Dough discharge device

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for annularly discharging dough, the device being capable of improving the uniformity of the thickness and density of the dough.　A device (4) according to the present invention for annularly discharging dough (D) comprises: a discharge cylinder (41) having an outlet (41b); a screw (7) disposed in the discharge cylinder and having a rotation axis (A); and an outlet device (8) disposed at the outlet in the discharge cylinder. The outlet device includes a nozzle member (82), and an annular outlet gap (8a) for discharging the dough is configured between the nozzle member and the outlet of the discharge cylinder. The outlet device is configured to rotate the nozzle member about an eccentric axis (B) displaced from the rotation axis in order to vary the size of the outlet gap.

Description

Dough discharge device

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for dispensing dough in a circular shape to form a dough sheet, such as bread dough.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Devices that discharge dough such as bread dough in a circular shape are known (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] JP-A No. 60-066932 JP-A No. 9-065818

[0004] The thickness and density of the dough sheet formed from the dough discharged from the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 may not be uniform.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for discharging dough in a circular shape, which can improve the uniformity of the thickness and density of the dough.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the device according to the present invention for discharging dough in an annular shape comprises a discharge cylinder having an outlet, a screw arranged in the discharge cylinder and having a rotation axis, and an outlet device arranged at the outlet in the discharge cylinder, the outlet device including a nozzle member, an annular outlet gap for discharging dough is formed between the nozzle member and the outlet of the discharge cylinder, and the outlet device is configured to rotate the nozzle member eccentrically relative to the rotation axis so as to vary the size of the outlet gap.

[0007] In a device configured in this manner, the size of the outlet gap is varied by eccentrically rotating the nozzle member. Where the outlet gap is large, the dough is relatively easily discharged. Because the large outlet gap moves circumferentially due to the eccentric rotation, the area where the dough is relatively easily discharged also moves circumferentially, thereby creating a circumferential flow of the dough and promoting uniformity in the thickness and density of the dough. Furthermore, varying the size of the outlet gap creates a beating effect on the discharged dough, thereby promoting uniformity in the thickness and density of the dough.

[0008] In the above-described device according to the present invention, the nozzle member and the screw are preferably driven to rotate separately.

[0009] In the device according to the present invention, the nozzle member preferably includes an expanding diameter portion whose outer diameter increases toward the outlet of the discharge cylinder, and a nozzle portion whose outer diameter is constant toward the outlet of the discharge cylinder and which forms an outlet gap. The expanding diameter portion preferably includes a plurality of recesses and protrusions extending radially and alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0010] In the device according to the present invention, the discharge cylinder preferably extends in the vertical direction.

[0011] In the above-described device according to the present invention, a notch for forming the annularly discharged dough into a dough sheet is preferably provided at the outlet of the discharge cylinder.

[0012] In the above-described device according to the present invention, the outlet portion of the discharge cylinder is preferably configured as a replaceable outer nozzle, and the outer diameter and thickness of the annular dough can be changed by replacing the outer nozzle and the nozzle member.

[0013] 1 is a schematic front view of a dough sheet supplying device including a dough discharging device. FIG. 2 is a schematic right side view of the dough sheet supplying device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the flow of dough in the dough sheet supplying device of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a dough opening device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dough feeding screw. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dough discharging device. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the dough discharging device. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the operation of the cutting device. FIG. 9 is a side view showing the operation of the cutting device. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the operation of the cutting device. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the operation of the cutting device. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a nozzle member of a modified example. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing the flow of dough in a modified dough sheet supplying device. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a modified dough opening device. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a modified dough discharging device.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the dough sheet supplying device 1 includes a dough dividing device 2 that divides a dough lump D1 into elongated dough pieces D2, a conveying device 3 that conveys the elongated dough pieces D2, a dough discharging device 4 that receives the conveyed elongated dough pieces D2 and discharges annular dough pieces (continuous dough pieces) D4, a dough spreading device 5 that flattens the annular dough pieces D4 into flat dough sheets D5, and a discharging device 6 that discharges the dough sheets D5.

[0015] The dough dividing device 2 includes an upper hopper 21 that receives the dough lump D1, and a cutter 22 that is disposed below the upper hopper 21 and divides the lower portion of the dough lump D1 into elongated strips (like rods). The cutter 22 is, for example, a pair of rotary blade cutters (so-called star cutters) or a slide plate cutter.

[0016] The conveying device 3 includes a horizontal first conveyor 31 arranged below the dough dividing device 2, a second conveyor 32 arranged downstream of the first conveyor 31 and inclined downward toward the downstream side, and a sensor (not shown) that detects the dough being conveyed to the dough discharging device 4.

[0017] The dough discharge device 4 has a cylindrical hopper (discharge cylinder) 41 that extends vertically and has an inlet 41a and an outlet 41b (see FIG. 6), a dough feeding screw 7 located inside the hopper 41, an outlet device 8 that is located at the outlet (lower end) 41b of the hopper 41 and forms an annular outlet gap 8a (see FIG. 6) between it and the hopper 41, and a dough cutting device 9 that is located at the inlet (upper end) 41a of the hopper 41 and cuts the thin dough D2 into dough balls (small lumps of dough) D3. The dough discharge device 4 will be described in detail later.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4 , the dough spreading device 5 includes a cutting section 51 that forms a cut in one circumferential position (downstream of the feeding device 6) of the annular dough D4, a pair of spreaders 52 and a pair of guide rollers 53 that spread the dough D4 on the feeding device 6, and a sensor 54 that detects the dough D4. The cutting section 51 includes a first plate-like member 51a that forms a cut in one position of the annular dough D4 and two second plate-like members 51b that extend diagonally downward from the first plate-like member 51a. The spreaders 52 are located below the cutting section 51 and on both sides of it. Each spreader 52 is configured to rotate multiple horizontally extending rollers along a circular orbit in a rotation direction R3. Each guide roller 53 extends horizontally and is located at an end of the spread dough and near the feeding device 6. The spreaders 52 and guide rollers 53 have known structures, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0019] The delivery device 6 includes an upstream conveyor 61 located below the dough discharge device 4, a downstream conveyor 62 located downstream of the upstream conveyor 61, and a pair of gauge rollers 63 located between the upstream conveyor 61 and the downstream conveyor 62. The upstream conveyor 61 is configured to receive the spread dough D5 from above and transport it in the transport direction S.

[0020] 3, the notch 51, the pair of spreaders 52, and the pair of guide rollers 53 of the dough spreading device 5 are arranged downstream of the circular dough D4 in the conveyance direction S, and are configured to cut and spread the circular dough D4. As a result, the inner surface of the circular dough D4 becomes the upper surface of the dough D5 on the upstream conveyor 61.

[0021] Next, the dough discharge device 4 will be described in detail.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a cylindrical hopper (discharge cylinder) 41 is disposed concentrically with the rotation axis A of the screw 7, and has an upper surface 41c and a lower surface 41d.

[0023] The screw 7 includes a hollow rotating shaft 71, three helical blades 72 attached around the rotating shaft 71, and a screw drive unit 73 (see Figure 3) connected to the rotating shaft 71 and rotating the rotating shaft 71 around the rotation axis A.

[0024] The outer diameter of the inlet portion (upper portion) 71a of the rotary shaft 71 is substantially constant, and the outer diameter of the outlet portion (lower portion) 71b of the rotary shaft 71 is tapered so as to become larger toward the outlet 41b.

[0025] The outer diameter of each blade 72 is constant and slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the hopper 41 so that it rotates within the hopper 41. Each blade 72 includes an entrance section 72a located upstream and having a large lead angle (e.g., 30 degrees or more) and a feed section 72b located downstream and having a small lead angle (e.g., 20 degrees or less). The large lead angle is preferably determined so that the dough ball D3 cut by the dough cutting device 9 can smoothly reach the feed section 72b. Each blade 72 has an upper surface 72c and a lower surface 72d, which are longitudinal end surfaces. The upper surfaces 72c of the three blades 72 are located in the same horizontal plane. The entrance 41a of the hopper 41 is located at the upper surface 72c, and the upper surfaces 72c of the blades 72 are preferably located in the same plane as the upper surface 41c of the hopper 41. The lower surfaces 72d of the three blades 72 are located in the same horizontal plane. An entrance space S1 is defined between the entrance portion 72a of the blade 72 and the hopper 41, and a feed space S2 is defined between the feed portion 72b of the blade 72 and the hopper 41. The upper surface 72c of the blade 72 is exposed at the entrance 41a of the hopper 41. The circumferential pitch P of the blade 72 is a length corresponding to 120 degrees. The opening of the entrance space S1 at the upper surface 72c is, for example, 37 cm in the circumferential direction and 20 cm in the radial direction.

[0026] The screw driving unit 73 includes a housing 73a, a hollow shaft 73b rotatably supported by the housing 73a and connected to the rotary shaft 71, and a motor 73c that rotates the hollow shaft 73b.

[0027] 6 and 7, the outlet device 8 includes a cylindrical eccentric collar 81 that rotates eccentrically about the rotation axis A of the screw 7, a nozzle member 82 rotatably attached to the eccentric collar 81 via a bearing 85, a rotation prevention member 83 attached to the lower surface 82d of the nozzle member 82, and an outlet drive unit 84 (see FIG. 3) that rotates the eccentric collar 81. The outlet drive unit 84 includes a drive shaft 84a that is connected to the eccentric collar 81 and that passes through the rotation axis 71 and hollow shaft 73b of the screw 7, and a motor 84b that rotates the drive shaft 84a.

[0028] The nozzle member 82 includes an upstream-side expanded diameter portion 82a and a downstream-side nozzle portion 82b. The outer diameter of the expanded diameter portion 82a tapers toward the outlet 41b and is preferably substantially continuous with the outer diameter of the rotation shaft 71 of the screw 7. The outer diameter of the nozzle portion 82b is constant toward the outlet 41b. A pressing space S3 is defined between the expanded diameter portion 82a and the hopper 41, and a nozzle space S4 is defined between the nozzle portion 82b and the hopper 41. The lower surface 41d of the hopper 41 and the lower surface 82d of the nozzle member 82 are preferably located in the same horizontal plane. The annular outlet gap 8a is defined by the hopper 41 and the nozzle member 82. The annular outlet gap 8a includes a maximum gap C1 and a minimum gap C2. The upper surface 82c of the nozzle member 82 is slidable along the lower surface 72d of the blade 72 and is supported in the vertical direction by a bearing 85. As a result, the nozzle member 82 is configured to rotate eccentrically within the hopper 41. As the nozzle member 82 rotates once, the positions of the maximum gap C1 and the minimum gap C2 also rotate once around the rotation axis A. That is, the size of the outlet gap 8a fluctuates between the maximum gap C1 and the minimum gap C2 at any point. The maximum gap C1 is, for example, 6 to 20 mm, and the fluctuation range between the maximum gap C1 and the minimum gap C2 is, for example, 4 to 10 mm. The rotation prevention member 83 is configured to cooperate with the first plate-shaped member 51a of the dough spreading device 5 to prevent the nozzle member 82 from rotating on its own axis. The rotation speed (e.g., 100 to 400 rpm) of the nozzle member 82 (eccentric collar 81) is preferably greater than the rotation speed (e.g., 10 to 40 rpm) of the screw 7.

[0029] 8A to 10B, the dough cutting device 9, disposed at the entrance 41a of the hopper 41, includes a guide roller 91 and a cutting plate 92 disposed adjacent to the guide roller 91. The guide roller 91 is rotatable about an axis extending in the radial direction of the hopper 41 in a rotational direction R2 and is disposed obliquely with respect to the elongated dough D2 so as to guide the elongated dough D2 between adjacent blades 72 (the entrance space S1). The guide roller 91 includes a lower edge located in the same plane as the upper surfaces 72c of the blades 72. The cutting plate 92 includes a lower surface 92a located in approximately the same plane as the upper surfaces 72c of the blades 72, and the lower surface 92a is configured to cooperate with the upper surfaces 72c of the blades 72 to cut the dough ball D3 from the elongated dough D2.

[0030] Next, the operation of the dough sheet supplying device 1 will be described.

[0031] The dough lump D1 is fed into the upper hopper 21 of the dough dividing device 2, and the lower portion of the dough lump D1 is divided into elongated dough strips D2 using a cutter 22 located below the upper hopper 21. The cross section of the elongated dough strips D2 is, for example, 13 cm wide x 7 cm high, which is smaller than the pitch P of the blades 72. The elongated dough strips D2 are transported to the dough discharging device 4 by a first conveyor 31 and a second conveyor 32.

[0032] The elongated dough D2 is supplied from above to the hopper 41 by the downwardly inclined second conveyor 32. That is, the dough D2 is supplied in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the screw 7. When a sensor (not shown) detects that the dough D2 has overflowed the hopper 41, it is preferable to reduce the speed of the first conveyor 31 and the second conveyor 32.

[0033] The elongated dough D2 is guided into the hopper 41 by a guide roller 91 (FIGS. 8A and 8B). The elongated dough D2 is directed in the circumferential direction of the hopper 41. When the leading end of the elongated dough D2 enters the space S1 of the hopper 41 (FIGS. 9A and 9B), the upper surface 72c of the blade 72 and the lower surface 92a of the cutting plate 92, which are rotating at a constant speed, cut the elongated dough D2 to form dough balls (small chunks of dough) D3 (FIGS. 10A and 10B). As a result, dough balls D3 are supplied one by one between the blades 72. In other words, the dough balls D3 are supplied in approximately the same direction as the rotation axis A of the screw 7. The size of the dough balls D3 is smaller than the pitch P, e.g., 13 x 7 x 18 cm. Since dough balls D3 smaller than the pitch P of the blades 72 are supplied between the blades 72 of the screw 7, the dough balls D3 can be reliably supplied to the space S1 between the hopper 41 and the screw 7. As a result, the density of the dough D4 discharged from the hopper 41 is stabilized, and the thickness and density of the dough sheet D5 can be made more uniform.

[0034] In the entrance space S1, the dough ball D3 is dropped by its own weight and sent to the feeding space S2. Then, the blades 72 push the dough ball D3 toward the outlet 41b in the feeding space S2 and the pressing space S3. Then, in the pressing space S3 and the nozzle space S4, the dough ball D3 is pressed to adhere to the nozzle space S3 and further bond (integrate).

[0035] The eccentric rotation of the nozzle member 82 changes the volume of the pressing space S3 and the volume of the nozzle space S4 (the size of the outlet gap 8a). Where the volume of the pressing space S3 is smaller, the integration of the dough is promoted. The area of ​​the maximum gap C1 is more likely to eject the dough D4 than the area of ​​the minimum gap C2. Because the area of ​​the maximum gap C1 moves circumferentially due to the eccentric rotation, the area where the dough D4 is more likely to be ejected also moves circumferentially, thereby creating a circumferential flow of the dough and promoting uniformity in the thickness and density of the dough. Furthermore, varying the size of the outlet gap 8a creates a beating effect on the ejected dough D4, thereby promoting uniformity in the thickness and density of the dough D4. As a result, product weight variation can be reduced.

[0036] The incision section 51 forms incisions in the circular dough D4, and the dough D4 is spread by the spreader 52 and guide rollers 53 to form a dough sheet D5. The dough sheet D5 is fed onto the conveying surface of the delivery device 6. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the inner surface of the circularly discharged dough D4 faces upward. When the sensor 54 detects slack or tension in the dough sheet D5, it is advisable to increase or decrease the rotation speed of the screw 7 and nozzle member 82. The thickness of the dough sheet D5 is adjusted by the gauge roller 63, and the dough sheet D5 is delivered from the downstream conveyor 62.

[0037] Although the embodiments of the dough dispensing device and method according to the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0038] The dough is not limited to bread dough, but may be pastry dough. A two-layer dough sheet may be formed without forming cuts in the circular dough D4.

[0039] Although the discharge cylinder (hopper) 41 extends vertically, it may also extend horizontally. In this case, the inlet 41a of the discharge cylinder 41 is generally provided on the side of the screw 7, and the blades 72 are exposed to the inlet 41a. The pitch P of the blades 72 is determined linearly. In the above embodiment, the screw 7 has three blades 72, but it may also have one, two or more blades.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the dough balls D3 cut from the elongated dough D2 are supplied to the hopper 41, but pre-formed dough balls D3 may also be supplied to the hopper 41. Furthermore, instead of supplying the elongated dough D2 divided by the dough dividing device 2, continuous elongated dough D2 may also be supplied.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the outer diameter of the nozzle portion 82b of the nozzle member 82 is constant toward the outlet 41b. However, it may decrease or increase toward the outlet 41b (the lower surface 82d). Furthermore, the outer peripheral surfaces of the expanded diameter portion 82a and the nozzle portion 82b may include spiral, linear, or protruding convex portions, and / or concave portions such as spiral, linear, or dimples. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the expanded diameter portion 82a' of the nozzle member 82 may include multiple concave portions 82e and multiple convex portions 82f extending linearly and radially and alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. In this case, the dough ball D3 that has entered the concave portions 82e (sandwiched between the convex portions 82f) is restricted from moving circumferentially relative to the expanded diameter portion 82a'. This promotes flow toward the outlet 41b and has the effect of uniforming the thickness and density of the dough ball D3 in the circumferential direction in the pressing space S3. As a result, the thickness and density of the dough D4 discharged from the outlet 41b are made uniform.

[0042] As in a modified dough sheet supplying device 101 shown in Fig. 12, the notching section 51, the pair of spreaders 52, and the pair of guide rollers 53 of the dough spreading device 5 may be arranged upstream of the annular dough D4 in the conveyance direction S to cut and spread the annular dough D4. As a result, as shown in Fig. 13, the outer surface of the annular dough D4 becomes the upper surface of the dough D5 spread on the upstream conveyor 61. In this way, by changing the location of the dough spreading device 5 depending on the properties of the dough, the upper surface of the dough D5 spread on the upstream conveyor 61 may become the inner surface of the annular dough D4 (see Fig. 4) or the outer surface (see Fig. 13).

[0043] As shown in FIG. 12 , a modified dough sheet supplying device 101 may employ a multi-roller stretcher 64 in place of the pair of gauge rollers 63 in the delivery device 6. The stretcher 64 includes a lower roller 64a disposed below the dough sheet D5, multiple spreading rollers 64c disposed circumferentially above the dough sheet D5, and a drive unit 64d that revolves the spreading rollers 64c around the circumference. Each spreading roller 64c is freely rotatable while revolving. The stretcher 64 may also include a drive unit that forcibly rotates each spreading roller 64c. The stretcher 64 is expected to stretch the dough sheet D5 more efficiently than a pair of gauge rollers 63. Therefore, the stretcher 64 can cause less damage to the dough sheet D5 than a pair of gauge rollers 63 when supplying the dough sheet D5 thinned to the desired thickness to the downstream conveyor 62.

[0044] As in the modified dough discharging device 4' shown in Figure 14, the outlet of the hopper 41' may be configured as a replaceable outer nozzle 91, and the diameter of the outlet 41b may be reduced. This forms a nozzle space S4 between the nozzle part 82b and the outer nozzle 91 of the hopper 41'. For example, by replacing the outer nozzle 91 with the nozzle member 82, the outer diameter and thickness of the annular dough D4 can be changed as desired. In other words, the dough width and thickness of the dough sheet D5 can be changed.

[0045] 4, 4' Dough discharge device 7 Screw 8 Outlet device 8a Annular outlet gap 41, 41' Hopper (discharge cylinder) 41b Outlet 82 Nozzle member 82a Expanded diameter portion 82b Nozzle portion 91 Outer nozzle A Rotation axis D4 Annular dough (continuous dough)

Claims

1. A device (4, 4') for annularly discharging a dough (D4), comprising: a discharge cylinder (41) having an outlet (41b); a screw (7) arranged in the discharge cylinder (41, 41') and having a rotation axis (A); and an outlet device (8) arranged at the outlet (41b) in the discharge cylinder (41), the outlet device (8) including a nozzle member (82), an annular outlet gap (8a) for discharging the dough (D4) is configured between the nozzle member (82) and the outlet (41b) of the discharge cylinder (41, 41'), the outlet device (8) being configured to rotate the nozzle member (82) eccentrically with respect to the rotation axis (A) so as to vary the size of the outlet gap (8a).

2. The device (4, 4') according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle member (82) and the screw (7) are separately driven in rotation.

3. The device (4, 4') as described in claim 1, wherein the nozzle member (82) includes an expanding portion (82a) whose outer diameter increases toward the outlet (41b) of the discharge cylinder (41, 41'), and a nozzle portion (82b) whose outer diameter is constant toward the outlet (41b) of the discharge cylinder (41, 41') and which constitutes the outlet gap (8a).

4. The device (4, 4') according to claim 1, wherein the discharge cylinder (41, 41') extends in the vertical direction.

5. The device (4, 4') according to claim 1, wherein a notch (51) for forming the annularly discharged dough into a dough sheet is provided at the outlet (41b) of the discharge cylinder (41, 41').

6. The device (4, 4') according to claim 3, wherein the enlarged portion (82a) includes a plurality of radially extending recesses (82e) and protrusions (82f) alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

7. The device (4') according to claim 1, wherein the outlet portion of the discharge cylinder (41') is configured as a replaceable outer nozzle (91), and the outer diameter and thickness of the annular dough (D4) can be changed by replacing the outer nozzle (91) and the nozzle member (82).