WO2023281130A1

WO2023281130A1 - Machine for preparing empanadas and associated method

Info

Publication number: WO2023281130A1
Application number: PCT/ES2021/070501
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alejandro POLO NAVAS; David ALVADO OROZCO
Original assignee: Empanadas Malvon, S.L.
Priority date: 2021-07-09
Filing date: 2021-07-09
Publication date: 2023-01-12

Abstract

Machine for manufacturing empanadas and associated method, which makes the empanadas quickly, requires little labour and takes up very little space, while maintaining the quality of the empanadas. The machine comprises a support structure (2), a rotating circular table (1), four intermedíate stations (6, 7, 13, 14) arranged around the circular table (1), and four moulds (3) which are joined to a bearing surface (30) of the circular table (1), are arranged at 90°, and move from one intermedíate station to the next upon rotation of the circular table (1). The moulds (3) are equipped with two mould portions (5) which are joined to each other pivotably and the intermedíate stations (6,7,13,14) comprise a loading station (6), a dosing station (7), a folding station (13) and a crimping station (14).

Description

ASSOCIATED PROCEDURE

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention deals with a machine for preparing empanadas and an associated procedure, which is included in the technical field of food processing to form stuffed foods and specifically in that of empanadas or empanadillas, where the preparation of the empanadas is carried out carried out in molds arranged on a rotating round table, where different intermediate stations are arranged around the table, through which each mold passes.

The object of the present invention is to provide a machine and process for preparing empanadas that makes empanadas quickly, requires hardly any labor and takes up very little space, while maintaining the quality of the empanadas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Machines for preparing stuffed foods such as empanadas are known in the state of the art. On the one hand, machines have been developed that are usually adapted to be installed in production lines and that have several intermediate operating stations. On the other hand, machines that occupy less space are also known, such as the case of document ECSMU 19054475, which discloses a semi-automatic rotary machine for the manufacture of empanadas, which has a circular rotating base with anchorage, which has four zones of work for the construction of the products. In the first area there is a plastic or metallic plate with its respective pneumatic activation piston, which expands the ball of dough, the second area is to manually include the filling, and it is covered on top with the other half of the dough, the The third zone is for molding, closing and cutting the excess, and in the fourth zone the finished empanadas are packed.

On the one hand, the machines mounted on linear production lines, which are carried out in a straight line, take up a lot of space and all the operations cannot be easily controlled at the same time by one operator. On the other hand, in the case of cited patent documents, the intervention of several operators is necessary to place the filling, fold the dough in half to cover the filling and remove the excess dough. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention deals with a machine for making empanadas, which comprises a support structure, a rotary circular table attached with the possibility of turning on the support structure, four intermediate stations attached to the support structure and arranged around the circular table. and four molds attached to a support surface of the circular table that are arranged at 90° and when the circular table rotates, they move from one intermediate station to the next. The molds are provided with two mold portions that are pivotably connected to one another. The intermediate stations comprise a loading station that receives one of the molds that is intended to receive a wafer, a dosing station, adjacent to the loading station that is equipped with a loading tray intended to receive a filling, and a dosing cylinder. equipped with an inlet cavity that communicates with the loading tray and through which the filling is introduced, and an outlet cavity that is arranged on the mold for ejecting the filling. The machine comprises a bending station adjacent to the dosing station equipped with an actuating part that moves at least one mold portion over the other mold portion and is intended to fold the wafer in half, and a repulsing station adjacent to the dosing station. folding station where the edges of previously folded wafers are sealed and a finished patty is obtained.

In this way, the necessary empanada manufacturing processes are carried out on the same machine, managed with the fewest number of operators, mechanizing and robotizing the steps that are possible. This machine allows empanadas to be made quickly and optimizing resources, maintaining the quality of the empanada and allowing them to be filled with a quality non-shredded filling. Thus, the texture of the raw materials is maintained throughout the process. The fold of the wafer additionally prevents the generation of waste since by using the edge of the wafer itself the dough is not cut. Thanks to the configuration of the machine when loading and depositing the filling on the wafer, the raw material of the products that make up the filling preserves its texture and allows the elements that make it up to be distinguished visually and tastefully.

The dosing station can comprise a compacting blade housed inside the tray and which extends transversally to the tray and is mobile in its longitudinal direction so that it can push the filling. Additionally, it can comprise a dosing blade that is mobile in the direction transverse to the movement of the compacting blade and in a direction perpendicular to the support surface so that once the filling has concentrated in an area of the tray, it is pushed towards the hopper. These movements are preferably controlled by a Cartesian robot that has a longitudinal, transverse and vertical axis, that is, it moves in three directions. The dosing station also comprises a hopper that extends from the inlet cavity, which is a bent metal sheet that extends from the inlet cavity, through which the filling is collected, and a pusher piston facing the inlet cavity and mobile. crosswise to the dosing cylinder that can be introduced into the hopper to push the filling from the hopper towards the outlet cavity of the dosing cylinder. The piston may have a position sensor, which calculates when the dosing cylinder has to push the filler down.

The dosing station comprises a plunger inside the dosing cylinder intended to push the filling towards the outlet cavity. The plunger has a sensor that determines the position of the plunger within the metering cylinder. Calculating the displacements of this, you can know the volume of filling that comes out and therefore its approximate weight. The value of this offset depends on the type of padding. The dosing station can comprise a blade support connected to the dosing cylinder and a blade movably connected to the blade support that moves perpendicular to the support surface from an initial position in which it covers the outlet cavity and a position of rest in which it moves away from the exit cavity, so that when the filling comes out of the exit cavity, the blade cuts it when it moves. This blade configuration is especially advantageous for cutting the threads of meat or vegetables from the stuffing, since the stuffing is not shredded.

It is continuously checked that the dosing cylinder has sufficient filling, thanks to the piston sensor and the plunger sensor. If there is not enough filler inside the dosing cylinder, the blades push the filler into the hopper and the hopper pusher pushes it into the dosing cylinder. If the metering blade has traveled the entire length of the tray, the compactor blade brings the backfill closer so that the metering blade can go back to work. If the entire tray has been traversed both longitudinally and transversally, a refill warning appears and the machine stops.

The bending station may comprise a bending frame and a pressure cylinder attached to the bending frame and facing the mold that is movable transversely to the support surface and is configured to press one mold portion onto the other, where the cylinder Pressure can be a pneumatic piston that presses with the necessary regulated pressure until the masses are united and the empanada is closed. The mold is subsequently opened and the rotation of the table continues.

At the repulse station, the repulge operation can be performed manually or preferably by a mechanical process, which, once the empanada wafer is folded, twists the edge of the semicircle, and as a result, the traditional format is displayed. of repulgue made by hand, which is recognized as empanada. The empanada can preferably go to the repulse station already semi-sealed thanks to the folding and the pressure exerted afterwards, and at the repulse station this closure is strengthened.

Many of the movements described are performed by pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, worm or rack actuators or plungers. Thus, for example, the push piston is a pneumatic piston that moves in a direction perpendicular to the support surface, just like the pneumatic piston that generates movement perpendicular to the support surface of the blade or the plunger housed in the piston. inside the dosing cylinder. The machine can include a compressor that feeds those devices that are pneumatic.

The machine has a control box from where you can control the flow of current, the activation of the different tools and robots that take part in the processes, the switching on and off the machine, transit and management of the data collected by the sensors, etc. Thus the machine will start up and shut down when the operator activates the buttons on the control box. The present invention also deals with a process for manufacturing empanadas carried out with the previously described machine, where the process comprises the steps of loading a wafer of empanada on a mold of a loading station, transporting the wafer and the mold to a dosing station, applying a filling onto the wafer, transporting the filled wafer to a folding station, folding the wafer in half and transporting the folded wafer to a final folding station where the wafer edges are sealed. In this way, all the necessary stages for the manufacture of an empanada can be carried out in a single machine. Additionally, it comprises a step of pressing one mold portion onto the other after folding the wafer to glue the edges of the empanadas. This gluing or sealing after folding is reinforced by the final sealing or repulse. The stages of transporting the mold between intermediate stations are performed by rotating a circular table to which the molds are linked. Additionally, the procedure may comprise a step for marking dumplings, in which a mark is added for identification.

The table rotates from one stage to another when the dosing cylinder is filled enough to make a dose, the operator has removed the empanada from the repulse station and inserted a new wafer of dough, and the operator does not have his hands inside it. machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to implement the present description and to provide a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as part of this description, for illustrative purposes, but not limiting, which represents the following: Figure 1. - Shows a perspective view of a rotary machine for the manufacture of empanadas.

Figure 2.- Shows a first perspective view of the dosing station. Figure 3.- Shows a second perspective view of the dosing station. Figure 4 Shows a third perspective view of the dosing station. Figure 5A.- Shows a first perspective view of the bending station.

Figure 5B.- Shows a second perspective view of the bending station.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a rotary machine for making empanadas, according to the present invention. The empanada manufacturing machine, comprising a support structure (2), a rotating circular table (1) attached with the possibility of turning on the support structure (2), four intermediate stations (6, 7, 13, 14) arranged around the circular table (1) and four molds (3) attached to a support surface (30) of the circular table (1) that are arranged at 90° and when the circular table (1) rotates they move from one intermediate station to the next, thus a different operation is performed on the molds (3) at each station. The molds (3) are provided with two mold portions (5) which are pivotably connected to one another.

The intermediate stations (6, 7, 13, 14) comprise a loading station (6) that receives one of the molds (3) that is intended to receive a wafer (4). In the loading station (6) the first operation is carried out and that is to deposit a wafer (4) on the mold (3). This operation can be carried out either manually or automatically by robots.

Adjacent to the loading station (6), there is a dosing station (7) that is equipped with a loading tray (8) intended to receive a filling (9) and a dosing cylinder (10) equipped with a cavity for inlet (11) that communicates with the loading tray (8) and an outlet cavity (12) that is arranged on the mold (3) intended to expel the filling (9). In this station, the predetermined amount of filling (9) is deposited on the wafer (4) that is resting on the mold (3) and that comes from the loading station (6). Next, the mold (3) together with the wafer (4) and the filling are transported to a bending station (13) adjacent to the dosing station (7) provided with an actuator part (34) that moves at least one mold portion (5) over the other mold portion (5) and is intended to bend the wafer (4) in half. Thus, the actuator part (34) is configured to move at least one portion of the mold (5) over the other, causing the bending of the wafer (4), which after this operation remains folded, covering the filling (9) and practically closed by his singing.

Finally, there is the repulgue station (14) next to the bending station (13) that receives the mold (3) from the bending station (13) in which the edges of the wafers (4) are previously sealed. folded and you get a finished empanada. The machine comprises a servomotor (31) that rotates the circular table (1).

Figure 2 shows a first perspective view of the dosing station (7), according to the present invention. The dosing station (7) comprises at least one compacting blade (15) housed inside the tray (8) and which extends transversally to the tray (8) and is mobile in the longitudinal direction of the tray (8), according to the arrow in the figure, so that you can push the filling (9) through the tray.

Likewise, the dosing station (7) comprises a dosing blade (16) that is mobile in the transverse direction to the movement of the compacting blade (15) and in a direction perpendicular to the support surface (30), according to the arrows in the figure. , once the filling (9) is in the desired area of the tray (8), normally in a corner, the dosing blade can push it towards an exit from the tray, which in this case communicates with a hopper (21 ).

Preferably, to carry out the aforementioned movements, the dosing station (7) comprises a Cartesian robot (17) configured to move the blades (15, 16). The Cartesian robot (17), which is controlled by a control box, has a longitudinal axis (18) to which the compacting blade (15) is attached, a transverse axis (19) to which the dosing blade (16) is attached. and a vertical axis (20) perpendicular to the axes (18, 19) to which the dosing blade (16) is also attached.

Figure 3 shows a second detail view of the dosing station (7), according to the present invention. As mentioned, the dosing station (7) comprises a hopper (21) that extends from the inlet cavity ( 11) cylinder dispenser (10) and a pusher piston (22) facing the inlet cavity (11) and is mobile transversely to the dosing cylinder (10), intended to push the filling (9) from the hopper (21) towards the feeding cavity. outlet (12) of the dosing cylinder (10). The pusher piston (22) is a pneumatic piston that pushes the filler (9) downwards and has a position sensor to control the amount of filler (9) that is introduced into the hopper (21).

Figure 4 shows a third perspective view of the dosing station (7), in which the dosing station (7) comprises a blade holder (26) attached to the dosing cylinder (10) and a blade (25) attached movably to the blade support (26) that moves perpendicular to the support surface (30) from an initial position in which it covers the outlet cavity (12) and a rest position in which it moves away from the cavity outlet (12). Around the outlet cavity (12), the blade support (26) defines a recess where the blade (25) is housed. When the blade (25) is in a rest position, the filling (9) fills said recess, so that when the blade goes down again, it occupies that recess, dislodging the filling (9) towards the mold (3).

Inside the dosing cylinder (10) there is a plunger, which pushes the filling towards the outlet cavity (12). The plunger comprises a plunger sensor that measures the quantity of filling (9) to be ejected, and depending on the type of filling, the quantity of filling to be ejected can vary. The dosing station includes a stop (32), which when the blade lowers to cover the outlet cavity (12) cuts the filling, acts as a stop for the blade (25), preventing it from moving longitudinally and ensuring that it does not slip. I deviated from his route. The stop (32), as well as the blade (25), is actuated by pneumatic means of the pneumatic cylinder type.

Figure 5A shows a first perspective view of the bending station, according to the present invention, in which the actuator part (34) moves at least one mold portion (5) over the other mold portion (5). ) folding the wafer (4) in half. The actuator part (34) is being actuated by a pneumatic arm (35), which rotates it and this in turn rotates one or both mold portions (5).

Each mold portion (5) comprises a plate (33) equipped with a hole, where the holes in each mold portion are coaxial and are traversed by an axis that is a connecting element that joins both mold portions (5) of pivotable way. Each mold portion (5) comprises a mold structure (23) linked to the circular table (1) and a rubber (24) linked to the mold structure (23) that has a recess with the complementary shape of a wafer half (4).

Figure 5B shows a second perspective view of the bending station (13), according to the present invention, wherein the bending station (13) comprises a bending frame (28) and a pressure cylinder (27). ) attached to the bending frame (28) and facing the mold (3) which is mobile transversely to the support surface (30) and is configured to press one portion of the mold (5) on the other when the bending stage is being carried out .

Claims

1.- Empanada manufacturing machine, comprising a support structure (2), a rotating circular table (1) attached to the support structure (2) with the possibility of turning, four intermediate stations (6, 7, 13, 14) arranged around the circular table (1) and four molds (3) attached to a support surface (30) of the circular table (1) that are arranged at 90° and that when the circular table (1) rotates They move from one intermediate station to the next, characterized in that the molds (3) are provided with two mold portions (5) that are pivotably connected to each other and where the intermediate stations (6,7,13,14) comprise ; a loading station (6) that receives one of the molds (3) that is intended to receive a wafer (4); a dosing station (7) adjacent to the loading station (6 and is equipped with either a loading tray (8) intended to receive a filling (9); or a dosing cylinder (10) equipped with an inlet cavity ( 11) that communicates with the loading tray (8) and an output cavity (12) that is arranged on the mold (3) intended to expel the filling (9); a folding station (13) next to the station of dosing (7) provided with an actuator part (34) that moves at least one mold portion (5) over the other mold portion (5) and is intended to fold the wafer (4) in half; a repulse station (14) adjacent to the folding station (13) in which the edges of the wafers (4) previously folded are sealed and a finished pie is obtained.

2. The machine of claim 1, in which the dosing station (7) comprises at least one compacting blade (15) housed inside the tray (8) and extending transversely to the tray (8) and it is mobile in the longitudinal direction of the tray (8).

3. The machine of claim 2, wherein the dosing station (7) comprises a dosing blade (16) that is movable in a transverse direction to the movement of the compacting blade (15) and in a direction perpendicular to the surface of support (30).

4- The machine of claim 3, wherein the dosing station (7) comprises a Cartesian robot (17) configured to move the blades (15, 16) and is provided with a longitudinal axis (18) to which the compacting blade (15) is attached, a transverse axis (19) to which the dosing blade is attached (16) and a vertical axis (20) perpendicular to the axes (18, 19) to which the dosing blade (16) is also attached.

The machine of claim 1, wherein the metering station (7) comprises a hopper (21) extending from the inlet cavity (11) of the metering cylinder (10) and a pusher piston (22). ) facing the inlet cavity (11) and mobile transversely to the dosing cylinder (10), intended to push the filling (9) from the hopper (21) towards the outlet cavity (12) of the dosing cylinder (10).

The machine of claim 1, wherein the metering station (7) comprises a blade support (26) attached to the metering cylinder (10) and a blade (25) movably attached to the blade support ( 26) that moves perpendicular to the support surface (30) from an initial position in which it covers the outlet cavity (12) and a rest position in which it moves away from the outlet cavity (12).

7. The machine of claim 1, wherein the bending station (13) comprises a bending frame (28) and a pressure cylinder (27) attached to the bending frame (28) and facing the mold. (3) which is movable transversely to the support surface (30) and is configured to press one mold portion (5) onto the other.

8. The machine of claim 1, wherein the dosing station (7) comprises a plunger inside the dosing cylinder (10) intended to push the filling (9) towards the outlet cavity (12).

9. The machine of claim 1, comprising a servomotor (31) that rotates the circular table (1).

10. Procedure for manufacturing empanadas carried out with the machine of any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: loading a wafer (4) of empanada onto a mold (3) of a loading station

(6); - transporting the wafer (4) and the mold (3) to a dosing station (7); apply a filling (9) on the wafer (4); transporting the filled wafer (4) to a folding station (13): folding the wafer (4) in half transporting the folded wafer to a final repulse station (14) where the edges of the wafer (4) are sealed;

The manufacturing method of claim 10, comprising a step of pressing one mold portion (5) onto the other after folding the wafer (4).

12.- The manufacturing process of claim 10, in which the stages of transporting the mold (3) between the stations (6, 7, 13, 14) are performed by rotating a circular table (1) to which they are linked. the molds (3).