WO2008065224B1

WO2008065224B1 - Automatic dividing machine for use in baking

Info

Publication number: WO2008065224B1
Application number: PCT/ES2007/000687
Authority: WO
Inventors: Beltran Juan Carlos Tapia; Beltran Juan Antonio Tapia
Original assignee: Alapont Garcia Amalia; Beltran Juan Carlos Tapia; Beltran Juan Antonio Tapia
Priority date: 2006-11-30
Filing date: 2007-11-28
Publication date: 2008-08-14
Also published as: WO2008065224A8; ES2302454B1; DE112007002954T5; ES2302454A1; WO2008065224A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic dividing machine for use in baking, which divides a block of dough into multiple portions having a volume equal to the weight selected. The machine includes a hopper (1) containing a block of dough which is extracted by a tilting extractor assembly comprising a rotary drum (10) provided with radially- and angularly-moving piston blades (8) which are guided by two symmetrical guide grooves. The dough is driven through the upper inlet of a volumetric assembly which comprises identical elements to the extractor assembly and is located in the lower part of said extractor assembly, but which is differentiated therefrom by the geometry of the volumetric channel (31). The dough is moved through the discharge channel (33) to the discharge outlet (35) whereat the portioning blade assembly (36) cuts the dough into equal portions. The invention is suitable for use in the production of dough dividing machines for use in industrial baking.

Claims

40 MODIFIED CLAIMS received by the International Office on July 3, 2008

1. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, of those used in the volumetric division from a block of dough bakery, bakery, pastry or similar, controlled by a computer program for this purpose, characterized because it comprises a hopper ( 1) containing the mass, of an assembly-extractor, of a volume-set and of a knife-paring assembly;

- the extractor assembly comprises of a right block (3) and a left block (4), joined symmetrically, forming a cavity where they are housed: a rotating drum (10), plunger-knife (8) preferably five arranged angularly equidistantly at 72 degrees and a baffle (14)

- the volumetric assembly comprises of a right block (26) and a left block (27), joined symmetrically, forming a cavity where they are housed: a rotating drum (10), plunger-knife (8) preferably five arranged angularly equidistantly at 72 degrees, a baffle (32) and an evacuation channel (33)

- the knife-portioner assembly comprises of a knife-portioner (36) integral with a knife-portion holder (37) attached to linear guides (39), preferably driven by a connecting rod (42) and a crank (44);

- the extractor assembly and the volumetric assembly are arranged in the lower part of the hopper (1) and 41

juxtaposed in a vertical direction joined by a base plate (49) / being the extractor set located in the upper part and the set volumetric located in the lower part; - the piston-knife {8} of the extractor-unit cut the mass contained in the hopper (1), moving it through the volumetric channel (7)

- the mass is deflected by the deflector (14) towards the inlet (28) - the plunger-blades (8) of the volumetric assembly cut the mass contained in the inlet (28), moving it through the volumetric channel (31)

- the mass is deflected by the deflector (32) towards the evacuation channel (33) where the mass cut by the piston-knife (8) is again compacted

- the piston-knife (8) of the set-volumetric make angular advances with exact positioning in start-stop mode

- the dough is evacuated through the evacuation orifice (35), the volume of the dough being evacuated in each angular advance of the plunger-blades (8) equal to the volume of each of the dough portions to be divided

- when the rotary drum (10) and the piston-cutter (8) of the extractor-set and of the volumetric assembly are stopped, the cutting of the dough portions takes place by means of a paring knife (36) performing a reciprocating movement preferably driven by a system formed by the rod (42) and the crank (44), once the movement of the knife-paring (36) has finished, the 42

cycle.

2. An automatic dividing machine for bakeries, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises of two opposite directions of rotation between several essential rotating elements, such as the rotating drum (10) and the piston-knife (8) corresponding to the extractor assembly, they must always rotate in a negative trigonometric direction according to figure 4, and in turn the rotating elements of the volumetric assembly, such as the rotary drum (10) and the corresponding piston-knife (8), must always rotate in a positive trigonometric direction. Figure 4

3. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to previous claims, characterized in that it comprises of a knife-piston (8) of the extractor-set that move the sufficient volume of mass with the necessary force or thrust filling all the empty spaces between each two blades - consecutive symbol (8) of the volumetric assembly during its angular advance, so that the inlet (28) and the volumetric channel (31) must be completely filled with mass in order to ensure the correct volume of mass to be displaced; this force or thrust is transmitted through the drive shaft (19) of the extractor assembly 4. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a rotating drum (10) and a plunger-knife (8). ) belonging to the set-volumetric that begin to turn only when the entrance (28) is completely full of mass, beginning then the purging function, which involves a continuous movement of both drum-rotator (10) and its corresponding piston-knife (8) of both sets, moving the mass inside the volumetric-channel (31) and the evacuation channel (33). ) to the evacuation hole

(35), until all the air that resides in these is expelled through the evacuation orifice (35) leaving all these cavities completely full of mass.

Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises of a knife-portioner (36) that performs the function of cutting the portions of dough to be divided, being flush below the evacuation orifice (35), being it is susceptible to linear movement thanks to a reciprocating movement preferably performed by the simultaneous rotation of the connecting rod (42) and the crank (44), positioning the knife-portioner (36), leaving the evacuation orifice open or sealed as appropriate to restart the cycle.

Automatic bakery dividing machine, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an inclined front face (97), which is preferably arranged at 15 degrees in the front of the set-volumetric, running linearly and in contact with it the knife-portioner (36y) producing the sectioning of the pieces of dough on the evacuation orifice (35), said inclined front face (97) being arranged so that the lower part thereof is more withdrawn inwardly than its upper part for facilitate the extraction of the pieces. 44

Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises of a hopper (1) that is attached to the upper part or entrance (6) of the extractor-assembly, and in turn said extractor-assembly is joined in turn lower than the base plate (49), all these elements constituting a collapsible assembly by means of an articulated hinge-axis (51).

8. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to previous claims, characterized in that it comprises of an upper part of the evacuation channel

(34) removable, whose lower part adopts the geometry of the upper half of the evacuation channel (33) and in its upper part it has two symmetrical pockets, leaving a bridge in its upper central part in the form of a grip or handle, thus facilitating its extraction _r can access the cleaning of the residual mass contained inside the evacuation channel (33).

9. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises guide bearings (13) located symmetrically on the lower ends of each knife-plunger (8) serving as the rolling unit of said plunger-knife (8) inside the geometry of the guide grooves (11), (12), (29) and (30).

10. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a baffle (14) located between the drum-rotator (10) and the block-right (3) and block-left (4) of the assembly-extractor , that according to Four. Five

Figures 4 and 12, adopts a specific geometry whose function is to divert the mass towards the entrance (28), preventing it from being introduced again in the hopper (1) and in turn cleaning the remains of mass adhered to the face of rotation of the drum -Rotation (10) once the production is finished.

11. An automatic baking machine for bakeries, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a baffle (32) located between the drum-rotator (10) and the block-right (26) and block-left (27) of the set-volumetric , which according to figures 4 and 13, adopts a specific geometry whose function is to divert the mass towards the evacuation channel (33), avoiding the cyclic recirculation thereof and in turn cleaning the mass remains adhered to the rotation face of the drum-gyratory (10) once the production is finished.

12. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a lubrication system that is based on the supply of lubricating oil under pressure through pipes to an inlet

(84) according to figures 5, 21, 22, 26, and 27 practiced in the lower part of the side face of the left-hand block (27) of the volumetric assembly by means of which the oil is guided to the radial recesses (9) of the rotary drum (10) circulating through them and exiting through another hole (95) located at a vertical height higher than the previous one to force the filling of the cavities destined for this purpose before the oil 46

leave the set-volumetric, and then be led through a flexible conduit to the extractor assembly by another inlet (96) made in the lower side of the block-left (4) of the extractor-assembly by which the The oil is guided to the inside of the radial recesses (9) of the rotating drum (10) by circulating through said radial recesses (9) thereof and exiting through another orifice located at a higher vertical level than the previous one. force the filling of the cavities destined for this purpose before the oil leaves the extractor-unit and that all the elements capable of movement are in a constant bath of oil, to be then conducted through a conduit to a mother tank for be filtered and restart the cycle described above, providing the. system., of an optimal lubrication.

13. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises plunger-knife (8) of rectangular geometry in its base or lower part have a widening (89) in which have two cylindrical projections provided perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the part with a corresponding central hole intended to accommodate the axes of the corresponding guide bearings (13); in the upper part of said widening (89) there are recesses or oblong holes (88) through which the lubricating oil of the system passes; the upper part of the piston-knife (8) or 47

The narrowest part of the piece extends from the center of the lower part along its entire length vertically and parallel to the outer faces of the lower part, except for the vertical ends that are rounded. Susceptible to radial displacement inside the radial recesses (9) of the rotating drum (10).

14. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises of a knife-plunger guides (24), which adopt a rectangular shape with the four rounded corners and a central through hole through which they are fixed to the cylindrical projection of the piston-knife (8), these piston-knife guide (24) being capable of linearly moving through guide grooves (25) made in the flat faces of the rotating drum (10) fitting of adjusted foxma obtaining an optimum lateral guidance of the piston-knife (8).

15. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a multiple-blade used for the subdivision of the mass evacuated through the evacuation hole (35) in order to increase the number of pieces produced by the machine processing them into smaller pieces according to the number of subdivisions of said multiple blade; it consists of a frame of rectangular shape that adopts the geometry of the evacuation channel (33) transversely incorporating several vertical blades inclined preferably at 15 angular degrees that act incisively against 48

the mass evacuated by the evacuation hole (35) said mass being subsequently sectioned by the knife-paring (36) r being this multiple-blade optionally applicable.

16. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to the preceding claims _* characterized in that it comprises a sensor located in the cavity that is located between the set-extractor and the volume-set, and always in direct contact with the mass residing in said location , in order to make a constant measurement that said cavity is completely filled with mass, in this way to be able to control the motor torque of the drive-extractor according to the needs of the system, by processing the information recorded by said sensor , this being an optional application.

17. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a connector-probe assembly for vacuum intake and exhaust gases, according to figures 18, 19 and 20, which performs the function of facilitating the exit of the gases contained in the dough by the effect of fermentation, extracting them from the interior of the extractor and set-volumetric units to the outside thereof by means of a probe (76), this evacuation of gases being caused by the same pressure of the system or assisted by a vacuum generation system.

18. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a closure assembly, operated by 49

a traction cylinder (52) with double rod (53) that pushes latches (62), ensuring that while the main mechanism is running, it remains closed; As a safety measure the bolt (70) has a compression spring (71) that exerts a pressure on the bolt (70), preventing it from unlocking from the slide (56) in case of failure of the supply of compressed air, canceling the possibility that the latches (62) may be unintentionally opened; this pin (70) is capable of being operated by the cylinder (67) to unlock it; the closure assembly has dampers (74) that facilitate the folding down of the extractor assembly, being fixed to the extractor-set and volumetric assembly by means of shock absorber shafts (75).

19. An automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a rotating drum (10) whose cylindrical geometry is obtained from polar sectors of specific geometry, preferably five angularly disposed equidistantly at 72 degrees, according to figure 28 forming a compact assembly by means of joining discs to which said polar sectors are integral by their central vertices according to the mounting position, said connecting discs being concentric to the outer tread formed by the curved faces of said polar sectors.

20. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises drum-rotary rings (16), fifty

of annular shape whose main function is to provide greater rigidity by means of axial and radial fixation concentric to the rotating drum (10) and in turn to house the ends of the linear retainers (23), as well as to serve as the sealing surface of Radial seals (17).

21 - automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to claim 20, characterized in that it comprises radial seals (17) of specific section according to figure 28 that effect a dynamic closure on the drum-rotating rings (16), separating the media by which pass the mass and the lubrication system.

22. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to the previous claims _/ characterized in that it comprises linear retainers (23), which are composed of a rigid piece or base-retainer whose function is to give support and rigidity to another flexible piece of special geometry according to figures 23 and 24 which adapts to the contour of the upper part of the plunger-blades (8) having inner lips along the inner perimeter of the retainer that during the course of said plunger-blade (8) inside the radial recesses (9) of the rotating drum (10) clean and detach the mass from the surface thereof, while preventing the lubrication oil from leaving the interior of the radial recesses (9) of the rotary drum (10) providing a dynamic seal to the system; said flexible part in its upper part has lips that provide tightness 51

static

23. An automatic dividing machine for bakeries, according to the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises an axis-motor (19) that at one of its ends has a cylindrical head in which there are recesses and slits that allow the passage of the plunger blade (8) and of the plunger-blade guides (24), all preferably being arranged angularly equidistantly at 72 degrees.

24. Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a support shaft (18) that at one of its ends has a cylindrical head in which there are recesses and slots that allow the passage of the plunger blade (8) and of the plunger-blade guides (24), all preferably being arranged angularly equidistantly at 72 degrees. 25 »Automatic dividing machine for bakery, according to the preceding claims _/ characterized in that it comprises some covers-ej'e (22) whose function is to axially fix the support-shaft bearings (20) while housing the radial seals ^ axis (21). 26. An automatic dividing machine for bakeries, according to the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises of an evacuation channel (33) according to figure 25, of irregular shape but without presenting any reduction in its section, whereby the passage of the dough to through the evacuation channel (33) is not 52

restricted at any point, its upper part (34) being removable.