GB2275222A

GB2275222A - Making an incense stick by extrusion

Info

Publication number: GB2275222A
Application number: GB9303547A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Well Lin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-02-22
Filing date: 1993-02-22
Publication date: 1994-08-24
Also published as: GB9303547D0

Abstract

A method of making a stick of incense includes the steps of making incense powder into an incense slurry, coating the incense slurry on an elongated stick by extrusion and removing a portion of the incense coat from the elongated stick to form a handle portion 41 which is dyed before the coating application. The stick (36, figure 4) may be fed into an extrusion die and pushed through the die by the extruding incense slurry. Alternatively the slurry may be extruded onto the stick externally of the die. <IMAGE>

Description

EXTRUSION DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING AN INCENSE STICK The invention relates to an extrusion device and a method of making continuously a plurality of incense sticks, more particularly to an extrusion device and a method which use said extrusion device to coat an incense coat when producing said incense sticks continuously.

A conventional method of making an incense stick includes the steps of: (1) preparing an elongated stick of predetermined size; (2) dyeing a section of the elongated stick so that the elongated stick includes a dyed section and a nondyed section; (3) grinding several kinds of incense materials and adhesive wood so as to obtain a mixed incense powder; and (4) wetting the non-dyed section of the elongated stick and rolling the wet non-dyed section of the elongated stick in the mixed incense powder, thereby obtaining the incense stick.

Some of the disadvantages and drawbacks of the conventional method of making the incense stick are as follows: (1) Since every step is done manually, the method is time-consuming and tiring.

(2) The incense coat which is formed on the elongated stick is irregular in size and is uneven in thickness. (3) The incense coat is easily removed because no mechanical means is employed to make the incense coat stick closely to the elongated stick.

(4) The method usually includes a step of drying the incense coat in a drying room in order to shorten the production time and thus increase the production quantity of the same. The drying action often leads to wearing of the incense coat.

A main objective of the present invention is to provide an extrusion device and a method of making an incense stick continuously. The incense stick has an even and regular incense coat formed thereon so as to provide the same with highly quality appearance.

A second objective of the present invention is to provide an extrusion device for coating an incense coat on an elongated stick which layer of coat is compact and resistible to wearing.

Accordingly, the method of making an incense stick includes the steps of coating an incense slurry on an elongated stick by using an extrusion device and removing a portion of the incense coat that is formed on the elongated stick so as to expose a section of the elongated stick that serves as a handle portion for the incense stick. The coating process is done by an extrusion device that includes a mounting frame and a container that is mounted vertically on the mounting frame and that has at least a pair of outlet tubes formed adjacent to a bottom of the container and connected to an extruding die. The extrusion device further includes a hydraulic operated cylinder mounted on the mounting frame above the container and has a piston member extended into for compressing an interior of the container.The extruding die includes a Yshaped passage that has two branch channels formed in an upper portion and a lower channel formed in a lower portion of the outlet tube and communicated with the two branch channels. The extruding die further has a stick hole with a given diameter which is formed through the upper portion and which is aligned and communicated with the lower channel. The outlet tubes of the container are connected to the two branch channels respectively.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an extrusion device used in making an incense stick according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of an extruding die of the extrusion device shown in Fig. 1; Figures 3 and 4 demonstrate how an incense stick is made according to the method of the present invention with the use of the extrusion device shown in Figure 1; Figures 5(A) and 5(B) demonstrate how a portion of the incense coat is removed according to the method of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view of a conventional incense stick;; Figure 7 shows a cross sectional view of the incense stick which is produced according to the method of the present invention; and Figure 8 shows another preferred embodiment of an extruding die of the extrusion device shown in Figure li Figure 9 shows a block diagram that shows steps of making an incense stick according to the method of the present invention.

According to the present invention, a method for making an incense stick includes the following steps: (1) An elongated cylindrical rod of predetermined size and length is prepared. It is best to maintain the length thereof between 1-2 to 1-6 feet and the diameter thereof between 1 mm to 1.2 mm. A known extrusion device can be used to produce the elongated stick.

(2) A section of the elongated stick is dyed so that the elongated stick has a non-dyed section and a dyed section. It is best to color the dyed section so that it can be distinguished from the incense coat that is to be formed on an external surface of the elongated stick.

(3) Incense materials are made into an incense powder during a grinding operation. The incense powder is sifted through a sieve of 120 mesh so that lumps of incense material can be removed in order to obtain a fine incense powder.

(4) The fine incense powder is mixed with water and a binder so as to obtain an incense slurry. 600 gm of incense powder requires 950 cc of water to form a proper incense slurry. During the mixing operation, a limited amount of a perfume substance, sandal oil and a coloring powder can be added so as to enhance the color of the incense slurry. It is important to note that addition of the sandal oil, the perfume substance and the coloring powder does not affect the adhesive properties of the incense slurry.

(5) The incense slurry is coated on the elongated stick during an extrusion step which is performed by the extrusion device shown in Figure 1. As best illustrated, the extrusion device includes a mounting frame (12), an elongated container (80) mounted vertically on the mounting frame (12), a hydraulic operated cylinder (11), a driving unit (13) and a control unit (14) mounted on the mounting frame (12).

The container (12) has three pairs of outlet tubes (81) which are disposed adjacent to a bottom of the same. The hydraulic operated cylinder (11) has a piston rod (15) that extends into the container (80).

The control unit (14) actuates intermittently the driving unit (13), such as a motor, so that the motor drives the piston rod (15) to move reciprocatingly in the container (80). Thus, the incense slurry which is provided within the container (80) is extruded from the container (80) through an elongated outlet tubes (81).

Referring to Figure 2, the extruding die (20) has a Y-shaped passage with two branch channels (23) formed at an upper portion (20') and a lower channel (22) formed through a lower portion (20") of the extruding die (20). The lower channel (22) has an orifice (221) at the lowermost portion of the same. The two branch channels (23) are communicated with the lower channel (22). The extruding die (20) further has includes a stick hole (21) with a given diameter formed through the upper portion (20') of the extruding die (20) between the two branch channels (23) to receive the elongated stick (36) which is provided manually therein, as shown in Figure 3. The given diameter can be 3mm, 3.5 mm and 4 mm, depending on the size of the incense stick to be produced. The stick hole (21) is aligned and is communicated with the lower channel (22) of the extruding die (20). The outlet tubes (81) are connected to the branch channels (23) via a respective connecting tube (32). A sleeve (24) is provided around the connecting tube (32) and is threaded in the extruding die (20). When the piston (15) moves reciprocatingly, the incense slurry is extruded through the connecting tubes (32) into the extruding die (20).

The extrusion force of the incense slurry pushes the elongated stick (36) through the extruding die (20) and simultaneously coats the elongated stick (36), thereby expelling a coated stick (40) from the orifice (221) of the extruding die (20), as shown in Figure 4.

An important aspect to note is that in order to obtain proper extrusion of the incense slurry into the extruding die (20), the connecting tube (32) has a diameter that is smaller than that of the outlet tubes (81). Each of the branch channels (23) has a first diameter that is greater than the given diameter of the stick hole (21). The lower channel (22) has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter of the branch channel (23). Each of the connecting tubes (32) has a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter of the branch channels (23). Each of the branch channels (23) forms a predetermined angle with respect to the stick hole (21), which angle ranges between 45-60 degrees. A 60 degree angle provides the best extrusion force.The hydraulic cylinder provides a pressure of 30-60 kg/cm2 so that only 3 seconds is required when coating an elongated stick (36) with a length of 40 cm.

(6) A portion of the incense coat on the stick (40) is removed so as to expose the dyed section (41) which serves as a handle portion for the incense stick, as shown in Figure 5(B). Removal of the incense coat is done with the use of a stripping apparatus (50) that includes an upper and lower cutters (51) which are moved upward and downward manually, as shown in Figure 5(A).

(7) The incense stick is dried in an drying room that has a temperature of 32-360C at 20% humidity.

In another preferred embodiment, an extruding die (70) is shown to include two branch channels (72) formed in an upper portion and a lower channel (71) formed through a lower portion of the extruding die (70). Each of the branch channels (72) has a first diameter. The lower channel (71) has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The lower channel (71) is communicated with the two branch channels (72). The outlet tube (not shown) of the container has a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter of the lower channel (71) . The extruding die (70) further includes a solid cylindrical rod (74) formed through the lower channel (71). The extruding die (70) has a fourth diameter that is equal to the diameter of the elongated stick (33) which is to be coated in the present invention.When the hydraulic cylinder is operated, a tube of incense coat is extruded from an orifice (73) of the extruding die (70). The elongated stick (33) is held adjacent to the orifice (73), as shown in Figure 8. The extruded tube of incense coat is sleeved on a predetermined length of the elongated stick (33) so that an incense stick is obtained. Removal of a portion of the incense coat is not required, when the extruding die (70) is installed.

The extruding die (70) is ideal when making a big incense stick.

Some of the advantages which result from the use of the extrusion device and the method of making the incense stick according to this invention are as follows: (1) The handle portion of the incense stick is even, thus providing a high quality appearance.

(2) The coat of incense that is formed on the stick has an even thickness throughout the length thereof.

(3) The coat of incense is made compact by the use of an extrusion device. Therefore, the coat of incense does not easily wear as in the conventional incense stick.

(4) Since the incense stick (40) of the present invention, as shown in Figure 7, has an incense coat (45) that is thicker than the incense coat (62) of the conventional incense stick (60), as shown in Figure 6.

Thus, the incense (40) has a stronger fragrance.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for making an incense stick comprising: (1) forming an incense powder into an incense slurry; (2) introducing said incense slurry into an extrusion device ; and (3) extruding said incense slurry on a stick so as to form said incense stick.

2. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said extrusion device comprises a power operated extruding unit and an extruding die, said extruding die having a first passage for introducing said stick, a second passage for introducing said incense slurry and a third passage for extruding out said incense slurry and said stick simultaneously with said incense slurry formed around said stick.

3. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said extrusion device comprises a power operated extruding unit and an extruding die, said extruding die having a passage for introducing and extruding said slurry into a hollow strip and solid cylindrical member provided in said passage so as to form a throughbore in said hollow strip.

4. The method according to Claim 3, wherein said stick is located outwardly of a downstream end of said extruding device and positioned against said solid cylindrical rod so as to register with said throughbore when said hollow strip is extruded outward.

5. A method of making an incense stick continuously comprising the steps of: (1) preparing an elongated stick of predetermined size; (2) dyeing a predetermined section of said elongated stick so that said elongated stick includes a dyed section and a non-dyed section; (3) grinding and sifting incense materials so as to obtain a fine incense powder; (4) mixing said fine incense powder with water and a binder, thereby forming an incense slurry; (5) introducing said incense slurry into an extrusion device and extruding said incense slurry from said extrusion device so as to enclose said non-dyed and dyed sections of said elongated stick, thereby forming an incense coat on said elongated stick; and (6) drying said incense stick in a drying room with a temperature ranging between 32-36 degree centigrade.

6. The method as defined in Claim 5, wherein said method further comprises a step of removing a portion of said incense coat so as to expose said dyed section which serves as a handle portion for said incense stick, said step being performed between said steps 5 and 6.

7. The method as defined in Claim 5, wherein in said step (4), a perfume substance, sandal oil and a coloring substance can be added during mixing operation.

8. An extrusion device comprising: a mounting frame; an elongated container mounted vertically on said mounting frame and having a bottom and at least a pair of outlet tubes formed adjacent to said bottom; an elongated extruding die having an upper portion, a lower portion opposite to said upper portion, and a Y-shaped passage which includes two branch channels formed in said upper portion and a lower channel formed through said lower portion, said two branch channels being communicated with said lower channel, said extruding die further having a stick hole with a given diameter which extends through said upper portion between said two branches and which is aligned and communicated with said lower channel, said outlet tubes being attached to said two branch channels respectively, each of said branch channels having a first diameter which is greater than said given diameter of said stick hole, said lower channel having a second diameter that is greater than said first diameter of said branch channel, each of said outlet tubes having a third diameter that is greater than said second diameter of said lower channel; and a hydraulic operated cylinder unit which is mounted on said mounting frame above said container and which has a piston member extended into an interior of said container, said hydraulic cylinder unit further having a driving means for moving said piston member reciprocatingly in said container and a control unit for controlling timely actuation of said driving means.

9. The extrusion device as defined in Claim 8, wherein each of said two branches forms a predetermined angle relative to said stick hole.

10. The extrusion device as defined in Claim 9, wherein said predetermined angle ranges between 45 to 60 degrees.

11. The extrusion device as defined in Claim 8, wherein said device further includes a connecting tube which has a first end connected to one of said outlet tubes and a second end connected to one of said branch channels, said connecting tube further having a fourth diameter that is greater than said first diameter of said branch channel and which is less said third diameter of said outlet tube.

12. An extrusion device comprising: a mounting frame; an elongated container mounted vertically to said mounting frame and having at least a pair of outlet tubes formed adjacent to a bottom of said elongated container; an elongated extruding die having an upper portion, a lower portion and a Y-shaped passage which includes two branch channels formed in said upper portion and a lower channel formed in said lower portion, each of said branch channels having a first diameter, said lower channel having a second diameter greater than said first diameter, said two branch channels being respectively connected to said outlet tubes and being communicated with said lower channel, each of said outlet tubes having a third diameter that is greater than said second diameter of said lower channel, said extruding die further having a solid cylindrical rod which extends from said upper portion through said lower channel, said solid cylindrical rod having a fourth diameter that is equal to a diameter of a stick which is to be coated so as to form an incense stick; and a hydraulic operated cylinder unit which is mounted on said mounting frame above said container and which has a piston member extended into an interior of said container, said hydraulic cylinder unit further having a driving means for moving said piston member reciprocatingly in said container and a control unit for controlling timely actuation of said driving means.

13. An extrusion device constructed and arranged substantially as described heretofore with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 9 of the accornpanying drawings.

14. A method of making an incense stick substantially as described heretofore with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 9 of the accolrpamring drawings.