GB1566999A - Apparatus for automatically cutting and feeding wafer biscuits and the like products to pouring moulds - Google Patents

Description

(54) APPARA'I'US FOR AU'I'OMA'TICALLY CUR'RING AND FEEDING WAFER BISCUITS AND TIlE LIKE PRODUCTS TO POURING MOULDS (71) We, CAKLE .ë M()N'l ANAiAI SPA of Via Ncera 39, Milan. Italy, in Italian Body Corporate, do whereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be gr,lnted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:: This invention relates to an apparatus for automatically cutting and feeding wafer biscuits and similar products to pouring moulds arranged in one or more rows and advanced continuously on a conveyor.

In recent years, wide acceptance has been gained by a pastry product comprising one or more wafer biscuit strips coated with a layer of chocolate.

Such wafer biscuits are known to com- prise alternate layers of cream and waffles, and accordingly, are an extremely delicate product both in regard to their handling and the environmental conditions, such as the humidity contents of air. For these reasons, it is common practice to cut the wafer biscuit blanks into strips just prior to their introduction into the pouring moulds. The feeding of such wafer strips to the moulds is either carried out manually or semiautomatically, with considerably high attendant labour requirements.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus by which wafer biscuit strips, waffles and similar products, can be auto matically cut and fed to pouring moulds without recourse to labour, the moulds being advanced continuously on a conventional conveyor, and deposited onto pouring moulds which are arranged in one or more rows.

This object is achieved, according to this invention, by providing an apparatus comprising a chute, sloping towards and located above the pouring moulds, on which is provided a hopper containing wafer biscuits to be cut, pusher means connected to the hopper, cutter means provided sequentially to the hopper and comprising parallel knife blades, and a feeding device provided sequentially to the knife blades for cut wafer biscuits, the feeding device reciprocating synchronously with the pouring moulds.

With the inventive apparatus it is possible to automatically introduce the cut wafer biscuits into the pouring moulds without employing costly labour. Furthermore, by separating the cutter means from the feeding means, these operations can be carried out at optimum rates. For example, the wafer biscuits may be cut at a comparatively high rate, depending on their consistancy, the pouring moulds being fed through a specially provided device in synchronization or timed relationship with the increasing, decreasing or constant speed movements of the mould conveyor.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description which is given by way of example and which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 to 3 show apparatus according to the invention, schematically in elevation, and at different operating stages; Figure 4 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a side view of a detail of a cut wafer biscuit feeding device; Figure 6 is a front view of the device of Figure 5, taken in the direction of the arrowhead f; Figure 7 shows a detail of a hopper containing the wafer biscuits to be cut, as well as a knife blade assembly in its raised condition; Figure 8 shows the front portion of a knife blade for cutting the wafer biscuits; and Figure 9 is a sectional view of a knife blade taken along the line IX-IX of Figure 8.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, located above a conveyor 1 for the pouring moulds 2, is a chute 3 sloping towards the conveyor 1.

At the top portion of the chute 3, there is a hopper 4 including several partitions which are arranged parallel to one another and arranged to accommodate stacked wafer biscuits 5 to be cut. On its front, the hopper 4 has an opening 6, adjusted to fit the thickness and overall size of each wafer biscuit 5. In order to cause a wafer biscuit 5 to move out through the front opening 6, there is provided a pusher means 7 including a rack 8 in mesh with gear wheels 9. The gear wheels 9 engage, in turn, an additional rack 10 connected to the rod 11 of a pneumatic cylinder 12 which is operated, for example, by compressed air. The speed of motion of the cylinder rod 11 may be controlled by means of a specially provided valve means.

By reciprocating the rod 11, the pusher means 7 is also caused to reciprocate. Next to the opening 6 in the hopper 4, on the chute 3, there is arranged a set of parallel knife blades 13 accommodated in a support or holder 14. Below the set of blades 13, the chute comprises a door 15 which can be swung about a horizontal axis 16. To hold the door 15 in the position shown in Figures 1 to 3, it is urged by a biassing spring (not shown). Below the door 15, a contained 17 is provided which is open at the top and receives any crumbs which are produced during the cutting step and fall through slots or apertures 18 formed before and after the door 15 as well as in the door itself. The container 17 may include guides 19 effective to facilitate its withdrawal. The container 17 may also be equipped with a vibrator (not shown) for continuously discharging such crumbs.

Sequential to the door 15, on the chute 3, there is provided a slide 20 carrying a feeding comb 21 extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the chute 3. This comb 21 may be raised and lowered by means of a pneumatic cylinder 22 or other similar means. To reciprocate the slide 20, the slide itself includes a rack at its bottom with which mesh gear wheels 23 driven by a gear segment 24. The segment 24 can oscillate about a spindle 25 mounted rigidly on the apparatus structure. In order to impart to the slide 20 a synchronous motion with the advance of the pouring moulds 2, and to enable the now cut wafers 5' to be accurately aligned in mould receptacles 2a, 2b, a cam mechanism 26 actuated directly by that same shaft (not shown) which drives the conveyor chain for the moulds 2.The cam 26 acts upon a lever 27 rigid with the lower portion of the gear segment 24 and the level 27 is biassed by a spring means 29. Understandably, instead of a cam, a grooved disk could be provided, in which would run a link member forming the free end of the arm 27.

The cam 26 is so designed as to cause the reciprocating movement of the slide 20, and accordingly the advancing motion of the cut wafers 5', to occur in accordance with the motion of the pouring moulds. If, for instance, a mould has to be replaced, it will be sufficient to replace the camping means 26 to adjust the movement of the slide 20 for the new requirements. As may be observed in Figure 4, the pusher means 7 is generally U-shaped with the free ends of the "U" facing the hopper 4 that contains the wafer biscuit stack 5. At the front, the hopper 4 is surrounded by the means 14, of a C-shaped configuration, which supports the parallel knife blades 13 mounted on the means 14 with the interposition of spacers to determine the width of the strip to be cut.When the width of the wafer biscuit strip to be cut must be changed, it will suffice to replace such spacers with different width spacers and readjust the blades 13.

The chute 3 is formed, below the blades 13, with oblique slots 18 allowing any crumbs to fall into the underlying container 17.

The knife blades 13 are elastic and flexible and united to the portion opposite the hoppers 4 by sheet metal members 30 forming channels 31 for guiding the cut wafers 5'.

After the knife blades, which are arranged parallel to one another, the sheet metal members 30 diverge fan-wise to present at the end of the chute and shortly before the delivery area of the cut wafers to the undermoving moulds 2, the correct spacing corresponding to the interspaces (in the transverse direction) of the receptacles 2a and 2b of the moulds 2.

For feeding the cut wafers, provision is made for a slide 20 which is reciprocable in synchronization with the undermoving moulds 2. The slide 20 carries, on its side facing the blades 13, a feeding device comprising a comb 21 which may be swung or oscillated about a transverse axis. The comb 21 motion is produced, for example, by two pneumatic cylinders 22 rigid with the slide 20. To ensure that the cut wafers 5' reach the receptacles 2a, 2b of the moulds in perfect alignment, i.e. to compensate for the different lengths of the channels 31 (as due to the sheet metal members 30 diverging), the feeding comb 21 has a roof-like configuration 32, when viewed from above, the apex of which coincides with the channel 31 extending directly, i.e. without fan-like divergence, to the delivery area at the end of the chute 3.

Figure 5 illustrates a detail of the feeding comb 21 which is supported for rotation about a transverse shaft 33 forming part of the slide 2() structure. The upper or top end of the comb 21 is connected for articuiation to the rod 22a of the pneumatic cylinder 22.

Thus, during the return stroke in the direction of the arrowhead g, the comb 21 is brought, by means of the piston 22, to the position shown in dotted lines, thus moving beyond the underlying rows of cut wafers 5'.

On completion of the return stroke, the comb 21 I is positioned as shown in full lines, to urge the cut wafers 5 in the direction indicated by the arrowhead f. In order to ensure that the desired number of wafers is entrained et all times and to prevent the wafers from suffering damage, owing to imperfect positioning of the wafers 5 on to the door 15, the door is such that it can oscillate downwardly, e.g. against the bias of spring means, whereby the fixed end of the chute 3, defining the front opening 18, acts as an abutment seat.After the comb 21 has moved beyond the cut wafers 5' posi toned on the spring-loaded door 15, the lattcr is again raised to bring the wafers 5', not locatc(l in the position shown in dash and dot lines.

From Figure 6, it may be observed that the comb 21 is formed at the bottom with notches 'la which permit the blades 13 to be cleared, whereas the projections or lugs 21/) push the cut wafers 5' through the parallel arranged blades 13 into the channels 31.

Figure 7 illustrates a hopper 4 filled with wafer biscuits 5 yet to be cut. To allow for a quick cleaning of the blades 13, or replacement thereof, they can be lifted out together with their frame 14.

Simultaneously with, but independently of the above, the door 15 may be opened wide towards the container 17, to permit any wafers 5' damaged during the cutting operation to be discarded. It is thus ensured that only correctly cut wafers reach the receptables 2A, 2B, of the moulds 2.

As may be seen in Figures 8 and 9, the blades 13 are undercut at their lower portion or bottom 13a to afford a cutting action producing a minimum of crumbs.

The apparatus described hereinabove operates as follows: as represented in Figure 3, the pusher means 7 is completing its return stroke, while the door 15 and comb 21 are being simultaneously lowered.

At this stage. the pouring mould 2 starts to move simultaneously with the comb 21 movement, which occurs at the same speed as the pouring mould 2, whereby the first row of strips 2a is deposited in the mould.

Figure 2 shows the pouring mould 2 with the comb 21 being advanced to deposit the second row of strips 2b. It should be noted that the mould 2 advances continuously, whereas the advance movement of the comb 21 is slowed down by the cam 26, at the central point of the pouring mould 2.

Figure 1 shows the second row of wafer strips 2h already deposited, and at this stage the comb 21 begins to be raised and returned for a fresh cycle, as illustrated by Figure 3. Simultaneously with, but indepen dentlyfrom, the movement of the feeder 20, 21 the pusher means 7 causes two more rows of wafer biscuits 5 to be advanced to the hopper 4 through the front opening 6, thus forcing the wafers 5 through the parallel knife blades 13 carried in the holder 14.

To prevent the feeder 20, 21 from remaining without cut wafers 5', or the pusher means 7 from executing too many strokes and causing too many cut wafers 5' to be advanced, these two devices are equipped with interlinked control means, to avoid erroneous and out-of-phase movements which could produce unacceptable break agcs of the uncut wafer biscuits or cut wafers 5 5'. Such control devices are of well known design and not illustrated here in any detail.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An apparatus for automatically cutting and feeding wafer biscuits or similar products to pouring moulds arranged in one or more rows and advanced continuously on a conveyor, comprising a chute, sloping towards and located above the pouring moulds, on which is provided a hopper containing wafer biscuits to be cut, pusher means connected to the hopper, cutter means provided sequentially to the hopper and comprising parallel knife blades, and a feeding device provided sequentially to the knife blades for cut wafer biscuits, the feeding device reciprocating in synchronously with the pouring moulds.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, in which said cutter means is operatively separated from the feeding device.

3. An apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, in which said cutter means comprises a pusher means having at least one rack engaging gear wheels driven by a further rack driven, in turn, by a pneumatic cylinder.

4. An apparatus according to Claim 3, in which the speed of motion of the rod of the pneumatic cylinder is adjustable by means of valve means.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, in which, below the knife blades, the chute comprises a door mounted for oscillation about a transverse axis and against the bias of spring means.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, in which the reciprocating motion is imparted to the feeding device by a gear segment carrying at its bottom a cantilevered arm connected to a cam or dise means, said cam or disk means being driven by mould advancing means.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (14)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the slide 2() structure. The upper or top end of the comb 21 is connected for articuiation to the rod 22a of the pneumatic cylinder 22. Thus, during the return stroke in the direction of the arrowhead g, the comb 21 is brought, by means of the piston 22, to the position shown in dotted lines, thus moving beyond the underlying rows of cut wafers 5'. On completion of the return stroke, the comb 21 I is positioned as shown in full lines, to urge the cut wafers 5 in the direction indicated by the arrowhead f. In order to ensure that the desired number of wafers is entrained et all times and to prevent the wafers from suffering damage, owing to imperfect positioning of the wafers 5 on to the door 15, the door is such that it can oscillate downwardly, e.g. against the bias of spring means, whereby the fixed end of the chute 3, defining the front opening 18, acts as an abutment seat.After the comb 21 has moved beyond the cut wafers 5' posi toned on the spring-loaded door 15, the lattcr is again raised to bring the wafers 5', not locatc(l in the position shown in dash and dot lines. From Figure 6, it may be observed that the comb 21 is formed at the bottom with notches 'la which permit the blades 13 to be cleared, whereas the projections or lugs 21/) push the cut wafers 5' through the parallel arranged blades 13 into the channels 31. Figure 7 illustrates a hopper 4 filled with wafer biscuits 5 yet to be cut. To allow for a quick cleaning of the blades 13, or replacement thereof, they can be lifted out together with their frame 14. Simultaneously with, but independently of the above, the door 15 may be opened wide towards the container 17, to permit any wafers 5' damaged during the cutting operation to be discarded. It is thus ensured that only correctly cut wafers reach the receptables 2A, 2B, of the moulds 2. As may be seen in Figures 8 and 9, the blades 13 are undercut at their lower portion or bottom 13a to afford a cutting action producing a minimum of crumbs. The apparatus described hereinabove operates as follows: as represented in Figure 3, the pusher means 7 is completing its return stroke, while the door 15 and comb 21 are being simultaneously lowered. At this stage. the pouring mould 2 starts to move simultaneously with the comb 21 movement, which occurs at the same speed as the pouring mould 2, whereby the first row of strips 2a is deposited in the mould. Figure 2 shows the pouring mould 2 with the comb 21 being advanced to deposit the second row of strips 2b. It should be noted that the mould 2 advances continuously, whereas the advance movement of the comb 21 is slowed down by the cam 26, at the central point of the pouring mould 2. Figure 1 shows the second row of wafer strips 2h already deposited, and at this stage the comb 21 begins to be raised and returned for a fresh cycle, as illustrated by Figure 3. Simultaneously with, but indepen dentlyfrom, the movement of the feeder 20, 21 the pusher means 7 causes two more rows of wafer biscuits 5 to be advanced to the hopper 4 through the front opening 6, thus forcing the wafers 5 through the parallel knife blades 13 carried in the holder 14. To prevent the feeder 20, 21 from remaining without cut wafers 5', or the pusher means 7 from executing too many strokes and causing too many cut wafers 5' to be advanced, these two devices are equipped with interlinked control means, to avoid erroneous and out-of-phase movements which could produce unacceptable break agcs of the uncut wafer biscuits or cut wafers 5 5'. Such control devices are of well known design and not illustrated here in any detail. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An apparatus for automatically cutting and feeding wafer biscuits or similar products to pouring moulds arranged in one or more rows and advanced continuously on a conveyor, comprising a chute, sloping towards and located above the pouring moulds, on which is provided a hopper containing wafer biscuits to be cut, pusher means connected to the hopper, cutter means provided sequentially to the hopper and comprising parallel knife blades, and a feeding device provided sequentially to the knife blades for cut wafer biscuits, the feeding device reciprocating in synchronously with the pouring moulds.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, in which said cutter means is operatively separated from the feeding device.

3. An apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, in which said cutter means comprises a pusher means having at least one rack engaging gear wheels driven by a further rack driven, in turn, by a pneumatic cylinder.

4. An apparatus according to Claim 3, in which the speed of motion of the rod of the pneumatic cylinder is adjustable by means of valve means.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, in which, below the knife blades, the chute comprises a door mounted for oscillation about a transverse axis and against the bias of spring means.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, in which the reciprocating motion is imparted to the feeding device by a gear segment carrying at its bottom a cantilevered arm connected to a cam or dise means, said cam or disk means being driven by mould advancing means.

7. An apparatus according to Claim 6,

in which said cam or disk means is interchangeable.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, in which the knife blades are mounted on a supporting device with the interposition of spacer members determining the width of strip to be cut.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, in which the chute is formed, below the knife blades, with several oblique slots allowing any crumbs to fall out.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, in which the knife blades are connected, at the opposite end to the hoppers, to flexible sheet metal members defining strip guiding channels.

11. An apparatus according to Claim 10, in which the sheet metal members define strip guiding channels which diverge fanwise, at the end of the chute, to mutually spaced locations corresponding to the individual receptacles of the pouring moulds.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim 1, in which the feeding device carries, on its side facing the knife blades, a feed slide in the form of an reciprocable comb.

13. An apparatus according to Claim 12, in which the feed slide comb is of a roof-like configuration, when viewed from above, the apex of which coincides with a channel extending directly to the delivery end.

14. An apparatus for automatically cutting and feeding wafer biscuits or similar products to pouring moulds, arranged in one or more rows, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.