, by moving the outer shell material D toward the gap between the pair of mounting members 62, the central part DC of the outer shell material D is slightly recessed downwards, and the end part DB of the outer shell material D is slightly bent downwards (outer shape guiding process, see Figures 19A and 19B). In this way, by making the plan view outer shape of the outer shell material D uniform on the pair of mounting members 62, the overlapping misalignment of the outer edges of the folded food P is reduced, and the shape of the folded food P can be made uniform.

[0087] The lifting base 4A is moved downward, causing the pressing device 4 and the pushing device 5 to descend. A pair of pressing members 142 of the pressing device 4 are brought into contact with the upper surface of the peripheral edge DA of the outer shell material D, thereby pressing the outer shell material D toward the pair of mounting members 62. A pair of outer guide members 146 slide against the pair of pressing members 142 and remain in contact with the mounting members 62. The lifting base 4A is moved further downward, causing a portion of the rod of the actuator 43 to retract (retract) into the air cylinder due to the resistance received from the outer shell material D via the pair of pressing members 142. In this state, the descent of the lifting base 4A is temporarily stopped, holding the peripheral edge DA of the outer shell material D between the pair of pressing members 142 and the pair of mounting members 62 (pressing process, see Figures 20A and 20B).

[0088] Furthermore, a pair of molding rollers 66 are rotated in the feed direction and stopped at a predetermined rotational position (phase) where the recesses 66C of the pair of molding rollers 66 form the through holes 66H (see Figures 20A and 20B).

[0089] In this embodiment, in the central part of the pair of molding rollers 66, the upper entrance of the through hole 66H is larger than the opening 62H of the pair of mounting members 62, and the lower exit of the through hole 66H is smaller than the opening 62H. Preferably, the lower end 66CB of the recess 66C is located below the axis of the molding roller 66.

[0090] By moving the lifting base 4A further downward to its lowered end position, the pair of end pressing members 59 of the pressing device 5 are moved downward, so that the lower ends of the pair of end pressing members 59 pass between the pair of mounting members 62 and reach between the pair of forming rollers 66. This pushes the peripheral ends DB on both sides of the outer shell material D downward and lowers the position of the central part DC of the outer shell material D. As a result, the top position of the inner material F is lowered. (Peripheral end pushing process, see Figures 21A and 21B). The central pressing member 54 of the first pressing unit 51 is located above the inner material F.

[0091] The lower end of the end-pressing member 59 preferably reaches the position where the pair of forming rollers 66U and 66D are closest together (i.e., the same height position as where the axis of rotation axis 66B of the pair of forming rollers 66U and 66D is located), or slightly above that position. The stretched peripheral end DB is folded in half so as to follow the sides of the pair of forming rollers 66 (66U and 66D).

[0092] With the lifting base 4A stopped at its lowered end position, the actuator 5A of the pushing device 5 is activated to lower the central pushing member 54 of the first pushing unit 51. As a result, the central pushing member 54 passes between the pair of pressing members 142 and through the opening 62H of the pair of mounting members 62, pushing down the inner material F and stretching and widening the central part DC of the outer material D inside the through hole 66H. Consequently, the outer material D is deformed (formed) into a bowl shape via the inner material F, that is, the inner material F is placed inside the bowl-shaped outer material D. While the outer shell material D is being deformed into a bowl shape, the outer surface (circumferential surface) of the central part DC of the outer shell material D is pressed against a part of the inner surface of the through hole 66H, but the bottom of the central part DC of the outer shell material D can expand without coming into contact with the inner surface of the through hole 66H (see bowl-shape formation process, inner material placement process, Figures 22A and 22B).

[0093] Next, the actuator 5A is activated to raise the central pressing member 54 of the first pressing unit 51, thereby separating the central pressing member 54 from the inner material F (see Figures 23A and 23B). Preferably, compressed air is discharged from the bottom surface of the central pressing member 54 while the first pressing unit 51 is lowered and raised. This prevents the inner material F from adhering to the central pressing member 54. The top position of the inner material F is lower than that of the outer material D, and the inner material F is stably positioned inside the outer material D.

[0094] Next, by raising the lifting base 4A, the pair of end-pressing members 59 are raised, and starting from there, the reciprocating mechanism 67 of the wrapping unit 65 is activated to bring the pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D closer together. The gap between the pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D is set so that the peripheral edges DB (folded portions) on both sides of the outer shell material D are sandwiched and compressed (sealed) by the pair of molding rollers 66 (66U and 66D) (see Figures 23A and 23B).

[0095] Next, by moving the lifting base 4A upward in one swift motion to the standby position (upper end position), the pair of pressing members 142 of the pressing device 4, the pair of outer guide members 146, the central pressing member 54 and the pair of end pressing members 59 of the pressing device 5 are simultaneously raised. In the initial stage of raising the lifting base 4A, the actuator 43 of the pressing device 4 is biased downward, so the pair of pressing members 142 maintain contact with the outer material D. After that, the pair of pressing members 142 separate from the outer material D and move upward (see Figures 24A and 24B).

[0096] Next, a pair of forming rollers 66 are rotated in the feed direction (towards each other and in opposite directions). Since the peripheral edge DB (folded portion) of the outer shell material D is already sandwiched between the pair of forming rollers 66, the outer shell material D is prevented from slipping relative to the rotating pair of forming rollers 66 and moves downward between the pair of forming rollers 66. The sides around the recesses 66C of the pair of forming rollers 66, which are in close proximity, gradually sandwich and compress the opposing arc-shaped peripheral portions DA of the outer shell material D from below upward, sealing the arc-shaped peripheral portions DA and forming a sealed portion DF. In addition, the inner surface of the through hole 66H forms the circumferential surface of the central portion DC of the outer shell material D that covers the inner material F. As a result, a semicircular folded food product P is formed with the inner material F covered by the outer shell material D (sealing process, see Figures 24A and 24B).

[0097] Furthermore, by rotating a pair of molding rollers 66 inward in opposite directions, the folded food P is discharged from the two packaging units 65 of the packaging device 6 to the support device 7. Specifically, the two lifting conveyors 7AU and 7AD are raised to the raised position to receive the folded food P, and the two lifting conveyors 7AU and 7AD are lowered to the lowered end position to transport the folded food P and transfer it to the discharge device 8 (discharge process).

[0098] Next, a molding apparatus 1 for folded food according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 25A to 33B. The molding apparatus 1 of the third embodiment is the same as the molding apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, except that the pressing unit 41 of the molding apparatus 1 of the first embodiment is changed to a pressing unit 241 and an outer shape guide device 210 is added. Hereinafter, components that are the same as the components of the molding apparatus 1 of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as the components of the molding apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0099] The pressing device 4 of the molding apparatus 1 in the third embodiment is configured to make the outer shape of the outer shell material D uniform and to press the peripheral edge DA of the outer shell material D against the wrapping device 6. The pressing device 4 includes a lifting mechanism (not shown) located inside the base 1A, a lifting base 4A attached to the lifting mechanism, and two pressing units 241 attached to the lifting base 4A and corresponding to two outer shell materials D1 and D2.

[0100] Each of the two pressing units 241 includes an actuator 43 that acts in the vertical direction Z, a double-rod type actuator 44 that acts in the transport direction X, and a pressing member 242. The actuators 43 and 44 include, for example, pneumatic cylinders.

[0101] The pressing member 242 is attached to the actuator 43 and is movable in the vertical direction Z. As shown in Figure 25B, the pressing member 242 is cylindrical and surrounds the central pressing member 54 and is positioned concentrically with it. The pressing member 242 is also attached to the sliding tube 53 so as to be sealed and slidable. Furthermore, the pressing member 242 is configured so as not to come into contact with the end pressing member 59 and the inner material F. The pressing member 242 is also configured to press the peripheral edge DA of the outer material D against a pair of mounting members 62 of the wrapping device 6 when the actuator 43 is operated (see Figure 28B).

[0102] The molding apparatus 1 also includes an outer shape guide device 210. In this embodiment, the outer shape guide device 210 includes a pair of outer shape guide members 246 attached to a pair of brackets 45 of the actuator 44. The pair of outer shape guide members 246 are movable toward and away from each other in the transport direction X by the reciprocating motion of the actuator 44. The pair of outer shape guide members 246 are also slidably attached to the pair of brackets 45 in the longitudinal direction Z, for example by a combination of pins and holes. The pair of outer shape guide members 246 are also configured to be biased downward relative to the pair of brackets 45, for example by a spring. The pair of outer shape guide members 246 are thus slidable on a pair of mounting members 62. Each of the pair of outer shape guide members 246 includes an inner surface 246A for aligning the outer shape of the outer material D placed on the pair of mounting members 62 (62U, 62D) to a predetermined outer shape. The inner surface 246A, in a plan view, is, for example, semi-circular in shape and is determined according to the shape of the folded food product P.

[0103] Next, with reference to Figures 25A to 33B, the operation of the molding apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0104] The pressing device 4, the pushing device 5, and the wrapping device 6 are set to their initial positions. Specifically, the lifting base 4A is raised to the standby position, moving the pressing device 4 (pressing member 242 and a pair of outer guide members 246) and the pushing device 5 (two end pushing members 59 and a central pushing member 54) upward away from the wrapping device 6. Furthermore, the actuator 5A of the pushing device 5 is activated to move the central pushing member 54 upward away from the wrapping device 6. Since the actuator 43 of the pressing device 4 is constantly operated downward, the pressing member 242 of the pressing device 4 is biased downward. The height of the pair of outer guide members 246 is lower than the height of the pressing member 242. Also, the height of the pressing member 242 is lower than the height of the central pushing member 54. The height of the two end pushing members 59 is approximately the same as the height of the pressing member 242 (see Figure 25A).

[0105] Furthermore, by activating the actuator 44 of the pressing device 4, the pair of outer shape guide members 246 of the outer shape guide device 210 are positioned in a separated position (state). Also, by activating the drive mechanism 63 of the mounting unit 61, the pair of mounting members 62U and 62D of the packaging device 6 are positioned in a close position. Also, by activating the reciprocating mechanism 67 of the packaging unit 65, the pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D of the packaging unit 65 are positioned in a separated position (state). Also, by activating the rotation mechanism 68 of the packaging unit 65, the pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D are positioned so that their respective recesses 66C face opposite (outward) from each other. That is, the pair of molding rollers 66U and 66D are rotated to a position where their cylindrical sides face each other at the center of their respective bodies 66A (see Figure 25B).

[0106] Similar to the first embodiment, the upstream outer shell material D1 and the downstream outer shell material D2 are dropped (transferred) onto a pair of mounting members 62 of the upstream mounting unit 61U and a pair of mounting members 62 of the downstream mounting unit 61D.

[0107] Since the processes for the two outer shell materials D1 and D2 are the same, only one outer shell material will be described below. The central part DC of the outer shell material D, which has been transferred onto a pair of mounting members 62, enters and becomes recessed into the opening 62H (opposite recess 62A) due to the weight of the inner material F and the effect of falling (see mounting process, Figures 25A and 25B). When the central part DC of the outer shell material D becomes significantly recessed, it is caught by the cylindrical side surface of a pair of molding rollers 66, thereby preventing the outer shell material D from falling from the mounting unit 61.

[0108] The lifting base 4A is moved downward, causing the pressing device 4 and the pushing device 5 to descend, bringing a pair of outer guide members 246 of the outer guide device 210 into contact with a pair of mounting members 62 around the outer shell material D, and stopping the movement of the lifting base 4A (see Figures 26A and 26B). The pressing member 242 is separated from the outer shell material D.

[0109] Next, the actuator 44 is activated to move a pair of outer shape guide members 246 to a close position while sliding them on a pair of mounting members 62, thereby matching the outer shape of the outer shell material D to the shape of the inner surface 246A of the pair of outer shape guide members 246. Furthermore, by moving the outer shell material D toward the gap between the pair of mounting members 62, the central part DC of the outer shell material D is slightly recessed downwards, and the end part DB of the outer shell material D is slightly bent downwards (outer shape guiding process, see Figures 27A and 27B). In this way, by making the plan view outer shape of the outer shell material D uniform on the pair of mounting members 62, the overlapping misalignment of the outer edges of the folded food P is reduced, and the shape of the folded food P can be made uniform.

[0110] The lifting base 4A is moved downward, causing the pressing device 4 and the pushing device 5 to descend. The pressing member 242 of the pressing device 4 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the peripheral edge DA of the outer shell material D, thereby pressing the outer shell material D toward the pair of mounting members 62 and creating a sealed space inside the pressing member 242. The pair of outer guide members 246 slide in the vertical direction Z relative to the pressing member 242 and remain in contact with the mounting members 62. The lifting base 4A is moved further downward, causing a portion of the rod of the actuator 43 to retract (retract) into the air cylinder due to the resistance received from the outer shell material D via the pressing member 242. In this state, the descent of the lifting base 4A is temporarily stopped, holding the peripheral edge DA of the outer shell material D between the pressing member 242 and the pair of mounting members 62 (pressing process, see Figures 28A and 28B).

[0111] Furthermore, a pair of molding rollers 66 are rotated in the feed direction and stopped at a predetermined rotational position (phase) where the recesses 66C of the pair of molding rollers 66 form the through holes 66H (see Figures 28A and 28B).

[0112] In this embodiment, in the central part of the pair of molding rollers 66, the upper entrance of the through hole 66H is larger than the opening 62H of the pair of mounting members 62, and the lower exit of the through hole 66H is smaller than the opening 62H. Preferably, the lower end 66CB of the recess 66C is located below the axis of the molding roller 66.

[0113] By moving the lifting base 4A further downward to its lowered end position, the pair of end pressing members 59 of the pressing device 5 are moved downward, so that the lower ends of the pair of end pressing members 59 pass between the pair of mounting members 62 and reach between the pair of forming rollers 66. This pushes the peripheral ends DB on both sides of the outer shell material D downward and lowers the position of the central part DC of the outer shell material D. As a result, the top position of the inner material F is lowered. (Peripheral end pushing process, see Figures 29A and 29B). The central pressing member 54 of the first pressing unit 51 is located above the inner material F.

[0114] The lower end of the end-pressing member 59 preferably reaches the position where the pair of forming rollers 66U and 66D are closest together (i.e., the same height position as where the axis of rotation axis 66B of the pair of forming rollers 66U and 66D is located), or slightly above that position. The stretched peripheral end DB is folded in half so as to follow the sides of the pair of forming rollers 66 (66U and 66D).

[0115] Next, compressed air is supplied from a compressed air supply device (not shown), such as a compressor, into the sealed internal space of the retaining member 242. This increases the air pressure inside the sealed internal space, causing the outer shell material D to expand downwards (bowl-shaped formation process, see Figures 30A and 30B).

[0116] With the lifting base 4A stopped at its lowered end position, the actuator 5A of the pushing device 5 is activated to lower the central pushing member 54 of the first pushing unit 51. As a result, the central pushing member 54 passes through the opening 62H of the pair of mounting members 62 within the sealed internal space of the pressing member 242, pushing down the inner material F and stretching and widening the central part DC of the outer material D downwards within the through hole 66H. Consequently, the outer material D is deformed (formed) into a bowl shape via the inner material F, that is, the inner material F is placed inside the bowl-shaped outer material D. While the outer shell material D is being deformed into a bowl shape, the outer surface (circumferential surface) of the central part DC of the outer shell material D is pressed against a part of the inner surface of the through hole 66H, but the bottom of the central part DC of the outer shell material D can expand without coming into contact with the inner surface of the through hole 66H (see bowl-shape formation process, inner material placement process, Figures 31A and 31B).

[0117] Next, the actuator 5A is activated to raise the central pressing member 54 of the first pressing unit 51, thereby separating the central pressing member 54 from the inner material F (see Figures 32A and 32B). Preferably, compressed air is discharged from the bottom surface of the central pressing member 54 while the first pressing unit 51 is lowered and raised. This prevents the inner material F from adhering to the central pressing member 54. The top position of the inner material F is lower than that of the outer material D, and the inner material F is stably positioned inside the outer material D.

[0118] By raising the lifting base 4A, a pair of end-pressing members 59 are raised, and using this as a starting point, the reciprocating mechanism 67 of the wrapping unit 65 is activated to bring a pair of forming rollers 66U and 66D closer together. The gap between the pair of forming rollers 66U and 66D is set so that the peripheral edges DB (folded portions) on both sides of the outer shell material D are sandwiched and compressed (sealed) by the pair of forming rollers 66 (66U and 66D) (see Figures 32A and 32B).

[0119] Next, the lifting base 4A is moved upward in one swift motion to the standby position (upper end position), simultaneously raising the pressing member 242 of the pressing device 4, the pair of outer guide members 246, the central pressing member 54 and the pair of end pressing members 59 of the pushing device 5. In the initial stage of raising the lifting base 4A, the actuator 43 of the pressing device 4 is biased downward, so the pair of pressing members 242 maintain contact with the outer material D. After that, the pair of pressing members 242 separate from the outer material D and move upward (see Figures 33A and 33B).

[0120] Next, a pair of forming rollers 66 are rotated in the feed direction (towards each other and in opposite directions). Since the peripheral edge DB (folded portion) of the outer shell material D is already sandwiched between the pair of forming rollers 66, the outer shell material D is prevented from slipping relative to the rotating pair of forming rollers 66 and moves downward between the pair of forming rollers 66. The sides around the recesses 66C of the pair of forming rollers 66, which are in close proximity, gradually sandwich and compress the opposing arc-shaped peripheral portions DA of the outer shell material D from below upward, sealing the arc-shaped peripheral portions DA and forming a sealed portion DF. In addition, the inner surface of the through hole 66H forms the circumferential surface of the central portion DC of the outer shell material D that covers the inner material F. As a result, a semicircular folded food product P is formed with the inner material F covered by the outer shell material D (sealing process, see Figures 33A and 33B).

[0121] Furthermore, by rotating a pair of molding rollers 66 inward in opposite directions, the folded food P is discharged from the two packaging units 65 of the packaging device 6 to the support device 7. Specifically, the two lifting conveyors 7AU and 7AD are raised to the raised position to receive the folded food P, and the two lifting conveyors 7AU and 7AD are lowered to the lowered end position to transport the folded food P and transfer it to the discharge device 8 (discharge process) (see Figures 33A and 33B).

[0122] The description of the folding food product P molding apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is generally as described above, but it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims and are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0123] The rotational position (phase) of the opposing molding rollers 66 (66U, 66D) during the molding process is adjusted by the control device 9. In the bowl-shaped molding process of the outer shell material D, the size of the sealing portion DF of the folded food P can be changed by changing the standby position where the upper end 66CA of the recess 66C is positioned. For example, if the sealing process is started from a position where the upper end 66CA has rotated inward relative to the standby position of the recess 66C shown in Figure 8, the size of the sealing portion DF of the folded food P, especially the top portion, will be larger. Furthermore, even if the outer shell material D is made smaller, the folded food can still be molded.

[0124] Furthermore, if the sealing process is started from a position (phase) where the upper end 66CA is rotated outward, the size of the sealing portion DF of the folded food P, especially the top portion, becomes smaller. Also, even if the outer shell material D is made larger, it is possible to form a folded food with a larger circumference of the outer shell material D covering the inner material F. In this way, it is possible to form folded food P of various sizes. Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of the folded food P. Figure 13b shows a folded food in which the sealing portion DF is formed smaller than in Figure 13a.

[0125] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which the outer shell material D on which the inner material F is placed is supplied to the folding device 3, it is also possible to configure the first pushing unit 51 to be able to supply the inner material and to form the outer shell material into a bowl shape by pushing this first pushing unit onto the outer shell material, or by supplying the inner material from this first pushing unit.

[0126] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the center of the outer shell material D is aligned with the center of the mounting unit 61 so that when the outer shell material D is folded in half, the arc-shaped peripheral portions DP overlap without shifting relative to each other. However, by placing the outer shell material D on the mounting unit 61 so that the positions of each center are relatively offset, it is also possible to form a sealing portion DF in which one arc-shaped peripheral portion DP is offset relative to the other arc-shaped peripheral portion DP (see Figure 13c).

[0127] In the above embodiment, if the shape of the folded food P is within an acceptable range, the pair of mounting members 62 may be omitted and the outer shell material D may be transferred onto the pair of molding rollers 66, or the pressing step and pressing members 42, 142, and 242 may be omitted.

[0128] In the second and third embodiments, since it is not necessary to move the pair of mounting members 62 toward and away from each other, the pair of mounting members 62 may be fixed to the base housing 6A and the drive mechanism 63 may be omitted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0129] 1. Molding apparatus (for folded foods) 2. Supply conveyor 42, 42U, 42D retaining members 54 Central push-in member 59 End-type push-in member 61 Mounting Unit 62, 62U, 62D Mounting members 65 dispensing units 66, 66U, 66D molding rollers 66C recess 66H through hole 146, 246 Outer shape guide member 146A, 246A Inner surface D Outer skin material DA peripheral area DB end (folded portion) DC center F inner material P Foldable Food

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for forming a folded food product (P) by folding a flat outer material (D) to enclose an inner material (F), A pair of molding rollers (66U, 66D) are rotated in opposite directions to move the outer shell material (D), which is folded together with the inner material (F), from top to bottom. A pair of mounting members (62U, 62D) are positioned above the pair of molding rollers (66U, 66D) and on which the outer shell material (D) is placed, An end-pushing member (59) is positioned above the ends (DB) on both sides of the central part (DC) of the outer shell material (D) which is placed on the pair of mounting members (62U, 62D), and is movable up and down. It has, Each of the pair of forming rollers (66U, 66D) has a recess (66C) that constitutes a through hole (66H) through which the central part (DC) of the outer shell material (D) enclosing the inner material (F) passes. The pair of mounting members (62U, 62D) are arranged with a gap between them to allow the end-pushing member (59) to pass through. The end-pushing member (59) can, by descending, push downward the ends (DB) on both sides of the central portion (DC) of the outer shell material (D), pushing them between the pair of mounting members (62U, 62D) and between the pair of forming rollers (66U, 66D), thereby forming the folded portion of the outer shell material (D). The apparatus (1) is such that the pair of forming rollers (66U, 66D) can approach each other to compress the folded portion of the outer material (D) after forming the folded portion of the outer material (D) and raising the end pressing member (59).

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, comprising a pair of pressing members (42U, 42D, 142) positioned above a pair of mounting members (62U, 62D), wherein the pair of pressing members (42U, 42D, 142) are movable downward so as to press the peripheral edge (DB) of the outer shell material (D) toward the pair of mounting members (62U, 62D).

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 2, comprising a pair of external shape guide members (146, 246) that are slidable on a pair of mounting members (62U, 62D), wherein the pair of external shape guide members (146, 246) have inner surfaces (146A, 246A) for adjusting the external shape of the outer material (D) placed on the pair of mounting members (62U, 62D) to a predetermined external shape.

4. The apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein the pair of mounting members (62U, 62D) and the pair of pressing members (42U, 42D) are able to separate from each other so as to stretch the outer shell material (D) while pressing down on the peripheral edge (DA) of the outer shell material (D).

5. The apparatus (1) according to claim 2, further comprising a cylindrical pressing member (242) positioned above the pair of mounting members (62U, 62D), wherein the pressing member (242) is configured to press the peripheral edge (DB) of the outer shell material (D) toward the pair of mounting members (62U, 62D) to form a sealed space inside, and compressed air is supplied to the sealed space.

6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the end pressing member (59) is movable down to the height where the gap between the pair of molding rollers (66U, 66D) is smallest or just above that height.

7. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a central portion pressing member for pressing the central portion (DC) of the inner material (F) and the outer material (D) downward.

8. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pair of molding rollers (66U, 66D) stop when the end pressing member (59) descends, and the rotational position at which the pair of molding rollers (66U, 66D) stop is adjustable to change the shape of the through hole (66H).

9. A method for forming a folded food product (P) in which a flat outer shell material (D) is folded to enclose an inner material (F), (a) A step (a) of transferring the outer shell material (D) from the supply conveyor (2) to a pair of mounting members (62U, 62D) that are arranged opposite each other, (b) A step of pressing the peripheral edges (DA) of the outer shell material (D) against the pair of mounting members (62U, 62D) by lowering a pair of pressing members (42U, 42D), (d) A step of lowering the end-pressing member (59) to push both ends (DB) of the outer shell material (D) downward from between the pair of mounting members (62U, 62D) to extend them to between the opposing pair of forming rollers (66U, 66D) to form a folded portion, (f) A step of compressing the folded portion of the end (DB) by raising the end pressing member (59) and bringing the pair of molding rollers (66U, 66D) closer together, (g) A molding method characterized by including the step of rotating a pair of opposing molding rollers (66U, 66D) toward each other toward the inside, thereby forming the periphery of the outer shell material (D) on which the inner material (F) is arranged on the inner surface of the recess (66C) formed in the pair of molding rollers (66U, 66D), and sealing the folded peripheral portion (DA) of the outer shell material (D) between the opposing sides of the periphery of the recess (66C) of the pair of molding rollers (66U, 66D).

10. Between step (b) and step (d), (c) The molding method according to claim 9, comprising the step of stretching the outer material (D) by separating the opposing pair of pressing members (42U, 42D) from each other and separating the opposing pair of mounting members (62U, 62D) from each other.

11. The molding method according to claim 10, characterized in that, in step (c) above, after stretching the outer shell material (D), the step of bringing the opposing pair of pressing members (42U, 42D) closer together and bringing the opposing pair of mounting members (62U, 62D) closer together.

12. In step (a) above, the inner material (F) is placed on the outer material (D), Between step (d) and step (f), (e) The molding method according to claim 9, comprising the step of lowering the central part pressing member (54) to push the central part (DC) of the outer material (D) downward through the inner material (F).

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