JP2005052078A - Liquid holding bag and frozen dessert production apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid holding bag enabling producing frozen dessert through hygienically supplying a mix to a cooling cylinder, and in this case, suppressing volume expansion. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid holding bag 5 has a bag body 21 with flexibility for holding liquid, and an outer layer body 23 with flexibility set outside the bag body 21 and forming a closed space between the bag body 21. The facing surface of the bag body 21 and the outer layer body 23 have each a sealing part 30 stuck to each other in a position excluding the peripheral parts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid storage bag for storing a liquid such as a mix as a raw material for frozen confectionery such as soft cream (soft ice cream) and a frozen confectionery manufacturing apparatus using the same.

Conventionally, this kind of frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a cooling device comprising a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube, a cooling cylinder and a cooler equipped in a hopper (mix tank). The cooling cylinder and hopper are cooled by flowing after reducing the pressure. A beater is attached in the cooling cylinder, and the mix in the cooling cylinder is stirred by the beater while being cooled by a cooler to produce a frozen dessert such as soft cream or sherbet (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-271957

  In this case, the mix is stored in the hopper, and the mix is fed from the hopper into the cooling cylinder by the mix feeder. This mix feeder is in the form of a pipe that is open to the atmosphere at the upper end and communicates with the hopper at the lower end of the hopper, and the amount of mix supplied depends on the head difference in the mix feeder.

  That is, since the supply of the mix from the hopper to the cooling cylinder depends on gravity, there is a drawback that the supply amount is not stable. In addition, since the mix was previously opened in the raw material bag and poured into the hopper, it was contaminated with various germs in the hopper, resulting in a problem of sanitary problems.

  Therefore, a liquid storage bag composed of a flexible bag body and an outer layer body outside the flexible bag body is prepared, the mix is stored in the bag body, and compressed air is supplied to the sealed space between the bag body and the outer layer body. A method is conceivable in which the main body is pressurized, the mix is pushed out of the bag main body, and supplied directly to the cooling cylinder. According to this method, the mix can be supplied directly from the liquid storage bag to the cooling cylinder without depending on gravity and without being transferred to the hopper. However, in this case, the supply of compressed air causes the liquid storage bag to swell greatly to increase its volume, which causes a problem in installation space and also impedes cold air circulation for cooling the liquid storage bag. There was a problem.

  The present invention was made in order to solve the conventional technical problem, and can supply the mix hygienicly to the cooling cylinder to produce frozen confectionery and suppress the volume expansion in that case. The present invention provides a liquid storage bag that can be used and a frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus using the same.

  The liquid storage bag according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided on the outside of the bag main body having flexibility for storing the liquid and the bag main body, and a sealed space can be formed between the bag main body and the bag main body. The outer layer body having flexibility, and the opposing surface of the bag body and the outer layer body have seal portions fixed to each other at locations other than the peripheral portion.

  In the liquid storage bag of the invention of claim 2, the whole area communicates with the inside of the bag body, the whole area communicates between the outer layer body and the bag body, and the outlet member communicates the inside of the bag body with the outside. A communication port member for communicating between the outer layer body and the bag body and the outside is provided.

  A liquid storage bag according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in each of the above inventions, a through hole is formed in the seal portion.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus that cools a liquid storage bag in which the mix is stored in the bag body of each of the above inventions and a mix extruded from the bag body of the liquid storage bag while stirring. The cooling cylinder which manufactures frozen dessert by doing, and the air compression apparatus which supplies compressed air between the outer-layer body of a liquid storage bag, and a bag main body, and extrudes the mix in a bag main body are characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the frozen confectionery manufacturing apparatus is provided with a flexible bag main body in which the mix is stored, and is provided outside the bag main body so that a sealed space can be formed between the bag main body and the bag main body. A cool box for cooling a liquid storage bag comprising a flexible outer layer body, a cooling cylinder for producing a frozen dessert by cooling while stirring the mix supplied from the liquid storage bag, and an air compression device; A mix supply passage for communicating the inside of the bag body of the liquid storage bag and the inside of the cooling cylinder, and for supplying compressed air generated by the air compressor between the outer layer body of the liquid storage bag and the bag body A bag pressurizing passage and an air supply passage for supplying compressed air into the cooling cylinder, and the opposite surface of the bag main body and the outer layer body of the liquid storage bag are fixed to each other at locations other than the peripheral portion. The Is shall.

  According to the liquid storage bag of the first aspect of the present invention, a flexible bag main body for storing the liquid is provided on the outside of the bag main body, and a sealed space can be formed between the bag main body and the bag main body. If the compressed air is sealed between the outer layer body and the bag main body, for example, the volume of the sealed space between them is expanded and the bag main body is placed inside the bag main body. The stored liquid can be pushed out. Thereby, it becomes possible to realize automatic supply of the liquid from the bag body. In particular, since the opposing surface of the bag body and the outer layer body have a seal portion fixed to each other at a place other than the peripheral portion, when compressed air or the like is sealed between the outer layer body and the bag body The swelling of the sealed space can be suppressed. As a result, the volume expansion of the liquid storage bag when the liquid is pushed out can be restricted, and the installation space can be reduced and the handleability can be improved.

  According to the liquid storage bag of the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the above, the entire area of the bag body communicates, the entire area communicates between the outer layer body and the bag body, and the interior of the bag body communicates with the outside. Since the outlet member and the communication port member that communicates between the outer layer body and the bag main body and the outside are provided, the supply of compressed air and the outflow of liquid as described above can be realized without any trouble and Connection of pipes and the like is extremely easy.

  According to the liquid storage bag of the invention of claim 3, since the through hole is formed in the seal portion in addition to the above inventions, the liquid storage bag can be carried using the through hole, and the through hole is provided. It is also possible to perform positioning when installing the liquid storage bag.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus that cools a liquid storage bag in which the mix is stored in the bag body of each of the above inventions and a mix extruded from the bag body of the liquid storage bag while stirring. The liquid storage bag is provided with a cooling cylinder for producing frozen desserts, and an air compression device for supplying compressed air between the outer layer body of the liquid storage bag and the bag body to push out the mix in the bag body. Each mix is kept cool, and compressed air is supplied between the outer layer body of the liquid storage bag and the bag body by an air compression device to forcibly push the mix out of the bag body, and directly supplied to the cooling cylinder to produce a frozen dessert. Will be able to.

  This makes it possible to eliminate the gravity-dependent mix supply method and realize a stable automatic supply of the mix, and to solve the hygiene problem by supplying the mix directly from the liquid storage bag to the cooling cylinder. Will be able to. Further, as described above, since the volume expansion of the liquid storage bag is restricted when compressed air is supplied, the cool air circulation in the cool box is also improved, and the cooling effect of the liquid storage bag is improved. Furthermore, by reducing the installation space, it is possible to reduce the cold storage or increase the number of liquid storage bags stored in the cold storage.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the frozen confectionery manufacturing apparatus is provided with a flexible bag main body in which the mix is stored, and is provided outside the bag main body so that a sealed space can be formed between the bag main body and the bag main body. A cool box for cooling a liquid storage bag comprising a flexible outer layer body, a cooling cylinder for producing a frozen dessert by cooling while stirring the mix supplied from the liquid storage bag, and an air compression device; A mix supply passage for communicating the inside of the bag body of the liquid storage bag and the inside of the cooling cylinder, and for supplying compressed air generated by the air compressor between the outer layer body of the liquid storage bag and the bag body A bag pressurizing passage and an air supply passage for supplying compressed air into the cooling cylinder, so that the mix is kept cool together with the liquid storage bag, and the air is compressed by the air compressor through the bag pressurizing passage. Forcibly extruding the mix from the bag body by supplying compressed air between the back of the outer body and the bag body, and supplies the direct cooling cylinder via a mix feed passage, it is possible to produce a frozen dessert.

  This makes it possible to eliminate the gravity-dependent mix supply method and realize a stable automatic supply of the mix, and to solve the hygiene problem by supplying the mix directly from the liquid storage bag to the cooling cylinder. Will be able to. Further, since compressed air is supplied into the cooling cylinder via the air supply passage, overrun of the frozen dessert can be obtained without any trouble. Further, since the opposing surface of the bag body of the liquid storage bag and the outer layer body are fixed to each other at a place other than the peripheral part, the expansion of the sealed space when compressed air is supplied between the outer layer body and the bag body is prevented. Can be suppressed. As a result, the volume expansion of the liquid storage bag when the mix is pushed out can be restricted, and the installation space can be reduced and the handleability can be improved. Therefore, the cool air circulation in the cool box is also improved, and the cool effect of the liquid storage bag is improved. Then, by reducing the installation space, it is possible to reduce the cold storage or increase the number of liquid storage bags stored in the cold storage.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a partially longitudinal perspective view of a frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus SM according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram relating to the mix supply of the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus SM, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded configuration diagram, and FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an electric circuit of the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus SM.

  The frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus SM according to the embodiment is an apparatus for manufacturing and selling frozen confectionery such as soft cream and sherbet (shake) (in the embodiment, soft cream is manufactured). Is provided with a heat insulating cool box 2 for storing and cooling the liquid storage bag 5 storing a soft cream raw material mix (mix to be a frozen dessert such as soft cream or sherbet). The front side of the interior 2A of the cool box 2 is open, and the front opening is closed by a rotatable heat insulating door 3 so that the heat insulating door 3 can be opened and closed when the liquid storage bag 5 is replaced. Opened. Reference numeral 33 denotes a cool box opening / closing switch for detecting opening / closing of the heat insulating door 3.

  On the other hand, a cool box cooler 4 and a blower (not shown) are arranged on the ceiling 2A of the cool box 2, and a cool box compressor 18A and a cool box condenser (not shown) are installed on the back of the cool box 2. Thus, the cold storage cooler 4 and a known refrigerant circuit are configured. When the cool box compressor 18A is operated, the cool box cooler 4 exhibits a cooling action. Then, the cool air cooled by the cool box cooler 4 is circulated to the inside 2 </ b> A by the blower, and the liquid storage bag 5 and the peripheral parts described later in the cool box 2 are kept at a predetermined temperature.

  The liquid storage bag 5 is stored and held in the rack 31 so as to be freely delivered, and in that state, the liquid storage bag 5 is stored and loaded in the inside 2A of the cool box 2. The rack 31 is formed in a net container shape composed of a plurality of vertical bars and horizontal bars by welding a plurality of strips (made of steel), and the storage space of the liquid storage back 5 that opens upward in the interior. Is configured. In addition, the bottom portion of the storage space 101 composed of a plurality of vertical bars and horizontal bars has a curved shape in which both sides gradually increase, and the stripes are deleted at the front left and right and the rear center of the bottom part. A passage portion for an outlet member 22, a communication port member 24, and a sealing port member 109 described later of the liquid storage bag 5 is configured.

  Furthermore, leg portions 107 are configured to protrude downward from the left and right sides of the rack 31 and at the center of the front end portion by bent lines. On the other hand, the left and right inner walls of the cool box 2 are formed with a pair of support portions 6, 6 for holding the rack 31 obliquely low on the front side, and the leg portions 107 are attached to the support portions 6, 6. The rack 31 and the liquid storage back 5 are placed and stored in the storage 2A so as to be freely retractable in a state where the rack 31 and the liquid storage back 5 are inclined downward.

  Next, the structure of the liquid storage bag 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. The liquid storage bag 5 of the embodiment is composed of a bag body 21 made of, for example, a flexible sheet of polyethylene resin, and a flexible sheet made of, for example, nylon resin, the periphery of which is welded to one surface of the bag body 21. A protective body 25, an outlet member 22 made of hard resin that is attached through the protective body 25 and one surface of the bag body 21 and communicates with the outside of the bag body 21 and the other surface of the bag body 21. The protective body 25 and the bag body so as to communicate with an outer layer body 23 made of a flexible sheet made of nylon resin, for example, and a non-adhesive portion described later between the outer layer body 23 and the bag body 21. 21 and a communicating port member 24 made of hard resin attached through the other surface (FIG. 6).

  Note that the above-described sealing port member 109 is a port for storing the mix in the bag main body 21 and is also attached through the protective body 25 and one surface of the bag main body 21, but is sealed when used. ing.

  Here, each bag main body 21, the protective body 25, and the outer layer body 23 constituting the liquid storage bag 5 are each formed of a rectangular or rectangular sheet, and the pair of opposing sheets constituting the bag main body 21 and the protective sheet are protected. The surroundings of the body 25 and the outer layer body 23 (shown by E in each figure) are thermally welded and sealed. Further, the facing sheet surface of the bag main body 21, the protective body 25 and the outer layer body 23 are partially fixed to each other by thermal welding even in the central portion of the liquid storage back 5, and the seal portion 30 is formed here. ing.

  The outer layer body 23 and the bag body 21 are in an unbonded state except for the periphery E of the outer layer body 23 and the seal portion 30, and thus, a sealed space in which the entire area communicates between the outer layer body 23 and the bag body 21. Configurable. The communication port member 24 communicates between the outer layer body 23 and the bag body 21 (sealed space) and the outside. In addition, the entire region of the bag body 21 is in communication, and the mix (indicated by M in each figure) is stored in the bag body 21, and in the sealed space between the outer layer body 23 and the bag body 21. Compressed air (indicated by AI in each figure) can be supplied.

  The protector 25 is also non-adhered to the bag body 21 except for the periphery E and the seal portion 30, and plays a role of protecting the bag body 21 when the mix moves in the bag body 21 or when a foreign object collides. (Not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).

  The liquid storage bag 5 is stored in the rack 31 in such a direction that the outlet member 22 and the communication port member 24 are the front lower surface and the sealing port member 109 is the rear lower surface, and is stored in the interior 2A of the cool box 2 in that state. . In this state, the rack 31 and the liquid storage back 5 are supported with a sufficient space below the front portion with the front portion inclined slightly lower. And the mix raw material tube 34 for comprising the mix supply path previously attached to the outlet member 22 is connected to the Y-type mixer 57 as will be described later, and the bag pressurizing pipe 7 is connected to the communication port member 24. . The air circuit 51 is connected to the Y-type mixer 57 in communication.

  The mix raw material tube 34 is composed of a flexible resin tube, and is connected to the outlet member 22 of the liquid storage bag 5 in advance. The mix outlet 34A at the other end (front end) of the mix raw material tube 34 is initially sealed, and the inside of the mix raw material tube 34 is sanitarily held so as not to come into contact with the outside. It is cut and opened. Further, a flange portion 34B projects outwardly and is integrally formed on the outer surface of the portion on the side of the low-permissible liquid storage back 5 from the mix outlet 34A at the other end (FIG. 2). And the rear surface on the opposite side to this mix outlet 34A side of this collar part 34B is comprised with the hard resin.

  On the other hand, 8 in FIG. 1 is the above-described cooling cylinder in which the mix flowing in from the mix inlet 9 is rotated and stirred by the beater 10 to produce a frozen dessert, and a cylinder cooler 11 is attached around the cylinder. The beater 10 is rotated via a beater motor 12, a drive transmission belt, a speed reducer 13, and a rotating shaft. The manufactured frozen dessert moves the plunger 16 up and down by operating the take-out lever 15 disposed in the freezer door 14 that closes the front opening of the cooling cylinder 8 so that it can be opened and closed, and the extraction path (not shown) is opened. At the same time, the beater 10 is rotated and driven to be taken out. The freezer door 14, the takeout lever 15 and the plunger 16 constitute a frozen dessert extraction unit.

  The freezer door 14 is made of transparent glass or transparent hard resin and constitutes a see-through portion. Through this freezer door 14, the inside of the cooling cylinder 8 can be seen through from the front. A permanent magnet 36 is embedded in the surface of the freezer door 14 on the main body 1 side, and a reed switch 37 is attached to the front surface of the main body 1 at a position corresponding to the permanent magnet 36. When the freezer door 14 is attached to the main body 1 and the front opening of the cooling cylinder 8 is closed, the contact of the reed switch 37 is closed by the permanent magnet 36, the freezer door 14 is removed, and the front surface of the cooling cylinder 8 is removed. When the opening is opened, the contact of the reed switch 37 is opened.

  In addition, a proximity switch (proximity sensor) 38 is attached to the front surface of the main body 1 at a position corresponding to the lower side of the take-out lever 15 constituting the frozen dessert extraction unit. The proximity switch 38 detects that a container such as a cone or a paper cup serving as a frozen dessert is placed under the take-out lever 15 using infrared rays or sound waves. The proximity switch 38 may be provided behind the take-out lever 15 to detect the tilting operation of the take-out lever 15 and control the operation of the beater motor 12 described later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a cleaning hose connection port 39 is provided on the inner wall of the cool box 2. The cleaning hose connection port 39 is connected to a cleaning hose (not shown) for discharging cleaning water into the cooling cylinder 8 when the cooling cylinder 8 is cleaned, and is pulled out to the side surface. The cleaning water pipe 41 is in communication. The cleaning water pipe 41 is connected to a water pipe (not shown), and an opening / closing stopper 42 is provided in the middle of the cleaning water pipe 41 so as to be disposed on the front surface of the main body 1. The opening / closing plug 42 always closes the cleaning water pipe 41, and when the cooling cylinder 8 is cleaned, this is turned to open the cleaning water pipe 41.

  A compressor 18, a condenser 20, a four-way valve 19, and the like constituting the cooling device R are housed and installed in the lower part of the main body 1. The four-way valve 19 is used for flowing a high-temperature refrigerant through the cylinder cooler 11 to perform thawing and sterilization.

  Next, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 27 denotes an air pump that constitutes an air compressor, and a discharge pipe 28 of the air pump 27 is connected to a distributor 46. The distributor 46 is connected to the other end of the bag pressurizing pipe 7. Further, an air circuit sensor (pressure sensor) 47 constituting the pressure detection means and an exhaust pipe 49 are connected to the distributor 46, and the exhaust pipe 49 is connected to an exhaust electromagnetic valve 48 in the air circuit constituting the exhaust means ( Air pump protection and air circuit exhaust) are connected.

  Furthermore, one end of the air circuit 51 as an air supply passage is connected to the distributor 46, whereby the bag pressurizing pipe 7, the air circuit 51, the air pump 27, and the sensor in the air circuit are connected via the distributor 46. 47 and the exhaust pipe 49 are in communication with each other in a branched connection. The air circuit 51 is provided with an air circuit opening / closing electromagnetic valve 52, an air filter 53, and a check valve 56 as flow path opening / closing means. The air filter 53 captures and removes foreign matters and germs in the compressed air flowing into the air circuit 51.

  The other end of the air circuit 51 is detachably connected to the other inlet of the Y-type mixer 57 as a confluence member which is a path component as described above. Further, the outlet of the Y-type mixer 57 is detachably connected to the mix inlet 9 of the cooling cylinder 8 via a check valve 54. The check valve 54 is directed in the direction of the cooling cylinder 8, and the check valve 56 is directed in the direction of the Y-type mixer 57. Further, the liquid storage bag 5, the mix raw material tube 34, the other end portion downstream of the check valve 56 of the air circuit 51, one end portion of the bag pressurizing pipe 7, and the Y-type mixer 57 are stored in the refrigerator 2. It is located at 2A and will be kept cold.

  Here, the bag pressurizing pipe 7 is also composed of a flexible tube, and is detachably connected to the communication port member 24 of the liquid storage back 5 by a one-touch joint (not shown). Further, one end of the mix raw material tube 34 is connected in advance to the outlet member 22 of the liquid storage bag 5 as described above by a tube mounting component.

  The other end of the mix raw material tube 34 is detachably connected to one inlet of the Y-type mixer 57 by a mounting nut 67. In this case, when the mix outlet 34A of the mix raw material tube 34 is inserted into the Y-type mixer 57 from one inlet of the Y-type mixer 57, the flange portion 34B comes into contact with the opening edge of the inlet. In this state, the mounting nut 67 is screwed into a thread groove formed on the outer surface of the inlet from the rear surface side of the flange 34B, and the flange 34B is pressed against the opening edge of the inlet and sealed. Thereby, the other end of the mix raw material tube 34 is detachably connected to the Y-type mixer 57. In this connected state, the mix outlet 34A faces the Y-type mixer 57 and does not contact the wall surface of the Y-type mixer 57 around it.

  Since the mix raw material tube 34 is a flexible tube as described above, it can be easily sealed by being pinched by the pinch 68. However, the pinch 68 is left open during normal use.

  On the other hand, the other end of the air circuit 51 is also detachably connected to the other inlet of the Y-type mixer 57 by the mounting nut 69 as described above. The outlet of the Y-type mixer 57 is detachably connected to the mix inlet 9 of the cooling cylinder 8 through the O-ring 71 as described above. By detachably connecting in this way, cleaning of the mix raw material tube 34, the Y-type mixer 57, etc. becomes easy.

  Next, in FIG. 4, reference numeral 73 denotes a general-purpose microcomputer constituting control means. The input of the microcomputer 73 is connected to the cool box open / close switch 33, the air circuit sensor 47, the proximity switch 38, and the reed switch 37. Has been. Further, a precharge switch (operation switch) 76 and a cooling switch 77 provided on the control panel 74 of the main body 1 are further connected to the input of the microcomputer 73.

  Further, in addition to the compressors 18 and 18A of the cooling device R and the beater motor 12 described above, the exhaust solenoid valve 48 in the air circuit, the air pump 27, and the air circuit open / close solenoid valve 52 are connected to the output of the microcomputer 73. . Furthermore, a sold-out display lamp 78 provided on the operation panel 74 is connected to the output of the microcomputer 73.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When a power plug (not shown) of the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus SM is connected to the power source and turned on, the microcomputer 73 first determines whether or not the contact of the reed switch 37 is closed. If the freezer door 14 is attached and the front opening of the cooling cylinder 8 is closed, and the permanent magnet 36 allows the reed switch 37 to be closed, the operation of the subsequent operation is allowed. If it is not attached and the contact of the reed switch 37 is open, the start of the subsequent operation is prohibited, for example, the sold-out display lamp 78 is blinked to display an alarm. As a result, forgetting to attach the freezer door 14 or preventing the operation from being started in a state where the freezer door 14 is not properly installed is prevented, and the user is prompted to install the freezer door 14.

  Next, the manufacture of the frozen confectionery from the supply of the mix and the extraction operation of the frozen confectionery will be described. The liquid storage bag 5 is set in the cooler 2 so that it can be delivered and stored in the rack 31 as described above, and the state shown in FIG. In this state, the bag pressurizing pipe 7, the mix raw material tube 34, and the Y-type mixer 57 are also connected as shown in FIG. However, the air circuit 51 is removed from the Y-type mixer 57 at this point when precharging is started.

(1) Initial state In an initial state after the power is turned on, the microcomputer 73 first opens the exhaust electromagnetic valve 48 in the air circuit for a predetermined period (5 seconds in the embodiment). Thereafter, after the liquid storage bag 5 is set in the interior 2A of the cool box 2 as described above, the microcomputer 73 detects that the heat insulating door 3 is closed based on the detection operation of the cool box opening / closing switch 33. Operates the air pump 27. Thereafter, when the heat insulating door 3 of the cool box 2 is opened, the microcomputer 73 stops the air pump 27 based on the detection operation of the cool box open / close switch 33 and exhausts electromagnetic air in the air circuit for a predetermined period (for example, 5 seconds). The valve 48 is opened and exhausted from the air circuit 51 and the bag pressurizing pipe 7.

  In other words, the microcomputer 73 stops the air pump 27 when the heat insulating door 3 of the cool box 2 is opened, and allows the operation of the air pump 27 only when the heat insulating door 3 is closed. Thereby, the safety | security at the time of attachment or detachment of a pipe etc. in the case of replacement | exchange of the liquid storage back | bag 5, etc. improves. In particular, when the heat insulating door 3 is opened, the exhaust electromagnetic valve 48 in the air circuit is opened and the compressed air is discharged from the air circuit 51 or the bag pressurizing pipe 7, so that the compressed air blows out when the pipe is attached or detached. Can be reliably avoided.

  In this initial state, after the air pump 27 is operated, the sensor 47 in the air circuit communicates with the bag pressurizing pipe 7 (communication with the bag pressurizing pipe 7) even after 3 minutes have passed. If the pressure rise in the air circuit 51 is not detected), the air pump 27 is stopped and the sold-out display lamp 78 is blinked. Alarm.

(2) Precharge Mode Next, when the user turns on the precharge switch 76 (for example, presses it for less than 2 seconds), the microcomputer 73 enters the precharge mode and starts precharging. In this precharge mode, the microcomputer 73 operates the air pump 27, and the bag pressurizing pipe 7 communicated by the distributor 46 (the bag main body 21 and the outer layer body of the liquid storage bag 5 communicating with the bag pressurizing pipe 7). Compressed air is supplied into the air circuit 51 (in the precharge mode, the air circuit opening / closing solenoid valve 52 is closed).

  When the air pressure detected by the air circuit sensor 47 rises to a set value, the microcomputer 73 stops the air pump 27 based on the output of the air circuit sensor 47. After that, the microcomputer 73 starts counting a 3-minute timer (a predetermined time not limited to 3 minutes) which is a function of itself.

  Compressed air is sent from the bag pressurizing pipe 7 into the sealed space between the outer layer body 23 of the liquid storage bag 5 and the bag body 21, whereby a constant pressure is applied to the bag body 21 from the outside. As a result, the volume of the sealed space between the outer layer body 23 and the bag body 21 is expanded, so that the mix in the bag body 21 is pushed out from the outlet member 22 to the mix material tube 34. The mix pushed out to the mix raw material tube 34 exits from the mix outlet 34A, and then flows into the cooling cylinder 8 from the mix inlet 9 through the Y-type mixer 57 and the check valve 54. At this time, since the air circuit 51 is disconnected, the air in the cooling cylinder 8 exits from the other outlet of the Y-type mixer 57. As a result, the mix also smoothly flows into the cooling cylinder 8.

  In this case, since the seal portion 30 is formed at the center portion of the liquid storage bag 5, the volume expansion of the liquid storage bag 5 in a state where compressed air is supplied between the outer layer body 23 and the bag body 21 is restricted. . This facilitates the extrusion of the mix from the bag body 21 and prevents an unnecessary volume expansion of the liquid storage bag 5 in the interior 2A, so that the cold air circulation in the interior 2A is not hindered, and the liquid The cooling performance of the storage bag 5 can be maintained well.

  Since the mix flows out from the liquid storage bag 5 as described above, the volume of the sealed space between the outer layer body 23 and the bag main body 21 is expanded (see FIG. 7), so the pipe extending from the bag pressurizing pipe 7 to the distributor 46 The air pressure inside also decreases. When the air circuit sensor 47 detects that the pressure has dropped to a predetermined lower limit value, the microcomputer 73 operates the air pump 27 to resume the supply of compressed air. By repeating this, the microcomputer 74 sets the air pressure (air pressure in the sealed space between the outer layer body 23 of the liquid storage bag 5 and the bag body 21) detected by the air circuit sensor 47 between the set value and the lower limit value (set value). And a predetermined pressure in the range of the lower limit).

  Thereafter, this is continued until the count of the 3-minute timer is completed, and the mix is fed into the cooling cylinder 8. As a result, the mix is stored in the cooling cylinder 8. When the count of the 3-minute timer is completed, the microcomputer 73 stops the operation of the air pump 27, opens the exhaust electromagnetic valve 48 in the air circuit for 5 seconds, and discharges the compressed air once. The user confirms the liquid level of the mix in the cooling cylinder 8 through the transparent freezer door 14, and when it does not reach the predetermined liquid level, the user continues to press the precharge switch 76 (ON for 2 seconds or more).

  When the precharge switch 76 is continuously turned on, the microcomputer 73 operates the air pump 27 to start supplying compressed air again. As described above, the air pressure (liquid storage back) detected by the air circuit sensor 47 is detected. The air pressure in the sealed space between the outer layer body 23 and the bag body 21 is maintained at the set value. Thereby, the mix is again fed into the cooling cylinder 8 from the liquid storage bag 5. When the user visually confirms that the mix in the cooling cylinder 8 has been stored to a predetermined liquid level and releases the precharge switch 76 (OFF), the microcomputer 73 stops the air pump pump 27. Then, the air solenoid exhaust valve 48 is opened to discharge the compressed air in the sealed space between the outer layer body 23 of the liquid storage bag 5 and the bag body 21. As a result, the feeding of the mix is stopped, and the mix is stored in the cooling cylinder 8 to a predetermined liquid level.

  By providing such a precharge mode in the microcomputer 73, the mix can be smoothly stored in the cooling cylinder 8 when the store is opened. In particular, since the precharge switch 76 is provided and the precharge can be started manually, the usability is also improved.

  After the mix is stored in the cooling cylinder 8 to a predetermined liquid level in this way, the heat insulating door 3 is opened, and the air circuit 51 is connected to the other inlet of the Y-type mixer 57 in the inside 2 </ b> A of the cool box 2. And the heat insulation door 3 is closed. When the heat insulating door 3 is opened, the microcomputer 73 stops the air pump 27 and opens the exhaust electromagnetic valve 48 in the air circuit to discharge the compressed air as described above, but after the air circuit 51 is connected, the heat insulating door 3 is opened. Is closed, the air pump 27 is operated again to detect the air pressure detected by the air circuit sensor 47 (the bag pressurizing pipe 7 and the distributor 46 including the sealed space between the outer layer body 23 of the liquid storage bag 5 and the bag body 21). And the air pressure to the air circuit opening / closing solenoid valve 52 in the air circuit 51) is increased to a set value.

  When the air pressure detected by the air circuit sensor 47 rises to the set value, the microcomputer 73 opens the air circuit opening / closing electromagnetic valve 52 for a predetermined period (for example, 5 seconds) and compresses the air circuit 51 to the Y-type mixer 57. Bring in air. The pressure of the compressed air flowing into the cooling cylinder 8 from the air circuit 51 through the Y-type mixer 57 prevents the mix from flowing into the cooling cylinder 8 from the mix material tube 34.

  At this time, an overrun of the frozen dessert (a state in which air is mixed in the frozen dessert and the volume increases) is obtained depending on the amount of compressed air flowing into the cooling cylinder 8. Since the liquid level of the mix to be performed can be defined at a predetermined liquid level by operating the precharge switch 76, the amount of air in the cooling cylinder 8 can also be defined, whereby the overrun amount of the frozen dessert can be accurately set. become able to.

  At this time, since the compressed air flowing into the cooling cylinder 8 has passed through the air filter 53, foreign matter and germs contained in the air are captured by the air filter 53. As a result, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that foreign matters and various germs are mixed with the compressed air in the cooling cylinder 8, and hygiene management can be reliably performed.

  Furthermore, since the mix raw material tube 34 and the air circuit 51 are once merged in the Y-type mixer 57 as described above, they are communicated with the cooling cylinder 8 from the mix inlet 9. Both the supply of the mix and the supply of overrun air can be performed from the single mix inlet 9, and the structure of the cooling cylinder 8 can be simplified.

  Here, as described above, the mix outlet 34A of the mix raw material tube 34 is held in the Y-type mixer 57 without contacting the surrounding wall surface. Further, since compressed air is supplied from the air circuit 51 into the Y-type mixer 57, the level of the mix does not rise to the periphery of the mix outlet 34A. Therefore, since the mix outlet 34A does not contact the surrounding wall surface and the mix flowing out from the wall, even if various bacteria are attached to the outer surface of the mix raw material tube 34, the Y-type mixer 57 and the cooling cylinder 8 are used. There is no risk of contamination of the mix inside.

  This completes the precharge mode. In this state, the operation of the cooling switch 77 is awaited. The microcomputer 73 counts and holds the precharge time required to store the mix in the cooling cylinder 8 from the time when the precharge switch 77 is first operated to the predetermined liquid level as described above. In this case, when the precharge switch 77 is finally released, the count of the precharge time is finished.

(3) Normal Sales Mode Next, when the cooling switch 77 is turned on (pressed) by the user, the microcomputer 73 is a cooling device provided that the freezer door 14 is normally attached and closed as described above. The R compressor 18 is operated to start the cooling operation. When the compressor 18 is operated, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 20 is supplied to the cylinder cooler 11 through a decompression device (not shown), and evaporates there to exert a cooling action. Further, the compressor 18A is also operated, and the mix of the liquid storage bag 5 in the inside 2A of the cool box 2 is kept cool by the cool box cooler 4 as described above. Furthermore, the components (such as the portion surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) such as the mixed raw material tube 68 and the other end of the air circuit 51 in the interior 2A and the Y-type mixer 57 are also kept cold. As a result, the temperature of the mix and compressed air flowing into the cooling cylinder 8 does not increase in the process of passing through them.

  On the other hand, in the cooling cylinder 8, the mix is cooled to the freezing temperature by the cylinder cooler 11, and the microcomputer 73 rotates the beater 10 by the beater motor 12, so that the semi-cured frozen dessert ( Soft ice cream) is produced. After that, it becomes a sales standby state.

  In this state, for example, when the user takes out a cone (container), for example, below the take-out lever 15 and brings it close to the proximity switch 38, the proximity switch 38 detects the cone and turns on (sales detection). As described above, when the tilting operation of the takeout lever 15 is detected by the proximity switch 38, it is turned on when the takeout lever 15 is tilted (sales detection) as will be described later. When the proximity switch 38 is turned on, the microcomputer 73 starts counting the timer for sales detection 3 seconds (a predetermined period not limited to 3 seconds) that the microcomputer 73 has as its function. When the timer continues counting for 3 seconds, that is, when the proximity switch 38 continuously detects the cone for 3 seconds, the microcomputer 73 rotates the beater 10. When the user tilts the take-out lever 15, the plunger 16 is raised as described above, and thus the frozen dessert (soft cream) is pushed out by the beater 10 to the extraction path (not shown) and extracted into the cone.

  As described above, since the rotation of the beater 10 is controlled using the proximity switch 38, there is no need to provide a take-off switch using an arm that interlocks with the vertical movement of the plunger 16 as in the prior art, and the number of parts can be reduced. Since the mechanism is simplified, failure is less likely to occur. In addition, since the beater 10 is rotated when a cone is detected continuously for a predetermined period (3 seconds), a malfunction that occurs when a hand is accidentally held near the proximity switch 8 is prevented. it can.

  If the extraction lever 15 is returned, the plunger 16 descends and the extraction path is blocked. If the cone is separated from the proximity switch 38, the microcomputer 73 stops the beater 10. Thereby, extraction of frozen dessert stops. Since the pressure is reduced by extracting the frozen dessert from the cooling cylinder 8, it is cooled from the bag main body 21 of the liquid storage bag 5 through the mix raw material tube 34, the check valve 54, and the Y-type mixer 57 from the mix inlet 9. The mix flows into the cylinder 8 and is replenished.

  In this case, since the air circuit 51 is provided with the check valve 56, the inconvenience of the mix entering the Y-type mixer 57 from the mix raw material tube 34 into the air circuit 51 at this time is avoided. Therefore, it is not necessary to clean the air circuit 51 upstream of the check valve 56.

  On the other hand, the microcomputer 73 opens the air circuit opening / closing solenoid valve 52 for b seconds (predetermined period) after a second (delay time) from the sales detection. When the air circuit 51 is opened by the air circuit opening / closing solenoid valve 52, the mix from the mix material tube 34 to the cooling cylinder 8 is performed by the pressure of the compressed air flowing from the air circuit 51 through the Y-type mixer 57 into the cooling cylinder 8. Inflow is blocked and stopped as before. That is, the mix can be supplemented from the mix material tube 34 into the cooling cylinder 8 by opening the air circuit opening / closing electromagnetic valve 52 with a delay from the start of extraction of the frozen dessert from the cooling cylinder 8.

  Here, the replenishment amount of the mix at this time is determined by the delay time of a seconds, and the amount of the mix flowing into the cooling cylinder 8 during this delay time varies depending on the viscosity of the mix. That is, when the viscosity of the mix is high at the same delay time, the replenishment amount decreases, and when the viscosity is low, the replenishment amount increases. On the other hand, when the viscosity of the mix is high, the time required for the precharge described above (precharge time) becomes long, and when it is low, the time becomes short.

  Therefore, based on the precharge time counted and held as described above, the microcomputer 73 extends the delay time of a seconds when the precharge time is long, and shortens it when the precharge time is short. . As a result, the amount of the mix replenished into the cooling cylinder 8 with the extraction of the frozen dessert can be made substantially constant regardless of the viscosity of the mix. And a lack of mixing in the cooling cylinder 8 can be avoided.

  Here, the microcomputer 73 performs ON / OFF control of the air pump 27 so as to maintain the pressure detected by the air circuit sensor 47 at the set value described above. With the extraction of the frozen dessert as described above, the mix flows out from the liquid storage bag 5, and the air detected from the air circuit sensor 47 as the air flows into the cooling cylinder 8 from the air circuit 51 gradually. Although the pressure decreases, the pressure drops to the lower limit after approximately five extractions, and the air pump 27 is operated.

  Therefore, in most cases except for an extremely rare situation where extraction is performed six times or more continuously, the air pump 27 is not operated while the air circuit opening / closing electromagnetic valve 52 is opened for b seconds as described above. Therefore, during this b seconds, the compressed air in the sealed space between the outer layer body 23 of the liquid storage bag 5 and the bag body 21 enters the air circuit 51 via the bag pressurizing pipe 7 and the distributor 46, and the air It flows into the cooling cylinder 8 through the circuit opening / closing electromagnetic valve 52, the air filter 53 and the Y-type mixer 57.

  The compressed air in the sealed space between the outer layer body 23 of the liquid storage bag 5 and the bag main body 21 is air cooled in the interior 2 </ b> A of the cool box 2. That is, since the compressed air having a low temperature is supplied from the air circuit 51 into the cooling cylinder 8, the volume is not bulky, which is advantageous for overrun.

  Moreover, by sealing the air pressure in the sealed space between the outer layer body 23 of the liquid storage bag 5 and the bag body 21 using the air pump 27 and the sensor 47 in the air circuit in this way, the sealed space between them is sealed. Since the volume is increased and the mix stored in the bag main body 21 is pushed out to the mix raw material tube 34, automatic supply of the mix from the bag main body 21 to the cooling cylinder 8 can be realized. This eliminates the gravity-dependent mix supply system that uses the mix supply pipe as in the prior art, and enables stable automatic supply of the mix, and the mix is directly cooled from the liquid storage bag 5 to the cooling cylinder 8. By supplying to, hygiene problems can be solved.

  Further, the air pressure in the sealed space between the outer layer body 23 of the liquid storage bag 5 and the bag body 21 is set to a predetermined pressure between the set value and the lower limit value by using the air pump 27 and the air circuit sensor 47 in this way. The mix is pushed out from the bag body 21 to the mix material tube 34 by the air pressure and supplied to the cooling cylinder 8 and the air circuit opening / closing solenoid valve 52 is opened to allow the compressed air from the air circuit 51 to flow in. Accordingly, the replenishment of the mix from the mix raw material tube 34 is stopped, so that it is not necessary to provide an electromagnetic valve or the like for controlling the supply of the mix on the mix raw material tube 34 side. This makes the cleaning operation extremely easy.

(4) When sold out When the above-described sales operation is performed and the mix in the bag body 21 of the liquid storage bag 5 is lost, there is no mix to be replenished even if extraction of frozen confectionery is performed after sales detection. The change in pressure detected by the in-circuit sensor 47 does not occur or becomes extremely small. In the embodiment, when there is no change in pressure after the sales are detected, the microcomputer 73 determines that the selling is out and turns on the sold-out display lamp 78 continuously (ON). Further, the operation of the air pump 27 is also stopped.

(5) Bag replacement When the user confirms that the mix is sold out by turning on the sold-out display lamp 78 and opens the heat insulating door 3 for replacement, the microcomputer 73 sets the air circuit exhaust solenoid valve 48 for 5 seconds as described above. Open to discharge compressed air. Thereafter, the bag pressurizing pipe 7 and the mix raw material tube 34 are removed, and the liquid storage bag 5 emptied together with the rack 31 is taken out.

  Then, after the liquid storage bag 5 is taken out from the rack 31, a new liquid storage bag 5 is stored in the rack 31 and set in the cabinet 2A as described above, and the bag pressurizing pipe 7 and the mix raw material tube 34 are connected. After the operation, when the heat insulating door 3 is closed, the microcomputer 73 operates the air pump 27 again to increase the air pressure detected by the air circuit sensor 47 to a set value, and enters a sales standby state.

  Next, FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the liquid storage bag 5. Also in this case, the liquid storage bag 5 is composed of the bag body 51, the protective body 25, and the outer layer body 23 of the same material as described above, and has the outlet member 22, the communication port member 24, and the sealing port member 109 similar to those described above. However, in this case, a plurality of seal portions 30 are formed at predetermined intervals alternately from the edge toward the center as shown in FIG. 8 instead of the center. The volume expansion of the liquid storage bag 5 can also be regulated by the seal portions 30.

  Next, FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the liquid storage bag 5. Also in this case, the liquid storage bag 5 is composed of the bag body 51, the protective body 25, and the outer layer body 23 of the same material as described above, and has the outlet member 22, the communication port member 24, and the sealing port member 109 similar to those described above. However, in this case, for example, two seal portions 30 are formed at a predetermined interval in the central portion. Further, through holes 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> A are formed in the seal portions 30 and 30 so as to penetrate the bag body 51, the protective body 25, and the outer layer body 23, respectively.

  With the seal portions 30 and 30 having such a configuration, the volume expansion of the liquid storage back 5 can be regulated, and the liquid storage back 5 can be carried by inserting fingers into the through holes 30A and 30A. In addition, for example, two protrusions are erected from the center of the bottom of the rack 31 described above, and the protrusions enter and engage with the through holes 30A and 30A in a state where the liquid storage back 5 is stored in the rack 31. Then, the liquid storage bag 5 can be positioned.

  In each of the above embodiments, one liquid storage bag 5 is stored in the inside 2A of the cool box 2. However, a plurality of liquid storage bags 5 may be provided in the left-right or vertical direction. In this case as well, the liquid storage bag 5 is restricted in volume expansion when compressed air is supplied by the seal portion 30 as described above, so that it is possible to increase the number of storage and the cold air circulation in that case is also hindered. Can be maintained. On the contrary, when the number is not required, the volume of the inside 2A of the cool box 2 can be reduced.

  In each of the above embodiments, the entire region of the bag body 21 communicates with the sealed portion 30 formed, and the sealed space between the outer layer body 23 and the bag body 21 communicates with the entire region. In the present invention, the inside of the bag body 21 or the outer layer body 23 and the bag body 21 may be partitioned by the seal portion 30. However, in that case, the outlet member 22 and the communication port member 24 are required in each partitioned space. That is, the number of the outlet members 22 and the communication port members 24 can be integrated into one by setting the inside of the bag main body 21 and the whole of the sealed space between the outer layer body and the bag main body 21 as in the embodiment.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment, compressed air is supplied between the outer layer body 23 and the bag body 21 by the air pump 27. However, the invention of the first to third aspects is not limited thereto, and for example, a liquid is pressurized and supplied. You may extrude the mix. Moreover, although the Example demonstrated the liquid storage bag which accommodated the mix which manufactures a soft cream, in invention of Claim 1 thru | or 3, it is not restricted to it, When using it for apparatuses other than a frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus, a liquid storage bag Beverages and other frozen confectionery materials may be stored inside.

It is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view of the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus of the Example to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram regarding the mix supply of the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded configuration diagram of components around a liquid storage bag in FIG. 2. It is a block diagram of the electric circuit of the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus of FIG. (Example 1) which is a top view of the liquid storage back | bag of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the liquid storage back | bag of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the pressurization state of the liquid storage back of FIG. It is a top view of the liquid storage bag of the other Example of this invention (Example 2). It is a top view of the liquid storage bag of another other Example of this invention (Example 3).

Explanation of symbols

SM frozen dessert production equipment 2 Cold storage 5 Liquid storage bag 7 Bag pressurization pipe (bag pressurization passage)
8 Cooling cylinder 21 Bag body 22 Outlet member 23 Outer layer body 24 Communication port member 30 Seal part 30A Through-hole 34 Mix raw material tube (mix supply passage)
51 Air circuit (air supply passage)

Claims (5)

A flexible bag main body for storing liquid; and a flexible outer layer body provided outside the bag main body and capable of forming a sealed space between the bag main body and the bag main body. ,
The liquid storage bag according to claim 1, wherein the opposing surface of the bag body and the outer layer body have a seal portion fixed to each other at a place other than a peripheral portion.   The inside of the bag body communicates with the whole area, and the whole area communicates between the outer layer body and the bag body, and an outlet member that communicates the inside of the bag body with the outside, and the outer layer body and the bag body The liquid storage bag according to claim 1, further comprising a communication port member that communicates between the outside and the outside.   The liquid storage bag according to claim 1, wherein a through hole is formed in the seal portion.   A cool box that cools the liquid storage bag storing the mix in the bag body, a cooling cylinder that manufactures a frozen dessert by cooling the mix pushed out from the bag body of the liquid storage bag, and 3. An air compression device that supplies compressed air between an outer layer body of a liquid storage bag and the bag body, and pushes out the mix in the bag body. A frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus using the liquid storage bag 3. A liquid comprising a flexible bag main body in which a mix is stored, and a flexible outer layer body provided outside the bag main body and capable of forming a sealed space with the bag main body. A cool box for keeping the storage bag cool;
A cooling cylinder for producing a frozen dessert by cooling while stirring the mix supplied from the liquid storage bag;
An air compressor,
A mix supply passage for communicating between the bag body of the liquid storage bag and the cooling cylinder;
A bag pressurizing passage for supplying compressed air generated by the air compressor between the outer layer body of the liquid storage bag and the bag body;
An air supply passage for supplying the compressed air into the cooling cylinder,
An apparatus for manufacturing frozen desserts, wherein the opposing surface of the bag body of the liquid storage bag and the outer layer body are fixed to each other at a place other than the peripheral part.

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