Rotary Dough Molding Machine

Abstract

A rotary dough molding machine (10). The machine has a frame (6), a die roller (4) rotatably mounted to the frame (6), a knife (3) for scraping dough from the die roller (4), the knife (3) extending along the die roller (4), and a driver for moving the knife (3) between a scraping position and an inactive position, with the driver having a first drive (1) acting on the first end (31) of the knife (3) and a second drive (2) acting on the second end (32) of the knife (3). The first drive (1) and the second drive (2) can be actuated independently of each other.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. Rotary dough molding machine (10), comprising: a frame (6); a die roller (4) rotatably mounted to the frame (6); a knife (3) for scraping dough from the die roller (4), said knife (3) extending along the die roller (4); and a driver that moves the knife (3) between a scraping position and an inactive position, the driver comprising a first drive (1) acting on the first end (31) of the knife (3) and a second drive (2) acting on the second end (32) of the knife (3), wherein the first drive (1) and the second drive (2) are actuatable independently of each other.

17. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 16, wherein: the rotary dough molding machine (10) comprises a control device (9) that is in communication with the first drive (1) and the second drive (2), wherein the drives (1, 2) can be actuated by the control device (9) automatically and/or in dependence of commands generated by means of a human interface (8).

18. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 16, wherein: the rotary dough molding machine (10) comprises a first sensor (11) detecting movement and/or position of the first end (31) of the knife (3) and/or load acting on the first end (31) of the knife (3), and a second sensor (12) detecting movement and/or position of the second end (32) of the knife (3) and/or load acting on the second end (32) of the knife (3).

19. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 18, wherein: the first sensor (11) and the second sensor (12) are in communication with the control device (9), wherein the control device (9) is capable of controlling the drives (1, 2) in dependence of values measured by the sensors (11, 12) and/or of displaying on a human interface (8) values obtained by the sensors (11, 12).

20. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 16, wherein: the knife (3) extends between a first frame portion (13) and a second frame portion (14), and wherein the first end (31) of the knife (3) is supported by a first support (15), that is movably mounted to the first frame portion (13) and coupled to the first drive (1), and the second end (32) of the knife (3) is supported by a second support (16), that is movably mounted to the second frame portion (14) and coupled to the second drive (2), wherein the first support (15) extends through the first frame portion (13) and the second support (16) extends through the second frame portion (14).

21. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 20, wherein: the first drive (1) is spatially separated from the knife (3) by the first frame portion (13) and the second drive (2) is spatially separated from the knife (3) by the second frame portion (14).

22. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 20, wherein: each support (15, 16) has an inner portion (17, 19) facing towards the knife (3) and an outer portion (18, 20) spatially separated from the knife (3) by the respective frame portion (13, 14), wherein the inner portion (17, 19) and the outer portion (18, 20) are detachable from each other by releasing at least one screw.

23. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 20, wherein: the knife (3) loosely rests on the first support (15) and on the second support (16), on a form-fitting structure.

24. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 20, wherein: the first frame portion (13) forms a first guide (21), in which the first support (15) is slidably mounted and the second frame portion (14) forms a second guide (22), in which the second support (16) is slidably mounted.

25. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 24, wherein: each support (15, 16) communicates with the respective guide (21, 22) via at least one sliding disc (7) made of plastic, inserted between support (15, 16) and guide (21, 22), in a recess formed in the support (15, 16) or in the guide (21, 22).

26. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 20, wherein: the first drive (1) and the second drive (2) are linear drives, where the first drive (1) is pivotably mounted to the first frame portion (13) and pivotably mounted to the first support (15) and/or the second drive (2) is pivotably mounted to the second frame portion (14) and pivotably mounted to the second support (16).

27. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 16, wherein: the knife (3) is continuously adjustable by the drives (1, 2) between the scraping position and the inactive position.

28. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 16, wherein: the knife (3) is formed by a base (24) and blade (23) mounted to the base (24).

29. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 16, wherein: the rotary dough molding machine (10) further comprises a feed roller (5) rotatably mounted to the frame (6), wherein the rotational axes of the die roller (4) and the feed roller (5) are essentially parallel to each other, and wherein in the scraping position the knife (3) extends into the gap between the die roller (4) and the feed roller (5).

30. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 24, wherein: the first and second guides (21) and (22) comprise arc-shaped slotted guides.

31. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 28 wherein: the base (24) has end portions (25, 26) extending beyond the blade (23) and each drive (1, 2) acts on the respective end portion (25, 26) of the base (24).

32. Method for operating the rotary dough molding machine (10) according to claim 16, comprising: adjusting knife (3) relative to the die roller (4), wherein the first end (31) of the knife (3) and the second end (32) of the knife (3) are adjusted independently from each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] For a better understanding of the invention the latter is explained in more detail with reference to the following Figures. In a simplified, schematic representation:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows in a schematic illustration a rotary dough molding machine;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows in a top view a rotary dough molding machine;

[0038] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of drive, sensor and knife support;

[0039] FIG. 4 shows the communication between drives, sensors and control device;

[0040] FIG. 5 shows the knife and the driving means (without frame); and

[0041] FIG. 6 shows in detail an embodiment of drive, sensor and knife support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Generally, the same parts or similar parts are denoted with the same/similar names and reference signs. The features disclosed in the description apply to parts with the same/similar names respectively reference signs. Indicating the orientation and relative position (up, down, sideward, etc.) is related to the associated Figure, and indication of the orientation and/or relative position has to be amended in different Figures accordingly as the case may be.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a rotary dough molding machine 10 comprising a frame 6, a die roller 4 and a feed roller 5, both rotatably mounted within the frame 6 about parallel axes of rotation, and a knife 3 for scraping dough from the die roller 4. A plurality of molds (in form of cavities for receiving dough) is formed in the surface of the die roller 4. The knife 3 extends between its ends 31, 32 along the die roller 4 (FIG. 2) and scrapes excess dough from the surface of the die roller 4. FIG. 1 shows the scraping position of the knife 3 that extends into the gap between the die roller 4 and the feed roller 5. In the inactive position the knife 3 will be distanced from the die roller 4. Movement between scraping position and inactive position is indicated by the double arrow in FIG. 1.

[0044] A hopper 27 is provided for supplying dough to the rollers 4, 5 and a (rubber) belt 28 is provided for receiving the molded dough pieces from the molds formed in the surface of the die roller 4.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows driving means for moving the knife 3 between a scraping position, in which the knife 3 abuts (or nearly abuts) with its edge against the die roller 4, and an inactive position, in which the knife 3 is distanced from the die roller 4. The driving means comprises a first drive 1 acting on the first end 31 of the knife 3 and a second drive 2 acting on the second end 32 of the knife 3. The first drive 1 and the second drive 2 can be actuated independently of each other. The first drive 1 and the second drive 2 each comprise an actuator, preferably a motor or a cylinder. In a preferred embodiment the drives 1, 2 are spindle drives.

[0046] The first drive 1 acts on the first end 31 of the knife 3 causing a movement of the knife's first end 31 along a first line of movement, and the second drive 2 acts on the second end 32 of the knife 3 causing a movement of the knife's second end 32 along a second line of movement, wherein the first line of movement and the second line of movement are essentially parallel to each other. As will be described below the (first and second) line of movements are preferably defined by parallel guides 21, 22.

[0047] It is preferred that the knife 3 is continuously adjustable by the drives 1, 2 between the scraping position and the inactive position. During the adjustment procedure of knife 3 relative to the die roller 4 the first end 31 of the knife 3 and the second end 32 of the knife 3 may be adjusted independently from each other and at any stage of operation.

[0048] As can be seen from the preferred embodiment of FIG. 4 the rotary dough molding machine 10 may comprise a control device 9 that is in communication with the first drive 1 and the second drive 2, wherein the drives 1, 2 can be actuated by the control device 9 automatically and/or in dependence of commands generated by means of a human interface 8.

[0049] From the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-6 it can be seen that the rotary dough molding machine 10 may comprise

a first sensor 11 detecting movement and/or position of the first end 31 of the knife 3 and/or load acting on the first end 31 of the knife 3, and
a second sensor 12 detecting movement and/or position of the second end 32 of the knife 3 and/or load acting on the second end 32 of the knife 3.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows that the first sensor 11 and the second sensor 12 may be in communication with the control device 9, wherein the control device 9 is capable of controlling the drives 1, 2 in dependence of values measured by the sensors 11, 12 and/or of displaying on a human interface 8 values obtained by the sensors 11, 12.

[0051] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2 the knife 3 extends between a first frame portion 13 and a second frame portion 14. The frame portions 13, 14 belong to the same frame that rotatably supports rollers 4, 5. The first end 31 of the knife 3 is supported by a first support 15, which is movably mounted to the first frame portion 13 and coupled to the first drive 1. The second end 32 of the knife 3 is supported by a second support 16, which is movably mounted to the second frame portion 14 and coupled to the second drive 2. Here, the first support 15 extends through the first frame portion 13 and the second support 16 extends through the second frame portion 14 (indicated by the dashed lines).

[0052] Each support 15, 16 may have an inner portion 17, 19 facing towards the knife 3 and an outer portion 18, 20 spatially separated from the knife 3 by the respective frame portion 13, 14, wherein the inner portion 17, 19 and the outer portion 18, 20 are detachable from each other, preferably by releasing at least one screw (not shown). Each drive 1, 2 is coupled to the outer portion 18, 20 of the respective support 15, 16. As can be seen from FIG. 2 the first drive 1 is spatially separated from the knife 3 by the first frame portion 13 and the second drive 2 is spatially separated from the knife 3 by the second frame portion 14. With other words: the drives 1, 2 are arranged outside the space between the frame portions 13, 14.

[0053] It is preferred that the knife 3 loosely (i.e. detachably without fastening means) rests on the first support 15 and on the second support 16, preferably on a form-fitting structure. The form fitting structure may be e.g. a recess in the supports.

[0054] In order to define the movement path of the knife the first frame portion 13 forms a first guide 21 (here: a slotted guide), in which the first support 15 is slidably mounted. The second frame portion 14 forms a second guide 22 (here: a slotted guide), in which the second support 16 is slidably mounted. The guide 21, 22 may have an arc-shaped run in order to optimally bringing up the knife 3 towards the die roller 4.

[0055] Each support 15, 16 may communicate with the respective guide 21, 22 via at least one (here: several) sliding disc 7, preferably made of plastic, inserted between support 15, 16 and guide 21, 22 (FIG. 6). Recesses may be formed in the support 15, 16 or in the guide 21, 22 for receiving the sliding disc(s).

[0056] In the embodiment shown the drives 1, 2 are linear drives. The first drive 1 is pivotably mounted to the first frame portion 13 and pivotably mounted to the first support 15. The second drive 2 is pivotably mounted to the second frame portion 14 and pivotably mounted to the second support 16.

[0057] From FIG. 5 it can be seen, that the knife 3 is formed by a base 24 and blade 23 mounted to the base 24. In the embodiment shown, the base 24 has end portions 25, 26 extending beyond the blade 23. Each drive 1, 2 acts on the respective end portion 25, 26 of the base 24.

[0058] It is noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed hereinbefore, but combinations of the different variants are possible. For example rotary drives may be used (instead of linear drives) as well. The coupling between each drive and corresponding knife end may be different and comprise other transmission elements as in the embodiments shown. It would be also possible that the drives directly act on the respective ends of the knife. The drives may be alternatively arranged on the inner side of the frame portions. The movement of the knife from the scraping position to the inactive position may follow an arc-shaped run, a linear run or any other run and/or may comprise a rotational component. Alternatively to a slotted guide within the frame also a guide structure attached to the frame would be possible. Any mounting allowing a movement of the knife between the scraping position and the inactive position would be possible. The (first and second) sensors may be encoders (linear or angle encoders), pressure and/or force sensors (e.g. comprising at least one piezoelectric element or a strain gauge), touch-less sensors (e.g. optical or capacitive or inductive sensor), etc. In reality, the rotary dough molding machine may have more or less parts than shown in the Figures. The machine and parts thereof may also be shown in different scales and may be bigger or smaller than depicted. Finally, the description may comprise subject matter of further independent inventions.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0059] 1 first drive [0060] 2 second drive [0061] 3 knife [0062] 4 die roller [0063] 5 feed roller [0064] 6 frame [0065] 7 sliding disc [0066] 8 human interface [0067] 9 control device [0068] 10 rotary dough molding machine [0069] 11 first sensor [0070] 12 second sensor [0071] 13 first frame portion [0072] 14 second frame portion [0073] 15 first support [0074] 16 second support [0075] 17 inner portion of first support 15 [0076] 18 outer portion of first support 15 [0077] 19 inner portion of second support 16 [0078] 20 outer portion of second support 16 [0079] 21 first guide [0080] 22 second guide [0081] 23 blade [0082] 24 base [0083] 25 end portion of base 24 [0084] 26 end portion of base 24 [0085] 27 hopper [0086] 28 belt [0087] 31 first end of knife 3 [0088] 32 second end of knife