HK1237595B - Automatic table-top machine for kneading and extruding pasta - Google Patents

Description

Automatic tabletop machine for kneading and extruding noodles

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an automatic table machine for kneading and extruding noodles.

Background Art

Automatic tabletop machines for kneading and extruding noodles are well known.

This type of machine is typically supported and positioned off the ground, i.e., on a tabletop, and may be connected to a tray to receive the extruded noodles. Thus, the vibrations generated by the internal pressure of the machine body are transmitted to the table and the tray, thereby potentially causing noise and mechanical wear to the device.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention starts from the insight of the above-mentioned problem and aims to provide a solution.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic table machine for kneading and extruding noodles, in which the pressure inside the machine body is greatly limited, thereby avoiding the above problems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine as described above which has a substantially simple structure, is easy to install and subsequently maintain, and has a relatively low cost.

Based on these objects, the present invention provides an automatic table machine for kneading and extruding noodles.

In particular, according to the present invention, the automatic tabletop machine for kneading and extruding noodles comprises a machine body, which includes an electric gear motor device having an output shaft with a horizontal axis, a transmission device from the output shaft to a driven shaft, the driven shaft having a horizontal axis and parallel to the axis of the output shaft and coaxial with a kneading reel, the kneading reel extending from the outside into a dough making box of the machine body, the lower part of the dough making box having an extrusion channel parallel to the axis of the kneading reel, in which a screw coaxial with the output shaft is arranged, which is fed in the manner of a screw extrusion device to form noodles, characterized in that the machine body comprises:

a load frame comprising a sheet metal plate bent at approximately 90°, which integrally provides a horizontal base, fixed to the support means on the table, and vertical walls, to the outer surface of which the dough making box is fixed, and

- Internal reinforcements, including:

- a first plate support device comprising a first vertical plate fixed to said horizontal base, parallel to and spaced from said vertical wall,

- a second plate support device comprising a second vertical plate fixed to the inner surface of said vertical wall, and

A bearing device for supporting and holding the output shaft and the driven shaft, which is supported by the first plate and the second plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of an automatic tabletop machine for kneading and extruding noodles according to the present invention, wherein:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a side view of one embodiment of an automatic table machine for kneading and extruding noodles according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the machine shown in Figure 1 from another side;

- Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the machine shown in Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view from above and side of the machine shown in Figure 1 with some parts removed;

- Figure 5 is a rear perspective view from above of the machine shown in Figure 4 with the hood removed for clarity of illustration;

- Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the machine shown in Figure 1, showing the dough making box and its cover in a separated view from the machine body;

- Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the dough making box;

- Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, but with the operating tools, namely the kneading drum and the screw, shown inside the dough making box;

—Figure 9 is a vertical section through the machine shown in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the aforementioned drawings from FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 and FIG. 9 , reference numeral 10 denotes the entirety of an automatic tabletop machine for kneading and extruding noodles according to one embodiment of the present invention.

According to the prior art, the automatic tabletop machine 10 for kneading and extruding noodles includes a body 11, which includes an electric gear motor device 12, which has an output shaft 12.1 with a horizontal axis, and a transmission device 13 from the output shaft 12.1 to a driven shaft 14, the driven shaft 14 has a horizontal axis and is parallel to the axis of the output shaft 12.1, and is coaxial with the axis 15 of the kneading reel 15.1, which extends from the outside into the dough making box 16 of the body 11, and the lower part of the dough making box 16 has an extrusion channel 17 parallel to the axis 15 of the kneading reel 15.1, in which a screw 18 coaxial with the output shaft 12.1 is arranged, which feeds in the form of a screw extrusion device 19 to make noodles (Figure 9).

More specifically, the reel 15 . 1 comprises a plurality of radial branches fixed to the shaft 15 and staggered at an angle to one another.

In particular, the body 11 according to the present invention preferably includes:

a load frame 20, consisting of a sheet metal plate bent at approximately 90°, which integrally provides a horizontal base 21, fixed to support means 22 on the table, and a vertical wall 23, to the outer surface of which the dough making box 16 (Figures 5 and 9) is fixed, and

- Internal reinforcement A, including:

- a first plate support 24 comprising a first vertical plate 24.1 fixed to the horizontal base 21, parallel to and spaced from the vertical wall 23,

- a second plate support means 25 comprising a second vertical plate 25.1 fixed to the inner surface of said vertical wall 23, and

- Carrying means 26, 27 for supporting and holding the output shaft 12.1 and the driven shaft 14, which are supported by the first plate 24 and the second plate 25 (Figures 5 and 9).

In this way, the pressure exerted on the shafts 12 . 1 , 14 is transferred to the horizontal base 21 and the vertical wall 23 of the load frame 20 in an evenly distributed manner through the reinforcement A, overcoming the aforementioned problems in the art.

The fuselage 11 is enclosed between the load frame 20 and a surrounding and removable cover 20 . 1 having a removable vertical rear wall 20 . 2 opposite the vertical wall 23 .

More specifically, according to the present invention:

The first plate supporting means 24 comprises a first vertical plate 24.1 fixed to the horizontal base 21, parallel to and spaced from the vertical wall 23, and supporting, through holes having horizontal and mutually parallel axes, a first carrying means 26.1 through which the output shaft 12.1 of the gear motor device 12 passes, and a second carrying means 26.2 located above the first carrying means 26.1,

The second plate support assembly 25 includes a second vertical plate 25.1, which is fixed to the inner surface of the vertical wall 23 and supports, through holes having horizontal and mutually parallel axes, a third support assembly 27.1 that supports the distal end of the output shaft 12.1 of the gear motor assembly 12, and a fourth support assembly 27.2 ( FIG. 9 ) located above the third support assembly 27.1. The driven shaft 14 is rotatably supported between the third support assembly 26.2 and the fourth support assembly 27.2.

It should be noted that the vertical plate 25.1 is connected to the vertical wall 23 via a spacer device.

More specifically, the transmission device 13 includes a first pinion 13.1 mounted coaxially with the output shaft 12.1, and a second pinion 13.2 mounted coaxially with the driven shaft 14, wherein the first and second pinion 13.1 and 13.2 are arranged close to the surface of the first plate 24.1 adjacent to the vertical wall 23, and a flexible transmission device 13.3 coupled to the first and second pinion 13.1 and 13.2 ( FIG. 9 ). In the example shown ( FIG. 9 ), the flexible transmission device 13.3 comprises a conveyor belt, or alternatively, it may be in the form of a conveyor chain. Furthermore, a pulley arrangement may be used instead of the pinion arrangement (variations not shown).

One end of the driven shaft 14 supported by the fourth bearing device 27.2 is directed toward the outside of the vertical wall 23 of the load frame 20 through a corresponding through hole and has a detachable connecting device 15.2, which is axially connected to the corresponding end of the shaft 15 of the kneading reel so that it rotates together with the driven shaft 14 (Figures 6 and 9).

In addition, one end of the output shaft 12.1 supported by the third bearing device 27.1 is directed toward the outside of the vertical wall 23 of the load frame 20 through a corresponding through hole and has the detachable connecting device 18.1, which is axially connected to the corresponding end of the screw 18 so that it rotates together with the output shaft 12.2 (Figures 6 and 9).

Advantageously, according to the invention, the internal reinforcement A comprises a substantially bell-shaped support 28, axially perforated and having a peripheral outer flange 28.1 on its larger base side, and the flange 28.1 is fixed to the side of the first plate 24.1 remote from the vertical wall 23, the substantially bell-shaped support 28 being axially passed by the output shaft 12.1 and supporting the gear motor device 12 in a cantilevered manner (Figures 4 and 9).

According to the present invention, the dough making box 16 is fixed to the machine body 11 by a detachable connection device 29 and is supported in a cantilever manner on the vertical wall 23 of the load frame 20 (Figures 1, 2, 4, 6 and 9).

Advantageously, the screw 18 is connected to the output shaft 12 . 1 at one end via a detachable connecting device 18 . 1 , and the other end is coaxially supported with the extrusion device 19 .

Preferably, the shaft 15 of the reel 15.1 is connected to the driven shaft 14 via the detachable connecting device 15.2.

As can be seen from Figures 1, 2, 7 and 8, the box 16 is constructed in the manner of a hopper 16.1 having two chute-like side walls 16.3 opposite each other and converging at the bottom into the extrusion channel 17, and two opposite walls, a front wall 16.1 and a rear wall 16.2, which are substantially vertical.

As can be seen from the embodiment (Figures 7 and 8), the rear wall 16.2 of the box 16 is juxtaposed against the vertical wall 23 of the fuselage 11 and is constructed as a substantially triangular reinforcement frame 16.21, including an upper horizontal crossbeam 16.22, which forms the top edge of the box 16, and a pair of substantially "V-shaped" branches 16.23, which respectively form the two sides of the opposite side walls 16.3 and the channel 17 of the box 16.

In particular, the peripheral frame 16.21 extends along the outside of the box 16 and provides a peripheral flange 16.24 for fastening to the box 16 (Figures 1 and 2).

The box 16 is fixed to the fuselage 11 by the detachable connection device 29 and is supported on the vertical wall 23 of the load frame 20 in a cantilever manner (Figures 1, 2, 4 and 9).

Advantageously, the detachable connection means 29 connect the outer flange 16 . 24 to the vertical wall 23 of the load frame 20 .

As can be seen in particular from Figures 1, 2, 4 and 6, the detachable connecting device 29 comprises a plurality of manually controlled cam devices 29.1, which are arranged on the outer surface of the vertical wall 23 of the load frame 20, each of which comprises a cam 29.3 rotating around a respective pin 29.2 having a horizontal axis and parallel to the axes of the shafts 12.1, 14, 15, which is fixed to the vertical wall 23 close to the outer flange 16.24, wherein the rotating cam 29.3 has a front cam ramp 29.4, which engages with the outer flange 16.24 of the box 16 in the direction of rotation to fix the flange against the vertical wall 23 of the fuselage 11 with pressure, and disengages from the outer flange 16.24 of the box 16 in the opposite direction of rotation to enable the box 16 to be removed.

Said cam means 29 comprise radial flanks integral with the cam body 29.3 for manual rotation of these means as well.

Advantageously, the extrusion device 19 is configured as a removable extrusion nozzle 19 . 1 fixed to the outer surface of the front wall 16 . 1 of the box 16 , and one end of the screw 18 is coaxially supported therein.

Preferably, the automatic machine 10 includes a supporting and centering sleeve 15.3, which is fixed at a corresponding through hole on the outer surface of the front wall 16.1 of the box 16 and is axially aligned with the driven shaft 14. One end of the shaft 18 of the reel 18.1 passes through the corresponding through hole of the front wall 16.1 and is coaxially supported in the sleeve 15.3 in a rotatable and removable manner.

More specifically, as can be seen from the accompanying drawings, the automatic machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises:

a cover 30 for removably closing the top opening of the tank 16 with the hopper 16 . 1 , having a cover portion 30 . 1 ;

a lever arm 30.2 pivoting about a corresponding pin 30.3 having a horizontal axis, fixed to said fuselage 11, said arm 30.2 being operable to pivot into a first pivot position in which its first portion is placed in contact with said cover 30.1 due to gravity (Figures 1, 2, 4 and 9), and in another pivot position (Figure 6) in which said first portion is not placed in contact with said cover 30.1 due to gravity, and

- A micro-switch device M, electrically connected to the circuit to power and control the gear motor device 12, and an element that moves between an electrically closed position and an electrically open position is operably associated with another part of the pivot arm 30.2, so that the arm 30.2 is configured to electrically close the circuit through the micro-switch device M when in the first pivot position, and the arm 30.2 is configured to electrically open the circuit through the micro-switch device M when in the other pivot position.

This ensures operational safety of the machine 10 , ie it can only function when the cover 30 is closed on the tank 16 and the pivot arm 30 . 2 rests on the portion 30 . 1 of the cover 30 due to gravity.

Advantageously, the robot according to the invention comprises a gasket (not shown) interposed between the rear wall of the box, corresponding to the outer flange of the box, and the vertical wall of the fuselage.

As is apparent from the above description, the automatic table machine 10 for kneading and extruding noodles according to the present invention can greatly limit the pressure inside the machine body, thereby avoiding the aforementioned drawbacks.

Furthermore, the machine 10 described above generally has a simple structure, is easy to install and maintain thereafter, and has a relatively low cost.

From the above description it is evident that the present invention is able to achieve the objects stated in the introduction in a simple and effective manner.

Claims (4)

1. An automatic tabletop machine (10) for kneading and extruding noodles, comprising a body (11) including an electric gear motor (12) having an output shaft (12.1) with a horizontal axis, a transmission device (13) from the output shaft (12.1) to a driven shaft (14), the driven shaft having an axis horizontal and parallel to the axis of the output shaft (12.1) and coaxial with the axis (15) of a kneading drum (15.1), the kneading drum (15.1) extending from the outside into a dough-making box (16) of the body (11), the lower part of the dough-making box (16) having an extrusion channel (17) parallel to the axis (15) of the kneading drum (15.1), a screw (18) coaxial with the output shaft (12.1) provided in the extrusion channel, the screw feeding dough into a spiral extrusion device (19) to make noodles. The fuselage (11) is characterized in that it comprises: —The load frame (20), comprising a sheet metal plate bent at approximately 90°, integrally provides: a horizontal base (21) fixed to a support device (22) on a table; and a vertical wall (23) to which the dough-making box (16) is fixed to the outer surface of the vertical wall, and —Internal reinforcement (A), including: —A first plate support device (24) includes a first vertical plate (24.1), which is fixed to the horizontal base (21), parallel to and spaced from the vertical wall (23). —A second plate support device (25), comprising a second vertical plate (25.1) fixed to the inner surface of the vertical wall (23), and —A support device (26, 27) for supporting and holding the output shaft (12.1) and the driven shaft (14), the support device being supported by the first plate support device (24) and the second plate support device (25). Thus, the pressure applied to the output shaft (12.1) and the driven shaft (14) is transmitted in a uniformly distributed manner through the internal reinforcement (A) to the horizontal base (21) and the vertical wall (23) of the load frame (20). The internal reinforcement (A) includes a generally bell-shaped support (28) which is axially perforated, has an outer peripheral flange (28.1) at its larger base, and is fixed to the surface of the first vertical plate (24.1) away from the vertical wall (23) by the outer peripheral flange (28.1). The generally bell-shaped support (28) is axially passed through by the output shaft (12.1) and cantilevered to support the electric gear motor device (12). 2. The automatic tabletop machine (10) for kneading and extruding noodles as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the dough making box (16) is fixed to the machine body (11) by a detachable connecting device (29) and is cantilevered by the vertical wall (23) of the load frame (20). 3. The automatic tabletop machine (10) for kneading and extruding noodles as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that one end of the screw (18) is connected to the output shaft (12.1) via a detachable connecting device (18.1), and the other end of the screw (18) is coaxially supported relative to the spiral extrusion device (19). 4. The automatic tabletop machine (10) for kneading and extruding noodles as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the shaft (15) of the kneading drum (15.1) is connected to the driven shaft (14) by a detachable connecting device (15.2).