DEVICE FOR MAKING PASTE ELEMENTS in the name of: CERETTA Renato of Arcole (Italiy) and CERETTA David of Arcole (Italiy)

DESCRIPTION

This invention generally refers to a device for making paste elements; more specifically the invention refers to a device for molding spherical-shaped paste elements, preferably fish baits.

In the food industry there are known machines which, by the combined action of specially shaped plates or rollers, transform shapeless paste into spherical-shaped bodies. These machines are used, for example, for molding dumplings, sweets or special spherical-shaped fish baits.

In the household sphere there are known the so-called rolling tables composed of a lower plate with a series of semi-cylindrical parallel knurls and an upper plate with knurls having the same size as those on the first plate. The two plates are joined together so that the edges of the knurls are in contact with each other and so that the upper plate can slide lengthwise with respect to the axes of the knurls.

The user first puts pieces of approximately cylindrical shape crosswise with respect to the series of knurls of the lower plate and then repeatedly slides the upper plate so that the pieces are cut into smaller paste elements thanks to the mutual coming together of the knurling edges of the two plates and so that the elements roll on themselves until they take on a basically spherical shape.

Another known device used in the household sphere and working according to the same principle as the rolling tables comprises two rollers placed side by side and designed to rotate in the opposite direction, on which semi-cylindrical shaped

slots are machined. The user places the cylindrical shaped paste between the two rollers which then manually rotate and cut the paste to form bodies that are first shapeless and that take on a spherical shape by rolling in the cavities between the two rollers.

Both the above-mentioned types have several drawbacks: first of all they have low outputs since the user must work manually to move the upper table or to rotate the rollers.

A second drawback lies in the difficulty of changing the size of the end product that can be achieved. Indeed the rolling tables or rollers mold bodies all of which have approximately the same diameter. Consequently a user who requires bodies with different diameters according to their different uses is forced to purchase tables or rollers for each different size of spherical bodies he wants to obtain.

Other drawbacks of the home devices lie with the irregular shape of the individual body that is produced and the non-uniformity of the various bodies that are produced. This potentially leads to wasted paste and consequently increases costs for the end user.

In the industrial sector there are known machines which automatically obtain spherical bodies starting from a shapeless paste. If on the one hand these machines, which work using the counter-rotating roller principle as described previously, offer higher outputs on the other hand they obviously have higher costs and require more demanding maintenance.

The object and function of this invention is to supply a device for making paste elements, preferably of a basically spherical shape that eliminates the

above-mentioned drawbacks of the known technique and offer higher outputs while having a simple structure.

These objects and other ones are achieved by a device for making paste elements, preferably of a basically spherical shape, including a supporting structure, extrusion means fastened to the supporting structure and designed to extrude a specific length of paste and molding means also fastened to the supporting structure and designed to receive the paste from the extrusion means and to give it a basically spherical shape. Said molding means include a die and a central roller; the die is joined to the supporting structure by restraining means and has a basically cylindrical shaped seat. A first cavity is machined on the cylindrical surface having a basically semi-circular cross-section. The central roller is fastened to the supporting structure in a way that permits it to rotate and, on its side surface, a second cavity having a basically semi-circular shaped cross- section is machined.

In addition the roller is housed in the seat of said die so that the first cavity and the second cavity face each other in order to create, along the outer edge of the roller, a path having a basically circular-shaped cross-section. At least one opening is machined in the die for introducing paste, with length determined by the extrusion means, into the path and/or for permitting the paste element to exit from the path.

Advantageously the paste element is thus extruded in the form of a cylinder by the extrusion means and enters the path created between the die and the roller. Inside the path the paste element is forced to roll on itself and takes on a basically spherical shape.

The device may have the die joined to the supporting structure in a way that permits it to rotate using rotation means so that it rotates in the direction opposite the direction of rotation of the central roller. In this way the paste element inside the path between roller and die is forced to rotate very quickly and takes on an even more uniformly spherical shape.

Advantageously, in order to obtain a simpler structure, the device may include a die joined to the supporting structure in a fixed manner using known restraining means.

Two rollers set side by side and each having an edge with a semi-circular cavity move the paste element in the desired direction so that the paste element exiting from the extrusion means takes on a homogeneous shape and a circular cross-section even before it enters the path between roller and die.

The various rollers and the die are fastened to the related support, which can be fastened to the device structure, using screw-off handwheels so that the molding means can be removed and washed.

A scraper with a lock plate, installed crosswise to the path, functions to make the spherical paste element exit from the path inside the molding means. This plate also prevents a user from putting his hands into the path.

The device includes a casing designed to cover inner functional components and which has an opening to collect the paste elements that are obtained.

The cylindrical shaped paste elements exiting from the extrusion means are cut to the desired size thanks to cutting means including a "U"-shaped plate to which a cutting wire is fastened in a removable manner in order to create a thru opening between the plate and the wire. The plate, which slides on a track, can

make two cuts in a single cycle, making a first cut when it moves in one direction and a second cut when it moves in the opposite direction. The cylindrical-shaped paste passes through the opening between cutting wire and above plate between the first and the second cut.

The extrusion means include a hollow container, preferably with a cylindrical shape, designed to contain the paste and a piston to compress this paste and make it exit from an opening machined in the bottom of the container, moving towards the molding means.

A nozzle is placed on the bottom of the container so as to obtain cylindrical paste elements with the desired diameter.

Piston motion is powered by a rod that is moved by a motor and connected to a second rod to ensure perfectly straight movement in order not to damage the container in which the piston moves.

The container is fastened to the device in a mobile manner: it can be totally released or can be slightly inclined in order to be more easily filled with the paste to be molded.

The device includes safety systems that stop the machine operation in case of danger. Everything is controlled by a control unit.

The aspects and advantages of this invention are increasingly evident in the following description, given as a mere example, which refers to the attached drawings where: fig. 1 is a side view of a device, the object of the invention, for making spherical shaped paste elements; figures 2, 3 are side views of the device in figure 1 with the side door open so as to show inner mechanisms;

fig. 4 is an exploded axonometric view of the device in fig. 1 ; fig. 5 is a side view of a part of the device in fig. 1 : the extrusion means; fig. 6 is an exploded axonometric view of the extrusion means in fig. 5; fig. 7 is an exploded axonometric view of another part of the device in fig.

1 : the molding means; fig. 8 is a front view of the molding means in fig. 7; fig. 9 is a side cross-section view according to the plane indicated by AA in fig. 8; fig. 10 is an exploded axonometric view of the cutting or piece sizing means of the device in fig. 1 ; figures 11 , 12 are, respectively, cross-section views from above and front views of a molding means according to one variation of the invention. Referring to the figures number 10 shows a device for making spherical- shaped paste elements including supporting frame 16, extrusion means 12 which carry the shapeless paste to molding means 14 which are also fastened to supporting frame 16 and suitable for molding basically spherical-shaped paste elements.

Frame 16, extrusion means 12 and molding means 14 are enclosed by casing 18 which has opening 22 machined in its front section to collect the spherical paste elements. Casing 18 includes, on its side, mobile door 20 which can be opened by handwheel 24 in order to load the extrusion means with the starting paste and to check the condition of the various means that operate the device.

Casing 18 includes, on its top, push-buttons 26 which control device 10 and signal lamps 28 which signal the state of the device.

As showed by figure 3 the machine is turned on and off by switch 146 which is located in the rear section of casing 18.

As can be specifically seen in figure 6 the extrusion means 12 are comprised of support 13 joined to frame 16 and to which cylinder 32 and mobile piston 34 inside cylinder 32 are connected.

On its lower part cylinder 32 is connected to nozzle 40 through connection and restraining base 41 to support 13. Indeed, base 41 includes pins 45 designed to fit into seats 43 machined in support 13.

Lever lock mechanism 144 clamps base 41 , and consequently cylinder 32, to support 13 in a removable manner.

On its upper part the cylinder is clamped in a vertical position by mobile rod 142 which has the two ends sliding inside respective paths 47 machined in side plates fastened to the device frame 16.

In this way it is necessary to move rod 142 in order to fill cylinder 32 with paste. Once the cylinder is freed from this restraint it can be inclined to make the upper opening of the cylinder easier to access. The cylinder can be removed from its position first by moving rod 142 and then by moving lever lock 144.

Piston 34 is fastened to rod 36 which is moved vertically by motor 37 fastened to support 13 using plate 39. To make sure that movement by piston 34 inside cylinder 32 is perfectly straight-line a second rod 38 is fastened to piston 34, locked at its top to rod 36 by plate 33.

Support 13 is fastened to frame 16 so that it can move vertically. This movement is adjusted by handwheel 15 which is also shown in figure 5.

Cutting means 62 are placed below nozzle 40 and fastened to frame 16. These means 62 are powered by motorized means 65 through a lever mechanism as shown in figure 4.

The cutting means are shown in figure 10 and include plate 64 which has its front part in a horseshoe shape and having cutting wire 66 fastened to its ends by screws 72, creating, in this way, thru opening 63 between plate 64 and wire 66.

Plate 64 is fastened by known means 74 to slide 68 which slides on track 70 which is in its turn fastened to frame 16 of device 10 using screws 76.

Cutting means 62 are used to cut the extruded paste exiting from nozzle 40 to the desired length, thus obtaining basically cylindrical-shaped paste elements which, moving vertically from the top down, arrive at molding means 14.

Cutting means 62, in particular, make two cuts with one complete movement of slide 68 (one forward and one return movement): indeed, a first cut is made by a first movement of slide 68; the next cylindrical paste element that exits from nozzle 40 passes through thru-opening 63 and at the suitable time slide 68 carries plate 64 and cutting wire 66 back to their starting position, making a second cut. This system also generates high output levels of the device.

The length of the cylindrical paste element to make is determined by a photocell (not shown in the figures) which is basically placed at the height of the output hole from nozzle 40. The photocell is moved vertically, using handwheel 30, to change the length of the cylindrical paste element and consequently the size of the spherical paste element to be obtained at the end of the molding process.

Molding means 14, showed in detail in figures 7, 8 and 9, include support 51 , fastened by known means to frame 16, to which three pins, 49, 55, 57 are fastened in a way that permit them to rotate, each driven by its own motor.

Pin 57 meshes with first roller 42 to which it is fastened by first handwheel 46. Pin 55 is meshed with second roller 44 to which it is fastened by second handwheel 48. First roller 42 and second roller 44 are placed at the same height and have the same shape: cavity 55, having a semi-circular cross-section, is machined along the cylindrical surface of each of these rollers so that the two rollers, 42, 44, which are placed in a parallel manner, form a basically cylindrical hole.

Central roller 50 is placed below the two rollers 42, 44, in a central position related to them, as shown in figure 7. Pin 49, rotated by its own motor to which it is fastened in a removable manner by handwheel 54, meshes with this central roller.

Central roller 50, rotating in a counterclockwise direction, is housed in die 52 fastened firmly to support 51 by two handwheels 56, 58. As figure 7 shows a semi-circular cross-section cavity 57 is machined along the cylindrical surface of central roller 50 whereas an analogous semi-circular cross-section cavity 59 is machined in the inner surface of die 52. Central roller 50 and die 52 are placed related to each other so that they form a basically circular cross-section path 53.

Thanks to this shape the cylindrical paste element that exits from nozzle 40 and that is cut by cutting means 62 is made to pass through the two rollers 42, 44 which carry it into the cavity in central roller 50 through opening 80 machined in die 52. Central roller 50, by rolling counterclockwise, forces the paste element to pass along path 53 between roller 50 and die 52. In this way the paste element is forced to rotate on itself and takes on a basically spherical shape.

The spherical paste element travels the entire path 53 down to the height of handwheel 56 to which scraper 60 is fastened. Plate 61 on scraper 60 forces the

spherical paste element to exit from path 53 and move towards opening 22 machined on the front of casing 18 where a container may be placed so that the user can easily collect several paste elements.

In addition scraper 60, together with plate 61 , prevent the user from introducing his hands into path 53.

The various motors, such as those that drive piston 34 or rollers 42, 44, 50 or cutting means 62, are controlled in a synchronized manner by the electronic control unit which can also record all operations performed by the device in order to permit improved maintenance or repair service.

The electronic control unit is also connected to safety systems that stop all the moving parts of the device whenever any danger is detected.

For example a lever mechanism is located on the top part of the frame. This mechanism is actuated, and consequently locks the machine, whenever an undesired body is inserted between the two rods 36, 38 and prevents this body from being crushed by plate 33.

The machine is also stopped when lever lock mechanism 44 is moved or when door 20 is opened. In addition the motor that drives rod 36 and related piston 34 is equipped with an encoder to detect, in case of high pressures, the presence of hard bodies inside cylinder 32, bodies which could severely damage the device.

The electronic control unit, in addition to being connected to push-buttons 26 and to signal lamps 28 as well as to switch 146 can also be connected to a display placed in an easily accessible zone on casing 18.

In addition the device can be powered by a battery as well as by traditional electric mains in order to make it portable.

According to one variation to the invention, showed in figures 11 and 12, a device has the same components as device 10 previously described with the exception of molding means 14 which are replaced by second molding means 114. Molding means 114 comprise plate 151 in which a circular shaped seat is machined. Die 152, having a ring shape and rotating in the counterclockwise direction, is placed in this seat; a semi-circular cross-section cavity is machined on its inner cylindrical surface.

Roller 150 is housed in die 152 and rotates in a clockwise direction. A semi-circular cross-section cavity is machined in its cylindrical surface. The two cavities in die 152 and roller 150 form circular cross-section path 153 as shown in figures 11 , 12.

Opening 180 is machined in die 152 to permit passage of the paste element from nozzle 40 into path 153. The paste element, in a way similar to that of the previously described device, rolls on itself inside path 153 to take on a basically spherical shape.

Device 10 can be used to make spherical paste elements of desired size by simply replacing the rollers and the die present in molding means 14, 114 and modifying the output opening of nozzle 40. Once nozzle 40 has been modified and the molding means have been replaced the output mouth of nozzle 40 can be brought near to cutting means 62 by using handwheel 15 to vertically move support 13.

In addition the device, the object of the invention, can be used to produce cylindrical paste elements by removing molding means 14, 114. In this way we can collect the paste elements immediately after they have been cut to the desired size once they have exited from nozzle 40.

The invention has been described in generic terms for making spherical shaped paste elements. The device, in particular, may be used for making basically spherical-shaped fish bait which is at least in part edible, commonly called "boiles" or "boilies". It is understood that device 10, the object of the invention, is also usable for making spherical bodies of different types such as, for example, dumplings, sweets or other foodstuffs.