JP3965428B2 - Mixing system and mixing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mixing system and a mixing method in which additives such as seasonings such as salt and spices are mixed with an unfinished food product before packaging. At this time, a discount coupon coupon, a token such as a cash voucher or a point card may be added.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Examples of mixing devices for snacks formed from potato, corn, etc., are disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-35132, Japanese Patent No. 2689139, US Pat. Nos. 5,090,593 and 5,846,324, etc. It has been known.
In these mixing apparatuses, potato chips taken out from the fryer (hereinafter referred to as unfinished products) are fed into a rotating drum, and a seasoning of a set ratio is added thereto and stirred. However, such a mixing device is usually installed upstream of a weighing device that subdivides an unfinished product into one product unit (the content of one bag), and therefore remains in the downstream device when changing taste. The downstream device was cleaned after removing the unfinished product.
[0003]
However, cleaning the downstream device requires a lot of manpower and time, and during that time, the downstream device has to be stopped, resulting in a problem of reduced productivity.
[0004]
For cleaning, the upstream device must be stopped first, and then the downstream device must be operated until there is no product left from the downstream device. The number of packs produced during that time depends on the amount of product remaining on the downstream side. Therefore, there was a problem that production could not be performed as planned. This also causes a container with an odd number of containers to be left in the boxing apparatus, which causes a problem that the yield of the product is deteriorated.
[0005]
Furthermore, the mixing particularly reduces the production rate when two or more seasonings are added.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a mixing apparatus and a mixing method for adding an additive to an incomplete product capable of improving productivity.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the object of the present invention, a mixing system according to the present invention is a mixing system in which an additive is mixed with an unfinished product to obtain a product, and the unfinished product is subdivided into predetermined amounts to be filled in one bag. A metering device that is supplied at the delivery position, a mixing device that has a number of mixing chambers arranged so as to reach the delivery position in sequence, and for mixing the additive into subdivided unfinished products, and from the delivery position An additive supply device for supplying a predetermined amount of an additive to an unfinished product in the mixing device, a packaging device for packaging the product , a weighing device, a mixing device, and an additive supply device. And a control device for controlling the operation, and the mixing chamber is movably provided on a closed track so that each chamber sequentially reaches an unfinished product delivery position and an additive supply position.
[0008]
The mixing method according to the present invention is a mixing method in which an additive is mixed with an unfinished product to make a product, and the unfinished product is subdivided into a predetermined amount to be filled into one bag by a weighing machine and mixed at a delivery position. Moving the mixing chamber from a delivery position to one or more additive supply positions on a closed track, supplying a predetermined amount of additive into the mixing chamber at at least one additive supply position; Supply the unmixed product with additives to the packaging machine .
[0009]
As used herein, “quantity” refers to quantity, weight, volume, or other measured quantity suitable for an unfinished product.
[0010]
In the present invention, unlike the known art, a mixing chamber is provided downstream of the dispensing device so that the additive applies the additive to the subdivided unfinished product rather than a subsequent cooking step.
[0011]
The present invention can effectively solve the problem of cleaning the downstream device, particularly when the additive is a seasoning. In other words, since the seasoning is added after the unfinished product is subdivided into a predetermined amount by a weighing device or the like, the seasoning does not adhere to the weighing device, and it is not necessary to clean the weighing device when the taste is switched. . Therefore, there is no operation stop for cleaning, and productivity is dramatically improved. Further, since it is possible to eliminate the cleaning of the weighing device and the like, it is not necessary to provide an easily attachable / detachable structure that can withstand cleaning, and an inexpensive device can be provided.
[0012]
The present invention also has a number of mixing chambers arranged to sequentially reach the unfinished product delivery position. This allows an additive to be supplied to one mixing chamber while the other mixing chamber is being filled or emptied with a portion of the unfinished product. Furthermore, the present invention can perform the mixing process while other mixing chambers are filled or emptied. As a result, productivity is dramatically improved. For example, in the case of a token such as a light seal, even if the token falls at a slow speed different from that of an unfinished product, there is a case where the token does not have a mixing chamber in the past, and it is bitten by the lateral seal portion of the bag. Then, there is enough time for tokens to be added to unfinished products.
[0013]
The mixing chamber can be mounted on a conveyor or the like, but is preferably mounted on a rotating support. The operation addition controller rotates the rotary support to move the mixing chamber along a closed orbital path. The rotary support has a substantially vertical axis.
[0014]
Further, in the case of a single additive supply device, the mixing chamber is provided so as to be sequentially supplied to the additive supply device. However, when two or more additive supply devices are provided, the mixing chamber is closed. It arrange | positions so that it may correspond to each additive supply position along a track | orbit. Two or more additive supply devices may be installed at the same position. Furthermore, the additive supply position and the unfinished product delivery position can be matched. These additive feeders can be used to mix the additive into the same unfinished product while operating the system with different unfinished products and choosing according to the sub-finished product. The added additives may be mixed.
[0015]
The additive, seasoning such as salt and spices, cooking incense fee that can be added on their own depending on the preference is also included.
[0016]
Seasonings include mixed ingredients such as salt or spices, but can also include granular, powder, or liquid seasonings that are required to be added uniformly. Seasonings also include “chemical” seasonings commonly defined by “E numbers” such as cheese and onion flavors.
[0017]
When non- food or packaged food is added , the mixed product can be immediately supplied from the mixing chamber by simply feeding it into the mixing chamber. However, if the additive includes food-related materials such as seasonings, a method of operating the mixing chamber to mix the additive and the unfinished product after the feeding process to the mixing chamber is preferred. In this case, a method of swinging the mixing chamber or rotating the mixing drum more simply is adopted.
[0018]
The mixing chamber is usually operated almost continuously to mix the additive and the unfinished product, but may be operated intermittently.
[0019]
The mixing chamber is normally emptied at a position spaced from the delivery position for the unfinished product. This allows one mixing chamber to be emptied at the same time that other mixing chambers are filled with unfinished subdivisions. In order to save space, each mixing chamber may be emptied at the delivery position.
[0020]
In the present invention, the type of the additive can be quickly changed or automatically performed.
Because the present invention allows the type of additive to be changed immediately, products with different additives or combinations of additives can be produced on a single production line.
[0021]
This mixing system is highly durable and inexpensive.
The unfinished product is usually a snack food such as potato chips, but can also include other foods such as cereals, nuts, biscuits, candies.
Incomplete products are usually not mixed prior to subdivision, but can be partially mixed.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a mixing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This mixing system includes a conveying device 100 for conveying unfinished products, a weighing device 200 for dividing the conveyed unfinished products into one bag (predetermined amount), and a seasoning of a set ratio for the divided unfinished products. A mixing device 300 for adding such additives, a packaging device 400 for packaging products after mixing, a sorting device 500 for removing products with weighing errors or mixing errors from the line, and packing packed products The packaging device 600 and each of the devices 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 are controlled, and a control device 700 that interlocks the devices is provided.
[0024]
The conveying device 100 conveys an incomplete product carried out from a fryer (not shown) to the weighing device 200, and a vibration feeder 110 for stocking the unfinished product is provided at a tip portion of the conveying device 100. When the request signal S <b> 1 is input, the vibration feeder 110 is driven for a predetermined time and throws the stocked unfinished product M into the weighing device 200.
[0025]
The weighing device 200 measures the unfinished product M input from the vibration feeder 110 into one bag, and has a dispersion feeder 210 at the top, and when the stock amount of the dispersion feeder 210 decreases, the vibration feeder 210 The insertion request signal S1 is output to 110.
[0026]
On the other hand, when the discharge request signal S2 is input from the mixing device 300 to the weighing device 200, the weighing device 200 first opens the gate 223 of the timing hopper 220 and stores a predetermined amount of unfinished product m stored therein. Is discharged. Subsequently, the weighing device 200 weighs the stocked incomplete product into a predetermined amount of incomplete product, discharges it to the empty timing hopper 220, and prepares for the next discharge request signal S2.
[0027]
The weighing device 200 only needs to have a function of discharging an unfinished product into a predetermined amount, and so long as it can measure a predetermined amount by weight or a predetermined amount by volume. Such a kind may be sufficient. However, if the individual product sizes vary, such as snacks, a combination weighing device such as that disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,757,866 issued May 19, 1998 may be used. According to this combination weighing device, the unfinished product M put into the upper center portion is distributed to a plurality of weighing hoppers (not shown), and the weights of the unfinished products weighed by the respective hoppers are combined into a predetermined amount. The combination of unfinished products can be obtained, and the unfinished products for the obtained combination can be discharged from the hopper to form a predetermined amount of unfinished products, so even an irregular shape such as a snack can be accurately measured. be able to.
[0028]
On the other hand, when a weighing error occurs in the weighing device 200, the device 200 sends an error signal S3 to the control device 700. Based on this, the control device 700 sends a stop signal S4 to the mixing device 300 to stop the additive from being added to the wrong unfinished product. As a result, even if an unsatisfactory product is discharged, the mixing with respect to this can be stopped, and if this is recovered, it can be regenerated as another mixed product.
[0029]
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the mixing apparatus 300. The mixing apparatus 300 rotates a plurality of small mixing drums (mixing chambers) T _{1 to} T _m while rotating around a vertical rotation axis O on a closed track. The drums T _{1 to} T _m pass below the timing hopper 220 at the delivery position 350, and each additive is supplied at a pair of additive supply positions 352 and 354 that are separated from the delivery position 350, toward the discharge position 356. .
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 4A, each of the drums T _{1 to} T _m is attached to the tip end portions of a plurality of support arms (rotary support bodies) 321 extending radially from the rotation axis O, and the rotation axes along the rotation axis O Is rotated along with the support arm 321 in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow. In addition, a swivel part 321b that rotates about the longitudinal axis is provided at the distal end of each support arm 321 far from the rotation axis O, and the swivel part 321b includes a swivel part 321b as shown in FIG. A pinion 322 that engages with the annular fixed rack 323 is attached and supported on the frame 327. When the support arm 321 moves horizontally around the rotation axis O, the pinion 322 engaged with the fixed rack 323 rolls on the fixed rack 323, and as a result, the revolving part 321b and the drum T formed integrally with the pinion 322. _{1 to Tm} rotate around the longitudinal axis of the support arm 321. The rack and pinion are configured such that the slide gate 324 of each drum is accurately positioned at each position 250-356.
[0031]
An opening 325 is provided in the drum portion of each of the drums T _{1 to} T _m , and a slide gate 324 that is urged in a normally closing direction by a spring (not shown) is provided in the opening 325. When any of the drums T _{1 to} T _m reaches the delivery position 350 (the position of the drum T _{1 in} FIG. 3) of the unfinished product m, the opening 325 is directed upward as shown in FIG. In this state, the slide gate 324 opens. At the same time, the drum located at the discharge position 356 (drum T _{m in} FIG. 3) also opens the slide gate 324 with its opening 325 facing downward, as shown in FIG. 5C. At positions 352 and 354, the drum opens the slide gate 324 with the opening 325 facing up to receive the additive (when needed). At other positions, the drums T _{1 to} T _m close the slide gate 324 and close the unfinished product m and the additive S as shown in FIG. The opening / closing operation of the slide gate 324 is controlled using a cam mechanism (not shown).
[0032]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of protrusions 326 are provided inside each of the drums T _{1 to} T _m , and as the drums T _{1 to} T _m rotate, The seasoning S is agitated and mixed. As a result, the seasoning is uniformly coated on the unfinished product.
[0033]
At each position 352, 354, an additive supply device 310 is provided, and each additive supply device 310 is controlled by a common addition control device 330.
[0034]
Each additive supply device 310 (FIG. 2) includes an input hopper 311 that stocks additives such as seasonings or tokens, a vibration feeder 312 that conveys the additive in the hopper 311 to the tip while dispensing, and the It has a weighing hopper 313 for receiving and weighing the additive S discharged from the feeder 312, and a weight sensor 314 for measuring the weight of the weighing hopper 313.
[0035]
The addition control device 330 operates the vibration feeder 312 while monitoring the measurement value of the weight sensor 314, and stops the vibration feeder 312 when a set amount of the additive S is introduced into the weighing hopper 313. The weighing hopper 313 is controlled at an appropriate timing to discharge the additive S to the charging tube 320, and the charging tube 320 transfers the additive S to the mixing drum Ti in FIG. Guide it to be inserted when it opens.
[0036]
Further, when the amount of the additive flowing out from the charging hopper 311 in FIG. 2 is insufficient or the stock amount is insufficient, and the weighing hopper 313 cannot receive the predetermined amount of additive within a predetermined time, the addition The control device 330 determines that an abnormal state has occurred, and outputs a discharge abnormality signal S5 to the control device 700. Based on this, the control device 700 outputs a signal S9 or S10 to the packaging device 400 or the sorting device 500, and instructs the removal of the product to which the additive has not been properly applied.
[0037]
The supply mechanism of the additive supply device 310 varies depending on the properties of the additive. For example, if the additive is a liquid, one that sprays a predetermined amount of additive with air is suitable, and if it is a paste, a screw conveyor that can control the feed amount according to the rotation angle is suitable. For powders and granules, those that can adjust the supply amount by volume are suitable.
[0038]
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the abnormal discharge of the additive is detected by the weight measured by the weighing hopper 313, but this does not limit the scope of the present invention. The method for detecting the discharge abnormality varies depending on the supply mechanism of the additive. For example, when the additive is liquid, a discharge abnormality can be detected by a flow sensor. Moreover, regardless of the type of additive, the abnormal discharge state can be detected by a weight sensor that monitors the amount of decrease.
[0039]
When the discharge request signal S6 is output from the packaging device 400 of FIG. 1, the addition control device 330 causes the drum _Tm to face the slide gate 324 downward immediately above the input chute 410 of the packaging device 400 at the discharge position 356 of FIG. And stop. At the same time, the drum T ₁ ahead in the traveling direction is stopped with the slide gate 324 facing upward just below the timing hopper 220. Subsequently, these two addition control devices 330 open the slide gates 324 of the drums T ₁ and T _m , and output a discharge completion signal S7 to the packaging device 400 and a discharge request signal S2 to the weighing device 200, respectively.
[0040]
When receiving the discharge request signal S <b> 2, the weighing device 200 opens the timing hopper 220 and then sends a discharge completion signal S <b> 8 to the addition control device 330.
[0041]
As a result, each of the drums T _{1 to} T _m stops each time it reaches directly above the packaging device 400, and discharges the mixed product to the packaging device 400. At the same time, a new unfinished product m is fed into the empty drum from the timing hopper 220, and a set amount of the additive S is added to the neighboring drums from the additive supply device 310. Subsequently addition control unit 330 causes the orbiting each drum T ₁ to Tm, whereby each drum T ₁ to Tm can continue to stir the additive S and unfinished products m while rotating.
[0042]
As the packaging device 400, for example, the bag mouth is opened and a product is filled in the tube while filling the product into the tube while forming a long film into a tube shape, A vertical pillow packaging machine or the like that seals the top mouth of the filled bag and the bottom of the next bag at the same time and cuts the joint between the upper and lower bags can be used. In this vertical pillow wrapping machine, by changing the operation mode, a bag without a seal or a cut can be temporarily generated. Therefore, when the control device 700 inputs the error signal S3 from the weighing device 200, When the additive discharge abnormality signal S5 is input from the mixing device 300, the mode change signal S9 can be output to the packaging device 400 to change its packaging form. Thereby, the good product and the defective product which are not mixed normally can be discriminated by the packaging form.
[0043]
The sorting device 500 eliminates the defective bag B from the manufacturing line based on the instruction signal S10 output from the control device 700 and detected by the abnormal discharge of the additive. When the sorting device 500 is arranged on the downstream side of the packaging device 400 as in this embodiment, it is configured by a sorting conveyor. Moreover, when inserted between the mixing apparatus 300 and the packaging apparatus 400, it is comprised with the rocking | swiveling chute which switches a discharge direction. As a result, defective products can be reliably removed from the production line, so that even if mixing is missed, shipping can be prevented.
[0044]
The boxing device 600 stores the bags B that are commodities in cardboard cases and ships them, and each time one product is processed, the number is counted. The value is sent to the control device 700 and used for production management described later.
[0045]
The control device 700 interlocks and controls the devices 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600, an input / output unit 710 that communicates with these devices and individually controls them, and production of each product. And a memory 720 that stores information for each product. In this memory 720, as shown in FIG. 6, the type and addition ratio of seasonings for each product, the operating speed of the packaging device (for example, bpm = number of bags / minute), the weight for one bag, the planned number of production, etc. Is remembered. When the operator operates the input / output unit 710 and inputs a product (code) number, each piece of information corresponding to the product is read and sent to each corresponding device. That is, the type of seasoning and its addition ratio are sent to the mixing device 300, the operation speed is sent to the packaging device 400, and the weight of one bag is sent to the weighing device 200. Then, the planned production quantity is set in the microcomputer 730.
[0046]
When the operator operates the start key displayed on the input / output unit 710, the control device 700 operates in order from the upstream device and communicates to produce each device 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600. Enter the results (or the number of processing bags). The computer 730 calculates the unprocessed number of each device 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 from the production results (scheduled number of production-number of production results). It is determined that the process has been completed, and stop commands are output in order from the upstream device.
[0047]
Also, if an error product occurs in the middle and is removed from the line, the shortage is added to the planned production quantity of the upstream device to make adjustments so that there is no shortage. As a result, production according to the production plan can be performed without waste.
[0048]
The additive supply device 310 of the present invention feeds the additive once into one subdivided product, so that a conventional large-scale device is unnecessary. Therefore, a plurality of mixing apparatuses loaded with different types of additives can be used as shown in FIG.
[0049]
In addition, products with different tastes can be continuously produced for each bag, and a series of packages with different tastes can be produced. This was not possible with the prior art. For example, one kind of seasoning is put into the odd numbered drum, and another kind of seasoning is put into the even numbered drum. In this way, different types of seasonings are not mixed in the drum, so that the mixing device 320 need not be cleaned.
[0050]
In the above embodiment, weighing, mixing, packaging, and boxing are performed in one line. However, when a plurality of lines are provided, the Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-35132 discloses an upstream side of the conveying device 100. A dispensing device as disclosed is provided to evenly distribute the unfinished product across multiple lines. And if you specify the type of seasoning for each line, you can produce different types of products at the same time just before packaging, and return the remaining unfinished products to other production lines Can be made.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a mixing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the mixing apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the mixing apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4A is a plan view of a mixing device.
FIG. 4B is a partial side view showing the rotating machine of the drum itself.
FIGS. 5A to 5C are schematic side views showing a method of mixing an unfinished product and a seasoning.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contents of a memory.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Conveying device, 200 ... Metering device, 300 ... Mixing device, 400 ... Packaging device, 500 ... Sorting device, 600 ... Boxing device, 700 ... Control device.

Claims (15)

A mixing system that mixes additives with unfinished products to make a product ,
A weighing device that divides the unfinished product into a predetermined amount to be filled in one bag and supplies it at a delivery position;
A mixing device having a number of mixing chambers arranged to sequentially reach the delivery position, and for mixing the additive into subdivided unfinished products;
An additive supply device for supplying a predetermined amount of additive to an unfinished product in the mixing device at an additive supply position separated from the delivery position ;
A packaging device for packaging the product,
The mixing chamber is provided movably on a closed track so that each chamber sequentially reaches an unfinished product delivery position and an additive supply position.
Furthermore, the mixing system provided with the control apparatus which controls operation | movement of a measuring device, a mixing apparatus, and an additive supply apparatus.   2. The mixing system according to claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber is attached to a rotating support, and the control device rotates the rotating support to move the mixing chamber along the closed track. 3. An additive supply device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising one or more additional additive supply devices for supplying additives to the unfinished product in the mixing device , each additional additive supply device being in the closed state of the mixing chamber. Mixing systems respectively arranged at additive supply positions along the track.   4. The mixing system according to claim 1, wherein each mixing chamber is rotatably mounted about a substantially horizontal axis. 5. The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the weighing device subdivides the unfinished product into a plurality of weighing hoppers, and obtains a combination that becomes a predetermined amount based on the weight of the unfinished product measured by each weighing hopper. A mixing system comprising a combination weighing device that collects unfinished products relating to the obtained combination and divides the unfinished products into predetermined amounts. The sensor according to claim 1 , further comprising: a sensor that monitors the discharge of the additive by the additive supply device; and a sorting device that excludes the product packaged by the packaging device when the sensor detects an abnormal discharge of the additive. Equipped with mixing system. 2. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the packaging device fills the tubular bag with a product while forming a long film into a tube shape, and seals between the filled bag and the next formed bag. In addition, a mixing system comprising a vertical pillow packaging machine that cuts and separates the filled bag from the next bag. A method of mixing an unfinished product with an additive to produce a product , the unfinished product being subdivided into a predetermined amount to be filled in one bag by a weighing machine, and supplied to the mixing chamber at a delivery position. moved on closed orbit from the transfer position to the one or more additives supply position, at least one additive supply position, by supplying a predetermined amount of additive into the mixing chamber, mixing the additives work in progress Method of supplying the finished product to the packaging machine . 9. The mixing method according to claim 8, wherein when the mixing chamber for supplying the additive is at a position separated from the delivery position, another mixing chamber is located at the delivery position. 10. The mixing method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the mixing chamber is operated so that the additive and the unfinished product are mixed after the supply of the additive. 11. The mixing method according to claim 10, wherein the mixing chamber is operated to continuously mix the additive and the unfinished product. 12. The mixing method according to claim 10, wherein the mixing chamber rotates to perform mixing. 13. The mixing method according to claim 8 , wherein different kinds of additives are supplied at each additive supply position. 14. The mixing method according to claim 8, wherein the additive comprises a seasoning or a flavoring for cooking . 15. A mixing method according to any of claims 8 to 14 , performed by a system according to any of claims 1 to 7 .

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