Rotary Dough Molding Machine

Abstract

A rotary dough molding machine (10). The machine has a frame (6), a die roller (4) and a feed roller (5) rotatably mounted to the frame (6) and an adjuster that adjusts the gap between die roller (4) and feed roller (5), wherein one of the rollers (4, 5), is an adjustable roller, which is movable relative to the frame (6) by the adjuster. The adjusting has a first drive (1) acting on the first end (51) of the adjustable roller (5) causing a movement of said first end (51) in a first direction (x) transverse to the rotational axis (50) of the adjustable roller (5), and a second drive (2) acting on the second end (52) of the adjustable roller (5) causing a movement of said second end (52) in a second direction (x) that is essentially parallel to the first direction (x). 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) and a feed roller (5) rotatably mounted to the frame (6) and an adjuster that adjusts the gap between die roller (4) and feed roller (5), wherein one of the rollers (4, 5), is an adjustable roller, which is movable relative to the frame (6) by the adjuster where the adjuster comprises a first drive (1) acting on the first end (51) of the adjustable roller (5) causing a movement of said first end (51) in a first direction (x) transverse to the rotational axis (50) of the adjustable roller (5), and a second drive (2) acting on the second end (52) of the adjustable roller (5) causing a movement of said second end (52) in a second direction (x) that is essentially parallel to the first direction (x), wherein the first drive (1) and the second drive (2) can be actuated 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 17, wherein the first drive (1) and the second drive (2) are actuated by the control device (9) in a synchronized manner.

19. 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 (51) of the adjustable roller (5) and/or load acting on the first end (51) of the adjustable roller (5), and a second sensor (12) detecting movement and/or position of the second end (52) of the adjustable roller (5) and/or load acting on the second end (52) of the adjustable roller (5).

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

21. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 16, wherein: the adjustable roller (5) extends between a first frame portion (13) and a second frame portion (14), and wherein the first end (51) of the adjustable roller (5) is supported by a first bearing (15), that is movably mounted to the first frame portion (13) and coupled to the first drive (1), and the second end (52) of the adjustable roller (5) is supported by a second bearing (16), that is movably mounted to the second frame portion (14) and coupled to the second drive (2).

22. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 21, wherein the first drive (1) is mounted to the first frame portion (13) and the second drive (2) is mounted to the second frame portion (14).

23. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 22, wherein the first drive (1) is spatially separated from the space between the frame portions (13, 14) by the first frame portion (13) and the second drive (2) is spatially separated from the space between the frame portions (13, 14) by the second frame portion (14).

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

25. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 16, wherein the first drive (1) and the second drive (2) are linear drives.

26. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 16, wherein the ends (51, 52) of the adjustable roller (5) are continuously adjustable by the drives (1, 2).

27. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 16, wherein the rotary dough molding machine (10) comprises a first end stop (17) for limiting the movement of the first end (51) of the adjusting roller (5), a second end stop (18) for limiting the movement of the second end (52) of the adjusting roller (5), a first end stop sensor (19) capable of detecting the end stop position of the first end (51) of the adjusting roller (5), a second end stop sensor (20) capable of detecting the end stop position of the second end (52) of the adjusting roller (5).

28. Rotary dough molding machine (10) according to claim 16, wherein the feed roller (5) is an adjustable roller.

29. Rotary dough molding machine according to claim 22, wherein the first frame portion (13) forms a first slotted or linear guide (21) in which the first bearing (15) is slidably mounted and the second frame portion (14) forms a second slotted or linear guide (22) in which the second bearing (16) is slidably mounted.

30. Method for operating the rotary dough molding machine (10) of claim 16 comprising the step of adjusting the gap between the die roller (4) and the feed roller (5), wherein the first end (51) of the adjustable roller (5) and the second end (52) of the adjustable roller (5) are adjusted independently from each other.

31. Method according to claim 30, where the rotary dough molding machine (10) includes a first sensor (11) detecting movement and/or position of the first end (51) of the adjustable roller (5) and/or load acting on the first end (51) of the adjustable roller (5), and a second sensor (12) detecting movement and/or position of the second end (52) of the adjustable roller (5) and/or load acting on the second end (52) of the adjustable roller (5), the method further comprising the steps of comparing first data obtained by the first sensor (11) and second data obtained by the second sensor (12), and adjusting the gap between die roller (4) and feed roller (5) by actuating the first drive (1) and/or the second drive (2), if the deviation between the first data and the second data exceeds a first threshold.

32. Method according to claim 31 further comprising the steps of stopping the machine (10) and/or generating a warning signal if the deviation between the first data and the second data exceeds a second threshold which is higher than the first threshold.

33. Method for operating the rotary dough molding machine (10) of claim 27, comprising the steps of adjusting the gap between the die roller (4) and the feed roller (5), wherein the first end (51) of the adjustable roller (5) and the second end (52) of the adjustable roller (5) are adjusted independently from each other; moving the adjustable roller (5) by the drives (1, 2) until the ends (51, 52) of the adjustable roller (5) have reached their end stop positions; and evaluating the signals of the first sensor (11) and the second sensor (12) when the ends (51, 52) of the adjustable roller (5) are in their end stop positions and using them as reference values for adjusting the gap between die roller (4) and feed roller (5) during operation of the rotary dough molding machine (10).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] 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:

[0053] FIG. 1 shows in a schematic illustration a rotary dough molding machine;

[0054] FIG. 2 shows in a top view the rotary dough molding machine;

[0055] FIG. 3 shows in a side view the rotary dough molding machine; and

[0056] FIG. 4 shows the communication between drives, sensors and control device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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 along the die roller 4 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 an 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.

[0059] A hopper 7 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.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows adjusting means for adjusting the gap between die roller 4 and feed roller 5. In the present embodiment the feed roller 5 is an adjustable roller, which is movable relative to the frame 6 by the adjusting means.

[0061] In an alternate embodiment (not shown) the die roller 4 could be the adjustable roller cooperating with the adjusting means (for adjusting the gap). In that case the knife 3 should be adjustable (by the adjusting means or a separate means), too.

[0062] The adjusting means comprises a first drive 1 and a second drive 2 that can be actuated independently of each other. The first drive 1 acts on the first end 51 of the adjustable roller 5 causing a movement of said first end 51 in a first direction x transverse to the rotational axis 50 of the adjustable roller 5. The second drive 2 acts on the second end 52 of the adjustable roller 5 causing a movement of said second end 52 in a second direction x that is essentially parallel to the first direction x. In the present embodiment first drive 1 and second drive 2 are linear drives and the directions x, x linear directions. 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.

[0063] 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. The first drive 1 and the second drive 2 can be actuated by the control device 9 in a synchronized manner (to increase/decrease the gap) or independently from each other (to perform fine adjustment, particularly to obtain constant gap width throughout the length).

[0064] It is preferred that the ends 51, 52 of the adjustable roller 5 are continuously adjustable by the drives 1, 2. During the adjustment procedure of the feed roller 5 relative to the die roller 4 the first end 51 and the second end 52 may be adjusted independently from each other and at any stage of operation. In FIG. 2 such a fine adjustment is indicated by the possibility of a (slightly) tilting rotational axis 50 of feed roller 5.

[0065] As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 the rotary dough molding machine 10 comprises a first sensor 11 detecting movement and/or position of the first end 51 of the adjustable roller 5 and/or load acting on the first end 51 of the adjustable roller 5, and a second sensor 12 detecting movement and/or position of the second end 52 of the adjustable roller 5 and/or load acting on the second end 52 of the adjustable roller 5.

[0066] As can be seen from FIG. 4 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.

[0067] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2 the adjustable (feed) roller 5 extends between a first frame portion 13 and a second frame portion 14. The frame portions 13, 14 belong to the same frame 6 that rotatably supports the die roller 4. The first end 51 of the roller 5 is supported by a first bearing 15, which is movably mounted to the first frame portion 13 and coupled to the first drive 1. The second end 52 of the roller 5 is supported by a second bearing 16, which is movably mounted to the second frame portion 14 and coupled to the second drive 2. The bearings 15, 16 are formed as bearing blocks slidably mounted to the frame (portions).

[0068] The first drive 1 may be mounted to the first frame portion 13 and the second drive 2 is mounted to the second frame portion 14 (as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3). It would be preferred, if the first drive 1 is spatially separated from the space between the frame portions 13, 14 by the first frame portion 13 and the second drive 2 is spatially separated from the space between the frame portions 13, 14 by the second frame portion 14. With other words: the drives 1, 2 may be arranged outside the space between the frame portions 13, 14.

[0069] The first frame portion 13 forms a first (linear) guide 21, preferably a slotted guide, in which the first bearing 15 is slidably mounted. The second frame portion 14 forms a second (linear) guide 22, preferably a slotted guide, in which the second bearing 16 is slidably mounted. Each bearing 15, 16 may communicate with the respective guide 21, 22 via at least one sliding disc, preferably made of plastic, inserted between bearing 15, 16 and guide 21, 22. Recesses may be formed in the bearings 15, 16 or in the guide 21, 22 for receiving the sliding disc(s).

[0070] FIGS. 2 and 3 show that the rotary dough molding machine 10 further comprises a first end stop 17 for limiting the movement of the first end 51 of the adjusting roller 5 (towards the other roller 4) and a second end stop 18 for limiting the movement of the second end 52 of the adjusting roller 5 (towards the other roller 4).

[0071] In the preferred embodiment a first end stop sensor 19 capable of detecting the end stop position of the first end 51 of the adjusting roller 5 and a second end stop sensor 20 capable of detecting the end stop position of the second end 52 of the adjusting roller 5 are provided. The end stop sensors 19, 20 are in communication with the control device 9 and may be e.g. touch and/or load sensors.

[0072] The method for operating a rotary dough molding machine 10 comprises the step of adjusting the gap between the die roller 4 and the feed roller 5, wherein the first end 51 of the adjustable (here: feed) roller 5 and the second end 52 of the adjustable roller 5 are adjusted independently from each other. By this way the rotational axis 50 of the roller 5 may be slightly tilted and aligned relative to the other roller 4, if necessary.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment the method further comprises the steps of [0074] comparing first data obtained by the first sensor 11 (e.g. positional sensor) and second data obtained by the second sensor 12 (e.g. positional sensor), [0075] adjusting the gap between die roller 4 and feed roller 5 by actuating the first drive 1 and/or the second drive 2, if the deviation between the first and second data (e.g. positional data) exceeds a first threshold.

[0076] It is preferred to stop the machine 10 and/or generating a warning signal, if the deviation between the first data and the second data exceeds a second threshold, which is higher than the first threshold.

[0077] In a further embodiment the method comprises the steps of [0078] moving the adjustable roller 5 by the drives 1, 2 until the ends 51, 52 of the adjustable roller 5 have reached their end stop positions (here: the bearings 15, 16 abut against the end stops 17, 18), [0079] evaluating the signals of the first sensor 11 and the second sensor 12 when the ends 51, 52 of the adjustable roller 5 are in their end stop positions and using them as reference values for adjusting the gap between die roller 4 and feed roller 5 during operation of the rotary dough molding machine 10.

[0080] 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 roller end may be different and comprise other/further transmission elements as in the embodiments shown. The drives may be alternatively arranged on the inner side of the frame portions. The movement of the adjusting roller may follow a linear run, an arc-shaped 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 roller between the working position and an 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

[0081] 1 first drive [0082] 2 second drive [0083] 3 knife [0084] 4 die roller [0085] 5 feed roller [0086] 6 frame [0087] 7 hopper [0088] 8 human interface [0089] 9 control device [0090] 10 rotary dough molding machine [0091] 11 first sensor [0092] 12 second sensor [0093] 13 first frame portion [0094] 14 second frame portion [0095] 15 first bearing [0096] 16 second bearing [0097] 17 first end stop [0098] 18 second end stop [0099] 19 first end stop sensor [0100] 20 second end stop sensor [0101] 21 first guide [0102] 22 second guide [0103] 28 belt [0104] 50 rotational axis of roller [0105] 51 first end of roller 5 [0106] 52 second end of roller 5