JP2010524429A - Raw material supply device for frozen dessert making machine and frozen dessert making machine equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The float 41 floating near the liquid level L of the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 descends as the height of the raw material liquid level L decreases. This downward movement is converted into a rotational movement of the outer cylinder part of the double cylinder part 51. By this rotational movement, the size of the communication hole, which is the overlapping portion of the flow hole provided in the inner cylinder part of the double cylinder part 51 and the flow hole provided in the outer cylinder part, automatically changes. This change can be optimized by the shape of the flow hole, and the ratio of the raw material M supplied from the raw material tank 10 to the cylinder part 20 and the air supplied from the vertical pipe 61 to the cylinder part 20 is constant within a necessary range. it can.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a raw material supply device for a frozen confectionery manufacturing machine and a frozen confectionery manufacturing machine including the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a raw material supply apparatus for a frozen dessert making machine that produces frozen desserts such as soft cream and shake.

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional frozen confectionery machine as viewed from the side. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a material supply valve used in a conventional frozen dessert making machine. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a material supply valve used in a conventional frozen dessert making machine.
As a conventional frozen dessert making machine for producing frozen desserts such as soft cream and shakes, there is a machine described in JP-A-2002-65171. As shown in FIG. 19, this frozen dessert making machine includes a raw material tank 1 for storing a liquid frozen dessert raw material M, a cylinder part 2 for stirring and cooling the frozen sweet raw material M together with air into a frozen dessert S, and a raw material tank. 1 and a cooling part for cooling the cylinder part 2 and a material supply valve 3 provided in the raw material tank 1 and capable of supplying the raw material M to the cylinder part 2.
In this technical field, “liquid frozen raw material” is called “mix”, and “material supply valve” is called “mix valve”.

The raw material tank 1 has a raw material introduction path 1a at the bottom. The raw material introduction path 1a is connected to the cylinder part 2, and the material supply valve 3 is attached to this raw material introduction path 1a. An impeller (not shown) that rotates by a motor and stirs the raw material M in the raw material tank 1 is provided at the bottom of the raw material tank 1.
Further, the cylinder part 2 is manufactured in a spiral dasher 2 a that stirs and mixes the raw material M supplied to the inside of the cylinder part 2 and air, a motor 2 c that rotationally drives the dasher 2 a, and the cylinder part 2. And a take-out part 2b for taking out the frozen confectionery S. The frozen dessert S in the cylinder part 2 is taken out by opening the extraction path of the take-out part 2b and rotating the dasher.
The cooling unit is a refrigeration cycle in which an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and the like are connected to each other in a loop shape via a pipeline.

As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the material supply valve 3 has a double structure of an outer cylinder 4 and an inner cylinder 5.
The outer cylinder 4 is connected to the raw material introduction path 1 a in the raw material tank 1 and has a circulation hole 4 a near the bottom of the raw material tank 1.
The inner cylinder 5 inserted from the upper opening of the outer cylinder 4 has a plurality of (two in the figure) flow holes 5a and 5b having different sizes capable of communicating with the flow holes 4a of the outer cylinder 4 at the lower part. Yes. The flow hole 4a and the flow hole 5a or 5b form a communication hole.
Further, the outer cylinder 4 has notch grooves 4b and 4c for positioning at the upper end, and the inner cylinder 5 has a projecting piece 5c hooked on the notch grooves 4b and 4c for positioning at the upper end. Further, since the material supply valve 3 is open at the upper end, it also serves as an air introduction pipe that introduces air in the raw material tank 1 into the cylinder portion 2 together with the raw material M from the opening.

The material supply valve 3 having such a configuration can change the positional relationship between the outer cylinder 4 and the inner cylinder 5. The communication holes can be opened and closed by overlapping or shifting the positions of the flow holes 4a, 5a and 5b communicating with the inside and outside of each cylinder.
Furthermore, by selecting either the small flow hole 5a or the large flow hole 5b of the inner cylinder 5 and overlapping it with the flow hole 4a of the outer cylinder 4, the size of the communication hole that connects the raw material tank 1 and the cylinder part 2 is established. Can be adjusted. By adjusting the size of the communication hole, the flow rate of the raw material M flowing into the cylinder portion 2 can be adjusted within a predetermined range even if the height of the liquid level L of the raw material M in the raw material tank 1 changes. Thereby, the mixing ratio of the raw material M and air in the cylinder part 2 is adjusted within a predetermined range.

When the frozen dessert S is taken out from the cylinder part 2, air and the raw material M from the raw material tank 1 are supplied to the cylinder part 2 through the material supply valve 3.
That is, when the size of the communication hole is constant, the raw material pushing pressure applied to the communication hole decreases as the liquid level L of the raw material M in the raw material tank 1 decreases. As a result, the flow rate of the raw material M flowing into the cylinder part 2 through the communication hole is reduced.

  In addition, since the amount of the raw material M in the material supply valve 3 introduced into the cylinder part 2 is also reduced, the mixing ratio of the raw material M and air in the cylinder part 2 is higher than the predetermined range. The quality of the frozen confectionery S deviates from the allowable range. For this reason, the size of the communication hole is increased stepwise as the raw material liquid level L is lowered so that the amount of the raw material M supplied into the cylinder part 2 does not change greatly. Thereby, the mixing ratio of the raw material M and air in the cylinder part 2 can be maintained within a predetermined range.

However, in the conventional frozen dessert making machine, the operator has to monitor the liquid level height of the raw material and manually select a flow hole of an appropriate size in the inner cylinder according to the liquid level height. That is, the operator has to adjust the amount of raw material supplied from the raw material tank 1 to the cylinder part 2. Therefore, such an operation is complicated, and there is a concern about hygiene due to the approach of the operator's hand to the raw material.
Further, as described above, the size of the communication hole is increased stepwise as the raw material liquid level L decreases so that the mixing ratio of the raw material M and air in the cylinder portion 2 is maintained within a predetermined range. ing. However, there are the following problems.
As shown in FIG. 22, the flow rate of the raw material M flowing into the material supply valve 3 is changed as the liquid level L of the raw material M in the raw material tank 1 drops until the communication hole is changed to the next size. Will drop. As a result, air increases in the mixing ratio of the raw material M and air supplied into the cylinder part 2. Also, the timing for changing the size of the communication hole varies depending on the operator. Therefore, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 22, the mixing ratio of the raw material M and air may deviate from within a predetermined range when the timing is significantly shifted.
As described above, in the conventional frozen dessert making machine, the size of the communication hole is changed stepwise, and the operator manually changes the size of the communication hole, whereby the raw material M supplied into the cylinder portion 2 and There is also a problem that the mixing ratio with air is not stable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, eliminates the need for a valve operation by an operator in accordance with the liquid level of the raw material, and can simplify operation and improve hygiene. A raw material supply device for a manufacturing machine and a frozen confectionery manufacturing machine equipped with the same are provided.

Thus, according to the present invention, a raw material tank for storing a liquid frozen confectionery raw material, a cylinder portion for stirring and cooling the frozen confectionery raw material together with air to form a frozen confection, and a cooling portion for cooling the raw material tank and the cylinder portion Is a raw material supply device that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material for frozen confectionery supplied from the raw material tank to the cylinder part, and automatically adjusts the liquid level of the raw material for frozen confectionery in the raw material tank. Liquid level detecting means for detecting automatically, supply amount adjusting means for adjusting the supply amount of the raw material for frozen dessert to the cylinder portion in conjunction with the detected liquid level height, and air introducing means for introducing air into the cylinder portion The liquid level detecting means is a float that floats on the raw material liquid level for frozen dessert in the raw material tank, and the supply amount adjusting means includes an outer cylinder portion having a first flow hole and the first flow hole. Has a second flow hole that can communicate A double cylinder part having an inner cylinder part that is rotatable relative to the outer cylinder part, and an upper and lower displacement of the float that is transmitted to the double cylinder part to the outer cylinder part and the inner cylinder part And a displacement transmission means for adjusting a supply amount of the raw material to the cylinder portion by changing the size of the communication hole formed by the overlapping portion of the first flow hole and the second flow hole. A raw material supply apparatus for a frozen dessert making machine is provided.
Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, a raw material tank for storing a liquid frozen confectionery raw material, a cylinder part for stirring and cooling the frozen confectionery raw material together with air to obtain a frozen confectionery, the raw material tank and the cylinder part There is provided a cold confection manufacturing machine including a cooling unit for cooling the raw material and a raw material supply device for the frozen confectionery manufacturing machine.

According to the present invention, the liquid level of the raw material in the raw material tank is detected by the liquid level detecting means, and the supply amount of the raw material to the cylinder portion is adjusted in conjunction with the liquid level detected by the supply amount adjusting means. Therefore, the desired frozen dessert can be manufactured by automatically adjusting the mixing ratio of the raw material and air in the cylinder part within a predetermined range. As a result, it is not necessary for the operator to monitor the liquid level of the raw material and manually adjust the supply amount of the raw material to the cylinder according to the liquid level. Further, it is not necessary for the operator to put a hand into the tank in order to operate the valve, so that hygiene can be improved.
Further, the liquid level detecting means is a float that floats on the raw material liquid level in the raw material tank, and can be manufactured at low cost by simplifying the structure without using electric means.
Furthermore, according to the supply amount adjusting means, the displacement of the float in the raw material tank is mechanically transmitted to the double cylinder portion by the displacement transmission means, and the outer cylinder portion and the inner cylinder portion are relatively rotated. A mechanism can be configured. In other words, without using a power source such as a motor that rotates the outer cylinder part and the inner cylinder part relatively, the movement of the float that moves with the displacement of the liquid level of the raw material in the raw material tank is used as power. can do. Therefore, the supply amount adjusting means can be manufactured at a low cost.
As the liquid level detecting means and the supply amount adjusting means, various types described later can be adopted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a frozen dessert making machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as viewed from the side. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the raw material supply apparatus in which the liquid level detection means, supply amount adjustment means, and air introduction means are assembled into a unit in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing a state in which the raw material supply apparatus in Embodiment 1 is exploded. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are explanatory views showing a state where the size of the communication hole in the first embodiment is small. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are explanatory diagrams showing a state where the size of the communication hole in the first embodiment is large. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state where the float in the first embodiment is lowered. FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are explanatory views showing a state in which the raw material is supplied to the cylinder portion in the first embodiment. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are explanatory views showing a state in which raw materials and air are supplied to the cylinder portion in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the liquid level drop of the raw material in the raw material tank and the mixing ratio of the raw material and air supplied to the cylinder part in the frozen dessert making machine of the first embodiment. FIG. 10A to FIG. 10F are diagrams showing a first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a third modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side view showing a raw material supply apparatus in Modification 3 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a raw material supply apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram for explaining that the first flow hole rotates and the communication hole gradually increases as the pin descends in the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a raw material supply apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a raw material supply apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram for explaining that the outer cylinder portion rotates and the communication hole gradually increases as the pin descends in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional frozen confectionery machine as viewed from the side. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the material supply valve of FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the material supply valve of FIG. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the liquid level drop of the raw material in the raw material tank and the mixing ratio of air with respect to the amount of raw material and air supplied to the cylinder part in the conventional frozen dessert making machine.

A raw material supply apparatus for a frozen confectionery manufacturing machine according to the present invention includes a raw material tank for storing a liquid frozen confectionery raw material, a cylinder portion for stirring and cooling the frozen confectionery raw material together with air, and the raw material tank and the cylinder. A raw material supply device that is provided in a frozen confectionery machine equipped with a cooling section that cools the section and adjusts the supply amount of the frozen confectionery raw material that is supplied from the raw material tank to the cylinder section, for the frozen confectionery in the raw material tank Liquid level detecting means for automatically detecting the liquid level of the raw material, supply amount adjusting means for adjusting the supply amount of the raw material for frozen dessert to the cylinder portion in conjunction with the detected liquid level height, and air to the cylinder portion Air introduction means for introducing, the liquid level detection means is a float that floats on the raw material liquid level for frozen confectionery in the raw material tank, and the supply amount adjustment means includes an outer cylinder portion having a first flow hole and Can communicate with the first flow hole A double cylinder part having an inner cylinder part that is rotatable relative to the outer cylinder part having two flow holes; and an upper and lower displacement of the float are transmitted to the double cylinder part and the outer cylinder. The amount of the raw material supplied to the cylinder part is adjusted by changing the size of the communication hole formed by the overlapping part of the first circulation hole and the second circulation hole by relatively rotating the part and the inner cylinder part. Displacement transmission means.
The frozen dessert manufacturing machine according to the present invention is a frozen dessert manufacturing that manufactures frozen desserts such as soft cream or shake called drinks in which fine bubbles are dispersed by stirring and mixing raw materials and air at a mixing ratio within a predetermined range under cooling. Machine.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of a raw material supply device for a frozen confectionery manufacturing machine and a frozen confectionery manufacturing machine including the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a raw material supply apparatus according to the present invention and a frozen dessert making machine using the raw material supply apparatus, as viewed from the side, showing a first embodiment.
This frozen dessert making machine has a raw material tank 10 for storing a liquid frozen dessert raw material M, a cylinder unit 20 for stirring and cooling the frozen dessert raw material M together with air into a frozen dessert, and cooling the raw material tank 10 and the cylinder unit 20 And a raw material supply device F1 for adjusting the supply amount of the frozen dessert raw material M supplied from the raw material tank 10 to the cylinder portion 20.

The raw material tank 10 has an upper opening that is opened and closed by a lid 10 a, a raw material introduction path 11 at the bottom, and the raw material introduction path 11 is connected to the cylinder part 20. An impeller (not shown) that rotates by a motor and stirs the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 is provided on the bottom surface of the bottom part of the raw material tank 10.
The cylinder unit 20 includes a dasher 21 having a spiral stirring blade that stirs and mixes the raw material M and air supplied therein, a motor 22 that rotationally drives the dasher 21, and a frozen dessert S manufactured therein. And a take-out portion 23 to be taken out. The frozen dessert S in the cylinder part 20 is taken out by opening the extraction path of the take-out part 23 while the dasher 21 is rotated.
In the present embodiment, the cooling unit is not limited to one that requires a specific configuration. For example, an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and the like disposed around the raw material tank 10 and the cylinder unit 20. It is a configured refrigeration cycle.
In addition, the raw material tank 10, the cylinder part 20, and a cooling part can be set as the structure similar to the conventional frozen dessert manufacturing machine demonstrated in FIG.

  The raw material supply device F1 provided in the raw material tank 10 includes a liquid level detecting means 40 for automatically detecting the liquid level L of the raw material M in the tank, and a cylinder of the raw material M in conjunction with the detected liquid level height. Supply amount adjusting means 50 for adjusting the supply amount to the part 20 and air introducing means 60 for introducing air into the cylinder part 20 are provided.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the raw material supply device F1 in which the liquid level detection means 40, the supply amount adjustment means 50, and the air introduction means 60 are assembled into a unit. FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing a state in which the raw material supply apparatus F1 is disassembled.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the air introduction means 60 has an outside air inlet 61 a at the upper portion, and is a vertical pipe 61 that communicates from the outside air inlet 61 a through the raw material tank 10 to the inside of the cylinder portion 20. is there. The lower end of the vertical pipe 61 is inserted into the raw material introduction path 11 of the raw material tank 10. The vertical pipe 61 has a concave circumferential groove 61b for fitting the O-ring 9, and an outer flange 61c that abuts the bottom of the raw material tank 10 slightly above the concave circumferential groove 61b. The O-ring 9 prevents the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 from being supplied to the cylinder portion 20 from other than a communication hole described later.

The liquid level detection means 40 is a float 41 that floats on the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10. The float 41 has a ring shape having a hole through which the vertical pipe 61 is inserted. The float body 42 has a round container shape, and the lid body 43 is fitted into the float body 42 and covers the upper opening. Consists of.
The float main body 42 has a cylindrical portion 42a through which the vertical pipe 61 is inserted at the center, and a recess 42b formed in a direction crossing the cylindrical portion 42a on the bottom surface.
Further, a pair of first horizontal shafts 156a are provided at positions above the recesses 42b on the outer peripheral surface of the float main body 42 and on the same axis. The pair of first horizontal shafts 156 a are shafts for swingably attaching a first arm 157 of a link mechanism 155 described later to the float 41.
Moreover, the cover body 43 has the short cylindrical part 43a and the outer peripheral wall part 43b. The short cylindrical portion 43a is inserted through the vertical pipe 61 at the center of the lid 43 and is fitted to the cylindrical portion 42a. The outer peripheral wall portion 43 b is suspended along the outer peripheral edge of the lid body 43 and is fitted to the outer peripheral upper edge of the float main body 42.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the supply amount adjusting means 50 includes a double cylinder portion 51 and a link mechanism 155 that is a displacement transmitting means.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the double cylinder 51 includes an inner cylinder 53 having a second circulation hole 53a, and an outer cylinder 52 having a first circulation hole 52a capable of communicating with the second circulation hole 53a. With. The outer cylinder part 52 is fitted so that the inner cylinder part 53 is rotatable relative to the outer cylinder part 52.
One end of the double cylinder portion 51 is opened, communicates with the vertical pipe 61, and extends in the horizontal direction near the bottom in the raw material tank 10. Furthermore, the other end of the double tube portion 51 is closed.

More specifically, the inner cylinder portion 53 has one end connected to the vertical pipe 61 and the other end opened. Moreover, the inner cylinder part 53 has the 2nd flow hole 53a arrange | positioned in the lower part, and has the protrusion 53b in the axial direction at the upper outer peripheral surface.
On the other hand, the outer cylinder part 52 is fitted into the inner cylinder part 53 from one open end, and the other end is closed, and the second horizontal shaft 156b is integrally provided at the closed end of the outer cylinder part 52. It has been.
The second horizontal shaft 156 b is a shaft for attaching a second arm 158 of a link mechanism 155 to be described later to the outer cylinder portion 52 and transmitting a transmission force from the link mechanism 155 to the outer cylinder portion 52. Therefore, the second horizontal axis 156b is not a circular axis, but is formed in, for example, an isosceles triangular prism shape.
Further, the outer cylinder portion 52 has a first flow hole 52a in the lower portion so as to be able to communicate with the second flow hole 53a of the inner cylinder portion 53, and a recess 52b on the inner peripheral surface opposite to the first flow hole 52a. have. The recessed part 52b receives the said protrusion 53b of the inner cylinder part 53, and is formed in the circumferential direction in the predetermined range.
In the double cylinder portion 51 configured in this manner, the outer cylinder portion 52 is fitted to the outside of the inner cylinder portion 53 so that there is almost no gap and is rotatable.

  A support rod 159 extends from the outer peripheral surface of the vertical tube 61 in the horizontal direction on the opposite side of the vertical tube 61 from the second horizontal shaft 156b. Further, a sub-second horizontal shaft 1156b having an axis that coincides with the axis of the second horizontal shaft 156b is provided at the end of the support rod 159. The sub second horizontal shaft 1156b is a shaft for supporting the second arm 158 of the link mechanism 155 so as to be swingable.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the size of the communication hole is small in the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the size of the communication hole is large in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the second flow hole 53a of the inner cylinder part 53 is formed in a long hole shape extending in the axial direction, while the first flow hole 52a of the outer cylinder part 52 is formed in a substantially triangular shape. Has been. The double cylinder part 51 configured as described above has a communication hole 51 a formed by overlapping the first flow hole 52 a of the outer cylinder part 52 and the second flow hole 53 a of the inner cylinder part 53.
According to this double cylinder part 51, when the outer cylinder part 52 rotates in the direction of arrow A from the state shown in FIG. 4, the position of the first flow hole 52a moves, as shown in FIG. The size of the communication hole 51a changes. At this time, the movement of the first flow hole 52 a with respect to the second flow hole 53 a is restricted by the circumferential end surface of the recess 52 b of the outer cylinder part 52 hitting the protrusion 53 b of the inner cylinder part 53.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the liquid level L of the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 is high, the positional relationship between the first flow hole 52a and the second flow hole 53a is as shown in FIG. The size of 51a is small. On the other hand, when the liquid level is lowered to the vicinity of the bottom of the raw material tank, the size of the communication hole 51a is large as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the second flow in the inner cylindrical portion 53 is set so that the positional relationship between the first flow hole 52a and the second flow hole 53a according to the height of the raw material liquid level L and the size of the communication hole 51a are as described above. The shape and size of the hole 53a and the width of the protrusion 53b, the formation position, shape and size of the first flow hole 52a in the outer cylinder portion 52, the size of the recess 52b, and the like are taken into consideration.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the supply amount adjusting means 50, the link mechanism 155, which is a displacement transmitting means, moves up and down according to the height of the raw material liquid level L of the float 1. 52 and the inner cylinder part 53 is converted into a relative rotational movement around the horizontal axis, thereby changing the size of the communication hole 51a (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the double cylinder part 51 as described above. Let That is, the link mechanism 155 is configured to change the size of the communication hole 51a as described above so as to adjust the supply amount of the raw material M to the cylinder portion 20.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the link mechanism 155 includes a first arm 157 having pivot portions at both ends and a second arm 158 having pivot portions at both ends. The pivoting portion at one end of the first arm 157 and the pivoting portion at one end of the second arm 158 are pivotably pivoted to each other. The pivot portion at the other end of the first arm 157 pivots on the first horizontal shaft 156a so as to be swingable. The pivot portion at the other end of the second arm 158 is attached to the second horizontal shaft 156b so that the outer cylinder portion 52 can be rotated.

  The first arm 157 is formed in a substantially Y shape having a bifurcated portion 157a on one end side, and has a bent portion 157b bent at a right angle on the other end side. A shaft hole 157c is formed at both ends of the bifurcated portion 157a as a pivot portion for inserting the pair of first horizontal shafts 156a so as to be relatively rotatable. A shaft-like pivoting portion 156c is integrally formed at the end of the bent portion 157b.

Similarly to the first arm 157, the second arm 158 is formed in a substantially Y shape having a bifurcated portion 158a on one end side, and has a pair of parallel straight portions 158b on the opposite side to the bifurcated portion 158a. ing.
A triangular hole 158c is formed at one end of the bifurcated portion 158a as a pivoting portion that fits with the second horizontal shaft 156b having an isosceles triangular prism shape, and at the other end of the bifurcated portion 158a. A shaft hole 158d is formed as a pivot portion for rotatably inserting the second horizontal shaft 1156b into the other end of the bifurcated portion 158a. The bifurcated portion 158 a prevents the outer cylinder portion 52 from coming off the inner cylinder portion 53.
Further, a hole-like pivoting portion 158e is formed at the ends of the pair of parallel straight portions 158b so that the shaft-like pivoting portion 156c is rotatably inserted into the ends of the parallel straight portions 158b. The pair of parallel straight portions 158b sandwich the pivoting portion 156c of the first arm 157 in a pivoted state. In addition, a pair of tapered grooves 158f are formed on the end facing surfaces of the pair of parallel straight portions 158b where the pivoting portions 158e are provided. Has been. By moving the shaft tip of the pivoting portion 156c along each tapered groove 158f and spreading between the pair of parallel straight portions 158b by elastic deformation, the pivoting portion 156c can be easily inserted into the pivoting portion 158e. it can.

According to the link mechanism 155 configured in this way, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the raw material M is filled up to the upper part and the float 41 is in the upper position, as shown in FIGS. The second arms 157 and 158 are bent in an L shape and are connected to each other.
When the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 is supplied to the cylinder part 20, the liquid level L will fall gradually. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, the float 41 is gradually lowered, so that the second arm 158 swings downward (in the direction of arrow A) with respect to the second horizontal shaft 156 b, and The first arm 157 and the second arm 158 are close to each other.
As the second arm 158 swings downward, the outer cylinder portion 52 of the double cylinder portion 51 connected to the second arm 158 also rotates in the direction of arrow A, and the first flow hole 52a becomes the second flow hole 53a. On the other hand, the size of the communication hole 51a gradually increases from the state of FIG. 4 to the state of FIG. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state where the float is lowered in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the bent portion 157 b of the link mechanism 155 prevents the first arm 157 and the second arm 158 from interfering with each other, and the recess 42 b is formed on the bottom surface of the float 41. By forming a gap to prevent the double cylinder portion 51 from hitting, the float 41 can be lowered from the vicinity of the raw material tank 10 to the bottom portion.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the swing stroke of the second arm 158 is increased as compared with the case where the bottom surface of the float 41 is flat, and accordingly, the rotatable range of the outer cylindrical portion 52 is also increased. . As a result, since the long movement stroke of the first flow hole 52a relative to the second flow hole 53a can be secured, the amount of change in the size of the communication hole 51a due to the liquid level drop is not abrupt and is easy to be moderate. Become.
In addition to the fact that the float 41 can be lowered from the vicinity of the bottom of the raw material tank 10 to the bottom thereof, the communication hole 51 a is arranged at the lower part of the double cylinder portion 51, thereby Even if the liquid level L of the raw material falls to the vicinity of the bottom, the raw material can be supplied to the cylinder portion 20.

  The raw material supply device F1 configured in this way can be formed of, for example, a plastic such as polyacetal or a metal such as stainless steel.

Next, a state in which raw materials are supplied from the raw material tank 10 to the cylinder unit 20 in the frozen dessert making machine according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the raw material is supplied to the cylinder part in the first embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the raw material and air are supplied to the cylinder part in the first embodiment. is there.
In the frozen dessert making machine shown in FIG. 1, the cylinder part 20 has a mixing ratio of raw material and air within a predetermined range under cooling, for example, in the case of soft ice cream, the raw material and air have a volume ratio of about 7: 3. The frozen dessert S produced by stirring and mixing at a ratio is stored. Furthermore, in the frozen dessert making machine shown in FIG. 1, when the raw material M is stored in the raw material tank 10 up to the vicinity of the upper limit height, as shown in FIG. The raw material M flows to the same height as the liquid level L in the tank 10. At this time, the communication hole 51a formed by overlapping the first flow hole 52a of the outer tube portion 52 and the second flow hole 53a of the inner tube portion 53 in the double tube portion 51 has a small size as shown in FIG. have.

A predetermined amount of frozen dessert S is taken out by opening the extraction path of the take-out part 23 and rotating the dasher 21 in the cylinder part 20. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7B, since the inside of the cylinder portion 20 becomes negative pressure, first, the raw material M in the vertical pipe 61 flows into the cylinder portion 20 by suction action due to the negative pressure. Along with this, the liquid level L1 of the raw material M in the vertical pipe 61 descends.
When the liquid level L1 of the raw material M in the vertical pipe 61 descends, the difference between the height of the liquid level L of the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 and the height of the liquid level L of the raw material M in the vertical pipe 61 and the raw material Due to the specific gravity of M and the like, the pressure applied to the communication hole 51a by the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 gradually increases from the pressure applied to the communication hole 51a by the raw material M in the double cylindrical portion 51. . As a result, the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 flows into the communication hole 51a of the double cylinder portion 61 (see FIG. 8A).
When the frozen dessert S is further taken out, the liquid level L1 of the raw material M in the vertical pipe 61 is lowered and reaches the inside of the cylinder part 20. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8A, the raw material M flowing from the raw material tank 10 through the communication hole 51a and the air in the vertical pipe 61 flow into the cylinder portion 20, and the raw material M and Air is stirred and mixed under cooling to form a frozen dessert. At this time, the air flowing into the cylinder part 20 is taken into the frozen dessert by mixing with the raw material M.

When the extraction of the frozen dessert S is completed, as shown in FIG. 8B, the raw material M and air do not flow into the cylinder part 20, and the same level as the liquid level L of the raw material M in the raw material tank 10. The raw material flows into the vertical pipe 61 until it becomes.
If the liquid level L of the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 falls during taking out the frozen dessert, the float 41 shown in FIG. When the float 41 is lowered, the outer cylinder portion 52 is rotated by a rotation amount corresponding to the swing amount of the second arm 158 by the operation of the link mechanism 155 as described above, and the communication hole 51a is continuously increased. Go.
Therefore, even if the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10 is continuously lowered, and the pressure applied to the communication hole 51a by the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 is gradually reduced, the raw material M passing through the communication hole 51a The flow rate does not deviate from the predetermined range. As a result, the mixing ratio of the raw material M and the air flowing into the cylinder part 20 does not deviate from the predetermined range.

In this way, by removing the frozen dessert S from the cylinder part 20 by a predetermined amount several times, the height of the liquid level L of the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 gradually decreases. During the removal of the frozen dessert S during this period, as described with reference to FIG. 8B, the raw material flows into the vertical pipe 61 to the same height as the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10, but the frozen dessert S The height of the raw material liquid level L1 in the vertical pipe 61 decreases every time the is taken out. That is, every time the frozen dessert S is taken out, the amount of the raw material M in the vertical pipe 61 introduced into the cylinder portion 20 when the frozen dessert is taken out decreases.
The raw material supply apparatus according to the present invention also considers the amount of the raw material M in the vertical pipe 61. That is, in the raw material supply apparatus, the height of the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10 and the height of the raw material liquid level L1 in the vertical pipe 61 when the frozen confection S is not taken out differ every time the frozen confectionery is taken out. However, the size of the communication hole 51a and the amount of change thereof are designed so that the raw material M and air have a mixing ratio within a predetermined range. Thereby, the flow volume of the raw material M which flows into the double cylinder part 51 can be automatically adjusted to the flow volume by which the raw material M and air are supplied in the cylinder part 20 in a suitable ratio.

  In the raw material supply device according to the present invention and the frozen confectionery manufacturing machine using the same, the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 is reduced by taking out the frozen confectionery S in this way, and the raw material liquid level L is lowered below the communication hole 51a. Then, the raw material M is not supplied into the cylinder part 20. Therefore, the operator replenishes the raw material M into the raw material tank 10 when the liquid level L is higher than the communication hole 51a, for example, when the double cylinder portion 51 is exposed in the air above the liquid level L. It is preferable. When the raw material M is replenished, the float 41 is raised, and the supply amount adjusting means 50 is operated in the opposite direction to that when the float 41 is lowered, and the size of the communication hole 51a is shown in FIG. The large state shown returns to the small state shown in FIG.

  In general, in this type of frozen dessert manufacturing machine, the raw material M and the cylinder unit 20 are heated at a temperature at which the raw material M does not change by operating the cooling unit in a heating cycle opposite to the refrigeration cycle. The frozen dessert S can be sterilized by heating. At this time, for example, a shielding cylinder having an outer casing at the upper end is inserted into the vertical pipe 61 to block communication between the double cylinder portion 51 and the vertical pipe 61. In this blocking, the frozen dessert S in the cylinder part 20 is melted and separated into the raw material M and air, so that even if a space is formed in the cylinder part 20, the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 is transferred to the cylinder part via the communication hole 51a. This is to prevent it from flowing into the inside 20.

According to the raw material supply apparatus F1 of Embodiment 1 configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(Effect 1-1)
The height of the liquid level L of the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 is detected by the float 41, and the link mechanism 155 is interlocked with the detected height of the liquid level L. Furthermore, the supply amount of the raw material M to the cylinder part 20 is adjusted by rotating the outer cylinder part 52 relative to the inner cylinder part 53 and adjusting the size of the communication hole 51a. Thereby, the mixing ratio of the raw material M in the cylinder part 20 and air is automatically adjusted within a predetermined range, and a desired frozen dessert can be manufactured.
In addition, the operator does not need to perform complicated operations such as monitoring the height of the liquid level L of the raw material M and manually adjusting the supply amount of the raw material M to the cylinder unit 20 according to the height of the liquid level L. It becomes. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the operator to put a hand into the raw material tank 10 in order to operate the valve, so that hygiene can be improved.
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the size of the communication hole changes automatically and continuously greatly as the liquid level L of the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 decreases, and therefore flows into the double cylindrical portion 51. The flow rate of the raw material M is stable. Therefore, the mixing ratio of the raw material M and air supplied into the cylinder portion 2 is prevented from deviating from the predetermined range. In FIG. 9, the graph line indicating the mixing ratio is shown as a straight line with a constant ratio for easy explanation, but there is no problem even if it is within a predetermined range other than the straight line.

(Effect 1-2)
Further, since the liquid level detecting means is the float 41 that floats on the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10, the structure can be simplified and manufactured at low cost without using electric means.
Further, as the supply amount adjusting means, the displacement of the float 41 in the raw material tank 10 is mechanically transmitted to the double cylinder part 61 by the displacement transmission means, and the outer cylinder part 52 and the inner cylinder part 53 are relatively moved. A mechanism for rotating the outer cylinder portion 52 and the inner cylinder portion 53 is used without using a power source such as a motor that relatively rotates the outer cylinder portion 52 and the inner cylinder portion 53. That is, as the supply amount adjusting means, it is possible to configure a mechanism that can use, as power, the movement of the float 41 that is displaced with the displacement of the height of the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10. . Therefore, the supply amount adjusting means can be manufactured at a low cost by simplifying the structure without using an electric means.

(Effect 1-3)
Further, since the displacement transmission means is the link mechanism 155, the vertical displacement of the float 41 can be smoothly converted into a force in the rotational direction and reliably transmitted to the outer cylinder portion 52.
Further, the vertical pipe 61 is inserted into the hole of the float 41 so that the float 41 is not freely floated on the raw material liquid level L, and the first horizontal axis 156a is maintained at a position almost directly above the second horizontal axis 156b. Can do. As a result, the link mechanism 155 can be operated so that the outer cylinder portion 52 can be rotated with high accuracy by a rotation amount corresponding to the vertical displacement of the raw material liquid level L.
(Effect 1-4)
By using the vertical pipe 61 as the air introduction means, it is not necessary to separately provide a means for introducing air into the cylinder portion 20, and the structure of the raw material supply apparatus F1 can be simplified.
(Effect 1-5)
Since the communication hole 51a is arranged at the lower part of the double cylinder part 51, the raw material can be stably supplied to the cylinder part even if the liquid level L of the raw material in the raw material tank 10 drops to the vicinity of the bottom part. .

The first embodiment can be modified as follows.
(Modification 1 of Embodiment 1)
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first modification of the first embodiment. The first and second flow holes of the double cylindrical portion in the first embodiment may have a shape as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) to 10 (f), for example.
FIG. 10A illustrates a case where the first flow hole 152a of the outer cylinder part 152 and the second flow hole 153a of the inner cylinder part 153 are both the same isosceles triangles and the triangles are arranged in the same direction. ing. In addition, the shape of each flow hole can be appropriately changed to an equilateral triangle, a right triangle, etc. besides the isosceles triangle.
FIG. 10B illustrates the case where the first flow hole 252a of the outer cylinder part 252 and the second flow hole 253a of the inner cylinder part 253 are both the same isosceles triangle and the triangles are arranged in opposite directions. ing.
FIG. 10C illustrates the case where the first circulation hole 352a of the outer cylinder portion 352 and the second circulation hole 353a of the inner cylinder portion 353 are both the same oval extending in the circumferential direction. In addition, the shape of each flow hole can be appropriately changed to an elliptical shape, a droplet shape, etc. in addition to an oval shape.

FIG. 10D illustrates the case where the first circulation hole 452a of the outer cylinder part 452 and the second circulation hole 453a of the inner cylinder part 453 are both the same square. In addition, the shape of each circulation hole can be suitably changed into polygons, such as a rectangle, a rhombus, a pentagon, and a hexagon other than a square.
FIG. 10E illustrates a case where the first circulation hole 552a of the outer cylinder portion 552 and the second circulation hole 553a of the inner cylinder portion 553 are both the same circle.
FIG. 10 (f) shows that the first circulation hole 652a of the outer cylinder part 652 and the second circulation hole 653a of the inner cylinder part 653 are both the same long hole extending in the circumferential direction and are arranged two by two in the cylinder axis direction. The case where it was done is illustrated. In addition, the number of each circulation hole can be changed suitably to three or more, and the magnitude | size of each hole may be varied.

Moreover, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, you may arrange | position the 1st and 2nd circulation hole in the end surface of a double cylinder part. In this case, the end of the inner cylinder is closed in the same manner as the outer cylinder, and the first and second flow holes are formed around the second horizontal axis in the closed inner cylinder and the end wall of the outer cylinder. . The shape of the first and second flow holes can be an arc shape in addition to the above-described triangle, quadrangle, circle, or the like.
The shapes and combinations of the first and second flow holes are not limited to the above, and the first flow holes and the second flow holes may be combined in different shapes and numbers.

(Modification 2 of Embodiment 1)
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second modification of the first embodiment. The second horizontal shaft 156b of the link mechanism in Embodiment 1 may be provided in the inner cylinder portion 753 of the double cylinder portion as shown in FIG. In this case, one end of the outer cylinder part 752 having both open ends is connected in communication with the vertical pipe. Further, one end of the inner cylinder portion 753 is closed by an end wall 753a having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the outer cylinder portion 752, and a second horizontal shaft 156b is integrally formed on the end wall 753a. Then, the open end of the inner cylinder 753 is inserted into the outer cylinder 752 and attached. A first flow hole 752a and a second flow hole 753a are formed in the lower part of the outer cylinder part 752 and the inner cylinder part 753. Further, in order to define the rotation range of the inner cylinder portion 753, the concave portion and the protrusion as described with reference to FIG. 3 are provided on the opening side of the outer cylinder portion 752 and the end wall 753a side of the inner cylinder portion 753. It is preferable.

(Modification 3 of Embodiment 1)
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a third modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side view showing a raw material supply apparatus in Modification 3 of Embodiment 1.
As shown in FIG. 12, the link mechanism may be provided with a plurality of pairs of first horizontal shafts 156a in the vertical direction. If it does in this way, as shown in FIG. 13, it will float by selecting a pair of 1st horizontal axis | shaft 156a from the several 1st horizontal axis | shafts 156a from which an up-and-down position differs, and pivoting the 1st arm 157 around. The height of the shaft hole 157c (see FIG. 3) relative to the child 41 can be changed, and the attachment angle formed by the first arm 157 and the second arm 158 in the link mechanism 155 can be changed.
As a result, even if the float 41 is at the same height position, the size of the communication hole of the double cylindrical portion 51 can be varied depending on the position of the selected first horizontal shaft 156a. For example, when the viscosity of the raw material M to be used is high, the size of the communication hole can be made somewhat larger than when the viscosity is low. In addition, it is possible to change the amount of change in the size of the communication hole with respect to the descending amount of the float depending on the position of the selected first horizontal axis 156a.

(Modification 4 of Embodiment 1)
The float 41 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, etc. only needs to have a hole that does not separate from the vertical tube 61 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the float 41 is not limited to a ring shape, and may be a C shape, a horseshoe shape, or the like. The float 41 may be formed of a foamed material such as foamed plastic.
Further, the buoyancy of the float 41 that floats on the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10 is determined by the weight of the float 41 and the amount of air in the float 41. For this reason, the same effect as that of the third modification, that is, the position of the first horizontal shaft 156a with respect to the raw material liquid level L is obtained by attaching a weight for adjusting the buoyancy to the float 41 or putting water into the float body 42. It is possible to change.

(Modification 5 of Embodiment 1)
FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 6 illustrate the case where the first arm 157 of the link mechanism 155 is provided with the bent portion 157b, but the second arm 158 may be provided with a bent portion, or the first arm 157 and A bent portion may be provided on both of the second arms 158. Further, the bent portion may be curved instead of being bent at a right angle.

(Modification 6 of Embodiment 1)
Although FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 6 show the case where the first arm 157 and the second arm 158 are used as the link mechanism, a single arm may be used. In this case, the single arm is provided with shaft holes 157c and shaft holes 158c, 158d at both ends in the length direction, and the length between both ends is determined by the distance from the third horizontal shaft 156c to the shaft hole 157c, the shaft It is substantially equal to the sum of the distances from the holes 158c and 158d to the shaft hole 158e. In this case, when the float 41 descends, it does not slide on the vertical pipe 61 but leaves the vertical pipe 61. Therefore, the float 41 does not need to have the cylindrical portion 42a and the recess 42b.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in that the raw material supply device of the frozen confectionery machine includes a liquid level detection means, a supply amount adjustment means, and an air introduction means, but the structure thereof is the same as that of the first embodiment. Different from 1. Hereinafter, the points of the second embodiment different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing the raw material supply device F2 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the second embodiment in which the first flow hole 81a is rotated and the communication hole 86 is formed by the pin 85 being lowered. It is a conceptual diagram explaining increasing gradually.
In this raw material supply apparatus F2, the liquid level detecting means is a ring-shaped float 241 that floats on the raw material liquid level for the frozen dessert in the raw material tank 10. The float 241 has a flat bottom and does not have the recess 42b of the float 41 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the supply amount adjusting means includes a double cylinder portion 80 and a displacement transmitting means.
The double cylinder part 80 is an inner cylinder part 82 that is rotatable relative to the outer cylinder part 81 having a first circulation hole 81a and the outer cylinder part 81 having a second circulation hole 82a that can communicate with the first circulation hole 81a. It has. The communication hole 86 is formed from a portion where the first flow hole 81a and the second flow hole 82a overlap each other.
The displacement transmitting means transmits the vertical displacement of the float 241 to the double cylinder part 80, relatively rotates the outer cylinder part 81 and the inner cylinder part 82, and changes the size of the communication hole 86. Adjust the amount of raw material supplied to the cylinder.
FIG. 14 shows a state in which the outer cylinder portion 81 is extracted from the inner cylinder portion 82, and the lower end of the inner cylinder portion 82 is connected in a liquid-tight manner to the raw material introduction path at the bottom of the raw material tank 10.

More specifically, the outer cylinder part 81 is a vertical pipe extending from the bottom part to the upper part of the raw material tank 10. The inner cylindrical portion 82 is also a vertical pipe, and has an outer flange that contacts the bottom of the raw material tank 10 at the lower end, and seals when inserted into the raw material introduction path of the raw material tank 10 below the outer flange. A concave circumferential groove for fitting the ring is provided.
The double cylinder part 80 assembled by inserting the inner cylinder part 82 into the outer cylinder part 81 has an outside air inlet at the upper part, and is attached in the raw material tank 10 in the vertical direction. In the double cylinder part 80 mounted in the raw material tank 10, the outside air intake port is connected in communication with the cylinder part, whereby the double cylinder part 80 serves as air introduction means.

Further, the displacement transmission means in the second embodiment is a movement direction that converts the movement of the float 241 up and down according to the raw material liquid level to the relative rotational movement of the outer cylinder part 81 and the inner cylinder part 82. It is a conversion mechanism.
The movement direction conversion mechanism includes different guide slits formed on the peripheral walls of the outer cylinder portion 81 and the inner cylinder portion 82, and pins made of metal or hard plastic that are attached to the float 241 and inserted into the guide slits. 85.
The guide slit formed in the outer cylinder portion 81 is, for example, a vertical guide slit extending in the cylinder longitudinal direction, and also serves as the first flow hole 81a. The guide slit 84 formed in the inner cylinder portion 82 is, for example, a spiral guide slit and also serves as the second flow hole 82a. In other words, the first flow hole 81a and the second flow hole 82a also have a function of guiding the moving direction of the pin 85.

  The pin 85 is attached to the float 241 by forming a screw hole in an L-shaped attachment portion 87 provided on the bottom surface of the float 241 and screwing a pin 85 having a male screw into the screw hole. It can be attached detachably. If it does in this way, after inserting double cylinder part 80 in the hole of float 241, pin 85 can be attached to attaching part 87, and it can insert and assemble to the 1st and 2nd distribution holes 81a and 82a.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the second flow hole 82 a has a width that becomes wider as it goes downward. As the float 241 is lowered, the pin 85 is lowered along the first flow hole 81a and the second flow hole 82a, so that the outer cylinder part 81 and the inner cylinder part 83 are relatively rotated. Thereby, the size of the communication hole 86 formed by the overlapping portion of the first flow hole 81a and the second flow hole 82a into which the pin 85 is inserted gradually increases.
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, since the inner cylindrical portion 82 is fixed to the raw material tank 10, together with the float 241 to which the pin 85 is attached as the float 241 is lowered. The outer cylinder part 81 rotates. As the outer cylinder portion 81 rotates, the position of the communication hole 86 is lowered and the communication hole 86 is gradually increased.

In the second embodiment configured as described above, with reference to FIGS. 1, 14, and 15, from the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10 to the communication hole 86 where the pin 85 exists. The distance is constant even if the height of the raw material liquid level L changes. Therefore, even if the height of the raw material liquid level L changes, the communication hole 86 is in a position where the distance from the communication hole 86 to the vicinity of the raw material liquid level L is maintained substantially constant.
By taking out the frozen dessert S from the frozen dessert making machine according to the second embodiment, first, the raw material M in the double cylinder part 80 flows into the space in the cylinder part 20. Then, when the raw material liquid level L in the double cylinder part 80 descends and reaches the communication hole 86, the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 starts to flow into the double cylinder part 80 through the communication hole 86. When the raw material liquid level L in the raw material introduction path 11 reaches the cylinder part 20, air is also supplied into the cylinder part 20, and the raw material M and the air are stirred and cooled. When the extraction of the frozen dessert S is completed, the liquid level L of the raw material M that continues to flow into the double cylinder portion 80 rises to the same height as the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10.

During this time, as the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10 is lowered, the pin 85 rotates while descending along the spiral second flow hole 82a and the straight first flow hole 81a. The size is gradually increased, and the flow rate of the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 flowing into the double cylinder portion 80 is also gradually increased.
In the second embodiment, since the distance from the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10 to the communication hole 86 hardly changes, even if the height of the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10 changes, the raw material tank 10 The pressure applied to the communication hole 86 by the raw material M is maintained substantially constant. However, the amount of the raw material M in the double cylinder portion 80 varies depending on the height of the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10. That is, if the height of the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10 is lowered every time the frozen dessert is taken out, the amount of the raw material M in the double cylinder part 80 flowing into the cylinder part 20 decreases.

In order to compensate for such a decrease in the raw material M in the double cylinder part 80, in the second embodiment, the width of the second flow hole 86 is increased as it goes downward, and thereby flows into the double cylinder part 80. The flow rate of the raw material M in the raw material tank 10 is increased so that the mixing ratio of the raw material M and air supplied into the cylinder portion 20 is maintained within a predetermined range.
Therefore, in the second embodiment, the rate of increase in the width of the second flow hole 82a, which is a spiral guide slit, the width of the first flow hole 81a, the diameter of the pin 85, and the like are the same as those of the raw material M supplied into the cylinder portion 20. It is designed taking into account that the air mixing ratio is maintained within a predetermined range.

According to the second embodiment, the same effects as the effects 1-1 and 1-2 of the first embodiment are exhibited, and the following effects are also achieved.
(Effect 2-1)
The double cylinder portion 80 also serves as air introduction means. In addition, the displacement transmitting means includes a pin 85 attached to the float 241 and different guide slits formed on the peripheral walls of the outer cylinder portion 81 and the inner cylinder portion 82. Therefore, a raw material supply apparatus can be manufactured at a low cost with a simple configuration with a small number of parts.

The second embodiment can be modified as follows.
(Modification 1 of Embodiment 2)
A plurality of upper and lower screw holes can be formed in the L-shaped attachment portion 87 for attaching the pin 85 to the float 241, and the attachment height position of the pin 85 can be changed.
In this way, even if the float 241 is at the same height position, the size of the communication hole 86 of the double cylindrical portion 80 can be varied depending on the mounting height position of the selected pin 85. For example, when the viscosity of the raw material M is high, the size of the communication hole 86 can be increased to some extent than when the viscosity is low.
Alternatively, the position of the pin 85 with respect to the raw material liquid level L in the raw material tank 10 is changed by putting a weight or water in the float 241 and adjusting the buoyancy as in the fourth modification of the first embodiment. It may be.

(Modification 2 of Embodiment 2)
The pin can be formed of a coil spring, or can be formed of an elastic material such as rubber or elastic plastic, and can be fixed to the float 241. In this way, in assembling and removing the float 241 from the double cylinder portion 80, the pin is elastically deformed and does not get in the way.
Furthermore, in this case, the same circulation hole as the first circulation hole 81a is formed in the outer cylinder portion 81 at a position opposite to the 180 °, and the same circulation hole as the second circulation hole 82a is formed in the inner cylinder portion 82 at a 180 ° angle. Another pair can be formed at the opposing position, and a pair of pins can be provided at the opposing position of 180 °. In this way, it is possible to reduce the load on one pin. Alternatively, a pin guide groove that does not penetrate the peripheral wall of the inner cylinder portion 82 may be used instead of the flow hole added to the inner cylinder portion 82. This configuration can also be applied to pins made of metal or hard plastic.

(Modification 3 of Embodiment 2)
The width of the second flow hole 82a of the inner cylinder part 82 can be made constant, and the width of the first flow hole 81a of the outer cylinder part 81 can be increased toward the lower side.
Alternatively, both the width of the second flow hole 82a and the width of the first flow hole 81a can be increased toward the lower side.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a raw material supply apparatus F3 according to the third embodiment.
In the third embodiment, a spiral first flow hole 181a that also serves as a guide slit is formed in the outer tube portion 181 of the double tube portion 180, and a straight second flow that also serves as a guide slit in the inner tube portion 182. The point that the hole 182a is formed is different from the second embodiment, and other configurations are substantially the same as those of the second embodiment. In FIG. 16, the same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, at least one of the first flow hole 181a and the second flow hole 182a is formed wider as it goes downward.
In the raw material supply device F3 according to the third embodiment, the pin 85 descends straight along the second flow hole 182a of the inner cylinder part 182, and the edge of the first flow hole 181a that is in sliding contact with the pin 85 exerts a circumferential force. By receiving, the outer cylinder part 181 rotates. And the communicating hole 86 (refer FIG. 15) in which the pin 85 was inserted becomes large gradually, and the flow volume of the raw material M which flows into the double cylinder part 180 from the raw material tank 10 increases similarly to Embodiment 2. FIG. To go.
According to the third embodiment, the same effects as the effects 1-1 and 1-2 of the first embodiment and the effect 2-1 of the second embodiment are achieved.

(Modification of Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, the first, second, and third modifications of the second embodiment can be applied.

(Embodiment 4)
The fourth embodiment is the same as the second and third embodiments except that the structure for connecting the double cylinder portion to the raw material introduction path of the raw material tank is different from the second and third embodiments shown in FIGS. 14 and 16. It is.
That is, for example, the second embodiment will be described (the same applies to the third embodiment). In the second embodiment, the inner cylinder portion 82 in the double cylinder portion 80 is connected and fixed to the material introduction path 11 of the material tank 10. In the fourth embodiment, the outer cylinder part 81 is connected and fixed to the raw material introduction path 11 of the raw material tank 10 and the inner cylinder part 82 is rotated.
In the fourth embodiment, an outer flange that comes into contact with the bottom of the raw material tank 10 and a concave circumferential groove for an O-ring are formed in the lower portion of the outer cylinder portion 81. The flow holes 81a and 82a formed in the outer cylinder part and the inner cylinder part, the structure for attaching the pin 85 to the float 241 and the like are the same as in the second embodiment.
According to the fourth embodiment, the same effects as the effects 1-1 and 1-2 of the first embodiment and the effect 2-1 of the second embodiment are obtained.
In the fourth embodiment, the first to third modifications of the second embodiment can be applied.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a raw material supply apparatus F5 according to the fifth embodiment.
The fifth embodiment has a configuration similar to the second and third embodiments including the float 241 and the pin 85, but the movement of the float 241 up and down depending on the height of the raw material liquid level L is the outer cylinder portion. Embodiments 2 and 3 are different from those of the second and third embodiments in a motion direction conversion mechanism that converts relative rotational motion between the inner cylinder 282 and the inner cylinder 282, and a first circulation hole 281a and a second circulation hole 282a of the double cylinder 280. In FIG. 17, the same components as those in the second and third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.
Hereinafter, the points of the fifth embodiment different from the second and third embodiments will be mainly described.

The movement direction conversion mechanism of the fifth embodiment includes a longitudinal guide slit 283 in the axial direction formed on the peripheral wall of the outer cylindrical portion 281, an oblique guide groove 285 formed obliquely on the peripheral wall of the inner cylindrical portion 282, and a floating And a pin 185 detachably attached to the child 241.
The pin 185 is inserted into the vertical guide slit 283, and its tip can slide along the oblique guide groove 285.
In the double cylinder part 280, the circumferential range of the oblique guide groove 285 formed in the inner cylinder part 282 is a relative rotation range of the outer cylinder part 281 and the inner cylinder part 282.
The first flow hole 281a is formed in a long hole shape in the circumferential direction, for example, at a position where the vertical guide slit 283 is not provided in the lower portion of the peripheral wall of the outer cylindrical portion 281. The second flow hole 282a is formed in a long hole shape in the circumferential direction, for example, at a position where there is no oblique guide groove 285 in the lower portion of the peripheral wall of the inner cylinder portion 282. The first flow hole 281a and the second flow hole 282a are arranged at the same height and at positions where they overlap each other within a range in which the outer cylinder part 281 and the inner cylinder part 282 rotate relatively.

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram for explaining that the outer cylinder portion 281 rotates and the communication hole 286 gradually increases as the pin 185 descends in the fifth embodiment.
According to the fifth embodiment configured in this way, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, when the pin 85 descends along the vertical guide slit 283 and the oblique guide groove 285 as the float 241 descends. The pin 185 pushes the side edge of the vertical guide slit 283 in the circumferential direction, so that the outer cylinder part 281 rotates with respect to the inner cylinder part 282.
Thus, the first flow hole 281a moves in the circumferential direction with respect to the second flow hole 282a, and the communication hole 286 formed by overlapping the first flow hole 281a and the second flow hole 282a gradually increases. Therefore, the flow rate of the raw material in the raw material tank that flows into the double cylinder portion 80 increases.
According to the fifth embodiment, the same effects as the effects 1-1 and 1-2 of the first embodiment and the effect 2-1 of the second embodiment are achieved.

(Embodiment 6)
In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the inner cylinder part 282 in the double cylinder part 280 is connected and fixed to the raw material introduction path 11 of the raw material tank 10, and the outer cylinder part 281 is rotated. In Form 6, the outer cylinder part 281 is connected and fixed to the raw material introduction path 11 of the raw material tank 10, and the inner cylinder part 282 is rotated (not shown).
In the sixth embodiment, an outer flange that comes into contact with the bottom of the raw material tank 10 and a concave circumferential groove for an O-ring are formed in the lower portion of the outer cylindrical portion 281. The guide slits and guide grooves formed in the outer cylinder portion 281 and the inner cylinder portion 282, the pin mounting structure on the float, and the like are the same as in the fifth embodiment.
According to the sixth embodiment, the same effects as the effects 1-1 and 1-2 of the first embodiment and the effect 2-1 of the second embodiment are achieved.

(Modification of Embodiments 5 and 6)
The first and second modifications of the second embodiment can be applied to the fifth and sixth embodiments.
Further, the shapes and combinations of the first flow holes and the second flow holes in the fifth and sixth embodiments can be appropriately changed as in the first modification of the first embodiment.
In the fifth and sixth embodiments, an oblique guide slit may be formed in the outer cylinder portion, and a vertical guide groove may be formed in the inner cylinder portion.

Claims (9)

In a frozen confectionery machine comprising a raw material tank for storing liquid frozen confectionery raw materials, a cylinder part for stirring and cooling the frozen confectionery raw materials together with air into a frozen confectionery, and a cooling part for cooling the raw material tank and cylinder part A raw material supply device for adjusting a supply amount of a raw material for frozen dessert supplied from the raw material tank to the cylinder unit,
Liquid level detecting means for automatically detecting the liquid level of the frozen confectionery raw material in the raw material tank, and supply amount adjusting means for adjusting the supply amount of the frozen confectionery raw material to the cylinder portion in conjunction with the detected liquid level height And air introducing means for introducing air into the cylinder part,
The liquid level detection means is a float that floats on the raw liquid level for frozen dessert in the raw material tank,
The supply amount adjusting means has an outer cylinder part having a first flow hole and an inner cylinder part rotatable relative to the outer cylinder part having a second flow hole communicable with the first flow hole. The double cylinder part and the vertical displacement of the float are transmitted to the double cylinder part to relatively rotate the outer cylinder part and the inner cylinder part, and the first circulation hole and the second circulation hole A raw material supply device for a frozen confectionery machine comprising displacement transmitting means for adjusting the amount of raw material supplied to the cylinder part by changing the size of the communication hole formed by the overlapping portion. The air introduction means is a vertical pipe having an outside air inlet at the top and communicated to the cylinder part, and the double cylinder part is communicated with the vertical pipe at one end thereof and horizontally near the bottom in the raw material tank. Extending in the direction,
The displacement transmitting means converts the movement of the float up and down in accordance with the raw material liquid level to a rotational movement around the horizontal axis between the outer cylinder part and the inner cylinder part in the double cylinder part. The raw material supply device for a frozen confectionery machine according to claim 1, wherein the raw material supply device is a link mechanism. The float has a first horizontal axis on its outer peripheral surface,
The double cylinder part has a second horizontal shaft provided integrally with an end part of the outer cylinder part or the inner cylinder part,
The link mechanism includes a first arm having pivoting portions at both ends, and a second arm having pivoting portions at both ends, and the pivoting portion at one end of the first arm and one end of the second arm. The pivot portion is pivotably attached to the first arm, and the pivot portion at the other end of the first arm is pivotally attached to the first horizontal shaft, and the pivot portion at the other end of the second arm is pivotally attached. The raw material supply device for a frozen confectionery machine according to claim 2, wherein the portion is attached to the second horizontal shaft so that the outer tube portion or the inner tube portion is rotatable.   The raw material supply device for a frozen dessert machine according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the first horizontal axes are provided in the vertical direction.   The raw material supply apparatus for a frozen dessert machine according to claim 2, wherein the float has a hole through which the vertical pipe is inserted.   The raw material supply apparatus for a frozen dessert manufacturing machine according to claim 2, wherein the communication hole is disposed at a lower portion of the double cylinder portion. The double cylinder part has an outside air intake at the upper part, is provided vertically in the raw material tank and serves as an air introduction means, and the outside air intake is located inside the cylinder part via the outer cylinder part or the inner cylinder part. Until connected,
The displacement transmission means is a movement direction conversion mechanism that converts the movement of the float up and down according to the raw material liquid level height into a relative rotational movement between the outer cylinder part and the inner cylinder part,
The said movement direction conversion mechanism is provided with each different guide slit formed in the surrounding wall of an outer cylinder part and an inner cylinder part, and the pin attached to the said float and inserted in each said guide slit. Raw material supply equipment for frozen dessert making machines.   The raw material supply device for a frozen dessert machine according to claim 7, wherein the float has attachment portions that can attach and detach the pin at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction.   The raw material tank which stores the raw material for frozen frozen confectionery, the cylinder part for stirring and cooling the frozen confectionery raw material with air to make frozen confectionery, the cooling part which cools the raw material tank and the cylinder part, and said claim 1 A frozen dessert making machine equipped with a raw material supply device for a frozen dessert making machine.

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