JP3708918B2 - Powder sprinkling apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Field of the Invention]
The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically sprinkling powdery seasonings such as salt and pepper, and other powders.
[0002]
[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention]
Onigiri that you hold with your hand is made salty by putting salt on your hand.
The packaged rice balls sold at convenience stores also have a salty taste, which is not rice balls sprinkled with salt, but rice balls cooked with salt added to rice balls.
The reason for this is that in order to sprinkle the salt uniformly on the rice balls to be molded, it is necessary to drop the salt from a high position toward the rice balls, but it is difficult to keep the amount of salt constant, and When salt is dropped from a high position, it takes time and work efficiency is poor.
However, the one with salty taste in the stage of cooking rice and the one sprinkled with salt on the rice balls have a salty taste and feel more delicious.
[0003]
Therefore, the applicant made a prototype of the salt shaker shown in FIG. This is because one end (2a) of the pipe (2) is communicated with a container (1) containing salt, and a nozzle (22) is provided at the other end (2b) of the pipe (2). ) In the middle of the vacuum generator (3) by the ejector action.
The vacuum generator (3) is activated, salt is sucked into the pipe (2) from the container (1), and sprayed from the nozzle (22) by high-speed air flow, so that the salt is efficiently sprinkled on the rice balls. I was able to.
However, the salt shaker sets the operation and stop of the vacuum generator (3) as a timer in accordance with the stop timing of the rice ball (9) that is intermittently moved below the nozzle (22) by the conveyor (7). However, it was found that the amount of salt to be sprinkled varied and could not be put to practical use.
[0004]
The reason for this is that even if the vacuum generating pressurized air supply line (4) of the vacuum generating device (3) is connected to the atmosphere by the switching valve (42) in order to stop the operation of the vacuum generating device (3), The negative pressure in the pipe (2) does not instantaneously return to the atmospheric pressure, but the suction force remains although it is weak, and the unstable salt flow to the pipe (2) continues for a short time. For this reason, salt with an unfixed amount remains in the pipe (2).
Next, when the vacuum generator (3) is operated, the salt remaining in the pipe (2) is also ejected from the nozzle, so the amount of salt injected into the rice ball (9) varies. is there.
[0005]
The present invention clarifies a device that can uniformly sprinkle a certain amount of salt on a rice ball. It can be used not only for salt but also for sprinkling other powders. The partner product to be sprinkled is not limited to rice balls.
[0006]
[Means for solving the problems]
In the powder sprinkler of the present invention, one end (2a) of the powder outflow pipe (2) communicates with the powder container (1) and the other end (2b) of the pipe (2) An injection nozzle (22) is provided, and in the middle of the pipe (2), a vacuum generator (suction from the powder container (1) side with the nozzle side of the pipe (2) as an outflow side by an ejector action ( 3) are connected, and the upstream side of the vacuum generator (3) of the pipe line (2) is supplied with pressurized air in accordance with the timing of stopping the vacuum generation operation of the vacuum generator (3) to break the vacuum. A vacuum break pressurized air supply line (5) is connected.
[0007]
In the double-sided powder sprinkling device of the present invention, a reversing device (8) for reversing the article by 180 ° is arranged in the middle of the conveyor (7) for transporting the article to be sprinkled with powder, and the reversing device (8) is provided. The nozzles (22) and (22) of the above-mentioned sprinkling device are positioned at two places on the conveying path with the sandwiching therebetween.
[0008]
According to the powder sprinkling method of the present invention, the powder in the powder container (1) is sucked into the pipe line (2) by the ejector action, and the powder is jetted by pressurized air for generating a vacuum, After a predetermined time has elapsed, the supply of pressurized air for generating a vacuum is stopped, and the pressurized air for breaking the vacuum is supplied to the pipe (2) to forcibly recover the powder remaining in the pipe into the container.
[0009]
[Action and effect]
Salt is stored in the powder container (1), and the vacuum generator (3) is operated. Due to the high-speed air flow toward the injection nozzle (22) by the device (3), the powder container (1) side of the powder outflow pipe (2) is evacuated from the vacuum generator (3), and the powder is discharged. The salt in the container (1) is sucked to the vacuum generator (3) side through the pipe (2), and is jetted from the nozzle (22) by a high-speed air flow toward the jet nozzle (22).
[0010]
In accordance with the timing at which the supply of pressurized air to the vacuum generator (3) stops, pressurized air is supplied from the vacuum breaking pressurized air supply pipe (5) to the upstream side of the vacuum generator (3), The vacuum state of the powder outflow pipe (2) is instantaneously broken. At the same time, the pressurized air flows toward the powder container (1) and pushes the salt remaining in the pipe (2) back into the container (1). Thereby, when the vacuum generator (3) is operated next time, no salt remains in the powder outflow pipe (2).
Therefore, each time the vacuum generator (3) is operated, a certain amount of salt is ejected from the nozzle (22) according to the operating time.
[0011]
Since the salt is sprinkled on the rice ball (9) in a high-speed air stream, the salt-working efficiency can be improved compared to the case where the salt is naturally dropped and sprinkled. Moreover, since salt sprinkles so that it may collide with a rice ball, it will adhere so that a salt grain may bite into a rice ball and can prevent peeling off from a rice ball.
[0012]
The double-sided powder sprinkling device can first sprinkle salt on one side of a rice ball, then reverse the rice ball 180 ° with the reversing device (8), and sprinkle salt on the other side.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic view for explaining piping of the powder sprinkling device of the present invention.
One end (2a) of the powder outflow pipe (2) penetrates into the container through the upper side wall of the substantially inverted conical powder container (1), and near the bottom of the container through the axis of the container It extends to.
A powder injection nozzle (22) described later is provided at the other end (2b) of the powder outflow pipe (2).
Salt is accommodated in the powder container (1).
[0014]
A vacuum generator (3) is connected in the middle of the powder outflow pipe (2).
As shown in FIG. 3, the vacuum generator (3) is connected to the vacuum generator (31) interposed in the powder outflow pipe (2) by connecting the vacuum generation pressurized air supply pipe (4) to the ejector action. This is a known configuration for generating a vacuum by sucking air upstream of the vacuum generator (31) of the powder outflow pipe (2).
The vacuum generator (31) has an intake port (34), an exhaust port (35), an air supply port (36), and a T-shaped channel (32) connecting these ports, and the intake port (34) and the exhaust port An inner nozzle (37) is provided in a straight flow path connecting the ports (35).
The powder container (1) side of the powder outflow pipe (2) is connected to the intake port (34), and the injection nozzle (22) side is connected to the exhaust port (35).
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, a vacuum generation pressurized air supply line (4) connected to a compressor (44) is connected to an air supply port (36) of the vacuum generator (31).
A regulator (43), an electromagnetic switching valve (42), and an air filter (41) are incorporated in order from the compressor (44) to the downstream side in the vacuum generation pressurized air supply line (4).
A timer (not shown) is connected to the switching valve (42), and time for supplying pressurized air from the vacuum generating pressurized air supply line (4) to the vacuum generator (31) (supply start time) Rather than the time during which the supply continues.
In the embodiment, the air pressure is 2 kg / cm ² and the pressurized air injection time is 0.2 seconds.
The switching valve (42) is switched by a signal detected by a detector (not shown) when the rice ball (9) on the conveyor (7), which will be described later, reaches the salt shaking station S1, and a vacuum generating pressurized air supply pipe Air is supplied from the passage (4) to the vacuum generator (31).
[0016]
A vacuum break pressurized air supply line (5) is connected to the powder outflow line (2) upstream of the vacuum generator (3) through a T-shaped joint (20).
The proximal end of the vacuum break pressurized air supply line (5) is connected to the compressor (44).
A regulator (53), an electromagnetic switching valve (52), and an air filter (51) are incorporated in the vacuum break pressurized air supply line (5) in order from the compressor (44) to the downstream side.
A timer (not shown) is connected to the switching valve (52), and pressurized air is supplied to the vacuum generator (3) for a set time.
In the embodiment, the air pressure is 2 kg / cm ² and the pressurized air supply time is 0.2 seconds.
The switching valve (52) switches in accordance with the timing when the vacuum generation pressurized air supply pipe (4) is opened to the atmosphere, and supplies the pressurized air to the vacuum generator (31).
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the powder container (1) is linked to a crosslinking preventing means (60) for preventing crosslinking of the stored powder.
The cross-linking prevention means (60) of the embodiment prevents the cross-linking of the powder by intermittently injecting the pressurized air onto the powder in the container to give an impact. The tip of the pressurized air supply pipe (6) for preventing powder cross-linking is penetrated into the container through the side wall of 1) and opened toward the bottom of the container.
The proximal end of the pressurized air supply pipe (6) for preventing powder crosslinking is connected to the compressor (44).
A regulator (63), an electromagnetic switching valve (62), and an air filter (61) are incorporated in order from the compressor (44) to the downstream side in the pressurized air supply pipe (6) for preventing powder crosslinking.
A timer (not shown) is connected to the switching valve (62) and injects pressurized air to the powder in the powder container (1) for a set time.
In the embodiment, the air pressure is 2 kg / cm ² and the pressurized air supply time is 0.2 seconds.
The switching valve (62) is switched in accordance with the timing at which the supply of pressurized air from the vacuum break pressurized air supply line (5) to the vacuum generator (31) is stopped, and the pressurized air is turned into powder. Spray.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, two powder sprinklers are combined with one conveyor (7) for conveying rice balls (9), and are provided at two locations on the conveyor (7) conveyance path. The salt spray stations S1 and S2 are opposed to the spray nozzles (22) and (22) of each powder sprinkler with the nozzle opening facing downward.
[0019]
Onigiri (7) is a triangular rice ball, which is a sandwich-type rice ball with ingredients sandwiched between triangular plate-shaped rice cakes.
[0020]
The injection nozzle (22) is formed in a cylindrical body having a triangular cross-section with an open lower end, and the tip of the powder outflow pipe (2) is connected to the center of the upper end.
The lower surface opening of the injection nozzle (22) is slightly larger than the contour of the rice ball (9).
As shown in FIG. 2, a net body (23) having a coarseness of about 1 mm square is provided below the injection nozzle (22) across the nozzle flow path.
[0021]
The conveyor (7) is configured by stretching two parallel narrow belts (71) (71) across the belts in parallel with a space where the rice balls (9) are stably placed. The rice balls (9) placed at equal intervals at predetermined positions are intermittently conveyed so as to stop at the salt shaking stations S1 and S2.
The rice ball (9) stops just below the opening of the injection nozzle (22) so that the phase coincides with the triangular opening of the injection nozzle (22).
In the embodiment, the rice ball (9) stops at the stations S1 and S2 for 1 second, and moves forward by 1 pitch in 3 seconds including the stop time.
[0022]
A reversing device (8) for reversing the rice ball (9) by 180 ° is provided between the belts (71) and (71) between the stations S1 and S2.
The reversing device (8) includes a rotating body (81) having four arm rods (82) extending in a cross shape in a plane orthogonal to the rotating shaft (84) rotating intermittently by 90 °. The arm rod (82) is arranged so as to rotate in a plane along the circumferential direction of the belt (71), and a pair of clamp claws (83) (83) can be opened and closed at the tip of each arm rod (82). Consists of.
The clamp claws 83 and 83 are connected to claw opening / closing means (not shown) such as an air cylinder, and the opening and closing of the clamp claws 83 and 83 is controlled as follows.
When the armband (82) faces the upstream side of the conveyor (7), the clamp claws (83) (83) are opened to allow the rice balls (9) to enter between the clamp claws (83) (83). When the reed (82) rotates, the clamp claws (83) (83) are closed and the rice ball (9) is gripped. When the armband (82) faces the downstream side of the conveyor (7), the clamp claws (83) (83) are opened and the rice balls (9) are transferred to the belts (71) (71).
The rotation timing of the rotating body (82) corresponds to the intermittent rotation timing of the conveyor (7).
[0023]
However, at the timing when the detector (not shown) detects that the rice ball (9) reaches the upstream salt shaking station S1 on the conveyor (7), the vacuum generation pressurized air supply line (4) is switched. The valve (42) operates to supply pressurized air to the vacuum generator (31) from the vacuum generating pressurized air supply line (4). Pressurized air flows out to the injection nozzle (22) side of the powder outflow pipe (2) at a high speed, and the air upstream from the vacuum generator (31) in the powder outflow pipe (2) by the ejector action Suction is performed, and the powder container (1) side is in a vacuum state. As a result, salt in the powder container (1) is sucked into the powder outflow pipe (2), and high-speed air is directed from the inner nozzle (37) of the vacuum generator (31) toward the spray nozzle (22). It rides on the flow and is sprayed from the spray nozzle (22) to the rice ball (9).
[0024]
When the salt is blown off toward the rice ball (9) by the pressurized air from the vacuum generation pressurized air supply pipe (4), the salt speed is too high and the salt may be reflected by the rice ball and scattered around. In the embodiment, a net body (23) is arranged in the injection nozzle (22) across the flow path of the nozzle (22), and the salt injection force weakens, so that the salt collides with the rice ball (9). Then, the reflection can be suppressed.
The switching valve (42) is operated so as to supply pressurized air to the vacuum generator (31), and 0.2 seconds later, the switching valve (42) is supplied with a vacuum generating pressurized air supply pipe. It operates so that the road (4) communicates with the atmosphere. At the same time, the switching valve (52) of the vacuum break pressurized air supply line (5) is opened to supply pressurized air upstream from the vacuum generator (31) of the powder outflow line (2). The vacuum in the powder outflow pipe (2) is instantaneously broken, and the pressurized air remains on the powder container (1) side from the T-shaped joint (20) of the powder outflow pipe (2). The salt present is recovered by flowing back into the powder container (1).
The switching valve (52) closes 0.2 seconds after opening. It is sufficient time to recover the salt in the powder outflow pipe (2) in the powder container (1).
[0026]
The time for the salt to be sprayed on the rice ball (9) falls within 0.5 seconds after the vacuum is generated in the powder outflow pipe (2). The rice ball (9) is stopped at the salt shaking station S1 for 1 second, so there is enough room.
At the same time as the switching valve (52) of the vacuum break pressurized air supply pipe (5) is closed, the switching valve (62) of the powder air-crosslinking prevention pressurized air supply pipe (6) is opened, and the powder container ( 1) Pressurized air is sprayed onto the salt inside. It is possible to prevent cross-linking from occurring due to the impact of injection of pressurized air.
[0027]
The rice ball (9) salted at the salt shaking station S1 is turned 180 ° by the reversing device (8) in the course of conveyance, and salted at the downstream salt shaking station S2 in the same manner as described above.
[0028]
As described above, the strength of the salt jet flow to the rice ball (9) is weakened by the net (23) in the spray nozzle (22), but compared to the case where the salt is naturally dropped and sprinkled. The momentum that falls on the rice ball (9) is much stronger, and therefore, the salting efficiency can be improved compared to the case where the salt is naturally dropped and sprinkled. Further, since the salt is sprinkled so as to collide with the onigiri, the salt particles adhere to the onigiri so that it can be prevented from peeling off from the onigiri.
Further, since the injection nozzle (22) is formed in a cylindrical body and the opening is a triangle that is slightly larger than the contour of the rice ball (9), salt is prevented from being diffused and sprayed, and the rice ball (9) The amount of salt sprayed in a uniformly distributed state and scattered on the outside of the rice ball (9) is small.
[0029]
In carrying out the present invention, it goes without saying that the spraying time of the salt from the spray nozzle (22) can be appropriately changed by a timer.
Further, the present invention can be carried out for spraying powders and granules other than salt, and it is also possible to sprinkle salt at one station S2 on the conveyor (7) and spray sesame at the other station.
Moreover, the partner article which injects the powder is not limited to the rice ball (9), and can be used in a process of sprinkling powdered sugar or topping material on the cake at a confectionery factory or the like.
Furthermore, the counterpart article that injects the powder is not limited to food.
The powder cross-linking prevention means (60) may be any means as long as it can break the powder cross-linking in the powder container (1). For example, a stirring blade is provided in the powder container (1). It may be provided or the powder container (1) may be mechanically and periodically hit with a hammer or the like.
[0030]
The above description of the embodiments is for explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof. In addition, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a piping diagram of a powder sprinkling device.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a part of the powder sprinkling device in cross section.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum generator.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conveyor.
FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a salt shaker prototyped by the applicant prior to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
(1) Powder container
(2) Powder outflow pipeline
(3) Vacuum generator
(31) Vacuum generator
(22) Injection nozzle
(4) Pressurized air supply line for generating vacuum
(5) Vacuum break pressurized air supply line
(6) Pressurized air supply pipe to prevent powder cross-linking
(7) Conveyor
(8) Inversion device

Claims (6)

One end (2a) of the powder outflow pipe (2) communicates with the powder container (1), and a powder injection nozzle (22) is provided at the other end (2b) of the pipe (2). In the middle of the pipe line (2), the nozzle side of the pipe line (2) is set to the outflow side by the ejector action, and a vacuum generator (3) sucked from the powder container (1) side is connected to the pipe line (2). ) Of the vacuum generator (3) upstream of the vacuum generator (3) is supplied with pressurized air in accordance with the timing of stopping the vacuum generating operation of the vacuum generator (3) to break the vacuum. 5) Powder sprinkling device to which is connected. The powder sprinkling device according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the powder injection nozzle (22) is opened in a shape slightly larger than the contour of the object to which the powder is to be sprinkled. The powder sprinkling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the powder injection nozzle (22) is provided with a net (23) across the flow path of the nozzle. A powder cross-linking prevention pressurized air supply line (6) for preventing cross-linking of the powder in the powder container (1) passes through the powder container (1) and opens into the container. The powder sprinkling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 In the middle of the conveyor (7) for conveying the article to be sprinkled with powder, a reversing device (8) for reversing the article upside down is arranged, and the reversing device (8) is sandwiched between two places on the conveying path. A powder sprinkling device on both sides of an article, wherein the powder spraying nozzles (37) and (37) of the powder sprinkling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 are positioned in a set powder sprinkling station. The powder in the powder container (1) is sucked into the pipe line (2) by the ejector action, and the powder is sprayed by pressurized air for generating a vacuum. A powder sprinkling method in which the supply of pressurized air is stopped and pressurized air for breaking the vacuum is supplied to the pipe line (2) to forcibly recover the powder remaining in the pipe line into the container.

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