JP4685959B1 - Coating device and coating tank - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to enable good coating.
A coating tank 25 includes a drum 28A rotated by a second motor 17 (drum drive mechanism) and a disk 38A rotated independently of the drum 28A by a first motor 15 (disk drive mechanism). The rotation axis is inclined obliquely with respect to the vertical direction. The drum 28A has a substantially cylindrical shape in which both upper and lower surfaces are opened and a throttle portion 29 having a shape that is squeezed so as to reduce the diameter upward is formed in the opening portion on the upper surface side. The disk 38A is disposed so as to block the lower surface of the drum 28A, and has a plurality of discontinuous surfaces 55 and 56 on the upper surface, and has a dish shape that can rotate coaxially with the drum 28A.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a coating apparatus and a coating tank.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a coating apparatus capable of forming a coating layer on the surface of a center serving as a core of, for example, chocolate confectionery, chewing gum, and bean confectionery. This coating apparatus is provided with a coating tank with an open top surface whose rotational axis is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and the center put into the rotating coating tank is caused by friction with the inner periphery of the coating tank. After being lifted forward in the direction of rotation, the circulating flow is repeated such that it falls by its own weight and is lifted again by friction with the inner periphery of the coating tank. If a coating agent such as chocolate or syrup is sprayed on the center group stirred by the circulation flow, a coating layer is formed on the surface of each center.

JP 2005-296777 A

  In an apparatus that coats the rotating axis of the coating tank obliquely with respect to the vertical direction, when the coating tank is rotated at a high speed, the center group circulates in a state of sticking to the inner periphery of the coating tank by a strong centrifugal force. Since it does not flow, the coating tank is driven to rotate at a relatively low speed.

  However, if the rotation speed of the coating tank is slow, the stirring force decreases, so when the viscosity of the coating agent is high, the coated centers adhere to each other, forming a center group that is heavy and has low fluidity. This is gathered at the opening of the drum. On the other hand, since the light center group with poor coating agent gathers in the back of the drum, a phenomenon called specific gravity separation occurs. To deal with the specific gravity separation, it is good to throw in the coating agent aiming at the uncoated center group located on the back side of the drum, but in this case, the feeding range of the coating agent is within the inner part of the drum. It becomes only. Therefore, compared with the case where the coating agent is introduced over a wide range throughout the drum, it takes time to form the coating layer, and the efficiency is not good.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to enable efficient coating.

As a means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a coating apparatus including a coating tank having a rotation axis inclined obliquely with respect to a vertical direction, the coating tank having an upper surface and a lower surface. A rotatable drum having a substantially cylindrical shape in which a double-sided open portion and a narrowed portion that is narrowed so as to reduce the diameter upward are formed in the opening on the upper surface side, and the open lower surface of the drum And a disc-shaped disk having a plurality of discontinuous surfaces on the upper surface and coaxially rotating with the drum, and rotating the drum And a disk drive mechanism for rotating the disk independently of the drum.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the drum according to the first aspect of the present invention has a state in which the drum is rotationally driven by the drum drive mechanism and a state in which the rotational force transmission from the drum drive mechanism is interrupted. It is characterized by the fact that a plurality of types having different inner peripheral shapes are prepared while being detachable between them.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the disk is driven to rotate by the disk drive mechanism and the transmission of rotational force from the disk drive mechanism is blocked. It is characterized in that a plurality of types having different shapes of the discontinuous surface and different dimensions in the direction of the rotation axis are prepared.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism and the drive shaft of the disk drive mechanism are parallel to the rotation center of the coating tank. However, it is characterized in that the positional relationship is eccentric to each other.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the coating tank according to the fourth aspect of the invention has a dish-like under plate that is coupled to the lower end edge of the drum so as to be integrally rotatable and covers the lower side of the disk. The drive shaft of the disk drive mechanism passes through the under plate and is coaxially connected to the disk, and the drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism rotates the coating tank. It is characterized in that it is arranged at a position eccentric from the center and is engaged with a driven gear provided on the under plate so as to be integrally rotatable.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the driven gear is an internal gear having a tooth row on an inner periphery, and the drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism is related to the internal gear. It is characterized by being combined.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention , both the upper surface and the lower surface are open, and a substantially cylindrical shape is formed in which an aperture on the upper surface side is formed with a constricted portion that is constricted to reduce the diameter upward. A drum and a dish-shaped disc that is arranged so as to close the open lower surface of the drum and that has a plurality of discontinuous surfaces on the upper surface and that can rotate coaxially with the drum. A drum driving mechanism for rotating the drum, and a disk for rotating the disk, the rotation center axis being rotated in an attitude that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. A coating tank constituting a coating apparatus together with a driving mechanism for the drum, wherein the drum is rotationally driven by the drum driving mechanism and the transmission of the rotational force from the drum driving mechanism is interrupted The disk is detachable between a state where the disk is rotationally driven by the disk drive mechanism and a state where the rotational force transmission from the disk drive mechanism is blocked. It has the characteristics where it is done.

<Invention of Claim 1>
When the rotational speed of the disk is made slower than that of the drum, the flow state of the center group is changed due to the difference in rotational speed between the drum and the disk, and the center is bounced up by the discontinuous surface on the upper surface of the disk. The force is increased, the specific gravity separation is less likely to occur, and uniform coating can be efficiently performed regardless of the size of the center. Further, if the specific gravity separation is forcibly generated by making the rotational speed of the disk faster than that of the drum, a small center coating layer can be grown faster. As described above, by appropriately setting the rotation speeds of the drum and the disk, it is possible to eliminate the problems caused by the specific gravity separation, and it is possible to improve the coating efficiency by using the specific gravity separation.

  Moreover, when the stirring force is increased, there is a concern that the center may jump out of the coating tank from the opening on the upper surface side of the drum, but the opening area of the opening on the upper surface side of the drum is reduced by the restricting portion. There is no risk of the center jumping out of the coating bath.

<Invention of Claim 2>
By selecting a drum having a suitable shape according to the shape of the center, the brittleness of the center, and the like, good coating can be performed.

<Invention of Claim 3>
Good coating can be performed by selecting a suitable disc according to the weight of the center, the thickness of the coating layer, and the like.

<Invention of Claim 4>
When the drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism and the drive shaft of the disk drive mechanism are arranged coaxially, the space for arranging the drum drive mechanism and the disk drive mechanism is parallel to the rotation center of the coating tank. Since it becomes large, the whole coating apparatus becomes bulky. In that respect, in the present invention, since the drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism and the drive shaft of the disk drive mechanism are arranged so as to be in an eccentric position relative to each other, in a direction parallel to the rotation center of the coating tank, It is possible to reduce the size of the coating apparatus.

<Invention of Claim 5>
Since the drive shaft of the disk drive mechanism is arranged coaxially with the disk, the structure can be simplified. Further, since the rotational force of the drive shaft can be efficiently transmitted to the disk, the disk can be continuously rotated at a high speed.

<Invention of Claim 6>
Since the drive shaft and the driven gear are engaged on the inner peripheral side of the driven gear, the size can be reduced as compared with the case where the drive shaft is engaged on the outer side of the driven gear.
<Invention of Claim 7>
Good coating can be performed by selecting a drum and a disk having a suitable shape according to the shape of the center, the brittleness of the center, and the like.

The front view showing the state which made the coating tank into the standing posture in Embodiment 1. Sectional view showing the coating tank in a standing position Front view showing the coating tank tilted Sectional view showing the coating tank tilted Cross section of the coating tank showing the drum removed Sectional view showing the procedure for removing the disc Sectional view showing the procedure for removing the disc Cross section of drum Top view of the disc A half cross-sectional view showing an example of an alternative drum, showing only half of the rotation center axis A half cross-sectional view showing an example of an alternative drum, showing only half of the rotation center axis Half plan view showing an example of an alternative disk and showing only half of the rotation center axis Half sectional view showing an example of an alternative disk and showing only half of the rotation center axis Half plan view showing an example of an alternative disk and showing only half of the rotation center axis Half sectional view showing an example of an alternative disk and showing only half of the rotation center axis Side view showing the coating tank standing upright Perspective view of clamping ring

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the coating apparatus of this embodiment, a coating layer made of a coating agent such as chocolate or syrup is formed in the coating tank 25 on the surface of the center serving as the core of, for example, chocolate confectionery, chewing gum, bean confectionery, and tablets. It is a thing. The coating tank 25 is in a standing posture (an attitude in which the central axis of rotation of the coating tank 25 is substantially vertical) by a tilting mechanism 11 provided on the base 10 placed on the floor surface, as shown in FIGS. 3) and the tilted posture shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (the posture in which the rotation center axis of the coating tank 25 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction).

  Depending on the type of center, the coating equipment can be used in either a usage pattern that uses both a coating process in a standing position and a coating process in a tilted position, or a usage pattern that performs a coating process only in a tilted position. Can also respond. In the following description, the vertical direction is based on the state where the coating tank 25 is in the standing posture.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 16, the tilt mechanism 11 is configured to rotate a predetermined angle between a pair of horizontal tilt shafts 12 provided on the base 10 at intervals in the horizontal direction, and the tilt shaft 12. The tilting motor 13 is provided. A tilting frame 14 that supports the coating tank 25 is attached to the tilting shaft 12 so that it can tilt integrally.

  The tilting frame 14 includes a first motor 15 (a disk drive mechanism that is a constituent element of the present invention) and a second motor 17 (a drum drive mechanism that is a constituent element of the present invention) tilted integrally with the tilting frame 14. It is attached to be able to. The first motor 15 has a first drive shaft 16 that protrudes upward coaxially with the rotation center of the coating tank 25 and rotates in both forward and reverse directions. A rotating member 19 having a substantially cylindrical shape is attached to the first drive shaft 16 so that it can rotate integrally.

  On the upper surface of the rotary member 19, there are a central female screw hole 20 concentrically positioned with the first drive shaft 16, and two positions that are eccentric from the central female screw hole 20 and are symmetric with respect to the central female screw hole 20. A pair of eccentric female screw holes 21 located in the upper surface of the rotary member 19 are formed so as to open. On the upper surface of the rotary member 19, support pins 22 arranged at four positions spaced from each other in the circumferential direction on a circular arc concentric with the central female screw hole 20 at a position eccentric from the central female screw hole 20 are rotated. The member 19 is attached in a form protruding from the upper surface. The pair of eccentric female screw holes 21 and the four support pins 22 are arranged at an equiangular pitch of 60 ° in the circumferential direction.

  The second motor 17 has a second drive shaft 18 that is parallel to the first drive shaft 16 and protrudes upward, and is arranged in an eccentric positional relationship with respect to the first motor 15. The second motor 17 and the first motor 15 are controlled to operate individually. Therefore, the second drive shaft 18 rotates in both forward and reverse directions independently of the first drive shaft 16. A drive gear 23 is attached to the second drive shaft 18 so as to rotate integrally. A horizontal base plate 24 is fixedly attached to the first motor 15 and the second motor 17. The first drive shaft 16 and the second drive shaft 18 described above pass through the base plate 24 and protrude upward.

  A coating tank 25 is rotatably supported on the upper surface of the base plate 24. The coating tank 25 includes a stainless steel under plate 26, a stainless steel drum 28A, and a stainless steel disk 38A.

  The under plate 26 has a circular dish shape with a concave upper surface, and is rotated coaxially with the first drive shaft 16 and relative to the first drive shaft 16 through a bearing above the base plate 24. It is supported by the base plate 24 so that it can be obtained (that is, it can rotate independently of the first drive shaft 16). A rotating member 19 that rotates integrally with the first drive shaft 16 passes through the center hole of the under plate 26.

  On the lower surface of the under plate 26, an internal gear 27 (a driven gear which is a constituent element of the present invention) that is coaxial with the under plate 26 and has a tooth row formed on the inner periphery thereof can rotate integrally. The internal gear 27 is attached to the drive gear 23 of the second drive shaft 18. Through the engagement between the drive gear 23 and the internal gear 27, the under plate 26 is rotationally driven in both forward and reverse directions while being decelerated by the second motor 17.

  The drum 28A has a substantially cylindrical shape whose upper and lower surfaces are open as a whole, and three upper and lower cylindrical portions having different inner peripheral shapes and a ring-shaped reinforcing deformation restricting portion 32 are concentrically connected. It is a form. The uppermost cylindrical portion is a narrowed portion 29 having a diameter reduced upward. The inner peripheral surface of the narrowed portion 29 is configured by twelve trapezoidal constituent surfaces 29A whose upper side is shorter than the lower side and has a planar shape arranged in the circumferential direction. The dimensional difference between the radius of the inner periphery of the upper end of the throttle portion 29 (minimum inner diameter of the throttle portion 29) and the radius of the inner periphery of the lower end (maximum inner diameter of the throttle portion 29) is larger than the height of the throttle portion 29. .

  The central portion of the cylindrical portion is a main body portion 30 having a substantially constant diameter from the upper end to the lower end. The inner peripheral surface of the main body 30 is configured by alternately arranging two types (12 pairs) of planar triangular constituent surfaces 30A whose apexes are located upside down in the circumferential direction. The two types of triangular constituent surfaces 30A are triangular constituent surfaces 30A having apexes located at the lower end, whereas the triangular constituent surfaces 30A having apexes located at the upper end are isosceles triangles whose bases form an arc shape. Are different in that their bases are straight. Moreover, the top vertex of each triangular constituent surface 30A is connected to the lower end of the boundary line between adjacent trapezoidal constituent surfaces 29A.

  The lowermost cylindrical portion is a tapered portion 31 having a diameter gradually reduced downward. The inner peripheral surface of the taper part 31 is comprised by one curved surface smoothly continued in the circumferential direction. The dimensional difference between the radius of the inner periphery at the upper end of the tapered portion 31 (maximum inner diameter at the tapered portion 31) and the radius of the inner periphery at the lower end (minimum inner diameter at the tapered portion 31) is smaller than the height of the tapered portion 31. The inner diameter of the lower end edge of the tapered portion 31 is larger than the inner diameter of the upper end edge of the throttle portion 29.

  The plate | board thickness dimension (diameter direction dimension) of said narrow part 29, the main-body part 30, and the taper part 31 is substantially constant over them, and is comparatively thin. Therefore, a deformation restricting portion 32 is formed as a means for maintaining the shape of the lower end edge of the drum 28A in a perfect circle. The deformation restricting portion 32 is formed in a perfect circular ring shape and protrudes downward from the lower end edge of the tapered portion 31. The thickness restricting portion 32 in the radial direction has a throttle portion 29, a main body portion 30 and a thickness portion. It is set larger than the plate thickness dimension of the taper portion 31. In addition, a locking rib 33 that protrudes to the outer peripheral side is formed at the lower end of the deformation restricting portion 32 over the entire periphery.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drum 28 </ b> A having the above-described configuration is attached so as to be able to rotate integrally with the under plate 26 through a spacer 34, and to be detachable. The spacer 34 has an annular shape and is fitted on the outer peripheral edge of the under plate 26 (that is, the highest position in the under plate 26) so as to be placed in a state where the relative displacement in the radial direction is restricted. . The spacer 34 is fitted to the upper end portion of the spacer 34 with the lower end portion (deformation restricting portion 32) of the drum 28A being placed and the relative displacement in the radial direction being restricted. The vertical dimension (height) of the spacer 34 is selected and mounted according to the height dimension of the disk 38A, and when the disk 38A is low, the spacer 34 is mounted. And the drum 28A is directly fitted to the under plate 26.

  As a means for attaching the drum 28A to the under plate 26, a circular base ring 35, three upward bolts 36, and a circular tightening ring 37 are used. The base ring 35 is fixed to an upper end portion (a position near the outer peripheral edge of the under plate 26) on the outer surface of the under plate 26. A plurality of upward bolts 36 are assembled to the base ring 35 from below at positions spaced equiangularly in the circumferential direction, and the heads of the upward bolts 36 are locked to the lower surface of the base ring 35.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tightening ring 37 is composed of one fixed side arc-shaped member 37A and two movable side arc-shaped members 37B divided into three equal angles in the circumferential direction. One end of the movable-side arcuate member 37B is connected to both ends of the fixed-side arcuate member 37A via a hinge 37C whose axis is directed vertically. Accordingly, the tightening ring 37 has a circular tightening state in which the arc-shaped members 37A and 37B are relatively displaced on the horizontal plane via the hinge 37C, thereby matching the other ends of the movable-side arc-shaped members 37B. Further, the movable side arcuate member 37B can be displaced between an open state in which the other end portions are separated from each other (see FIG. 17).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tightening ring 37 is locked from above with respect to the locking rib 33 of the drum 28 </ b> A in a circular tightened state, and a male thread portion of the upward bolt 36 is provided on each arc member 37 </ b> A, 37 </ b> B. It is screwed. By tightening these upward bolts 36, the lower end portion (deformation restricting portion 32) of the drum 28A can rotate integrally with the under plate 26 (that is, relative rotation in the vertical direction, radial direction and circumferential direction). Assembled in a regulated state).

  The disk 38A is configured in a dish shape by coaxially assembling a disk-shaped mounting member 39 and a ring-shaped functional member 48, and the upper surface of the mounting member 39 is a circular center cover 58. Covered. A concentric shallow fitting recess 40 is formed on the lower surface of the mounting member 39. The attachment member 39 has a central through hole 41 penetrating in the vertical direction at the center position thereof, and an eccentric through hole penetrating in the vertical direction at two positions eccentric from the center of the attachment member 39 and corresponding to the pair of eccentric female screw holes 21. 42 and an escape hole 43 that is eccentric from the center of the mounting member 39 and penetrates in the vertical direction at four positions corresponding to the support pins 22 is formed.

  Further, the attachment member 39 is formed with finger hook portions 44 that are formed so as to penetrate a portion that is eccentric from the center of the attachment member 39 relatively widely, with an equal angle in the circumferential direction. Further, a stepped recess 45 having a shape in which the upper surface is recessed concentrically is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the mounting member 39. The stepped recesses 45 are attached with flat screws 46 at three positions spaced equiangularly in the circumferential direction, and the heads 46H forming the circular shape of the flat screws 46 are formed on the stepped recesses 45. It protrudes from the upper surface.

  The mounting member 39 is placed on the rotating member 19, and the fitting recess 40 is fitted to the upper end portion of the rotating member 19, so that the relative displacement in the radial direction is coaxial with the rotating member 19. It is assembled in a regulated state. Then, by screwing the handle-attached bolt 47 passed through the eccentric through hole 42 into the eccentric female screw hole 21, the mounting member 39 is restricted from relative displacement upward with respect to the rotating member 19, and rotates integrally. To be fixed. Further, the support pins 22 are fitted into the four escape holes 43, whereby the attachment member 39 is restricted from rotating relative to the rotation member 19.

  The functional member 48 includes an outer frame 49 and an inner frame 54 that covers the upper surface side of the outer frame 49. The outer frame 49 includes an annular portion 50 that forms a horizontal circle, and a tapered inclined portion 51 that extends obliquely outward and upward from the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion 50. The annular portion 50 is formed with three positioning holes 52 that vertically penetrate three positions spaced equiangularly in the circumferential direction along the inner peripheral edge thereof. The inclination angle of the inclined portion 51 with respect to the horizontal plane is 45 °. On the outer peripheral edge (uppermost edge) of the outer frame 49 (inclined portion 51), a reinforcing shape holding portion 53 having a larger radial dimension is integrally formed along the outer peripheral surface. By this shape holding portion 53, the outer peripheral edge of the outer frame 49 (that is, the disk 38A) is maintained in a perfect circle.

  The inner frame 54 has a tapered shape in which the inner peripheral edge is connected to the upper surface of the annular portion 50 without a gap and extends obliquely outward and upward at an inclination angle smaller than the inclined portion 51 (35 ° at the maximum). The outer peripheral edge (uppermost edge) of the inner frame 54 is connected to the outer peripheral edge (uppermost edge) of the outer frame 49 without a gap. The inner surface (upper surface) of the inner frame 54 is generally shaped like a bowl, but more specifically, it has six fan-shaped discontinuous surfaces 55 that form petals and a generally planar shape that forms an isosceles triangle. 6 triangular discontinuous surfaces 56.

  The six fan-shaped discontinuous surfaces 55 and the six triangular discontinuous surfaces 56 are arranged at equiangular pitches in the circumferential direction, and the fan-shaped discontinuous surfaces 55 and the triangular discontinuous surfaces 56 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. It is out. The boundary line between the fan-shaped discontinuous surface 55 and the triangular discontinuous surface 56 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction extends in a direction substantially along the radial direction, and the fan-shaped discontinuous surface 55 and the triangular discontinuous surface 56 are formed along this boundary line. It is not an even surface but an obtuse angle (that is, a discontinuous shape). Therefore, the center placed on the upper surface of the inner frame 54 is caught on an obtuse angled boundary between the adjacent discontinuous surfaces 55 and 56, so that the slip on the inner frame 54 hardly occurs.

  Both ends in the circumferential direction of adjacent fan-shaped discontinuous surfaces 55 form an acute angle, and the acute angle ends are adjacent to each other in a state of being abutted with each other (continuous). On the other hand, the triangular discontinuous surfaces 56 are not directly adjacent to each other. Further, the inner peripheral edge of the fan-shaped discontinuous surface 55 matches the inner peripheral edge of the inner frame 54, and the inner peripheral edge of the triangular discontinuous surface 56 also matches the inner peripheral edge of the inner frame 54. The apex portion on the outermost peripheral side of the triangular discontinuous surface 56 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the acute-angled end portions of adjacent fan-shaped discontinuous surfaces 55. Further, the outer peripheral edge of the fan-shaped discontinuous surface 55 is located on the inner side of the outer peripheral edge of the inclined portion 51, so that the region along the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface of the inner frame 54 is entirely The peripheral curved surface 57 is a continuous form over the circumference and is composed only of a curved surface.

  The functional member 48 is fitted so that the inner peripheral edge of the annular portion 50 is placed on the stepped recess 45 on the outer peripheral edge of the mounting member 39 from above, and the positioning hole 52 is formed on the head of the flat screw 46. By fitting to 46H, the mounting member 39 is assembled in a state in which relative rotation in the horizontal direction (radial direction and circumferential direction) is restricted. In a state where the functional member 48 is assembled to the attachment member 39, the upper surface of the annular portion 50 and the upper surface of the attachment member 39 are flush with each other.

  The center cover 58 has a dome shape, and a mounting hole 59 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed at the uppermost end position in the center. In the mounting hole 59, the upper end portion of the shaft portion of the fixing bolt 60 is assembled in a state where relative displacement in the vertical direction is restricted and relative rotation is allowed. The center cover 58 is disposed so as to cover the attachment member 39, and a fixing bolt 60 that is passed through the center through hole 41 is screwed into the center female screw hole 20. As a result, the center cover 58 is fixed to the mounting member 39 and the functional member 48 so as to rotate integrally with the relative displacement in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction being restricted. The outer peripheral edge of the assembled center cover 58 abuts against the inner peripheral edge (the area on the inner peripheral side of the fan-shaped discontinuous surface 55 and the triangular discontinuous surface 56) in the annular portion 50 of the functional member 48 without a gap. Accordingly, the center cover 58 covers the entire attachment member 39 and the inner peripheral edge region on the inner peripheral side of the annular discontinuous surface 55 and the triangular discontinuous surface 56 in the annular portion 50.

  The disc 38 </ b> A having the above configuration is coupled to the first drive shaft 16 through the rotating member 19 so as to be integrally rotated. That is, the disk 38A is rotationally driven at a high speed. Further, the disk 38A can be attached to and detached from the rotating member 19 (first motor 15).

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When coating is performed with the coating tank 25 in the standing posture shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drum 28A and the under plate 26 are rotated at a relatively low speed, and the disk 38A is rotated at a high speed, and in this state, the coating tank is rotated. Put the center in 25. The inserted center is given a rotational force by the hooking action by the boundary between the sectoral discontinuous surface 55 and the triangular discontinuous surface 56 on the disk 38A, and the upper surface of the functional member 48 tapered by the centrifugal force and the drum 28A. After moving up in the spiral direction along the inner wall, the spiral circulation flow is repeated, which appears on the surface layer, slides down in the spiral direction due to gravity, returns onto the disk 38A, and is rotated again by the disk 38A. If a coating agent is sprayed on the center group stirred by this vortex-like circulation flow, a coating layer is formed on the surface of each center.

  In the coating method using this vortex, the disk 38A is rotated at a high speed in order to apply a centrifugal force to the center. Therefore, it is inevitable that the impact on the center during the spiral flow is increased, but on the other hand, the flow rate of the center group is fast and the stirring effect is high, so there is an advantage that the coating process can be completed in a short time. . At this time, the rotation speed of the drum 28A is 30 rpm or less, and the rotation of the drum 28A may be stopped. On the other hand, the rotation speed of the disk 38A is 90 to 180 rpm, and the rotation direction of the drum 28A and the rotation direction of the disk 38A may be the same or opposite to each other. In addition, the rotation center axis of the coating tank 25 at this time is not limited to being parallel to the vertical direction, and may be in a state inclined about 15 ° with respect to the vertical direction. Even when tilted slightly, a good coating process can be performed.

  On the other hand, when the coating tank 25 is coated in the tilted position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the coating tank 25A and the disk 38A are rotated at the relatively low speed and in the same direction. Put the center in 25. The center put into the coating tank 25 was lifted forward in the rotational direction by friction between the inner periphery of the coating tank 25 (the inner wall surface of the drum 28A and the upper surface of the disk 38A) and the catching action by the discontinuous surface. After that, the circulating flow of dropping by its own weight and being lifted again by friction with the inner periphery of the coating tank 25 and the catching action by the discontinuous surface is repeated. If a coating agent is sprayed on the center group stirred by this circulating flow, a coating layer is formed on the surface of each center. In addition, 45 degrees-70 degrees are suitable for the inclination angle with respect to the perpendicular direction of the coating tank 25 at this time.

  In the coating method in which the coating tank 25 is tilted and the drum 28A and the disk 38A are rotated in the same direction, when the coating tank 25 is rotated at a high speed, the center group sticks to the inner periphery of the coating tank 25 by a strong centrifugal force. Therefore, the coating tank 25 is rotated at a relatively low speed. Specifically, the rotation speed of the drum 28A is suppressed to a low speed of 5 to 30 rpm that is slightly faster than that in the standing posture, and the rotation speed of the disk 38A is sufficiently slower than that in the standing posture. ~ 45 rpm.

  When the rotation speed of the coating tank 25 is slow, the stirring force is reduced. Therefore, when the viscosity of the coating agent is high, a center group having low fluidity is formed by adhesion between the coated centers, and this center group. And the inner peripheral surface of the coating tank 25 slip. In this case, a coating defect such as a variation in the thickness of the coating layer between centers occurs. However, on the other hand, the impact on the center is weak, so there is no risk of the center being damaged or deformed.

  By paying attention to the advantages and disadvantages of these two coating methods, it is possible to perform a suitable coating treatment according to the properties of the center and the coating agent. The specific coating method will be described below.

  (1) When the center is brittle like a wheat puff for wheat chocolate, if the coating is performed in an upright position, the center may be broken or chipped by an impact during spiral flow. In this case, first, coating is performed as a pretreatment in a state where the coating tank 25 is tilted and a large impact is not applied to the center. Thereby, a coating layer is formed in the center without causing damage or deformation. Thereafter, the coating tank 25 is set in the standing posture, and the coating process is performed again. Coating in this standing posture is performed efficiently in a short time. During this time, a relatively large impact acts on the center, but since the center is reinforced (protected) by the coating layer formed on the surface thereof, there is no possibility that the center is damaged or deformed.

  (2) When the surface of the center is covered with a skin like beans for beans and confectionery, if the coating is performed in an upright position, the skin peels off due to the impact during spiral flow, and the peeled skin is coated. There is a risk of being. In this case, as a pretreatment, the coating treatment is performed in a state where the coating tank 25 is in an inclined posture. During this time, since a strong impact does not act on the center, there is no possibility of peeling of the skin, and a good coating layer is formed. Thereafter, the coating tank 25 is placed in an upright position to complete the coating process efficiently in a short time.

  (3) When the center is square and made of a thermoplastic material like a granular chewing gum, the corner of the square center may be pushed back and deformed to be rounded due to frictional heat and impact during spiral flow. There is. In this case, as a pretreatment, the coating treatment is performed in a state where the coating tank 25 is in an inclined posture. During this time, since a strong impact does not act on the center, even if the temperature of the coating tank 25 rises, there is no possibility that the center corner will be rounded and a good coating layer is formed. Thereafter, the coating tank 25 is placed in an upright position to complete the coating process efficiently in a short time.

  (4) The state where the coating tank 25 is in an upright position as a pretreatment when the coating layer having gloss is formed on the surface of the center such as chocolate confectionery, chewing gum, tablets, etc. The coating is performed in a short time. Thereafter, the coating tank 25 is placed in a tilted posture and coating as a finishing process is performed. According to this method, a glossy coating layer can be formed while reducing the time required for coating.

  (5) In the case of a light center such as a wheat puff, when coating is performed by rotating only the disk 38A with the coating tank 25 in an upright position, only a part of the center group is coated with chocolate. The coated and heavy center group accumulates on the upper surface of the disk 38A and rotates integrally with the disk 38A, and the uncoated light center group circulates and flows in a spiral manner on the accumulated center group. There is a concern that the coating may become non-uniform due to a state called laminar flow.

  In such a state, the rotation direction of the drum 28A is temporarily reversed in the middle of coating. Thereby, since the fluidity of the uncoated center group is improved, the resistance is reduced and the two-layer fluid state is eliminated.

  (6) When the center is square, when coating is performed with the coating tank 25 in a standing posture, the side edges of adjacent centers may be connected to each other by the viscosity of the coating agent. . When the Abeck phenomenon occurs, the rotation direction of the drum 28A is temporarily reversed in the middle of coating. As a result, when the center in the Abeck state shifts from the disk 38A to the drum 28A, it receives an impact due to a difference in rotational direction or rotational speed between the disk 38A and the drum 28A. The phenomenon is eliminated.

  As described above, the coating apparatus according to the present embodiment has a rotatable drum 28A having a substantially cylindrical shape whose upper and lower surfaces are open and a lower surface of the drum 28A. The coating tank 25 having a dish-shaped disk 38A made possible, the second motor 17 for rotating the drum 28A, and the first for rotating the disk 38A independently of the drum 28A. The motor 15 and the coating tank 25 are tilted and displaced between an upright attitude in which the rotation axis of the coating tank 25 is substantially in the vertical direction and a tilt attitude in which the rotation axis of the coating tank 25 is in an oblique direction with respect to the vertical direction. And a tilting mechanism 11 for the purpose.

  When the disk 38A is rotated at a high speed while the coating tank 25 is in an upright position, the center group in the coating tank 25 flows in a spiral shape. Advances. On the other hand, when the disk 38A and the drum 28A are rotated in the same direction at a low speed while the coating tank 25 is in the tilted posture, the center group in the coating bath 25 flows slowly, so compared with the spiral flow in the standing posture. The impact on the center is reduced. Moreover, the flow form of the center group in the coating tank 25 can also be changed by appropriately changing the rotation speed and the rotation direction of the disk 38A and the drum 28A.

  As described above, the coating apparatus according to the present embodiment can rotate the desk and the drum 28A independently and can change the direction of the rotation axis of the coating tank 25, so that it corresponds to the characteristics of the center. It is possible to perform a suitable coating process, and it is possible to eliminate problems occurring during coating.

  Unlike the present embodiment, when the second drive shaft of the second motor for rotationally driving the drum and the first drive shaft of the first motor for rotationally driving the disk are arranged coaxially, Since the space for arranging both motors increases in the vertical direction parallel to the rotation center of the coating tank, the entire coating apparatus becomes bulky. In this respect, in the present embodiment, the first drive shaft 16 and the second drive shaft 18 are parallel to the rotation center of the coating tank 25 and are offset from each other. Has been.

  The coating tank 25 is coupled to the lower end edge of the drum 28 </ b> A so as to be integrally rotatable, and has a dish-like under plate 26 that covers the lower side of the disk 38 </ b> A, and the first drive shaft 16 of the first motor 15. Passes through the under plate 26 and is coaxially connected to the disk 38A. The second drive shaft 18 of the second motor 17 is arranged at a position eccentric from the rotation center of the coating tank 25, The plate 26 is engaged with a driven gear provided so as to be integrally rotatable via a drive gear 23 and an internal gear 27. According to this configuration, since the first drive shaft 16 is arranged coaxially with the disk 38A, the structure can be simplified. Further, since the rotational force of the first drive shaft 16 can be efficiently transmitted to the disk 38A, the disk 38A can be continuously rotated at a high speed.

  Further, since the drive gear 23 of the second drive shaft 18 is engaged with the internal gear 27 from the inner side, the second motor 17 is compared with the case where the drive shaft is engaged on the outer side of the driven gear. It will be arrange | positioned in the position near the rotation center of the coating tank 25, and it can reduce in size in a horizontal direction. In addition, when the material of the drive gear 23 is made of nylon, it is not necessary to supply the lubricating oil to the engagement portion between the drive gear 23 and the internal gear 27.

  Next, a procedure for disassembling the coating tank 25 for cleaning and parts replacement will be described. First, the upward bolt 36 is loosened and displaced so that the movable side arc-shaped member 37B is opened, and the tightening ring 37 that is in a circular tightening state is opened and removed from the lower end edge (the locking rib 33) of the drum 28A. . As a result, the drum 28A is released from the fixed state to the under plate 26, so the drum 28A is lifted upward and removed from the under plate 26. In this state, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper end of the spacer 34 fitted to the under plate 26 and the lower end of the shape holding portion 53 on the outer peripheral edge of the disk 38A are at substantially the same position.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, the fixing bolt 60 is loosened, and the center cover 58 is removed from the disk 38A. Next, by loosening the handle-attached bolt 47 and removing it from the rotating member 19, the disk 38A is released from the fixed state to the rotating member 19. Thereafter, the finger is caught on the finger-hanging portion 44 and the disk 38A is slightly lifted to remove the escape hole 43 from the support pin 22, and the disk 38A is rotated a little until the escape hole 43 moves to a position not corresponding to the support pin 22. In this state, the disk 38A is placed on the support pin 22. Accordingly, the shape holding portion 53 on the outer peripheral edge of the disk 38 </ b> A is positioned above the upper end edge of the spacer 34.

  Next, a finger is put on the outer peripheral edge of the disk 38 </ b> A, the functional member 48 is lifted and removed from the attachment member 39, and only the functional member 48 is taken out of the under plate 26. Thereafter, the remaining mounting member 39 is taken out of the under plate 26 (see FIG. 7). Since the mounting member 39 and the functional member 48 constituting the disk 38A are taken out separately, the workability is good. The operation of assembling the removed disk 38A to the rotating member 19 and the operation of assembling the removed drum 28A to the under plate 26 may be performed in the reverse order to the above.

  In the present embodiment, the first drive shaft 16 is provided with a plurality of support pins 22 protruding upward through the disk 38A through the rotating member 19, and the disk 38A is lifted to support the support pin 22. In this state, the shape holding portion 53 on the outer peripheral edge of the disk 38A is positioned further above the outer peripheral edge of the spacer 34, which is higher than the under plate 26. According to this configuration, when the disk 38A is removed from the first motor 15 for cleaning or replacement, the drum 28A is removed from the under plate 26, and then the disk 38A is lifted and placed on the support pin 22. The shape holding portion 53 on the outer peripheral edge of the disk 38 </ b> A is positioned above the outer peripheral edges of the under plate 26 and the spacer 34. Thus, the operator can easily raise and lower the functional member 48 of the disk 38A by having the shape holding portion 53 of the disk 38A. Further, since the attachment member 39 is formed with a finger hook portion 44 for an operator to hook a finger, the attachment member 38 can be easily raised and lowered. Thus, in this embodiment, it is easy to perform the work of removing the disk 38A.

  The coating apparatus of this embodiment can also be used when performing the coating process while keeping the coating tank 25 in a tilted position throughout without keeping the coating tank 25 in an upright position. In this case, when the coating tank 25 is rotated at a high speed, the center group sticks to the inner periphery of the coating tank 25 by a strong centrifugal force and does not circulate and flow. Driven by rotation. However, if the rotation speed of the coating tank 25 is slow, the stirring force is reduced. Therefore, when the viscosity of the coating agent is high, the coated centers adhere to each other, thereby forming a center group having heavy and low fluidity. This collects at the opening of the drum 28A. On the other hand, since the light center group with poor coating agent gathers in the back of the drum 28A, a phenomenon called specific gravity separation occurs. As a method of dealing with the specific gravity separation, it is possible to throw in the coating agent aiming at the uncoated center group located on the back side of the drum 28A. In this case, however, the feeding range of the coating agent is in the back of the drum 28A. It becomes only the side part. Therefore, compared to the case where the coating agent is introduced over a wide range throughout the drum 28A, it takes time to form the coating layer, and the efficiency is not good.

  As a countermeasure, in the present embodiment, the coating tank 25 has a substantially cylindrical shape in which the upper and lower surfaces are open and the throttle portion 29 is formed so that the diameter is reduced toward the upper side at the opening on the upper surface side. A rotatable drum 28A and a dish-like shape which is arranged so as to block the lower surface of the drum 28A and has a plurality of discontinuous surfaces 55 and 56 on the upper surface and which can rotate coaxially with the drum 28A. The disc 38A is provided. Further, a second motor 17 for rotating the drum 28A and a first motor 15 for rotating the disk 38A independently of the drum 28A are provided.

  According to this configuration, by introducing the center and the coating agent into the coating tank 25 in a state where the drum 28A and the disk 38A are rotated at different speeds, it is possible to eliminate the problems caused by the specific gravity separation and to perform the specific gravity separation. Utilization can improve the coating efficiency. That is, when the rotational speed of the disk 38A is decreased with respect to the drum 28A, the flow state of the center group is changed by the rotational speed difference between the drum 28A and the disk 38A, and the discontinuous surface on the upper surface of the disk 38A. When the center is flipped up by 55 and 56, the stirring force for the center is increased, and the specific gravity separation is difficult to occur, and uniform coating can be efficiently performed regardless of the size of the center. Further, if the specific gravity separation is forcibly generated by increasing the rotational speed of the disk 38A relative to the drum 28A, a small center coating layer can be grown quickly. Thus, good coating can be performed by appropriately setting the rotation speeds of the drum 28A and the disk 38A.

  Further, when the stirring force is increased, there is a concern that the center may jump out of the coating tank 25 from the opening on the upper surface side of the drum 28A. Therefore, there is no possibility that the center jumps out of the coating tank 25.

  1 to 4 and FIG. 8 can be attached / detached between a state where the drum 28A is rotationally driven by the second motor 17 and a state where the rotational force transmission from the second motor 17 is interrupted. It is said that. In addition to the standard drum 28A, a plurality of types of alternative drums 28B and 28C having different inner peripheral shapes are prepared as described below. According to this configuration, favorable coating can be performed by selecting drums 28A, 28B, and 28C having suitable shapes in accordance with the shape of the center, the brittleness of the center, and the like.

  In the alternative drum 28B shown in FIG. 10, the shape of the throttle portion 29 is the same as that of the standard drum 28A described above, but the inner periphery of the main body portion 61 has twelve rectangular configuration surfaces 62 in the circumferential direction. The inner peripheral surface of the tapered portion 63 is configured by alternately arranging two types (12 pairs) of planar triangular constituent surfaces 64 whose apexes are located upside down in the circumferential direction. The two types of triangular constituent surfaces 64 are triangular constituent surfaces 64 whose apexes are located at the upper end, and are triangular isosceles triangles whose bases form an arc shape, whereas the triangular constituent surfaces 64 whose apexes are located at the lower end. Are different in that their bases are straight. In addition, the top vertex of each triangular component surface 64 is connected to the lower end of the boundary line between adjacent rectangular component surfaces 62. In this alternative drum 28B, when the center is formed in a ball shape, when the coating agent has a property of easily adhering to the inner walls of the drums 28A, 28B, 28C, the center slips on the inner walls of the drums 28A, 28B, 28C. It is suitable when it is easy. Other configurations are the same as the standard drum 28A.

  An alternative drum 28C shown in FIG. 11 includes a main body portion 65 and a throttle portion 66, and does not have cylindrical portions corresponding to the tapered portions 31 and 63 of the drums 28A and 28B. The main body 65 has a cylindrical shape with a constant inner diameter from the upper end to the lower end, and therefore the inner surface of the main body 65 is formed by a curved surface having a constant curvature. Further, the narrowed portion 66 has a tapered shape, and its inner peripheral surface is composed only of a curved surface. This alternative drum 28C is suitable when the center such as a tablet or wheat puff is easily damaged or when the center is light. Other configurations are the same as the standard drum 28A.

  The standard disk 38 </ b> A is detachable between a state where it is rotationally driven by the first motor 15 and a state where the rotational force transmission from the first motor 15 is interrupted. In addition to the standard type disc 38A, a plurality of types of alternative discs 38B and 38C having different shapes of the discontinuous surfaces 55 and 56 and different height dimensions in the rotation axis direction are prepared. According to this configuration, good coating can be performed by selecting suitable disks 38A, 38B, and 38C according to the weight of the center, the thickness of the coating layer, and the like.

  The alternative disk 38B shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 has a height dimension larger than that of the standard type disk 38A, and the inclination angle of the inclined portion 51 of the outer frame 49 with respect to the horizontal plane is 60 ° larger than that of the standard type disk 38A. It has become. Further, the inclination angle of the inner frame 54 with respect to the horizontal plane is also larger than that of the standard type disk 38A. The shapes of the fan-shaped discontinuous surface 55 and the triangular discontinuous surface 56 are substantially the same as those of the standard disc 38A, and the number of the fan-shaped discontinuous surfaces 55 and the triangular discontinuous surfaces 56 is the same as that of the standard disc 38A. Other aspects are the same as the standard type disk 38A. This alternative disk 38B is suitable when the viscosity of the coating agent is high or when a large amount of lightweight center is coated. When this alternative disk 38B is used, it is necessary to replace the spacer 34 in accordance with its height.

  The alternative disk 38C shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is smaller in height than the standard disk 38A, and has eight fan-shaped discontinuous surfaces 55 and triangular discontinuous surfaces 56, which are eight more than the standard disk 38A. It is formed one by one. Other forms are the same as or substantially the same as the standard type disk 38A including the inclination angle of the inclined portion 51 of the outer frame 49 with respect to the horizontal plane. In this alternative disk 38C, since the annular portion 50 has a wide horizontal surface and the area of the inner frame 54 (discontinuous surfaces 55, 56) is small, the center stays on the upper surface of the disk 38C even if the rotational speed of the disk 38C is slow. It is difficult, and there is an advantage that there is little impact on the center even in a spiral flow in a standing posture.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, the drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism and the drive shaft of the disk drive mechanism are arranged so as to be offset from each other. However, the drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism and the drive mechanism of the disk The drive shaft may be arranged coaxially.
(2) In the above embodiment, the drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism is arranged in parallel to the rotation center of the coating tank, but the drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism intersects with an imaginary line parallel to the rotation center of the coating tank. You may arrange in the direction to do.
(3) In the above embodiment, the drive shaft of the disk drive mechanism is arranged in parallel with the rotation center of the coating tank, but the drive shaft of the disk drive mechanism intersects with an imaginary line parallel to the rotation center of the coating tank. It may be arranged in a (orthogonal) direction.
(4) In the above embodiment, the driven gear is an internal gear having a tooth row on the inner periphery, and the drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism is engaged with the internal gear, but the driven gear is an external gear. The drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism may be engaged with the external gear.
(5) In the above embodiment, the coating is performed with the opening on the upper surface side of the drum being open, but the opening on the upper surface of the drum can be opened and closed by a lid separate from the drum. Also good. In this case, the lid may be attached to the drum so that it can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like and cannot be easily removed from the drum. It may be something that can be attached and detached.

15 ... First motor (disk drive mechanism)
16 ... 1st drive shaft (drive shaft of the drive mechanism for disks)
17 ... second motor (drum drive mechanism)
18 ... 2nd drive shaft (drive shaft of drum drive mechanism)
25 ... Coating tank 26 ... Under plate 27 ... Internal gear (driven gear)
28A, 28B, 28C ... Drum 29, 66 ... Diaphragm 38A, 38B, 38C ... Disc 55 ... Fan-shaped discontinuous surface 56 ... Triangular discontinuous surface

Claims (7)

A coating apparatus having a coating tank whose rotation axis is inclined with respect to the vertical direction,
The coating tank is
A rotatable drum having a substantially cylindrical shape in which both the upper surface and the lower surface are open, and an aperture portion having a shape that is constricted so as to reduce the diameter upward is formed in an opening on the upper surface side;
The drum is arranged so as to close the open lower surface of the drum, and has a plurality of discontinuous surfaces on the upper surface, and includes a dish-like disk that can rotate coaxially with the drum. And
A drum drive mechanism for rotating the drum;
A coating apparatus, comprising: a disk drive mechanism for rotating the disk independently of the drum.   The drum is detachable between a state in which the drum is rotationally driven by the drum drive mechanism and a state in which transmission of the rotational force from the drum drive mechanism is blocked, and the shape of the inner periphery is different. 2. The coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types are prepared.   The disc is detachable between a state in which the disc is rotationally driven by the disc drive mechanism and a state in which transmission of rotational force from the disc drive mechanism is blocked, and the shape of the discontinuous surface The coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types having different dimensions in the rotation axis direction are prepared.   The drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism and the drive shaft of the disk drive mechanism are parallel to the rotation center of the coating tank and are in an eccentric relationship with each other. Item 4. The coating apparatus according to any one of Items 3 above. The coating tank is coupled to the lower end edge of the drum so as to be integrally rotatable, and has a dish-like under plate that covers the lower side of the disk,
The drive shaft of the disk drive mechanism passes through the under plate and is coaxially connected to the disk;
The drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism is disposed at a position eccentric from the rotation center of the coating tank, and is engaged with a driven gear provided on the under plate so as to be integrally rotatable. Item 5. The coating apparatus according to Item 4. The driven gear is an internal gear having a tooth row on the inner periphery,
6. The coating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the drive shaft of the drum drive mechanism is engaged with the internal gear. A rotatable drum having a substantially cylindrical shape in which both the upper surface and the lower surface are open, and an aperture portion having a shape that is constricted so as to reduce the diameter upward is formed in an opening on the upper surface side;
The drum is arranged so as to block the open lower surface of the drum, and has a plurality of discontinuous surfaces on the upper surface, and a dish-shaped disc that is coaxially rotatable with the drum. ,
The rotation center axis is rotated in a posture inclined with respect to the vertical direction, together with a drum drive mechanism for rotating the drum and a disk drive mechanism for rotating the disk. A coating tank constituting a coating apparatus,
The drum is detachable between a state in which the drum is rotationally driven by the drum drive mechanism and a state in which the rotational force transmission from the drum drive mechanism is interrupted,
The coating tank, wherein the disk is detachable between a state in which the disk is rotationally driven by the disk drive mechanism and a state in which transmission of rotational force from the disk drive mechanism is blocked.

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