Gummy candy production system and method

Abstract

A gummy candy production system and method. The system comprises: a slurry preparation system used for dispersing, dissolving, shearing, and mixing continuously provided materials for preparing a gummy slurry to form a uniform gummy slurry; a continuous defoaming system used for receiving the gummy slurry and continuously defoaming the gummy slurry; a flat sheet pouring system used for processing the gummy slurry into candy bodies in a fixed shape; an automatic cutting system used for cutting the candy bodies into candy cubes on the basis of a preset size; a drying system used for continuously drying and discharging the candy cubes; an oil coating and packaging system used for coating the candy cubes with oil and packaging same; and a control system used for receiving a product production information instruction and automatically retrieving production process parameters of the system. The method uses a continuous production process, on the same scale, requires a small number of devices, reduces energy consumption, and achieves high production efficiency.

Description

Soft candy production system and method Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of food processing, and in particular to a soft candy production system and method. Background Art

[0002] As a popular food product, gummy candies are a true star in the health supplement and health food industries. Their cute and cuddly appearance has captivated consumers of all ages, particularly children and young adults. Importantly, as a newly approved health food dosage form, gummy candies can incorporate the most popular functional ingredients, rapidly becoming a key food carrier for health and nutritional benefits.

[0003] The traditional soft candy preparation process mainly includes weighing-mixing-boiling-degassing-casting-drying-oil / sugar coating-post-processing-packaging, and adopts batch production.

[0004] The traditional sugar solution preparation process utilizes a multi-tank system, including sugar dissolving tanks, gelling tanks, sugar boiling tanks, various functional ingredient preparation tanks, and a final mixing tank. The sugar solution is relatively thick, making it difficult to mix evenly after adding the functional ingredients. Therefore, the production volume per batch (tank volume) is limited, typically ≤200kg. Therefore, increasing production volume requires multiple systems to operate simultaneously. Overall, the traditional sugar solution preparation process requires numerous tanks, a long process time, and a high labor demand.

[0005] Bubbles in the sugar solution can affect the appearance, quality, and weight of the sugar during the pouring process. A common treatment method involves stirring and vacuuming the solution during the heat preservation process, causing it to continuously rotate and accelerate, allowing the bubbles to escape to the surface. This approach has significant limitations, such as extending the heating and holding time, affecting the stability of the active ingredients, and changing the ratio of volatile components in the sugar solution (flavors and fragrances).

[0006] The traditional method of drying soft candies is to use drying room drying, which is an intermittent operation. The hot air drying temperature is ≤45℃ and the humidity is controlled at ≤30%. The drying time is usually more than 48 hours. It is time-consuming and energy-consuming, and occupies a large area. The drying position needs to be manually adjusted during the process to ensure the consistency of moisture in the entire product, which is a bottleneck in the entire process.

[0007] In summary, the existing soft candy production adopts step-by-step batch production, with numerous equipment, complicated and discontinuous processes, and the preparation process requires multiple people to carry out step-by-step. The operators have high workload, the entire process takes a long time, the process loss is high, the production cost is high, and the overall energy consumption is also relatively high.

[0008] Summary of the Invention

[0009] In response to the shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention provides a soft candy production system and method. The system and method adopt a continuous production process. Under the same scale, the number of equipment is small and simple, the entire production line occupies a small area, has low energy consumption, low production cost, and improves labor efficiency. It has unique advantages in the direction of gel soft candies including those containing functional materials.

[0010] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0011] A soft candy production system comprising:

[0012] The sugar solution preparation system is used to disperse, dissolve, shear and mix the continuously provided materials for preparing the soft candy sugar solution into a uniform soft candy sugar solution, and continuously discharge the soft candy sugar solution at a preset speed;

[0013] a continuous degassing system for receiving the soft candy liquid continuously discharged from the liquid preparation system, performing continuous degassing on the soft candy liquid, and discharging the degassed soft candy liquid at a preset speed and temperature;

[0014] A flat plate pouring system is used to receive the soft candy liquid continuously discharged from the continuous degassing system and process the soft candy liquid into a candy body with a fixed shape;

[0015] an automatic cutting system for receiving the sugar bodies continuously provided by the flat plate depositing system and cutting the sugar bodies into sugar blocks according to preset sizes;

[0016] A drying system, configured to receive the sugar blocks continuously provided by the automatic cutting system, dry the sugar blocks continuously at a preset speed, and discharge the sugar blocks;

[0017] an oil-coating and packaging system for receiving the sugar blocks continuously discharged from the drying system and coating and packaging the sugar blocks with oil;

[0018] The control system is used to receive product production information instructions and order quantity and automatically retrieve the product formula, raw material and auxiliary material quantity, and production rate, and can automatically retrieve the production process parameters of the sugar solution preparation system, continuous degassing system, flat plate casting system, automatic cutting system, drying system, and oil wrapping and packaging system.

[0019] Furthermore, the sugar liquid preparation system includes a mixing and shearing device, multiple feeding stations, multiple first heating devices and second heating devices. The multiple feeding stations are respectively used to store materials with different material properties, and the multiple feeding stations are connected to the mixing and shearing device for continuously conveying materials with different material properties to the mixing and shearing device. The mixing and shearing device is used to continuously disperse, dissolve, shear and mix the materials into a uniform soft candy sugar liquid. The control system is electrically connected to the feeding station for controlling the feeding speed of the feeding station, and the control system is electrically connected to the mixing and shearing device for controlling the shearing speed of the middle screw of the mixing and shearing device; multiple first heating devices are electrically connected to the control system, and multiple first heating devices are one-to-one with multiple feeding stations for heating the feeding stations, and the second heating devices are electrically connected to the control system.

[0020] Furthermore, the continuous degassing system includes a feed liquid storage tank, a continuous degassing machine and a discharge liquid storage tank. The feed liquid storage tank is used to temporarily store the soft candy liquid discharged by the liquid preparation system. The continuous degassing machine is used to receive the soft candy liquid provided by the feed liquid storage tank and perform continuous degassing treatment on it. The discharge liquid storage tank is used to receive the liquid discharged by the continuous degassing machine. The control system is electrically connected to the continuous degassing machine to control the speed at which the continuous degassing machine discharges the liquid to be consistent with the speed at which the liquid preparation system discharges the soft candy liquid.

[0021] Furthermore, a pair of first liquid level sensors and a first temperature control device are provided in the feed liquid storage tank, the pair of first liquid level sensors are respectively provided at the high liquid level and the low liquid level in the feed liquid storage tank, and the first liquid level sensor and the first temperature control device are both electrically connected to the control system;

[0022] When the sugar liquid level in the feed liquid storage tank is higher than the level of the first liquid level sensor located at the high liquid level, the control system controls the continuous deaerator to run continuously at a preset speed;

[0023] When the level of the sugar solution in the feed liquid storage tank is lower than the level of the first liquid level sensor located at the low liquid level, the control system controls the continuous degassing machine to stop running.

[0024] Furthermore, a pair of second liquid level sensors and a second temperature control device are provided in the discharge liquid storage tank, and the pair of second liquid level sensors are respectively provided at the high liquid level and the low liquid level in the discharge liquid storage tank, and the second liquid level sensor and the second temperature control device are both electrically connected to the control system.

[0025] Furthermore, the flat-plate casting system includes a delivery pump, an injection device, and a flat-plate mold. The delivery pump is electrically connected to the control system and is used to deliver the sugar liquid in the discharge liquid storage tank to the material storage tank of the injection device. The control system is electrically connected to the inner propulsion rod of the injection device, and the inner propulsion rod is used to push the sugar liquid in the material storage tank into the mold cavity of the flat-plate mold.

[0026] When the sugar liquid level in the discharge liquid storage tank is higher than the level of the second liquid level sensor located at the high liquid level, the delivery pump is started and operates at a preset delivery speed;

[0027] When the sugar liquid level in the discharge liquid storage tank is lower than the liquid level of the second liquid level sensor located at the low liquid level, the delivery pump stops running.

[0028] Furthermore, a pair of third liquid level sensors are provided in the material storage tank, the pair of third liquid level sensors are respectively located at the high liquid level and the low liquid level of the material storage tank, and the third liquid level sensors are electrically connected to the control system;

[0029] When the level of the sugar solution in the material storage tank is higher than the level of the third liquid level sensor located at the high liquid level, the delivery pump stops running;

[0030] When the level of the sugar solution in the material storage tank is lower than the level of the third level sensor located at the low level, the delivery pump is started and runs at a preset delivery speed.

[0031] Furthermore, the flat-plate casting system also includes a frame, a conveying assembly and a cooling device. The conveying assembly includes a conveying chain arranged on the frame and a motor for driving the conveying chain. The flat-plate molds are evenly distributed on the conveying chain. The injection device is arranged at one end of the conveying chain. The cooling device is arranged at the other end of the conveying chain and is used to freeze the sugar liquid in the flat-plate mold. The control system is electrically connected to the motor for controlling the running speed of the conveying chain; the control system is electrically connected to the cooling device for controlling the refrigeration temperature of the cooling device.

[0032] Furthermore, the drying system includes an automatic feeding device, a discharge distributor, a belt transmission device and a vacuum microwave device. The automatic feeding device and the control system are electrically connected to deliver the sugar blocks to the feed port of the vacuum microwave device; the discharge distributor and the control system are electrically connected to evenly distribute the sugar blocks at the feed port to the belt transmission device, and the belt transmission device and the control system are electrically connected to transport the sugar blocks to the vacuum microwave device. A vacuum cavity is formed in the vacuum microwave device, and a multi-layer transmission device for transmitting the sugar blocks and a microwave device for providing different microwave heating powers for different layers are provided in the vacuum cavity. The transmission device and the microwave device are both electrically connected to the control system.

[0033] Furthermore, a first moisture detection sensor is provided at the feed port of the vacuum microwave device, and a second moisture detection sensor is provided at the discharge port of the vacuum microwave device. Both the first moisture detection sensor and the second moisture detection sensor are electrically connected to the control system.

[0034] Furthermore, the oil-coating and packaging system includes an oiler, a packaging machine, and a detection light. The oiler is electrically connected to the control system for coating the dried sugar blocks with oil. The detection light is electrically connected to the control system for performing optical inspection on the oil-coated sugar blocks. The packaging machine is electrically connected to the control system for packaging the inspected sugar blocks.

[0035] A method for producing soft candy comprises the following steps:

[0036] Input instructions: Input product production information instructions and order quantity into the control system. The control system will automatically retrieve the product formula, raw material quantity, production rate, and production process parameters of each system. After verification and confirmation, it will be transmitted to each process;

[0037] Run the sugar solution preparation system: disperse, dissolve, shear and mix the continuously provided materials for preparing the soft candy sugar solution into a uniform soft candy sugar solution, and continuously discharge the soft candy sugar solution at a preset speed;

[0038] Running a continuous degassing system: receiving the soft candy sugar solution continuously discharged from the sugar solution preparation system and continuously degassing the soft candy sugar solution, and discharging the degassed soft candy sugar solution at a preset speed and temperature;

[0039] Running the flat plate pouring system: receiving the soft candy liquid continuously discharged from the continuous degassing system and processing the soft candy liquid into a candy body with a fixed shape;

[0040] Running the automatic cutting system: receiving the sugar bodies continuously provided by the flat plate pouring system and cutting the sugar bodies into sugar blocks according to preset sizes;

[0041] Running the drying system: receiving the sugar blocks continuously provided by the automatic cutting system and continuously drying and discharging the sugar blocks at a preset speed;

[0042] Running the oil coating and packaging system: receiving the sugar blocks continuously discharged from the drying system and coating and packaging the sugar blocks with oil.

[0043] Furthermore, the step of operating the sugar solution preparation system specifically includes the following steps:

[0044] Weigh the corresponding weight portions of materials according to the formula and classify them according to their properties. Add the various materials into the feeding station according to their properties and control the temperature of them through the first heating device respectively;

[0045] At the same time, the system calculates and adjusts the feeding speed of each material into the mixing and shearing equipment according to the mass proportion of each material in the total material;

[0046] Preheating the mixing and shearing equipment by a second heating device;

[0047] The feeding station is opened, and the mixing and shearing equipment disperses, dissolves, shears and mixes the materials continuously provided by the feeding station into a uniform soft candy liquid, and continuously discharges the soft candy liquid at a preset speed.

[0048] Furthermore, the step of operating the continuous degassing system specifically includes:

[0049] The soft candy liquid continuously produced by the liquid preparation system is fed into the feed liquid storage tank according to the established output. When the first liquid level sensor in the feed liquid storage tank senses the soft candy liquid, the continuous deaerator is automatically turned on. The deaeration speed and corresponding process parameters of the continuous deaerator are operated according to the established settings, and the deaerated material is fed into the discharge liquid storage tank.

[0050] Furthermore, the step of operating the drying system specifically includes:

[0051] The automatic feeding device delivers the sugar blocks to the feed port of the vacuum microwave device, the discharge distributor evenly distributes the sugar blocks at the feed port to the belt transmission device, the belt transmission device transports the sugar blocks to the vacuum microwave device, and the conveying device in the vacuum microwave device transports the sugar blocks downward layer by layer. While the sugar blocks are transported downward layer by layer, the microwave equipment dries the sugar blocks.

[0052] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0053] 1. This fully automated soft candy production system, through the combination of control system, sugar solution preparation system, continuous degassing system, flat plate pouring system, automatic cutting system, drying system and oil coating and packaging system, realizes complete automation and intelligentization of soft candy production. The process is simple and continuous, which greatly improves production efficiency and greatly shortens the output time of soft candy. The time from feeding to obtaining soft candy finished products can be controlled within 8-10 hours, and it can produce continuously. The overall process and equipment are optimized, which reduces the space occupied by the factory and improves economic benefits.

[0054] 2. The parameter setting of the control system makes it easy to replace and adjust the products of the soft candy production system.

[0055] 3. When the fully automated soft candy production system is fully operational, in addition to preparing materials, only 1-2 people are needed to monitor the system operation and observe the equipment status, which reduces the workload of operators and saves manpower on the entire production line.

[0056] 4. Introducing the continuous degassing machine into the entire preparation process makes the entire preparation process continuous, thereby saving equipment, energy consumption and product processing time, achieving the effect of improving the appearance of soft candies and continuous production, especially in the direction of high-viscosity gel soft candies and heat-sensitive functional materials.

[0057] 5. The vacuum microwave device utilizes a vacuum chamber environment and microwave equipment to accelerate moisture migration within the candy, significantly improving drying efficiency and reducing drying time to 4-6 hours. Because it dries at a relatively low temperature under vacuum, it can meet the processing requirements of most heat-sensitive materials. The continuous vacuum dryer overcomes the technical difficulties of continuous material loading and unloading under vacuum conditions, successfully transforming static drying into dynamic drying. Its automated, programmed control system maintains the candy's optimal appearance, significantly improving drying efficiency while reducing overall production costs.

[0058] 6. Compared with traditional processes, this system and method adopts a continuous production process. Under the same scale, the number of equipment is small and simple, the entire production line occupies a small area, has low energy consumption, low production costs, and improves labor efficiency. It has unique advantages in the direction of gel candies including those containing functional materials. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] FIG1 is a system block diagram of a soft candy production system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] FIG2 is a system block diagram of a sugar solution preparation system;

[0061] FIG3 is a system block diagram of a continuous degassing system;

[0062] Figure 4 is a system block diagram of the flat plate casting system;

[0063] FIG5 is a system block diagram of a drying system;

[0064] FIG6 is a system block diagram of the oil packaging system;

[0065] FIG7 is a flow chart of a method for producing soft candy according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] 1. Sugar solution preparation system; 10. Mixing and shearing equipment; 11. Feeding station; 12. First heating device; 13. Second heating device; 2. Continuous degassing system; 20. Feed liquid storage tank; 200. First liquid level sensor; 201. First temperature control device; 21. Continuous degassing machine; 22. Discharge liquid storage tank; 220. Second liquid level sensor; 221. Second temperature control device; 3. Flatbed casting system; 30. Delivery pump; 31. Injection device; 310. Material storage tank; 311. Inner push rod; 32. Flatbed mold; 320. Mold cavity; 33. Third Liquid level sensor; 34. Rack; 35. Conveying assembly; 350. Conveyor chain; 351. Motor; 36. Cooling device; 4. Automatic cutting system; 5. Drying system; 50. Automatic feeding device; 51. Belt transmission device; 52. Vacuum microwave device; 520. Vacuum cavity; 521. Conveying device; 522. Microwave equipment; 53. First moisture detection sensor; 54. Second moisture detection sensor; 55. Discharging distributor; 6. Oil wrapping and packaging system; 60. Oiling machine; 61. Packaging machine; 62. Detection light; 7. Control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] The following is a further non-restrictive detailed description of the technical solution of the invention in conjunction with the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "multiple" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present invention, and cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0068] As shown in FIG1 , a soft candy production system according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a sugar solution preparation system 1, a continuous degassing system 2, a flat plate pouring system 3, an automatic cutting system 4, a drying system 5, an oil-wrapping and packaging system 6, and a control system 7. The sugar solution preparation system 1 is used to disperse, dissolve, shear and mix the continuously provided materials for preparing the soft candy solution into a uniform soft candy solution, and continuously discharge the soft candy solution at a preset speed; the continuous degassing system 2 is used to receive the soft candy solution continuously discharged by the sugar solution preparation system 1 and continuously degas it, and discharge the degassed soft candy solution at a preset speed and temperature; the flat plate pouring system 3 is used to receive the soft candy solution continuously discharged by the continuous degassing system 2 and The sugar liquid is processed into sugar bodies with fixed shapes; the automatic cutting system 4 is used to receive the sugar bodies continuously provided by the flat plate casting system 3 and cut the sugar bodies into sugar blocks according to preset sizes; the drying system 5 is used to receive the sugar blocks continuously provided by the automatic cutting system 4 and continuously dry and discharge the sugar blocks at a preset speed; the oil coating and packaging system 6 is used to receive the sugar blocks continuously discharged by the drying system 5 and coat and package the sugar blocks with oil; the control system 7 is used to receive product production information instructions and order quantities and automatically retrieve the product formula, raw material and auxiliary material quantities, and production rate, and can automatically retrieve the production process parameters of the sugar liquid preparation system 1, the continuous degassing system 2, the flat plate casting system 3, the automatic cutting system 4, the drying system 5, and the oil coating and packaging system 6.

[0069] As shown in Figure 2, the sugar liquid preparation system 1 includes a mixing and shearing device 10, multiple feeding stations 11, multiple first heating devices 12 and second heating devices 13. The multiple feeding stations 11 are respectively used to store materials with different material properties, and the multiple feeding stations 11 are connected to the mixing and shearing device 10 for continuously conveying materials with different material properties to the mixing and shearing device 10. The mixing and shearing device 10 is used to continuously disperse, dissolve, shear and mix the materials into a uniform soft candy sugar liquid. The control system 7 is electrically connected to the feeding station 11 for controlling the feeding speed of the feeding station 11, and the control system 7 is electrically connected to the mixing and shearing device 10 for controlling the shearing speed of the middle screw of the mixing and shearing device 10; the multiple first heating devices 12 are all electrically connected to the control system 7, and the multiple first heating devices 12 are one-to-one with the multiple feeding stations 11 for heating the feeding stations 11, and the second heating devices 13 are all electrically connected to the control system 7.

[0070] Specifically, the feeding station 11 and the mixing and shearing equipment 10 are connected by a pipeline, and a regulating valve is set on the pipeline to control the flow rate of the material in each feeding station 11 into the mixing and shearing equipment 10, wherein the regulating valve can be controlled by the control system 7.

[0071] After the material enters the mixing and shearing equipment 10, the control system 7 controls the motor speed, and the motor drives the twin screws to rotate. The twin screws disperse, dissolve, shear and mix the material in the mixing and shearing equipment 10 into a uniform soft candy liquid, and at the same time discharge the soft candy liquid to the outlet of the mixing and shearing equipment 10.

[0072] As shown in Figure 3, the continuous degassing system 2 includes a feed liquid storage tank 20, a continuous degassing machine 21 and a discharge liquid storage tank 22. The feed liquid storage tank 20 is used to temporarily store the soft candy liquid discharged from the liquid preparation system 1. The continuous degassing machine 21 is used to receive the soft candy liquid provided by the feed liquid storage tank 20 and perform continuous degassing treatment on it. The discharge liquid storage tank 22 is used to receive the sugar liquid discharged by the continuous degassing machine 21. The control system 7 is electrically connected to the continuous degassing machine 21 to control the speed at which the continuous degassing machine 21 discharges the sugar liquid to be consistent with the speed at which the sugar liquid preparation system 1 discharges the soft candy liquid.

[0073] A pair of first liquid level sensors 200 and a first temperature control device 201 are installed within the feed liquid storage tank 20. The first level sensors 200 are located at the high and low liquid levels within the feed liquid storage tank 20, respectively. Both the first level sensors 200 and the first temperature control device 201 are electrically connected to the control system 7. When the sugar solution level within the feed liquid storage tank 20 is higher than the level at which the first level sensor 200 is located at the high level, the control system 7 controls the continuous deaerator 21 to operate continuously at a preset speed. When the sugar solution level within the feed liquid storage tank 20 is lower than the level at which the first level sensor 200 is located at the low level, the control system 7 controls the continuous deaerator 21 to stop operating to prevent it from idling. The first temperature control device 201 ensures the temperature of the feed liquid storage tank 20 is stable, keeping it within the processing temperature range for the product.

[0074] A pair of second liquid level sensors 220 and a second temperature control device 221 are provided in the discharge liquid storage tank 22. The second liquid level sensors 220 are respectively provided at the high liquid level and the low liquid level in the discharge liquid storage tank 22. The second liquid level sensors 220 and the second temperature control device 221 are both electrically connected to the control system 7. The second temperature control device 221 ensures the temperature of the discharge liquid storage tank 22 is stable, so that the temperature is within the processing temperature range of the product.

[0075] As shown in FIG4 , the flat-plate casting system 3 includes a delivery pump 30, an injection device 31, and a flat-plate mold 32. The feed port of the delivery pump 30 is connected to the discharge liquid storage tank 22, and the discharge port of the delivery pump 30 is located in the material storage tank 310 of the injection device 31. The delivery pump 30 is electrically connected to the control system 7 for delivering the sugar solution from the discharge liquid storage tank 22 to the material storage tank 310 of the injection device 31. The control system 7 is electrically connected to the inner propulsion rod 311 of the injection device 31, which is used to push the sugar solution in the material storage tank 310 into the mold cavity 320 of the flat-plate mold 32. Each flat-plate mold 32 has at least one mold cavity 320 on its top surface. In this embodiment, the flat-plate mold 32 is a conventional flat plate or a flat tray with grooves of different shapes.

[0076] When the sugar liquid level in the discharge liquid storage tank 22 is higher than the liquid level of the second liquid level sensor 220 located at the high liquid level, the delivery pump 30 starts and runs at a preset delivery speed; when the sugar liquid level in the discharge liquid storage tank 22 is lower than the liquid level of the second liquid level sensor 220 located at the low liquid level, the delivery pump 30 stops running.

[0077] A pair of third liquid level sensors 33 are provided in the material storage tank 310, and the pair of third liquid level sensors 33 are respectively located at the high liquid level and the low liquid level of the material storage tank 310, and the third liquid level sensors 33 are electrically connected to the control system 7; when the sugar liquid level in the material storage tank 310 is higher than the liquid level of the third liquid level sensor 33 located at the high liquid level, the delivery pump 30 stops running; when the sugar liquid level in the material storage tank 310 is lower than the liquid level of the third liquid level sensor 33 located at the low liquid level, the delivery pump 30 starts and runs at a preset delivery speed, thereby ensuring the amount of material in the material storage tank 310, facilitating continuous casting of the flat plate casting system 3.

[0078] The flat plate casting system 3 also includes a frame 34, a conveying assembly 35 and a cooling device 36. The conveying assembly 35 includes a conveying chain 350 arranged on the frame 34 and a motor 351 for driving the conveying chain 350. The flat plate molds 32 are arranged on the conveying chain 350 in sequence along the transmission direction of the conveying chain 350. The injection device 31 is arranged on the frame 34 and at one end of the conveying chain 350. The cooling device 36 is arranged on the frame 34 and at the other end of the conveying chain 350 for freezing the sugar liquid in the flat plate mold 32. The control system 7 is electrically connected to the motor 351 for controlling the running speed of the conveying chain 350; the control system 7 is electrically connected to the cooling device 36 for controlling the refrigeration temperature of the cooling device 36.

[0079] After pouring begins, the material storage tank 310 automatically feeds and controls the amount of sugar solution in the mold cavity 320. The internal propulsion rod 311 of the injection device 31 then pushes the sugar solution through the injection port into the flat mold 32. Once the injection is complete, the injection port closes. Once the next flat mold 32 is in place, the process begins again. The finished flat mold 32 is transported to the cooling device 36 by the conveyor chain 350. After cooling, it is inverted and demolded. The demolded sugar solution is then transported to the next process step by a receiving crawler. The empty flat mold 32 then returns to the injection position along the circular conveyor chain 350, repeating this process. The control system 7 controls the speed control parameters of the delivery pump 30, the parameter settings and automatic control of each process point in the injection device 31, the transmission speed of the flat mold 32, and the process parameters of the cooling device 36.

[0080] Automatic cutting system 4 primarily cuts the cooled, large sugar block into blocks of desired size. After being demolded, the sugar block is conveyed by a conveyor belt to the bottom of the automatic cutting device, which, with the length and width set, cuts the block horizontally and vertically. The finished blocks are then conveyed by a conveyor belt to the next drying process.

[0081] As shown in Figure 5, the drying system 5 includes an automatic feeding device 50, a discharge distributor 55, a belt transmission device 51 and a vacuum microwave device 52. The automatic feeding device 50 and the control system 7 are electrically connected to deliver the sugar blocks to the feed port of the vacuum microwave device 52; the discharge distributor 55 and the control system 7 are electrically connected to evenly distribute the sugar blocks at the feed port to the belt transmission device 51, and the belt transmission device 51 and the control system 7 are electrically connected to transport the sugar blocks to the vacuum microwave device 52. A vacuum cavity 520 is formed in the vacuum microwave device 52, and the vacuum cavity 520 is provided with a conveying device 521 for conveying multiple layers of sugar blocks and a microwave device 522 for providing different microwave heating powers for different layers. The conveying device 521 and the microwave device 522 are both electrically connected to the control system 7.

[0082] A first moisture detection sensor 53 is provided at the feed port of the vacuum microwave device 52 , and a second moisture detection sensor 54 is provided at the discharge port of the vacuum microwave device 52 . Both the first moisture detection sensor 53 and the second moisture detection sensor 54 are electrically connected to the control system 7 .

[0083] The cut sugar cubes are transported to the automatic feeding device 50 via a crawler belt. The automatic feeding device 50 lifts the sugar cubes to the feed port of the vacuum microwave device 52. The sugar cubes at the feed port are then arranged on the crawler belt of the belt conveyor 51 through the discharge distributor 55. The drying system 5 has a multi-layer conveyor 521. The entire multi-layer conveyor 521 is placed in a sealed vacuum cavity 520. The vacuum cavity 520 can provide different vacuum levels. At the same time, a microwave device 522 is installed in the vacuum cavity 520 to provide different microwave heating powers for different layers. The sugar cubes on the conveyor 521 are transported downward layer by layer, finally to the discharge port. The entire conveying process is the drying process. The control system 7 sets the various process parameters such as the vacuum microwave for each section corresponding to the product and the feed moisture.

[0084] As shown in FIG6 , the oil coating and packaging system 6 includes an oil coating machine 60, a packaging machine 61 and a detection light 62. The oil coating machine 60 is electrically connected to the control system 7 for coating the dried sugar cubes with oil. The detection light 62 is electrically connected to the control system 7 for performing optical inspection on the oil-coated sugar cubes. The packaging machine 61 is electrically connected to the control system 7 for packaging the inspected sugar cubes.

[0085] The dried sugar blocks are discharged and transported to the oil coating and packaging system 6 via a crawler belt. After the oil coating is completed, the sugar blocks are continuously discharged and, after light inspection, are packaged by the subsequent packaging machine 61.

[0086] As shown in FIG7 , a method for producing soft candy according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0087] S1: Input instructions: Input product production information instructions and order quantity to the control system 7. The control system 7 will automatically retrieve the product formula, raw material quantity, production rate, and production process parameters of each system. After review and confirmation, it will be transmitted to each process.

[0088] S2: Run the sugar solution preparation system 1: disperse, dissolve, shear and mix the continuously provided materials for preparing the soft candy sugar solution into a uniform soft candy sugar solution, and continuously discharge the soft candy sugar solution at a preset speed.

[0089] Step S2 specifically includes the following steps:

[0090] S20: Weigh the corresponding weight portions of materials according to the recipe and classify them according to their properties. The various materials are added to the feeding station 11 and the temperatures are controlled by the first heating device 12 according to the properties of the materials.

[0091] S21: At the same time, the system calculates and adjusts the feeding speed of each material into the mixing and shearing device 10 according to the mass proportion of each material in the total material;

[0092] S22: preheating the mixing and shearing device 10 by the second heating device 13;

[0093] S23: The feeding station 11 is opened, and the mixing and shearing equipment 10 disperses, dissolves, shears and mixes the materials continuously provided by the feeding station 11 into a uniform soft candy liquid, and continuously discharges the soft candy liquid at a preset speed.

[0094] S3: Run the continuous degassing system 2: receive the soft candy sugar solution continuously discharged from the sugar solution preparation system 1 and perform continuous degassing on it, and discharge the degassed soft candy sugar solution at a preset speed and temperature.

[0095] Specifically, the soft candy liquid continuously produced by the liquid preparation system 1 is fed into the feed liquid storage tank 20 according to the established output. When the first liquid level sensor 200 in the feed liquid storage tank 20 senses the soft candy liquid, the continuous deaerator 21 is automatically turned on. The deaeration speed and corresponding process parameters of the continuous deaerator 21 operate according to the established settings, and the deaerated material is fed to the discharge liquid storage tank 22.

[0096] When the level of the sugar solution in the feed liquid storage tank 20 is lower than the level of the first liquid level sensor 200 located at the low liquid level, the control system 7 controls the continuous deaerator 21 to stop running to ensure that the continuous deaerator 21 does not run idle.

[0097] A second liquid level sensor 220 is provided in the discharge liquid storage tank 22. When the sugar liquid level in the discharge liquid storage tank 22 is higher than the liquid level of the second liquid level sensor 220 at the high liquid level, the delivery pump 30 starts and delivers the sugar liquid in the discharge liquid storage tank 22 to the running flat plate casting system 3 at a preset delivery speed; when the sugar liquid level in the discharge liquid storage tank 22 is lower than the liquid level of the second liquid level sensor 220 at the low liquid level, the delivery pump 30 stops running.

[0098] The first temperature control device 201 ensures the temperature of the feed liquid storage tank 20 is stable, keeping it within the processing temperature range of the product. The second temperature control device 221 ensures the temperature of the discharge liquid storage tank 22 is stable, keeping it within the processing temperature range of the product. The first temperature control device 201 also ensures the temperature of the pipe connecting the feed liquid storage tank 20 and the continuous deaerator 21 is stable, while the second temperature control device 221 also ensures the temperature of the pipe connecting the discharge liquid storage tank 22 and the continuous deaerator 21 is stable, ensuring that the sugar solution temperature is within the processing temperature range of the product.

[0099] S4: operating the flat plate pouring system 3: receiving the soft candy liquid continuously discharged from the continuous degassing system 2 and processing the soft candy liquid into a candy body with a fixed shape.

[0100] Specifically, the control system 7 automatically sets the speed control parameters of the delivery pump 30, the parameter settings and automatic control of each process point of the injection device 31, the transmission speed of the flat mold 32, and the process parameters of the cooling device 36. The delivery pump 30 delivers the sugar solution to the material storage tank 310 of the injection device 31. When the third liquid level sensor 33 in the material storage tank 310 detects that the sugar solution has reached the high liquid level, it prompts the flat casting system 3 to start. The internal propulsion rod 311 of the injection device 31 pushes the sugar solution through the injection port and into the flat mold 32. After injection is completed, the injection port closes. The sugar solution is then refilled after the next flat mold 32 is in place. The filled flat mold 32 is transported to the cooling device 36 by the conveyor chain 350. After cooling, it is inverted and demolded. The demolded sugar solution is then transported to the next process step by the receiving track. The empty mold then returns to the injection port along the circular conveyor chain 350, repeating the process.

[0101] S5: Running the automatic cutting system 4: receiving the sugar bodies continuously provided by the flat plate depositing system 3 and cutting the sugar bodies into sugar blocks according to preset sizes.

[0102] Specifically, the demoulded sugar body is transported by the crawler to the bottom of the automatic cutting system 4. The automatic cutting system 4 has set the cutting length and width, and cuts the whole sugar body horizontally and vertically. The cut sugar body is then transported by the crawler to the next drying process.

[0103] S6: Run the drying system 5: receive the sugar blocks continuously provided by the automatic cutting system 4 and continuously dry and discharge the sugar blocks at a preset speed.

[0104] Specifically, the automatic feeding device 50 delivers the sugar blocks to the feed port of the vacuum microwave device 52, the discharge distributor 55 evenly distributes the sugar blocks at the feed port to the belt transmission device 51, the belt transmission device 51 transports the sugar blocks to the vacuum microwave device 52, and the conveying device 521 in the vacuum microwave device 52 transports the sugar blocks downward layer by layer. While the sugar blocks are transported downward layer by layer, the microwave equipment 522 dries the sugar blocks.

[0105] Specifically, the cut sugar cubes are transported via a conveyor belt to an automatic feeding device 50, which contains two temporary storage tanks. The sugar cubes are lifted by the conveyor belts and sequentially dropped into each tank via a switching mechanism, switching back and forth every few minutes. When a temporary storage tank is fully loaded, the upper valve closes and the lower valve opens, allowing the sugar cubes to fall into the feed port of a vacuum microwave device 52. The sugar cubes are then distributed via a material distributor 55 on the conveyor belt 51. Once the sugar cubes have fallen into the tanks and emptied, the switching time expires, the lower valve closes, and the upper valve opens to receive sugar cubes again. The two storage tanks alternately feed the drying system 5 to maintain the system's vacuum level. A first moisture sensor 53 detects the initial moisture content of the incoming sugar cubes and automatically selects the corresponding process parameters, including those for each vacuum microwave stage, based on the moisture content. The sugar cubes on the conveyor belt 521 are conveyed layer by layer downward and dried, ultimately reaching the discharge port. A second moisture sensor 54, located after the discharge port, measures the moisture content of the exiting sugar cubes.

[0106] S7: operating the oil coating and packaging system 6: receiving the sugar blocks continuously discharged from the drying system 5 and coating and packaging the sugar blocks with oil.

[0107] Specifically, the dried sugar cubes discharged from the oil coating and packaging system 6 are transported to the oil coating machine 60 via a crawler belt. After the oil coating is completed, the sugar cubes are continuously discharged and inspected by a detection light 62 before being packaged by a subsequent packaging machine 61.

[0108] In order to further understand the technical solution of the present invention, a specific embodiment will be provided below as an aid for technical understanding.

[0109] The embodiment uses the soft candy production system to produce "multivitamin pectin soft candy", code: MV2P. The specific operation steps include:

[0110] Step S1: When the production information instruction "MV2P" and the order quantity (1000kg) are transmitted to the control system 7, the system will automatically retrieve the product formula, raw material and auxiliary material quantity, production rate, and production process parameters of each step, and after review and confirmation, transmit them to the control device of each process.

[0111] Step S1 specifically includes the following steps:

[0112] Step S10: Transmit the production information instruction "MV2P" and the order quantity (1000 kg) to the control system 7.

[0113] Step S11: Control system 7 automatically retrieves the product's formula and raw material quantities. The total materials required for MV2P preparation are classified by their properties into solid-phase materials, aqueous-phase materials, aqueous-phase functional materials, oil-phase functional materials, and other ingredients. The raw material quantities required for the order are calculated. The specific classifications and quantities are shown in Table 1 below.

[0114] Table 1 Classification of total materials required for MV2P

[0115] This table will be submitted to the batching station, and the ingredients will be weighed and batched according to the formula table.

[0116] Step S12: The control system 7 automatically prepares the process parameters of the continuous sugar solution preparation system. According to the production capacity of the mixing and shearing device 10: 200kg / h, the feed rate of each material in the total material required by MV2P into the mixing and shearing device meets the following conditions, see Table 2 below.

[0117] Table 2 Feeding rate of various materials in the total materials required for MV2P

[0118] Temperature control of each feeding station: water phase material feeding station: 70~90℃, water phase functional material feeding station: 40~60℃, oil phase functional material feeding station: 40~60℃, other ingredient feeding station: 40~60℃.

[0119] Mixing and shearing equipment 10 system parameters: material processing speed setting: 200kg / h; mixing and shearing equipment each zone control temperature: 90 ~ 120 ℃.

[0120] Step S13: The control system 7 automatically configures the process parameters of other systems

[0121] Continuous degassing system 2: external insulation temperature 90-110℃, vacuum degree -80--90Kpa, material processing speed: 200kg / h.

[0122] Flatbed pouring system 3: pouring temperature 90°C, pouring speed: 200kg / h; cooling tunnel: cold air temperature 6-8°C, wind speed 7-8m / s, conveyor belt speed: 0.015m / s.

[0123] Automatic cutting device 4: cuts sugar blocks into different sizes as required by customers, such as 15mm×15mm, with a material processing speed of 200kg / h.

[0124] Drying system 5: temperature 50-55°C, vacuum degree -0.1-0.075Mpa, microwave power 0.5-2kW, time 4-6H, the moisture content at the outlet is about 16%.

[0125] Oil-coating and packaging system 6: Conveyor belt speed range 70%-90%, oiling speed set at 60%-90%, anti-sticking oil supply speed: F20-40, overall material processing speed is 200kg / h. Oil-coated samples are packaged according to order requirements.

[0126] S2: Run the sugar solution preparation system 1: disperse, dissolve, shear and mix the continuously provided materials for preparing the soft candy sugar solution into a uniform soft candy sugar solution, and continuously discharge the soft candy sugar solution at a preset speed.

[0127] Step S2 specifically includes the following steps:

[0128] S20: Weigh the corresponding weight portions of materials according to the formula (such as Table 1) and classify them according to their properties. Add the various materials into the feeding station 11 according to Table 1, and control the temperature of the materials through the first heating device 12 according to their properties.

[0129] S21: The feed rate of each material into the mixing and shearing device 10 is prepared according to Table 2;

[0130] S22: preheating the mixing and shearing device 10 by the second heating device 13;

[0131] S23: The feeding station 11 is opened, and the mixing and shearing equipment 10 disperses, dissolves, shears and mixes the materials continuously provided by the feeding station 11 into a uniform soft candy liquid, and continuously discharges the soft candy liquid at a preset speed.

[0132] Step S23 specifically includes:

[0133] The sugar solution formed by the solid phase material, water phase material, water phase functional material, oil phase functional material and other ingredients that are not fully mixed uniformly within 2 minutes before the mixing and shearing equipment 10 works is automatically discharged into the waste liquid barrel. After 2 minutes, the outlet valve of the mixing and shearing equipment 2 is automatically switched to the feed liquid storage tank 20 of the continuous degassing system 2, and a uniform MV2P sugar solution is obtained at this time.

[0134] S3: Run the continuous degassing system 2: receive the soft candy sugar solution continuously discharged from the sugar solution preparation system 1 and perform continuous degassing on it, and discharge the degassed soft candy sugar solution at a preset speed and temperature.

[0135] Specifically, the soft candy liquid continuously produced by the liquid preparation system 1 is fed into the feed liquid storage tank 20 according to the established output. When the first liquid level sensor 200 in the feed liquid storage tank 20 senses the soft candy liquid, the continuous deaerator 21 is automatically turned on. The deaeration speed and corresponding process parameters of the continuous deaerator 21 operate according to the established settings, and the deaerated material is fed to the discharge liquid storage tank 22.

[0136] When the level of the sugar solution in the feed liquid storage tank 20 is lower than the level of the first liquid level sensor 200 located at the low liquid level, the control system 7 controls the continuous deaerator 21 to stop running to ensure that the continuous deaerator 21 does not run idle.

[0137] A second liquid level sensor 220 is provided in the discharge liquid storage tank 22. When the sugar liquid level in the discharge liquid storage tank 22 is higher than the liquid level of the second liquid level sensor 220 at the high liquid level, the delivery pump 30 starts and delivers the sugar liquid in the discharge liquid storage tank 22 to the running flat plate casting system 3 at a preset delivery speed; when the sugar liquid level in the discharge liquid storage tank 22 is lower than the liquid level of the second liquid level sensor 220 at the low liquid level, the delivery pump 30 stops running.

[0138] The first temperature control device 201 ensures the temperature of the feed liquid storage tank 20 is stable, keeping it within the processing temperature range of the product. The second temperature control device 221 ensures the temperature of the discharge liquid storage tank 22 is stable, keeping it within the processing temperature range of the product. The first temperature control device 201 also ensures the temperature of the pipe connecting the feed liquid storage tank 20 and the continuous deaerator 21 is stable, while the second temperature control device 221 also ensures the temperature of the pipe connecting the discharge liquid storage tank 22 and the continuous deaerator 21 is stable, ensuring that the sugar solution temperature is within the processing temperature range of the product.

[0139] S4: operating the flat plate pouring system 3: receiving the soft candy liquid continuously discharged from the continuous degassing system 2 and processing the soft candy liquid into a candy body with a fixed shape.

[0140] Specifically, the control system 7 automatically sets the speed control parameters of the delivery pump 30, the parameter settings and automatic control of each process point of the injection device 31, the transmission speed of the flat mold 32, and the process parameters of the cooling device 36. The delivery pump 30 delivers the sugar solution to the material storage tank 310 of the injection device 31. When the third liquid level sensor 33 in the material storage tank 310 detects that the sugar solution has reached the high liquid level, it prompts the flat casting system 3 to start. The internal propulsion rod 311 of the injection device 31 pushes the sugar solution through the injection port and into the flat mold 32. After injection is completed, the injection port closes. The sugar solution is then refilled after the next flat mold 32 is in place. The filled flat mold 32 is transported to the cooling device 36 by the conveyor chain 350. After cooling, it is inverted and demolded. The demolded sugar solution is then transported to the next process step by the receiving track. The empty mold then returns to the injection port along the circular conveyor chain 350, repeating the process.

[0141] S5: Running the automatic cutting system 4: receiving the sugar bodies continuously provided by the flat plate depositing system 3 and cutting the sugar bodies into sugar blocks according to preset sizes.

[0142] Specifically, the demoulded sugar body is transported by the crawler to the bottom of the automatic cutting system 4. The automatic cutting system 4 has set the cutting length and width, and cuts the whole sugar body horizontally and vertically. The cut sugar body is then transported by the crawler to the next drying process.

[0143] S6: Run the drying system 5: receive the sugar blocks continuously provided by the automatic cutting system 4 and continuously dry and discharge the sugar blocks at a preset speed.

[0144] Specifically, the automatic feeding device 50 delivers the sugar blocks to the feed port of the vacuum microwave device 52, the discharge distributor 55 evenly distributes the sugar blocks at the feed port to the belt transmission device 51, the belt transmission device 51 transports the sugar blocks to the vacuum microwave device 52, and the conveying device 521 in the vacuum microwave device 52 transports the sugar blocks downward layer by layer. While the sugar blocks are transported downward layer by layer, the microwave equipment 522 dries the sugar blocks.

[0145] Specifically, the cut sugar cubes are transported via a conveyor belt to an automatic feeding device 50, which contains two temporary storage tanks. The sugar cubes are lifted by the conveyor belts and sequentially dropped into each tank via a switching mechanism, switching back and forth every five minutes. When a temporary storage tank is fully loaded, the upper valve closes and the lower valve opens, allowing the sugar cubes to fall into the feed port of a vacuum microwave device 52. The sugar cubes are then distributed on the conveyor belt 51 via a material distributor 55. Once the sugar cubes have fallen into the tanks and emptied, the switching time expires, the lower valve closes, and the upper valve opens to receive sugar cubes again. The two storage tanks alternately feed the drying system 5 to maintain the system's vacuum level. A first moisture sensor 53 detects the initial moisture content of the incoming sugar cubes and automatically selects the corresponding process parameters, including those for each vacuum microwave stage, based on the moisture content. The sugar cubes on the conveyor belt 521 are conveyed layer by layer downward and dried, ultimately reaching the discharge port. A second moisture sensor 54, located after the discharge port, measures the moisture content of the exiting sugar cubes.

[0146] S7: operating the oil coating and packaging system 6: receiving the sugar blocks continuously discharged from the drying system 5 and coating and packaging the sugar blocks with oil.

[0147] Specifically, the dried sugar cubes discharged from the oil coating and packaging system 6 are transported to the oil coating machine 60 via a crawler belt. After the oil coating is completed, the sugar cubes are continuously discharged and inspected by a detection light 62 before being packaged by a subsequent packaging machine 61.

[0148] The present invention has the following technical effects:

[0149] 1. The fully automated soft candy production system realizes complete automation and intelligence of soft candy production through the combination of a control system 7, a sugar solution preparation system 1, a continuous degassing system 2, a flat plate pouring system 3, a drying system 5 and an oil-coating and packaging system 6. The process is simple and continuous, and production efficiency is greatly improved. The output time of soft candy is greatly shortened. The time from feeding to obtaining the soft candy finished product can be controlled to 8-10 hours. Continuous output is possible, the overall process and equipment are optimized, the space occupied by the factory is reduced, and economic benefits are increased.

[0150] 2. The parameter setting of the control system 7 makes it easy to replace and adjust the products of the soft candy production system.

[0151] 3. When the fully automated soft candy production system is fully operational, in addition to preparing materials, only 1-2 people are needed to monitor the system operation and observe the equipment status, which reduces the workload of operators and saves manpower on the entire production line.

[0152] 4. The continuous degassing machine 21 is introduced into the entire preparation process to make the entire preparation process continuous, thereby saving equipment, energy consumption and product processing time, achieving the effect of improving the appearance of soft candies and continuous production, especially having unique advantages in the direction of high-viscosity gel soft candies and heat-sensitive functional materials.

[0153] 5. The use of a vacuum microwave device 52. The combined use of a vacuum cavity 520 and microwave equipment 522 within the vacuum microwave device 52 accelerates moisture migration within the soft candy, significantly improving drying efficiency and reducing the total drying time to 4-6 hours. Because the vacuum drying process operates at relatively low temperatures, it can meet the processing requirements of most heat-sensitive materials. The continuous vacuum dryer overcomes the technical difficulties of continuous material loading and unloading under vacuum conditions, successfully transforming static drying into dynamic drying. The automated, programmed control system 7 maintains the soft candy's excellent appearance, significantly improving drying efficiency while reducing overall production costs.

[0154] 6. Compared with traditional processes, this system and method adopts a continuous production process. Under the same scale, the number of equipment is small and simple, the entire production line occupies a small area, has low energy consumption, low production costs, and improves labor efficiency. It has unique advantages in the direction of gel candies including those containing functional materials.

[0155] The above-described embodiments merely illustrate several implementations of the present invention, and while their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art would be able to make numerous variations and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present invention, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A soft candy production system, characterized in that: include: The sugar solution preparation system (1) is used to disperse, dissolve, shear and mix the continuously provided materials for preparing the soft candy sugar solution into a uniform soft candy sugar solution, and continuously discharge the soft candy sugar solution at a preset speed; A continuous degassing system (2) is used to receive the soft candy sugar solution continuously discharged from the sugar solution preparation system (1) and continuously degas the soft candy sugar solution, and discharge the degassing soft candy sugar solution at a preset speed and temperature; A flat plate pouring system (3) is used to receive the soft candy liquid continuously discharged from the continuous degassing system (2) and process the soft candy liquid into a candy body with a fixed shape; An automatic cutting system (4) is used to receive the sugar bodies continuously provided by the flat plate pouring system (3) and cut the sugar bodies into sugar blocks according to preset sizes; A drying system (5) is used to receive the sugar blocks continuously provided by the automatic cutting system (4) and to continuously dry and discharge the sugar blocks at a preset speed; An oil-wrapping and packaging system (6) is used to receive the sugar blocks continuously discharged from the drying system (5) and to coat and package the sugar blocks with oil; The control system (7) is used to receive product production information instructions and order quantity and automatically retrieve the product formula, raw material and auxiliary material quantity, and production rate, and can automatically retrieve the production process parameters of the sugar solution preparation system (1), the continuous degassing system (2), the flat plate pouring system (3), the automatic cutting system (4), the drying system (5), and the oil-wrapping and packaging system (6).

2. The soft candy production system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sugar liquid preparation system (1) comprises a mixing and shearing device (10), a plurality of feeding stations (11), a plurality of first heating devices (12) and a second heating device (13), wherein the plurality of feeding stations (11) are respectively used to store materials of different material properties, and the plurality of feeding stations (11) are connected to the mixing and shearing device (10) for continuously conveying materials of different material properties to the mixing and shearing device (10), and the mixing and shearing device (10) is used to continuously disperse, dissolve, shear and mix the materials into a uniform soft candy sugar liquid, and the control system (7) is electrically connected to the feeding station (11) for controlling the feeding speed of the feeding station (11), and the control system (7) is electrically connected to the mixing and shearing equipment (10) for controlling the shearing speed of the middle screw of the mixing and shearing equipment (10); a plurality of first heating devices (12) are electrically connected to the control system (7), a plurality of first heating devices (12) are one-to-one matched with a plurality of feeding stations (11) for heating the feeding stations (11), and a second heating device (13) is electrically connected to the control system (7).

3. The soft candy production system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The continuous degassing system (2) comprises a feed liquid storage tank (20), a continuous degassing machine (21) and a discharge liquid storage tank (22), wherein the feed liquid storage tank (20) is used to temporarily store the soft candy liquid discharged from the liquid preparation system (1), the continuous degassing machine (21) is used to receive the soft candy liquid provided by the feed liquid storage tank (20) and perform continuous degassing treatment on the soft candy liquid, and the discharge liquid storage tank (22) is used to receive the liquid discharged from the continuous degassing machine (21), and the control system (7) is electrically connected to the continuous degassing machine (21) to control the speed at which the continuous degassing machine (21) discharges the liquid to be consistent with the speed at which the liquid preparation system (1) discharges the soft candy liquid.

4. The soft candy production system according to claim 3, characterized in that: A pair of first liquid level sensors (200) and a first temperature control device (201) are arranged in the feed liquid storage tank (20), the pair of first liquid level sensors (200) are arranged at a high liquid level and a low liquid level in the feed liquid storage tank (20), respectively, and the first liquid level sensor (200) and the first temperature control device (201) are both electrically connected to the control system (7); When the level of the sugar solution in the feed liquid storage tank (20) is higher than the level of the first liquid level sensor (200) located at the high liquid level, the control system (7) controls the continuous degassing machine (21) to run continuously at a preset speed; When the level of the sugar solution in the feed liquid storage tank (20) is lower than the level of the first liquid level sensor (200) located at the low liquid level, the control system (7) controls the continuous degassing machine (21) to stop running.

5. The soft candy production system according to claim 3, characterized in that: A pair of second liquid level sensors (220) and a second temperature control device (221) are arranged in the discharge liquid storage tank (22); the pair of second liquid level sensors (220) are arranged at a high liquid level and a low liquid level in the discharge liquid storage tank (22), respectively; and the second liquid level sensor (220) and the second temperature control device (221) are both electrically connected to the control system (7).

6. The soft candy production system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The flat plate casting system (3) comprises a delivery pump (30), an injection device (31) and a flat plate mold (32); the delivery pump (30) is electrically connected to the control system (7) and is used to deliver the sugar liquid in the discharge liquid storage tank (22) to the material storage tank (310) of the injection device (31); the control system (7) is electrically connected to an inner push rod (311) of the injection device (31); the inner push rod (311) is used to push the sugar liquid in the material storage tank (310) into the mold cavity (320) of the flat plate mold (32); When the level of the sugar solution in the discharge liquid storage tank (22) is higher than the level of the second liquid level sensor (220) located at the high liquid level, the delivery pump (30) is started and operates at a preset delivery speed; When the liquid level of the sugar solution in the discharge liquid storage tank (22) is lower than the liquid level of the second liquid level sensor (220) located at the low liquid level, the delivery pump (30) stops running.

7. The soft candy production system according to claim 6, characterized in that: A pair of third liquid level sensors (33) are arranged in the material storage tank (310), the pair of third liquid level sensors (33) are respectively located at a high liquid level and a low liquid level of the material storage tank (310), and the third liquid level sensors (33) are electrically connected to the control system (7); When the liquid level of the sugar solution in the material storage tank (310) is higher than the liquid level of the third liquid level sensor (33) located at the high liquid level, the delivery pump (30) stops running; When the liquid level of the sugar solution in the material storage tank (310) is lower than the liquid level of the third liquid level sensor (33) located at the low liquid level, the delivery pump (30) is started and operates at a preset delivery speed.

8. The soft candy production system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The flat plate casting system (3) also includes a frame (34), a conveying assembly (35) and a cooling device (36); the conveying assembly (35) includes a conveying chain (350) arranged on the frame (34) and a motor (351) for driving the conveying chain (350); the flat plate molds (32) are evenly distributed on the conveying chain (350); the injection device (31) is arranged at one end of the conveying chain (350); the cooling device (36) is arranged at the other end of the conveying chain (350) and is used to freeze the sugar liquid in the flat plate mold (32); the control system (7) is electrically connected to the motor (351) for controlling the running speed of the conveying chain (350); the control system (7) is electrically connected to the cooling device (36) for controlling the cooling temperature of the cooling device (36).

9. The soft candy production system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drying system (5) comprises an automatic feeding device (50), a material discharging distributor (55), a belt transmission device (51) and a vacuum microwave device (52); the automatic feeding device (50) and the control system (7) are electrically connected to deliver sugar blocks to the feed inlet of the vacuum microwave device (52); the material discharging distributor (55) and the control system (7) are electrically connected to evenly distribute the sugar blocks at the feed inlet to the belt transmission device (51); the belt transmission device (51) and the control system (7) are electrically connected to deliver the sugar blocks to the vacuum microwave device (52); a vacuum cavity (520) is formed in the vacuum microwave device (52); a conveying device (521) for conveying sugar blocks in multiple layers and a microwave device (522) for providing different microwave heating powers to different layers are arranged in the vacuum cavity (520); the conveying device (521) and the microwave device (522) are both electrically connected to the control system (7).

10. The soft candy production system according to claim 9, characterized in that: A first moisture detection sensor (53) is provided at the feed inlet of the vacuum microwave device (52), and a second moisture detection sensor (54) is provided at the discharge outlet of the vacuum microwave device (52); the first moisture detection sensor (53) and the second moisture detection sensor (54) are both electrically connected to the control system (7).

11. The soft candy production system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oil-wrapping and packaging system (6) comprises an oil-coating machine (60), a packaging machine (61) and a detection lamp (62); the oil-coating machine (60) and the control system (7) are electrically connected to coat the dried sugar blocks with oil; the detection lamp (62) and the control system (7) are electrically connected to perform optical inspection on the sugar blocks after the oil-coating; and the packaging machine (61) and the control system (7) are electrically connected to package the sugar blocks after the optical inspection.

12. A method for producing soft candy, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Input instructions: Input product production information instructions and order quantity to the control system (7). The control system (7) will automatically retrieve the product formula, raw material quantity, production rate, and production process parameters of each system, and after verification and confirmation, transmit them to each process; Running the sugar solution preparation system (1): dispersing, dissolving, shearing and mixing the continuously provided materials for preparing the soft candy sugar solution into a uniform soft candy sugar solution, and continuously discharging the soft candy sugar solution at a preset speed; Running a continuous degassing system (2): receiving the soft candy sugar solution continuously discharged from the sugar solution preparation system (1) and continuously degassing the soft candy sugar solution, and discharging the degassing soft candy sugar solution at a preset speed and temperature; Running the flat plate pouring system (3) to receive the soft candy liquid continuously discharged from the continuous degassing system (2) and process the soft candy liquid into a candy body with a fixed shape; The automatic cutting system (4) is operated to receive the sugar bodies continuously provided by the flat plate pouring system (3) and cut them into pieces according to the preset size. Sugar bodies are cut into sugar cubes; Running the drying system (5): receiving the sugar blocks continuously provided by the automatic cutting system (4), and continuously drying and discharging the sugar blocks at a preset speed; The oil-coating and packaging system (6) is operated to receive the sugar blocks continuously discharged from the drying system (5) and to coat the sugar blocks with oil and package them.

13. The method for producing soft candy according to claim 12, characterized in that: The step of operating the sugar solution preparation system (1) specifically comprises the following steps: Weighing corresponding weight portions of materials according to the formula and classifying the materials according to their properties, adding the various materials into the feeding station (11) according to their properties, and controlling the temperature of the materials through the first heating device (12) respectively according to their properties; At the same time, the system calculates and adjusts the feeding speed of each material into the mixing and shearing device (10) according to the mass proportion of each material in the total material; Preheating the mixing and shearing device (10) by means of a second heating device (13); The feeding station (11) is opened, and the mixing and shearing device (10) disperses, dissolves, shears and mixes the materials continuously provided by the feeding station (11) into a uniform soft candy liquid, and continuously discharges the soft candy liquid at a preset speed.

14. The method for producing soft candy according to claim 12, characterized in that: The step of operating the continuous degassing system (2) specifically comprises: The soft sugar liquid continuously produced by the sugar liquid preparation system (1) is fed into a feed liquid storage tank (20) according to a predetermined output. When a first liquid level sensor (200) in the feed liquid storage tank (20) senses the soft sugar liquid, a continuous deaerator (21) is automatically turned on. The deaerator (21) operates at a predetermined deaerator speed and corresponding process parameters according to predetermined settings, and the deaerated material is fed into a discharge liquid storage tank (22).

15. The method for producing soft candy according to claim 12, characterized in that: The step of operating the drying system (5) specifically comprises: The automatic feeding device (50) delivers the sugar blocks to the feed port of the vacuum microwave device (52); the discharge distributor (55) evenly distributes the sugar blocks at the feed port onto the belt transmission device (51); the belt transmission device (51) transports the sugar blocks to the vacuum microwave device (52); the conveying device (521) in the vacuum microwave device (52) transports the sugar blocks downward layer by layer; while the sugar blocks are transported downward layer by layer, the microwave device (522) dries the sugar blocks.

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