Filling apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a filling apparatus comprising: a hopper part (100) including an accommodation part (110) in which a filling material is accommodated and a discharge part (120) through which the filling material is discharged; a solid-material spreading part (200) which is located in the accommodation part (110), extends in the height direction of the hopper part (100), and includes a plurality of annular bars (220) having different lengths; and a transfer part (400) which is aligned with the discharge part (120) of the hopper part and transfers a container-seating part (410) on which a container filled with the filling material is seated.

Description

Filling device

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of food processing, and more particularly, to a filling device that minimizes the residue of filling material inside a hopper, is compatible with various foods, and can precisely control the amount of filling material discharged.

[0002]

[0003] Recently, various foods containing various solids have been developed. For example, grain-type solids are added to room-temperature rice products, and topping-type solids are added to fried rice products. To manufacture these foods containing these solids, a filling device is needed to inject a fixed amount of solids into the manufactured food.

[0004] Existing solids filling devices are configured to receive solids within a hopper and discharge them into a container. However, these devices suffer from problems such as the solids clumping within the hopper, or the solids not being smoothly discharged through the discharge port but remaining within the hopper.

[0005] Furthermore, existing filling devices are designed to suit the characteristics of each filling material, as their properties vary. Filling devices designed for a specific food product are difficult to apply to other food products. Furthermore, designing different filling devices for each individual food product is cost-inefficient. Furthermore, because food products are highly susceptible to trends and fluctuations, filling devices capable of filling solid materials appropriate to the situation are necessary.

[0006] Let's look at related prior art.

[0007] Patent Document 1 (Korean Patent No. 10-2470984) discloses a kimchi metering device that supplies a metered amount of kimchi and then stops supplying it. This prior art discloses a screw that mixes or supplies kimchi downward within a hopper. However, it still has difficulties in discharging solids remaining within the hopper and is not compatible with other foods.

[0008] Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-315056) discloses a quantitative dispenser for liquid food containing solids. While this prior art discloses a configuration capable of distributing solids at a uniform ratio, it still faces the problem of difficulty in discharging solids remaining within the hopper.

[0009]

[0010] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent No. 10-2470984 (November 25, 2022)

[0011] (Patent Document 2) Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-315056 (November 11, 2004)

[0012]

[0013] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0014] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a filling device that continuously mixes filling materials contained inside a hopper and discharges the filling materials into a container so that the filling materials do not remain inside the hopper.

[0015] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a filling device that is compatible with the production of various foods by allowing easy replacement of the filling part depending on the filling material.

[0016]

[0017] One embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problem provides a filling device including a hopper section (100) including a receiving section (110) for receiving a filling material therein and a discharge section (120) for discharging the filling material; a solids leveling section (200) positioned within the receiving section (110) and including a plurality of circular bars (220) extending in the height direction of the hopper section (100) and having different lengths; and a transport section (400) aligned with the discharge section (120) of the hopper section and transporting a container mounting section (410) on which a container filled with the filling material is mounted.

[0018]

[0019] Additionally, the bottom of the hopper portion (100) may include a portion whose height decreases from the edge to the center of the hopper portion (100).

[0020]

[0021] In addition, the height of the plurality of circular bars (220) may decrease as the circular bars (220) are positioned closer to the center of the hopper section (100) than as the circular bars (220) are positioned at the edge of the hopper section (100).

[0022]

[0023] In addition, the discharge unit (120) may include a plurality of discharge ports (130) provided along the conveying direction and width direction of the conveying unit (400).

[0024]

[0025] In addition, the solid material leveling unit (200) may include a leveling unit (210) to which the plurality of round bars (220) are fixed; and a leveling unit (240) that is coupled to the leveling unit (210) to cause the plurality of round bars (220) to reciprocate within the receiving unit (110).

[0026]

[0027] In addition, it may further include a filling part (300) including a rotating shaft (311) that receives power from a motor (a) and rotates, and a screw (312) formed at one end of the rotating shaft (311) and positioned at the discharge port (130).

[0028]

[0029] Additionally, the amount of the filling material discharged from the filling unit (300) to the conveying unit (400) may be proportional to the number of rotations of the screw (312).

[0030]

[0031] In addition, it may further include a first fastening member (330) having one side coupled with the hopper portion (100) and including a spring (331) therein; and a second fastening member (320) having a groove (321) formed on the outer surface thereof in the axial direction and circumferential direction of the rotational shaft (311) and coupled with the first fastening member (330).

[0032]

[0033] In addition, the filling part (300) further includes a protrusion (313) formed to protrude from the outer surface of the other side of the rotation shaft (311), and the protrusion (313) is inserted into the groove (321) in the axial direction of the rotation shaft (311) and can be coupled by rotating in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft (311).

[0034]

[0035] In addition, the transport unit (400) may include a load cell unit (412) that measures the weight of the filling material filled in the container and generates weight information of the filling material.

[0036]

[0037] In addition, the device may further include a control unit (600) that receives weight information of the filling material from the load cell unit (412) and controls the operation of the transfer unit (400) and the motor (a).

[0038]

[0039] In addition, after a first preset amount of filling material is discharged from the filling part (300), a foreign matter receiving gate (500) that moves to be positioned between the discharge port (130) and the container may be further included.

[0040]

[0041] In addition, the control unit (600) receives weight information of the filling material from the load cell unit (412), and when the filling material exceeds the first preset amount or is less than the first preset amount and is filled in the container, the control unit (600) can control the transport unit (400) to stop after moving forward a predetermined distance.

[0042]

[0043] In addition, the control unit (600) receives weight information of the filling material from the load cell unit (412), and when a second preset amount of the filling material that is smaller than the first preset amount is filled into the container, the control unit (600) can control the rotation speed of the filling unit (300) to decrease until the first preset amount is filled into the container.

[0044]

[0045] A filling device according to one embodiment of the present invention has the effect of continuously mixing filling material contained within a hopper portion and preventing the filling material from remaining within the hopper portion.

[0046] A filling device according to one embodiment of the present invention has the effect of allowing easy replacement of a filling part, allowing for mixing and combining filling parts suitable for filling materials in various products, and allowing for easy cleaning of the filling part.

[0047] A filling device according to one embodiment of the present invention is capable of accurately discharging a filling material by measuring the amount of a filling material filled into a container in real time, and has the effect of preventing discharge of a small or excessive amount of filling material.

[0048]

[0049] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filling device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 2 is a plan view of the filling device of Figure 1.

[0051] Figure 3 is a front view of the filling device of Figure 1.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the filling device of FIG. 1 to illustrate the coupling relationship between the hopper section, the solids leveling section, and the filling section according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the hopper section.

[0054] Figure 6 is a front view of the solids leveling section.

[0055] Figure 7 is a drawing showing the solids leveling section reciprocating the hopper section.

[0056] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the filling part and an enlarged view of the second fastening member.

[0057] Fig. 9 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a protrusion is inserted into a groove in the axial direction of a rotational axis, and Fig. 9 (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a spring is restored after the protrusion is rotated in the circumferential direction and fixed to a groove formed in the axial direction.

[0058] Figure 10 is a drawing of a transport section.

[0059] Figure 11 is a drawing showing the foreign body receiving gate moving between the discharge port and the container.

[0060] Figure 12 is a drawing of the control unit.

[0061]

[0062] The above-described purposes, features, and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this process, the thickness of lines and the sizes of components depicted in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined based on their functions in the present invention and may vary depending on the intentions or practices of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

[0063] In addition, the described embodiments are provided as examples for the purpose of explaining the invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0064]

[0065] Hereinafter, "filling material" may refer to a material added to food, or may refer to the food itself filled into the container. Hereinafter, the filling material is preferably a solid, but is not limited thereto and may be a variety of materials.

[0066]

[0067] 1. Description of the filling device

[0068] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filling device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the filling device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a front view of the filling device of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the filling device of FIG. 1 to illustrate the coupling relationship of a hopper section, a solids leveling section, and a filling section according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hopper section.

[0069]

[0070] A filling device (1) according to the present invention may include a hopper section (100), a solids leveling section (200), a filling section (300), a conveying section (400), a foreign matter receiving gate (500), and a control section (600).

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the hopper section (100) may be configured to receive a filling material. The hopper section (100) may include a receiving section (110) and a discharge section (120). The receiving section (110) may be a portion of the hopper section (100) into which the filling material is introduced, and the discharge section (120) may be a portion of the hopper section (100) into which the filling material received in the receiving section (110) is discharged.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 5, the discharge unit (120) may include a plurality of discharge ports (130). The plurality of discharge ports (130) may be formed in a plurality of directions along the conveying direction and the width direction of the conveying unit (400). Accordingly, the filling material contained within the hopper unit (100) may be discharged through the plurality of discharge ports (130) and simultaneously filled into multiple rows of containers.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 5, the height of the bottom of the hopper portion (100) may decrease from the edge to the center of the hopper portion (100). As the height of the hopper portion (100) decreases from the edge to the center, the filling material received in the receiving portion (110) may be naturally transported to multiple discharge portions (120) by gravity along the inclined surface. However, the specific shape of the hopper portion (100) is not limited to the shape illustrated in FIG. 4, and may be implemented by various modifications.

[0074] Figure 6 is a front view of the solids leveling unit, and Figure 7 is a drawing showing the solids leveling unit reciprocating the hopper unit.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 6, the solid material mixing unit (200) is configured to mix the filling material contained inside the hopper unit (100), and may include a rotating rod fixing unit (210), a plurality of rotating rods (220), a mixing cover (230), and a mixing unit moving unit (240).

[0076] The rotating shaft fixing member (210) may be configured to fix a plurality of rotating shafts (220). The rotating shaft fixing member (210) may be bolt-connected to a plurality of rotating shafts (220), but is not limited thereto and may be modified in various ways.

[0077] A plurality of circular rods (220) may be configured to be positioned within the receiving portion (110) and extend in the height direction of the hopper portion (100) to mix the filling material received in the hopper portion (100). The plurality of circular rods (220) may be positioned at the lower side of the solids leveling portion (200), but is not limited thereto and may be implemented in various modified forms. In Fig. 6, the shape of the circular rods (220) is illustrated as a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto and may be modified in various shapes.

[0078] A plurality of circular bars (220) may be installed to correspond to the shape of the hopper section (100). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, if the bottom of the hopper section (100) has a shape in which the height decreases from the edge to the center of the hopper section (100), the plurality of circular bars (220) may be installed to correspond to the shape of the hopper section (100) such that the height of the circular bars (220) located closer to the center of the hopper section (100) than the circular bars (220) located at the edge of the hopper section (100) may be reduced. Accordingly, the problem of the circular bars (220) interfering with the bottom of the hopper section (100) during movement is solved.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 6, the pick cover (230) can be coupled to the rotating fixing part (210), and by slanting the pick cover (230), the filling material fed into the hopper part (100) can be received into the hopper part (100) along the slanted cover (230).

[0080] Referring to FIG. 7, the leveling moving part (240) may be configured to allow a plurality of circular bars (220) to reciprocate within the receiving part (110). For example, the leveling moving part (240) may be configured to be coupled with the circular bar fixing part (210) to move the circular bar fixing part (210), thereby moving the circular bar (220) installed on the circular bar fixing part (210). Specifically, the leveling moving part (240) may be coupled with both ends of the circular bar fixing part (210) to move the circular bar fixing part (210), thereby allowing a plurality of circular bars (220) to reciprocate along one open side of the receiving part (110). A plurality of rotating shafts (220) are installed to correspond to the shape of the hopper section (100) and reciprocate the hopper section (100), thereby continuously mixing the filling material contained within the hopper section (100) and pushing it toward the discharge port (130), thereby preventing the filling material from remaining within the hopper section (100). The leveling moving section (240) may include a timing belt coupled to the rotating shaft fixing section (210) and an operating motor that operates the timing belt.

[0081] Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the filling part and an enlarged view of the second fastening member, Fig. 9 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a protrusion is inserted into a groove in the axial direction of the rotational axis, and Fig. 9 (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a spring is restored after the protrusion is rotated in the circumferential direction and fixed to a groove formed in the axial direction.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, 8, and 9, the filling unit (300) is configured to discharge a fixed amount of filling material contained in the hopper unit (100) to the outside, and may include a rotating shaft (311), a screw (312), and a protrusion (313).

[0083] The rotation shaft (311) may be configured to rotate by receiving power from the motor (a). The motor (a) may be a servo motor, but is not limited thereto and may be modified in various ways. The control unit (600), which will be described later, may control the rotation speed of the motor (a) to control the filling amount and filling speed by the filling unit (300).

[0084] The screw (312) may be formed at one end of the rotating shaft (311) and may have a threaded configuration for discharging the filling material. The screw (312) may be located at the discharge port (130) of the hopper section (100). The amount of the filling material discharged from the filling section (300) to the transport section (400) described later may be proportional to the number of rotations of the screw (312).

[0085] The protrusion (313) may be configured to protrude from the outer surface of the other side of the rotation shaft (311). The protrusion (313) may be coupled with a groove (321) of a second fastening member, which will be described later, to separate the filling member (300) from the hopper member (100). Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the first fastening member (330) may be coupled to one inner surface of the hopper member (100), and the second fastening member (320) may be coupled to the first fastening member (330) and positioned inside the hopper member (100). The first fastening member (330) may be connected to the motor (a), and the second fastening member (320) may be connected to the first fastening member (330).

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the first fastening member (330) includes a spring (331) therein and is coaxially connected to the rotational shaft of the motor (a) to receive power from the motor (a). The second fastening member (320) may have a protruding end to be coupled with the first fastening member (330), and a groove (321) may be formed on the outer circumferential surface. In addition, the second fastening member (320) may include a connecting member (322) whose end is coupled with the rotational shaft (311) and whose other end is in contact with the spring (331).

[0087] Referring to Fig. 8, the groove (321) may be formed in the axial direction and circumferential direction of the rotational axis (311) on the outer surface of the second fastening member (320). For example, the groove (321) may be formed upward in the axial direction of the outer surface of the second fastening member (320), may be formed to extend in the circumferential direction, and may be formed downward in the axial direction of the outer surface.

[0088] Referring to Fig. 9, the protrusion (313) can be inserted into the groove (321) in the axial direction of the rotation shaft (311). At this time, the spring (331) can be contracted by the connecting member (322) coupled with the rotation shaft (311). Next, the protrusion (313) can be rotated in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft (311). Next, the protrusion (313) can be fixed to the groove (321) formed in the axial direction by the spring (331) returning to its original shape. In addition, the filling member (300) can be separated from the second fastening member (320) in the opposite order.

[0089] By the above method, since the filling unit (300) can be easily separated from the inside of the hopper unit (100), the filling unit (300) can be easily cleaned. In addition, the filling unit (300) can be easily replaced according to the type of filling material. Therefore, the filling device (1) of the present invention has the advantage of being compatible with various products by replacing the filling unit (300) according to the type of filling material.

[0090] Figure 10 is a drawing of a transport section.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 10, the transport unit (400) is a configuration that transports a container filled with a filling material, and may include a container mounting unit (411) and a load cell unit (412).

[0092] The container mounting portion (411) is a configuration for transporting the container, and may be, for example, a container tray.

[0093] The load cell unit (412) may be configured to measure the amount of filling material filled in the container (c). Referring to FIG. 10, the load cell unit (412) may be placed on the container mounting unit (410). The load cell unit (412) may automatically adjust the zero point after the container (c) is mounted on the container mounting unit (410). Therefore, the load cell unit (412) may measure the amount of filling material filled in the container (c) in real time. The load cell unit (412) may generate weight information of the filling material, which is data measuring the weight of the filling material filled in the container (c) in real time. The load cell unit (412) may include a load cell cover (not shown) to prevent mixing of the filling material.

[0094] Figure 11 is a drawing showing the foreign body receiving gate moving between the discharge port and the container.

[0095] Referring to Fig. 11, the foreign material receiving gate (500) can be moved to be positioned between the discharge port (130) and the container after a predetermined amount of filling material is discharged from the hopper section (100). In a state where the foreign material receiving gate (500) does not block the space between the discharge port (130) and the container, the filling section (300) can discharge the filling material inside the hopper section (100) to the transfer section (400). Next, after a predetermined amount of filling material is discharged from the filling section (300), the foreign material receiving gate (500) can be moved to be positioned below the discharge port (130) and above the container to prevent the filling material from being additionally filled into the container. The foreign material receiving gate (500) can include a drain hole (not shown) for discharging the filling material discharged to the foreign material receiving gate. The foreign body receiving gate (500) can be controlled to be positioned between the discharge port (130) and the container by a control unit (600) to be described later.

[0096] Figure 12 is a drawing of the control unit.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 12, the control unit (600) may be configured to control the filling device (1). Specifically, the control unit (600) may receive weight information of the filling material from the load cell unit (412) and control the rotation speed of the transport unit (400) and the filling unit (300).

[0098] When a specific weight of a filling material is filled into the container, the control unit (600) can control the operation of the motor (a) to lower the rotation speed of the filling unit (300) so as to reduce the rotation speed of the filling unit (300) until the specified amount of the filling material is filled into the container. For example, when the specified amount of the filling material is 14 g, the control unit (600) can control the rotation speed of the filling unit (300) to 12 rpm until 10 g is filled, and can control the rotation speed of the filling unit (300) to 6 rpm until the remaining 4 g is filled. Accordingly, the rotation speed of the filling unit (300) can be precisely controlled so that the filling material is filled into the container exactly in the specified amount.

[0099] In addition, the control unit (600) can receive weight information of the filling material from the load cell unit (412), and if the amount of the filling material exceeds or falls short of the specified amount, control the transport unit (400) to move forward a specified distance and then stop. In this case, the control unit (600) can also identify the location of the container that exceeds or falls short of the specified amount of the filling material. This has the effect of allowing the operator to easily identify the container filled with a small or excessive amount of the filling material.

[0100]

[0101] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. That is, those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications and variations to the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, and all such appropriate modifications and equivalents should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hopper section including a receiving section in which a filling material is received and a discharge section in which the filling material is discharged; A solids leveling portion including a plurality of circular bars positioned within the receiving portion and extending in the height direction of the hopper portion and having different lengths; and A transport unit aligned with the discharge unit of the above hopper unit and transporting a container mounting unit in which a container filled with the filling material is mounted; Filling device.

2. In paragraph 1, The lower part of the above hopper part includes a part whose height decreases from the edge of the hopper part to the center. Filling device.

3. In paragraph 2, The above multiple rings are, The closer the ring is located to the center of the hopper section than the ring located at the edge of the hopper section, the lower its height. Filling device.

4. In paragraph 1, The above discharge part, Including a plurality of discharge ports respectively provided along the conveying direction and width direction of the conveying section; Filling device.

5. In paragraph 1, The above solid matter leveling part is, A rotating shaft fixing member to which the plurality of rotating shafts are fixed; and Including a rotating moving part that is coupled to the above rotating fixed part and causes the plurality of rotating parts to reciprocate within the receiving part; Filling device.

6. In paragraph 4, Further comprising a filling part including a rotating shaft that receives power from a motor and rotates, and a screw formed at one end of the rotating shaft and positioned at the discharge port; Filling device.

7. In paragraph 6, The amount of the filling material discharged from the filling section to the conveying section is proportional to the number of rotations of the screw. Filling device.

8. In paragraph 7, A first fastening member having one side joined to the hopper portion and including a spring inside; and Further comprising a second fastening member, which is coupled to the first fastening member and includes a groove formed in the axial direction and circumferential direction of the rotational axis on the outer surface; Filling device.

9. In paragraph 8, The above filling part further includes a protrusion formed to protrude from the outer surface of the other side of the rotating shaft, The above protrusion is inserted into the groove in the axial direction of the rotation axis and is coupled by rotating in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis. Filling device.

10. In paragraph 7, The above transport unit, A load cell unit comprising: a load cell unit that measures the weight of a filling material filled in the container and generates weight information of the filling material; Filling device.

11. In paragraph 10, Further comprising a control unit that receives weight information of the filling material from the load cell unit and controls the operation of the transfer unit and the motor; Filling device.

12. In paragraph 11, Further comprising a foreign body receiving gate that moves to be positioned between the discharge port and the container after a first preset amount of filling material is discharged from the filling portion; Filling device.

13. In paragraph 11, The above control unit, By receiving weight information of the filling material from the load cell unit, if the filling material exceeds the first preset amount or is less than the first preset amount and is filled in the container, the transport unit is controlled to move forward a predetermined distance and then stop. Filling device.

14. In paragraph 11, The above control unit, Receiving weight information of the filling material from the load cell unit, and when a second preset amount of filling material smaller than the first preset amount is filled into the container, controlling the rotation speed of the filling unit to decrease until the first preset amount is filled into the container. Filling device.

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