JP2008220333A - Mixing valve and frozen dessert manufacturing device equipped with mixing valve - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mixing valve which is designed for upgrading operability in adjusting the feedstock for mixing and very sanitary, and a frozen dessert manufacturing device equipped with the mixing valve. <P>SOLUTION: This mixing valve 1 is of a dual structure consisting of a sleeve 10 and a nested pipe 20, and an air intake 13 for introducing the air into the nested pipe 20 from outside, in a position, above the upper end surface, of the nested pipe 20, of the side surface of the sleeve 10. The air intake 13 is formed so that it is positioned above the allowable storage line 40a in such a state that the mixing valve 1 is set upright in a mixing tank 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mix valve that can adjust the supply of raw materials by opening and closing a path for supplying the raw material for frozen confectionery, and a frozen confection manufacturing apparatus that manufactures frozen confectionery such as soft cream provided with the mix valve.

  In a frozen dessert manufacturing device that produces frozen desserts such as soft ice cream and shakes, the mix supply tank is opened and closed to open the supply path for supplying the mix from the mix tank that stores the mix, which is the raw material of these frozen desserts, to the cooling cylinder that is stirred and cooled A mix valve that regulates the supply is used. Like the mix valve 201 shown in FIG. 9, the mix valve used in the conventional frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus has a double structure of the outer cylinder 210 and the inner cylinder 220, and each cylinder has a hole communicating the inside and the outside. 211 and 221 are formed. Then, by changing the relative positional relationship between the inner cylinder 220 and the outer cylinder 210, the positions of the holes communicating between the inside and the outside of each cylinder are overlapped or shifted to open and close the mix supply path. is there.

  Patent document 1 is disclosing the mix valve 301 used for the conventional frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 10, the mix valve 301 has a double structure of an outer cylinder 310 and an inner cylinder 320. Like the mix valve 201, each of the outer cylinder hole 311 and the inner cylinder hole 321 has a double structure. Is formed.

  The mix valve 301 is configured to open and close the communication hole 350 that communicates the inside and outside of the mix valve 301 by the vertical movement of the inner cylinder 320. FIG. 10 shows a state where the inner cylinder 320 is moved upward to close the communication hole 350. The mix valve 301 further includes an operation unit 312 on the side surface of the inner cylinder 320 for operating the vertical movement of the inner cylinder 320.

In the mix valve 301 of Patent Document 1, the upper end of the inner cylinder 320 is opened, and serves as an air intake 314 for taking air into the inner cylinder 320 from the outside.
JP 2001-245596 A (publication date: September 11, 2001)

  In the frozen confectionery manufacturing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, depending on the stirring and cooling operation state of the cooling cylinder, a part of the mix in the cooling cylinder flows backward through the pipe of the mix valve 301 from the air intake port 314 at the upper end. It is generally known that it overflows.

  When the backflow mix overflowing from the air intake port 314 at the upper end of the mix valve 301 adheres to the periphery of the operation unit 312, when the user operates the operation unit 312, the adhering mix touches the user's hand. For this reason, since the user operates the operation unit 312 through the adhering mix, there is a problem that the operability is deteriorated.

  Furthermore, after the operation is completed, bacteria on the user's hand may remain in the mix around the operation unit 312 and may be mixed into the mix in the cooling cylinder or the mix tank.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to improve the operability in the supply adjustment of the mix, and to provide a confectionery manufacturing apparatus equipped with a mix valve and a mix valve that are excellent in terms of hygiene. Is to realize.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the mix valve according to the present invention is used in a frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus including a mix tank that can store a mix, which is a raw material of frozen dessert, at a height that does not exceed the storage allowable line. A mixed valve having a double structure of an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, wherein the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder each have at least one inner cylinder formed so as to pass through each inner circumferential surface and outer circumferential surface. A cylindrical hole and an outer cylindrical hole are formed, and the outer cylindrical hole and the inner cylindrical hole are formed by relative movement between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. The communication hole is formed at a position where a communication hole can be formed, and in the state of being erected on the mix tank, air is supplied from the outside to the position above the storage allowable line on the side surface of the inner cylinder. An air intake is formed for intake. It is characterized in.

  According to the above configuration, while the mix supply path is closed and the cooling process by the cooling cylinder is suspended, the mix that has flown back through the pipe of the mix valve without being cooled is first formed on the side surface. Returned from the air intake into the mix tank. For this reason, even if another air intake is formed at the upper end of the mix valve, the amount of the mix overflowing from the air intake at the upper end can be reduced.

  Therefore, when adjusting the supply of the mix by operating the upper end of the mix valve to change the relative position between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, there is no stickiness due to the backflowed mix, making it easy to adjust the supply of the mix. It can be carried out. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the problem that bacteria on the user's hand are mixed into the mix through the backflowed mix, and an excellent hygienic mix valve can be realized.

  In the above configuration, it is desirable that the upper end of the mix valve is sealed.

  According to the above configuration, since the backflowed mix does not overflow from the upper end of the mix valve, the upper end of the mix valve is operated to change the relative position between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder to supply the mix. The operability at the time of adjusting can be further improved. In addition, during the above adjustment operation, it is possible to more reliably avoid the problem that bacteria on the user's hands get mixed into the mix via the backflowed mix. Can be realized.

  In the above configuration, the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder is provided so as to be movable so that the communication hole can be formed, and the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder provided so as to be movable is above the storage allowable line. It is desirable that an operation unit including an operation unit for moving the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder is provided in a region where the air intake is not formed.

  According to the above configuration, the supply of the mix can be adjusted by changing the relative position between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder with the operation section, so that the operability can be further improved. Furthermore, since it is possible to more surely prevent the problem that bacteria on the user's hand are mixed into the mix through the backflowed mix, it is possible to realize a more excellent mix valve in terms of hygiene.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the frozen confection production apparatus according to the present invention stirs the mix, which is a raw material for frozen confectionery, a mix tank that can store the mix up to a height not exceeding the allowable storage line. A cooling cylinder that cools while mixing, and a mix valve according to the present invention that adjusts the supply of the mix by opening and closing a mix supply path for supplying the mix from the mix tank to the cooling cylinder. It is said.

  According to said structure, depending on the stirring cooling operation state of a cooling cylinder, a part of mix in a cooling cylinder flows back in the mix valve. This mix is first returned to the mix tank from the air intake formed on the side surface. For this reason, even if another air intake is formed at the upper end of the mix valve, the amount of the mix overflowing from the air intake at the upper end can be reduced.

  Therefore, when the supply of the mix from the mix tank to the cooling cylinder is adjusted by operating the upper end of the mix valve to change the relative position between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, there is no stickiness due to the backflowed mix. , Supply adjustment of the mix can be easily performed. Furthermore, since it is possible to suppress the problem that bacteria on the user's hand are mixed into the mix in the mix tank through the backflowed mix, an excellent frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus in terms of hygiene can be realized.

  With the above configuration, the mix valve according to the present invention prevents the mix from adhering to the periphery of the operation unit, and improves the operability when adjusting the supply of the mix by changing the relative position between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. And is excellent in hygiene.

  With the above configuration, the frozen confectionery manufacturing apparatus of the present invention prevents the mix from adhering to the periphery of the operation portion of the mix valve, changes the relative position between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and moves the mix tank to the cooling cylinder. It is possible to improve operability when adjusting the supply of the mix, and it is excellent in terms of hygiene.

[Embodiment 1]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mix tank 40 and a mix valve 41 which are main parts of the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a mix tank 40 that stores a mix 41 that is a raw material of frozen dessert, and a cooling cylinder (not shown) that cools the mix 41 while stirring. And a mix valve 1 for adjusting the supply of the mix 41 to the cooling cylinder.

  The mix tank 40 is configured so that the mix 41 can be cooled and stored to a height position that does not exceed the storage allowable line 40a. The lower end surface of the mix tank 40 has an outlet vertical as a mix supply path for supplying the mix 41 to the cooling cylinder. A tube 42 is formed.

  The mix valve 1 according to the first embodiment has a double structure of an inner cylinder 20 and an outer cylinder 10. The outer cylinder 10 is formed with an outer cylinder hole 11 that communicates the inner peripheral surface with the outer peripheral surface, and the inner cylinder 20 is formed with an inner cylinder hole 21 that communicates the inner peripheral surface with the outer peripheral surface. ing.

  In the mix valve 1, the vertical tube 43 a of the inner cylinder 20 is fitted into the outlet vertical tube 42 formed in the lower part of the mix tank 40, and is erected in the mix tank 40, so that the outer cylinder 10 is placed on the inner cylinder 20. It is configured. For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer diameter of the vertical pipe 43 a in the inner pipe 20 is formed to be substantially equal to the inner diameter of the outlet vertical pipe 42.

  The mix valve 1 moves the position of the outer cylinder hole 11 relative to the inner cylinder hole 21 by rotating the outer cylinder 10 on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 20 in the mix supply path to the cooling cylinder of the mix 41. It is opened and closed and the supply of the mix 41 is adjusted.

  That is, when the outer cylinder 10 is rotated and the outer cylinder hole 11 moves to a position where the outer cylinder hole 11 overlaps the inner cylinder hole 21 of the inner cylinder 20 (open position), the outer cylinder hole 11 and the inner cylinder hole 21 allow the mix valve 1 to A communication hole 50 communicating between the inside and the outside is formed, whereby the mix supply path is opened.

  On the other hand, when the outer cylinder 10 is rotated and the outer cylinder hole 11 moves to a position where the inner cylinder hole 21 of the inner cylinder 20 is not formed (closed position), the communication hole 50 is not formed, and the mix supply path is Can be closed.

  In the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the communication hole 50 is formed at the open position, and the mix 41 in the mix tank 40 is formed with the air intake 14 formed at the upper end and the air intake formed at the side surface. 13 is mixed with the air taken in from 13 and supplied into the mix valve 1. Furthermore, the mix 41 supplied together with air into the mix valve 1 is supplied to the cooling cylinder via the vertical pipe 43a. And frozen desserts, such as soft cream, are manufactured by stirring and cooling in a cooling cylinder.

  Further, the mix valve 1 is formed with a groove 40b corresponding to the storage allowable line 40a position. The height position of the groove 40 b is below the air intake port 13 and at a position sufficiently higher than the communication hole 50. The groove 40b provided in such a position indicates a storage allowable line 40a which is a height position where the mix 40 is allowed to enter to this position. Thereby, even if the mix 41 is put to this height position, the mix 41 is not excessively supplied to the cooling cylinder from the air intake port 13 via the mix valve 1.

  The position of the storage allowable line 40a is not limited to being indicated by the groove 40b provided in the mix valve 1, and may be indicated by forming a concave or convex portion in the mix tank 40.

  Next, a characteristic configuration of the mix valve 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the mix valve 1 erected on the mix tank 40 shown in FIG. 1, and shows a state in which the communication hole 50 is formed by the outer cylinder hole 11 and the inner cylinder hole 21. ing.

  The upper end of the outer cylinder 10 is open and serves as an air intake 14 for taking air into the inner cylinder 20 from the outside. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer cylinder 10 has air from outside to the inside of the inner cylinder 20 at a position above the upper end surface of the inner cylinder 20 on the side surface and below the operation unit 12. An air intake port 13 is formed as another air intake port for intake. The air intake 13 is formed to be positioned above the storage allowable line 40a in a state where the mix valve 1 is erected on the mix tank 40.

  Thus, since the air intake port 13 is provided at a position above the upper end surface of the inner cylinder 20 on the side surface of the outer cylinder 10 and below the upper end of the outer cylinder 10, the mixing valve is provided from the cooling cylinder. 2, even if the mix 41 flows backward, as shown in FIG. 2, the mix 41 is returned only from the air inlet 13 into the mix tank 40, and the upper-side air inlet 14 flows back into the mix 41. Will not be blocked. For this reason, external air can always be taken into the inner tube 10 from the upper air intake 14.

  Further, when supplying the mix 41 into the cooling cylinder, external air can also be taken into the inner cylinder 20 from the air supply port 13. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, in the state where the mix 41 that has flowed back from the cooling cylinder to the mix valve 1 overflowed from the air intake port 13, the air intake port 13 is blocked by the reverse flow mix 41. In addition, it becomes difficult to take in air from the air intake 13. However, when the extraction of the frozen dessert is started from the cooling cylinder, the mix 41 in the inner pipe 20 moves into the cooling cylinder via the vertical pipe 43a, and thereby the liquid level of the inner pipe 20 is lowered. In this state, the air intake port 13 is not blocked by the overflowing mix 41, so that external air can be taken into the inner cylinder 20 from the air supply port 13 without any problem. .

  As described above, when the liquid level of the mix 41 in the mix valve 1 decreases with the supply of the mix 41 from the mix valve 1 to the cooling cylinder, the liquid level of the mix 41 in the mix tank 40 and the mix valve 1 There is a difference in the liquid level of the mix 41. Due to the difference in liquid level and the specific gravity of the mix 41, the pressure difference that the mix 41 in the mix tank 1 flows into the mix valve 1 is applied to the communication hole 50 of the mix valve 1, and the mix 41 mixes. It flows into the inner pipe 20 of the valve 1. Since this pressure difference is proportional to the difference in liquid level, the amount of inflow of the mix through the communication hole 50 increases as the liquid level of the mix 41 in the mix valve 1 decreases.

  When the liquid level of the mix 41 in the mix valve 1 further decreases and reaches the communication hole 50, the mix 41 that has flowed in from the communication hole 50 is taken into the mix valve 1 through the air intake ports 13 and 14. Air is supplied. When the extraction of the frozen dessert from the cooling cylinder is finished, the supply of the mix 41 and air to the cooling cylinder is stopped, and the mix 41 is kept in the mix valve 1 until the liquid level of the mix 41 in the mix tank 40 becomes the same. Flows in.

  In the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment, the air taken in from the air intake ports 13 and 14 is supplied to the cooling cylinder through the vertical pipe 43a of the mix valve 1 together with the mix 41, as described above. Inside, a frozen dessert such as soft cream is produced by stirring and cooling.

  Furthermore, the upper part of the outer cylinder 10 above the position where the air intake 13 is formed is an operation unit 12 for rotating the outer cylinder 10. In addition, although the formation position of the operation part 12 concerning this Embodiment is desirable to form above the formation position of the air intake port 13, it is not limited to this, It is a position above the storage allowable line 40a. And what is necessary is just to be provided in the area | region in which the air intake 13 of the outer cylinder 10 is not formed, for example, you may form in the opposite side to the formation position of the air intake 13.

  As described above, in the configuration of the conventional mix valve, the mix may overflow from the air intake port formed at the upper end.

  However, according to the configuration of the mix valve 1 of the first embodiment, the air intake 13 is formed at a position higher than the storage allowable line 40 a on the side surface of the outer cylinder 10 and below the operation unit 12. Yes. For this reason, the mix 41 that has flowed backward as described above is first returned from the air intake port 13 into the mix tank 40. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the mix 41 from overflowing from the air intake port 14 formed at the upper end of the mix valve 1.

  Thus, since the mix 41 can be prevented from overflowing from the air intake port 14 at the upper end of the outer cylinder 10, it is possible to avoid the problem that the back-flowed mix 41 attaches to the operation unit 12 touched by the user's hand. it can. For this reason, the operativity at the time of adjusting supply of the mix 41 from the mix tank 40 to a cooling cylinder improves.

  At the same time, it is possible to suppress the problem that bacteria on the user's hand are mixed into the mix 41 in the mix tank 40 through the back-mixed mix 41. As a result, the mix valve 1 which is excellent in terms of hygiene is realized.

  In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is sufficient that at least one outer cylinder hole 11 or inner cylinder hole 21 is formed in the outer cylinder 10 or the inner cylinder 20, but a plurality of outer cylinders having different sizes are used. It is desirable that the hole 11 or the inner cylinder hole 21 is formed. In this way, if a plurality of outer cylinder holes 11 or inner cylinder holes 21 having different sizes are formed, for example, the storage amount of the mix 41 according to the liquid level of the mix 41 stored in the mix tank 40 The outer cylinder hole 11 or the inner cylinder hole 21 having a size capable of supplying an appropriate amount of the mix 41 is selected, such as selecting the large outer cylinder hole 11 or the inner cylinder hole 21 when the liquid level is lowered. Can be made.

[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. The mix valve 1 in the second embodiment is different from the mix valve 1 in the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus in the first embodiment described above in the configuration of the outer cylinder 10, and the other configurations are the same. In the second embodiment, members having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different configurations will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper end of the outer cylinder 10 of the mix valve 1 according to the second embodiment is sealed by the upper end surface 24. Accordingly, the air intake for taking air from the outside into the inner cylinder 20 is only from the air intake 13 formed on the side surface of the outer cylinder 10.

  Therefore, when the mix 41 flows backward from the cooling cylinder to the mix valve 1 as described above, the mix 41 is returned to the mix tank 40 only from the air intake port 13.

  That is, according to the configuration of the mix valve 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment, since the upper end of the outer cylinder 10 protruding from the inner cylinder 20 is sealed by the upper end surface 24, the mix 41 overflows from the upper end. Can be resolved more reliably.

  On the other hand, in the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment, air needs to be taken into the mix valve 1 and supplied to the cooling cylinder together with the mix 41, as in the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. . Here, as shown in FIG. 3, when the mix 41 that has flowed back from the cooling cylinder to the mix valve 1 overflowed from the air intake port 13, the air intake port 13 is blocked by the reverse flow mix 41. Therefore, it becomes difficult to take in air from the air inlet 13. However, as described above, when the extraction of the frozen dessert is started from the cooling cylinder, the mix 41 in the inner pipe 20 moves into the cooling cylinder through the vertical pipe 43a, and the liquid level of the inner pipe 20 decreases. That is, when supplying the mix 41 into the cooling cylinder, the air supply port 13 is not blocked by the overflowing mix 41, so there is a problem with external air from the air supply port 13 to the inside of the inner cylinder 20. It can be taken in without.

  When the liquid level of the mix 41 in the mix valve 1 further drops and reaches the communication hole 50, the air taken into the mix valve 1 from the air intake port 13 together with the mix 41 flowing into the cooling cylinder from the communication hole 50. And are supplied.

  In the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the air taken in from the air intake port 13 is supplied to the cooling cylinder through the vertical pipe 43a of the mix valve 1 together with the mix 41 in this way. By cooling with stirring, a frozen dessert such as soft cream is produced.

  Also in the second embodiment, the operation unit 22 for rotating the outer cylinder 10 is formed above the air intake port 13 as in the first embodiment. However, the operation unit 22 of the second embodiment is different from the operation unit 12 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the upper end is sealed by the upper end surface 24 as described above.

  According to the configuration of the second embodiment, the mix 41 that has flowed back in the pipe does not overflow from the upper end of the outer cylinder 10, and therefore the problem is that the mix 41 that has flowed back adheres to the operation unit 22 that the user's hand touches. It can be solved more effectively. For this reason, the operability at the time of rotating the outer cylinder 10 and adjusting the supply of the mix 41 from the mix tank 40 to the cooling cylinder can be further improved.

  Furthermore, since the problem that the bacteria on the user's hand are mixed into the mix 41 in the mix tank 40 via the backflowed mix 41 can be avoided more reliably, the mix valve 1 is superior in terms of hygiene. Can be realized.

[Embodiment 3]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The mix valve 1 in Embodiment 3 is different from the mix valve 1 used in the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus in Embodiment 1 or 2 described above in the configuration of the operation part of the outer cylinder, and other configurations are as follows. Are the same. In the third embodiment, members having the same functions as those described in the first or second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different configurations will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 4, also in the third embodiment, the upper end of the outer cylinder 10 of the mix valve 1 is sealed similarly to the configuration of the second embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, there is an operation portion 32 for adjusting the supply of the mix 41 from the mix tank 40 to the cooling cylinder by rotating the outer tube 10 on the sealed upper end surface of the outer tube 10. It differs from the operation unit 22 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in that it is formed.

  According to the configuration of the operation unit 32 according to the third embodiment, since it is formed on the sealed upper end surface of the outer cylinder 10, the backflowed mix 41 adheres to the operation unit 32 that the user's hand touches. Such problems are further effectively reduced. For this reason, the operativity at the time of adjusting supply of the mix 41 from the mix tank 40 to a cooling cylinder can be improved further.

  Furthermore, since the problem that bacteria on the user's hand are mixed into the mix 41 in the mix tank 40 via the backflowed mix 41 can be avoided more reliably, the mix valve 1 is superior in terms of hygiene. Can be realized.

  In addition, the formation position of the operation part 32 concerning this Embodiment 3 is not limited above the formation position of the air intake port 13, It is a position above the storage allowance line 40a, Comprising: What is necessary is just to be provided in the area | region in which the air intake 13 is not formed. For example, in FIG. 4, the air intake 13 is formed at two locations, but when the air intake 13 is one, it may be formed on the side opposite to the formation position of the air intake 13. . Further, the shape, material, and the like of the operation unit 32 are not particularly limited.

[Embodiment 4]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the fourth embodiment, members having the same functions as those described in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different configurations will be described below.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the inner cylinder 120 is fitted into the outlet vertical pipe 42, is erected in the mix tank 40, and the outer cylinder 110 is covered with the inner cylinder 120. In the fourth embodiment, the vertical tube 43b of the outer cylinder 110 is fitted into the outlet vertical tube 42, is erected in the mix tank 40, and the inner cylinder 120 is inserted into the outer cylinder 110 as described above. It differs from the configuration of each embodiment.

  For this reason, in the fourth embodiment, the outer diameter of the vertical pipe 43 b in the outer pipe 110 is formed to be substantially equal to the inner diameter of the outlet vertical pipe 42.

  In the fourth embodiment, the outer cylinder 110 is fitted and fixed to the outlet vertical pipe 42, and the inner cylinder 120 is rotated to move the outer cylinder hole 111 to a position (open position) overlapping with the inner cylinder hole 121. As a result, the outer cylinder hole 111 and the inner cylinder hole 121 form a communication hole 150 that communicates the inside and outside of the mix valve 101, and the mix supply path is opened. On the other hand, when the inner cylinder 120 is rotated to move the inner cylinder hole 121 to a position (closed position) that overlaps the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 110 where the outer cylinder hole 111 is not formed, the communication hole 150 is formed. The mix supply path can be closed.

  In the frozen confectionery manufacturing apparatus using the mix valve 101 according to the fourth embodiment, the communication hole 150 is formed at the open position, and the mix 41 in the mix tank 40 is at the upper end as in the above-described embodiments. In addition, the air is mixed with air taken in from air inlets 113 and 114 (to be described later) formed on the side surface and supplied to the mix valve 101. Furthermore, the mix 41 supplied into the mix valve 101 is supplied to the cooling cylinder via the vertical pipe 43b. Then, the mix 41 supplied to the cooling cylinder is stirred and cooled to produce a frozen dessert such as soft cream.

  Next, a characteristic configuration of the mix valve 101 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the mix valve 101 erected on the mix tank 40 shown in FIG. 5, and shows a state in which the communication hole 150 is formed by the outer cylinder hole 111 and the inner cylinder hole 121. ing.

The upper end of the inner cylinder 120 is open and serves as an air intake 114 for taking air into the inner cylinder 120 from the outside. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the inner cylinder 120 is another air intake for taking air from the outside into the inner cylinder 120 at a position higher than the upper end surface of the outer cylinder 110 on the side surface. An air intake 113 is formed. The air intake 113 is formed so as to be positioned above the storage allowable line 40a in a state where the mix valve 101 is erected on the mix tank 40 .

  As described above, since the air intake port 113 is provided on the side surface of the outer cylinder 110 above the upper end surface of the inner cylinder 120 and also below the upper end of the outer cylinder 110, Even when the mix 41 flows backward to 101, the mix 41 is returned into the mix tank 40 only from the air intake 113, as shown in FIG. Will not be blocked. For this reason, external air can always be taken into the inner pipe 120 from the upper air intake port 114.

  Further, when supplying the mix 41 into the cooling cylinder, external air can also be taken into the inner cylinder 120 from the air supply port 113.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, in a state where the mix 41 that has flowed back from the cooling cylinder to the mix valve 101 overflowed from the air intake port 113, the air intake port 113 is blocked by the reverse flow mix 41. In addition, it becomes difficult to take in air from the air intake 113. However, when the extraction of the frozen dessert is started from the cooling cylinder, the mix 41 in the inner pipe 120 moves into the cooling cylinder through the vertical pipe 43b, and thereby the liquid level of the inner pipe 120 is lowered. In this state, since the air supply port 113 is not blocked by the overflowing mix 41, the external air can be taken into the inner cylinder 120 from the air supply port 113 without any problem. .

  When the liquid level of the mix 41 in the mix valve 101 further drops and reaches the communication hole 150, the mix 41 that has flowed in from the communication hole 150 is taken into the mix valve 101 through the air intake ports 113 and 114. Air is supplied.

  Thus, in the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the air taken in from the air intake ports 113 and 114 is supplied to the cooling cylinder together with the mix 41 via the vertical pipe 43b of the mix valve 101. Further, the air supplied into the cooling cylinder is stirred and cooled with the mix 41 to produce a frozen dessert such as soft cream.

  According to the configuration of the mix valve 101 of the present embodiment, the air intake 113 is formed at a position above the storage allowance line 40a. It returns to the mix tank 40 from the inlet 113. For this reason, the mix 41 does not overflow from the air intake port 114 formed at the upper end of the inner cylinder 120 of the mix valve 101.

  Thus, since the mix does not overflow from the air intake port 114 at the upper end of the inner cylinder 120, the problem that the back-flowed mix 41 is attached to the operation unit 112 touched by the user's hand can be solved. For this reason, the operativity at the time of adjusting supply of the mix 41 from the mix tank 40 to a cooling cylinder can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the backflow mix 41 is difficult to adhere to the operation unit 112, bacteria on the user's hand are mixed into the mix 41 in the mix tank 40 via the backflow mix 41. The problem can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to realize the mix valve 101 that is excellent in terms of hygiene.

  In the configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the air intake 113 is formed above the upper end surface of the outer cylinder 110 in the inner cylinder 120, so the formation position is not particularly limited. However, in the configuration in which the air inlet 113 is formed below the upper end surface of the outer cylinder 110 in the inner cylinder 120, the air inlet 113 is opened at the open position where the communication hole 150 is formed. Need to form.

  Further, at least one inner cylinder hole 121 or outer cylinder hole 111 may be formed in each of the inner cylinder 120 or the outer cylinder 110, but a plurality of inner cylinder holes 121 or outer cylinder holes 111 having different sizes are provided. It is desirable that it be formed. In this way, if a plurality of differently sized inner cylinder holes 121 or outer cylinder holes 111 are formed, depending on the liquid level of the mix 41 stored in the mix tank 40, for example, the storage amount of the mix 41 The inner cylinder hole 121 or the outer cylinder hole 111 having a size capable of supplying an appropriate amount of the mix 41 can be selected and opened, for example, when the liquid level is lowered and the large outer cylinder hole 111 is selected.

[Embodiment 5]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The mix valve 101 in the fifth embodiment is different from the mix valve 101 in the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus of the fourth embodiment described above in the configuration of the inner cylinder, and the other configurations are the same. In the fifth embodiment, members having the same functions as those described in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different configurations will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the upper end of the inner cylinder 120 of the mix valve 101 according to the fifth embodiment is sealed by the upper end surface 124. Therefore, the air intake for taking in air from the outside into the inside of the inner cylinder 120 is located above the storage allowable line 40a, and the air intake formed at the portion protruding from the outer cylinder 110 on the side surface of the inner cylinder 120. It is only from the entrance 113.

  Therefore, when the mix 41 flows backward from the cooling cylinder to the mix valve 101 as described above, the mix 41 is returned to the mix tank 40 only from the air intake port 113.

  That is, according to the configuration of the mix valve 101 according to the fifth embodiment, since the upper end of the outer cylinder 110 protruding from the inner cylinder 120 is sealed by the upper end surface 124, the mix 41 overflows from the upper end. Can be resolved more reliably.

  Also in the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, it is necessary to take air into the mix valve 101 and supply it to the cooling cylinder together with the mix 41 as in the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7, in the state where the mix 41 flowing back from the cooling cylinder to the mix valve 101 overflows from the air intake 113, the air intake 113 is blocked by the reverse flow mix 41. Therefore, it becomes difficult to take in air from the air intake 113. However, as described above, when taking out the frozen dessert from the cooling cylinder is started, the mix 41 in the inner pipe 20 moves into the cooling cylinder via the vertical pipe 43b, and the liquid level of the inner pipe 120 is lowered. That is, when supplying the mix 41 into the cooling cylinder, the air supply port 113 is not blocked by the overflowing mix 41, so there is a problem with external air from the air supply port 113 to the inside of the inner cylinder 120. It can be taken in without.

  When the liquid level of the mix 41 in the mix valve 101 further decreases and reaches the communication hole 150, the air taken into the mix valve 101 from the air inlet 113 is supplied to the cooling cylinder together with the mix 41 flowing from the communication hole 150. And are supplied.

  In the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, the air taken in from the air intake port 113 is supplied to the cooling cylinder through the vertical pipe 43a of the mix valve 101 together with the mix 41 in this manner. By cooling with stirring, a frozen dessert such as soft cream is produced.

  Also in the fifth embodiment, the operation unit 122 for rotating the inner cylinder 120 is formed above the air intake 113 as in the fourth embodiment. However, the operation unit 122 of the present embodiment is different from the operation unit 112 according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in that the upper end is sealed by the upper end surface 124 as described above.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the mix 41 that has flowed back in the inner tube 120 does not overflow from the upper end of the inner cylinder 120, so that the backflow mix 41 adheres to the operation unit 122 that the user's hand touches. Can be solved more effectively. For this reason, the operability at the time of adjusting the supply from the mix tank 40 of the mix 41 to the cooling cylinder by rotating the inner cylinder 120 can be further improved.

  Furthermore, since it is possible to more reliably avoid the problem that bacteria on the user's hand are mixed into the back-flowed mix 41, it is possible to realize the mix valve 101 that is superior in terms of hygiene.

[Embodiment 6]
Another embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to FIG. The mix valve in the sixth embodiment is different from the mix valve in the fifth embodiment described above in the configuration of the operation portion of the inner cylinder, and the other configurations are the same. In the sixth embodiment, members having the same functions as those described in the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different configurations will be described below.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, also in the sixth embodiment, the upper end of the inner cylinder 120 of the mix valve 101 is similar to the configuration of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. A part is sealed by the upper end surface 124. In the sixth embodiment, a notch 123 is formed in the inner cylinder 120 at a position above the storage allowable line 40a as an air intake for taking in air from the outside into the inner cylinder 120 instead of the air intake 113. This is different from the above-described fourth and fifth embodiments.

  According to the configuration of the mix valve 101 in the sixth embodiment, only the notch 123 is formed as an air intake port for taking air from the outside into the inner cylinder 120 at a position above the storage allowable line 40a. For this reason, as in the fifth embodiment, the back-flowed mix 41 is returned into the mix tank 40 only from the notch 123. Therefore, the problem that the mix 41 overflows from the upper end of the inner cylinder 120 of the mix valve 1 can be solved. Further, when the mix 41 is supplied into the cooling cylinder, the cutout 123 as the air intake is not blocked by the overflowing mix 41 as described above. It can be taken into the inner cylinder 120 without any problem.

  When the liquid level of the mix 41 in the mix valve 101 further decreases and reaches the communication hole 150, the mix 41 flowing into the cooling cylinder and the air taken into the mix valve 101 from the notch 123 are introduced into the cooling cylinder. Is supplied.

  In the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment, the air taken from the notch 123 is supplied to the cooling cylinder through the vertical pipe 43a of the mix valve 101 together with the mix 41, and in the cooling cylinder, Cold confectionery such as soft cream is produced by stirring and cooling.

  Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, the operation portion 132 for rotating the inner cylinder 120 is provided on the opposite side of the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 120 from the notch 123 formation side. 7 is different from the operation unit 122 shown in FIG.

  According to the configuration of the operation unit 132 according to the sixth embodiment, the mix 41 that has flowed backwardly attaches to the operation unit 132 that is touched by the user's hand because it is formed on the opposite side of the notch 123 serving as an air intake. Can be effectively solved. For this reason, it is possible to further improve the operability when the inner cylinder 120 is rotated to adjust the supply of the mix 41 from the mix tank 40 to the cooling cylinder.

  Furthermore, since the problem that bacteria on the user's hand are mixed into the mix 41 in the mix tank 40 via the backflowed mix 41 can be avoided more reliably, the mix valve 101 is also superior in terms of hygiene. Can be realized.

  In the configuration in which the relative position between the inner cylinder 20 and the outer cylinder 10 is changed by rotating the inner cylinder 20 of the first to third embodiments, as in the present embodiment, It is good also as a structure which provides a notch.

  In addition, if the operation unit of the present invention is provided in a region above the storage allowance line of the mix tank and is not provided with an air intake on the side surface of the mix valve, the backflow adhering to the operation unit is provided. The amount of the mix can be reduced, and the shape and material of the operation unit are not particularly limited.

  As described above, in the present invention, with the mix valve erected on the mix tank, air is introduced from the outside above the storage allowable line on the side surface of the mix valve and below the upper end. Since it is important to provide an air intake for taking in the inside of the cylinder, the other configuration is not particularly limited to the above-described example. Therefore, it is possible to adopt other known configurations for the configuration other than the air intake port in the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, the configuration of the mix tank, the cooling cylinder and the like. Furthermore, members other than the mix valve, the mix tank, and the cooling cylinder of the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus can adopt a known configuration as appropriate, and are not particularly limited.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and can be obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The mix valve and frozen confection manufacturing apparatus of the present invention can be used for manufacturing frozen confectionery such as soft cream.

It is sectional drawing which shows the state by which the mix valve which comprises the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus concerning one embodiment of this invention was standingly arranged in the mix tank. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the mix valve shown in FIG. 1, and shows the state which the mix which flowed back in the valve pipe overflowed from the air intake. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the mix valve concerning other embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the mix which flowed back in the valve pipe overflowed from the air intake. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the mix valve concerning other embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the mix which flowed back in the valve pipe overflowed from the air intake. It is sectional drawing which shows the state by which the mix valve which comprises the frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus concerning one embodiment of this invention was standingly arranged in the mix tank. It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of the mix valve shown in FIG. 5, and shows the state which the mix which flowed back in the valve pipe overflowed from the air intake. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the mix valve concerning other embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the mix which flowed back in the valve pipe overflowed from the air intake. (A) is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the mix valve concerning other embodiment of this invention, (b) is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the inner cylinder of the mix valve shown to (a). is there. It is sectional drawing which shows a prior art and shows the outline of a structure of a mix valve. It is sectional drawing which shows another prior art and shows the outline of a structure of a mix valve.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mix valve 10 Outer cylinder 11 Outer cylinder hole 12 Operation part 13 Air intake 14 Air intake 20 Inner cylinder 21 Inner cylinder hole 22 Operation part 32 Operation part 40 Mix tank 41 Mix 40a Storage allowable line 40b Groove 42 Outlet vertical pipe 43a Vertical tube 43b Vertical tube
50 communication hole 101 mix valve 110 outer cylinder 111 outer cylinder hole 112 operation part 113 air intake 114 air intake 120 inner cylinder 122 operation part 123 notch (air intake)
132 Operation unit 121 Inner cylinder hole 150 Communication hole

Claims (4)

This is a mix valve that has a double structure of inner and outer cylinders. It is used in frozen dessert production equipment with a mix tank that can store mixes that are raw materials for frozen desserts up to a height that does not exceed the allowable storage line. There,
Each of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder is formed with at least one inner cylinder hole and an outer cylinder hole formed so as to penetrate each inner circumferential surface and outer circumferential surface. A hole is provided at a position where a communication hole communicating the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder can be formed by relative movement between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder;
An air intake for taking in air from the outside to the inside of the inner cylinder is formed at a position above the storage permissible line on the side of the mix tank in a standing state. Mix valve for frozen dessert production equipment.   The mix valve for a frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper end is sealed. The inner cylinder or the outer cylinder is movably provided so as to form the communication hole,
An operation for moving the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder to an area where the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder is provided above the storage allowable line and the air intake port is not formed. The mix valve for the frozen confectionery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a section. A mix tank that can store the mix, which is a raw material for frozen desserts, at a height that does not exceed the allowable storage line;
A cooling cylinder for cooling the mix while stirring;
A mix valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mix supply path for supplying the mix from the mix tank to the cooling cylinder is opened and closed to adjust the supply of the mix. Frozen confectionery production equipment.

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