AU2005232932B2

AU2005232932B2 - Material dispensing device with a rotary seal

Info

Publication number: AU2005232932B2
Application number: AU2005232932A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gilles Guyot; Dominique Schwab
Original assignee: Erca Formseal SA
Current assignee: Erca Formseal SA
Priority date: 2004-04-06
Filing date: 2005-04-05
Publication date: 2010-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2025-04-05
Also published as: CN1960663A; AU2005232932A1; WO2005100188A2; EP1737315A2; ES2614109T3; FR2868399B1; JP4729559B2; EP1737315B1; FR2868399A1; CN100566636C; JP2007531675A; WO2005100188A3

Description

1 PRODUCT DISPENSING DEVICE WITH ROTARY SHUTTER Background of the Invention The present invention at least in a preferred embodiment relates to a device for dispensing products, in particular food products, comprising a rotary shutter, which has a s first duct having an input and an output and which is capable of being moved rotationally with respect to a shuttering element in order to position the output of the first duct opposite a dispensing hole or opposite a masking area of the shuttering element. In particular, the rotary shutter is of the so-called "window shutter" type, for which the output of the duct is situated in a flat end face of the shutter, perpendicular to io its axis of rotation, and in which the shuttering element is formed by a fixed plate on which this flat end slides during rotation of the shutter. The device is used, for example, for dispensing food products into containers manufactured and/or transported in a packaging installation. Such installations are often equipped with one or more metering units is comprising a product dispensing device and it is preferable to be able to vary the type of product dispensed in order to package different products, using the same installation. With the conventional dispensing devices of the aforementioned type, it is necessary to have, for the same installation, several dispensing devices each adapted to the dispensing of a specific product. 20 Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. Summary of the Invention 25 The present invention in an aspect relates to a device for dispensing products, the device comprising a rotary shutter, which has a first duct having an input and an output and which is capable of being moved rotationally with respect to a shuttering element in order to position the output of the first duct opposite a dispensing hole or opposite a masking area of the shuttering element, 30 wherein the rotary shutter has a second duct, separate from the first duct and having an input and an output, and in that the outputs of the first and second ducts are made in the same face of the rotary shutter and spaced apart from one another so that the rotary shutter is capable of occupying a rest position in which the outputs of the two ducts 2 are opposite the masking area, a first dispensing position in which the output of the first duct is opposite the dispensing hole whilst the output of the second duct is opposite the masking area and a second dispensing position in which the output of the second duct is opposite the dispensing hole whilst the output of the first duct is opposite the masking s area, the inputs of said ducts being capable of being supplied with products to be dispensed in the first and second dispensing positions. The present invention at least in a preferred embodiment relates to the devices of the prior art by proposing a dispensing device having greater flexibility of use, and making it possible in particular to change the dispensed product more easily. 10 The present invention at least in a preferred embodiment relates to the rotary shutter having a second duct, separate from the first duct and having an input and an output, and the fact that the outputs of the first and second ducts are made in the same face of the rotary shutter and spaced apart from one another so that the rotary shutter is capable of occupying a rest position in which the outputs of the two ducts are opposite the is masking area, a first dispensing position in which the output of the first duct is opposite the dispensing hole whilst the output of the second duct is opposite the masking area and a second dispensing position in which the output of the second duct is opposite the dispensing hole whilst the output of the first duct is opposite the masking area, the inputs of said ducts being capable of being supplied with products to be dispensed in the first 20 and second dispensing positions. It should be understood that the device can, firstly, be used to dispense a first product using the first duct. For this, the rotary shutter is controlled so as to go alternately from its rest position to its first dispensing position. In order to dispense a second product via the second duct, the shutter is this time controlled so as to go alternately from its rest 25 position to its second dispensing position. In compliance with hygiene conditions, the device may be cleaned only at intervals much further apart than in the prior art, while dispensing two products alternately. For example, when changing product, it is sufficient to eliminate the product remaining in the previously used duct, for example by rapid rinsing of this duct, before dispensing the other product via the other duct. 30 If the device comprises a single input channel to which the inputs of the two ducts can be connected, it is advisable, for changing product, to connect this input channel to a new supply of product and flush the input channel by dispensing the old product it contained "to empty space" and carrying out the aforementioned rinsing via the input channel.

3 The device can, however, have two separate input channels, each intended to be connected to the input of one of the ducts. Preferably, from its rest position, the rotary shutter is capable of being controlled in two opposite directions of rotation in order to adopt the first or the second dispensing s position, whereas, from one of the dispensing positions, the rotary shutter is capable of being controlled solely in the direction of its rotation towards its rest position. From its rest position, the shutter is controlled into one of its dispensing positions by a rotation. In order to return to its rest position, it is then controlled in the opposite direction, so that it goes directly from the dispensing position it was occupying 1o to its rest position, without going through the other dispensing position. It is thus avoided, at the time of the return of the shutter to its rest position, that the product in the process of being dispensed via one of the ducts is introduced into the other duct and stagnates in this other duct. In fact, a product stagnating and losing its freshness in this other duct could impair the quality of the dispensed product. 15 Preferably, the first and second dispensing positions are symmetrical with one another, either side of the rest position. This facilitates the control of the rotary shutter which, during a rotation, always covers the same angular sector. Preferably, the first and second ducts are adapted to the dispensing of products 20 having different characteristics (for example from the point of view of their viscosity or the granulometry of any pieces they may contain) and, preferably, they have different flow cross-sections for product to be dispensed. In particular, the output of the second duct advantageously comprises a plurality of output openings distributed in a cluster. This preferable characteristic makes it possible to adapt the device to the 25 dispensing of products having different characteristics. Thus, the same device can dispense products having different characteristics whereas, in the prior art, two specific dispensers would have been necessary. For example, the first duct can have a large cross section and be adapted to the dispensing of products having a high viscosity or products comprising pieces. The second duct can have a smaller product flow cross-section and be 30 adapted to the dispensing of liquid or pasty products having a low viscosity. When the output of the second duct has a plurality of output openings, the flow cross-section of this second duct is defined by the flow cross-section of the smallest output. The fact of distributing the outputs in a cluster allows uniform dispensing of a product with low viscosity, for example a sauce-based or caramel-based topping. This cluster can be 35 slightly divergent so as to distribute the product well.

4 Preferably, the shutter is also capable of occupying a cleaning position, in which the inputs of the ducts communicate simultaneously with an input for a cleaning fluid and in which the outputs of said ducts communicate simultaneously with a drainage opening. The cleaning of the device can thus be carried out simply. 5 Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be easily understood and its features will emerge more clearly from a reading of the detailed description that follows of one embodiment depicted by way of a non-limiting example. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which: 10 - Figure 1 is a schematic view in axial cross-section of the device according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rotary shutter of this device; - Figure 3 is a bottom view of Figure 2, showing the flat end face of this shutter; - Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 1, showing the is rotary shutter in the closed position; - Figures 5 and 6 are views in the same cross-section as Figure 4, showing the shutter in its two dispensing positions; - Figures 7 and 8 are views in the same cross-section, showing the shutter during its return to its rest position from, respectively, one and the other of its dispensing 20 positions; - Figure 9 is a schematic cross-section along the like IX-IX of Figure 1; and - Figure 10 is an axial cross-sectional view showing the shutter in the cleaning position. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments 25 With reference to Figure 1, it can be seen that the device comprises a rotary shutter 10, disposed inside a cylindrical hollow body 12. More precisely, the shutter is mounted in a sleeve 14 forming a lining of the cylindrical internal wall of the hollow body 12 in the lower region thereof. For example, this sleeve 14 is held in the hollow body 12 by means of a pin 16 which passes through a hole in the wall of the hollow body 30 and enters into a recess in the sleeve 14, which is also advantageously stuck against the internal wall of the hollow body 12. In the example depicted, the shutter 10 is connected to a control rod 18, the end part I A of the shutter opposite to its flat end dispensing face 1 OB being fitted into a 4a recess 18A in the lower end of the control rod 18 and attached to the latter, for example by gluing. The device also comprises a shuttering element 20 formed by a fixed plate, for example held with respect to the hollow body 12 by means of a support washer 22, fixed 5 to attachment tabs 12A of the hollow body by any appropriate means, for example by screwing.

5 To facilitate dispensing of the product while avoiding leakage risks, the shutter 10, the sleeve 14 and the shuttering element 20, or at least one of these components, are advantageously made of ceramic. The control rod 18 can be connected by any appropriate means 5 to means of controlling its movement. In the case in point it has, at its end opposite to the end 10B of the shutter, an extension 18B to which the output of a motor M can be coupled (for this purpose, the extension 18B comprises a bore allowing fixing by screwing). This motor can be controlled by an electronic control unit ECU, programmed as required. 10 As will be seen later, the motor is capable of causing a rotational movement of the rod 18 and therefore of the shutter 10 coupled to this rod as indicated by the arrow R. By means of an actuator (not depicted), the assembly constituted by the rod and the shutter 10 can also be moved translationally parallel to the axis of rotation A of the shutter, as 15 indicated by the arrow T, to allow cleaning. This translational movement is, for example, carried out when the motor is disengaged. The reciprocating rotational movement allows dispensing of the product in successive measures, while the translational movement makes it possible to position the shutter and the control rod 18 in the high 20 position as indicated in Figure 10 for cleaning the device. The hollow body 12 comprises an input 24 able to be connected to a supply of products to be dispensed, for example by a connection collar 23. This input communicates with a hole 26 in the sleeve 14, situated exactly opposite said input. For its part, the shutter 10 comprises 25 a first duct 28 for the product to be dispensed, which has an input 28A and an output 28B. In Figure 1, the shutter is in its first dispensing position, the output 28B of the first duct being disposed opposite a dispensing hole 21 comprising the shuttering element 20, whilst the input 28A of said duct is disposed opposite the input 24, being more precisely 30 disposed in line with the aperture 26 in the body 14. The shutter 10 has a second duct 30 the structure of which can be seen better in Figure 2. It should be understood that, by rotation of the shutter, the input 30A of the second duct 30 can be situated in line with the opening 26 in the sleeve 14 and that, at the same time, its output 30B 35 can be situated opposite the dispensing hole 21.

6 In the example depicted, it can be seen that the first duct 28 has a bend 29 and is formed by a first section 29A, transverse to the axis A and extending between the input 28A and this bend 29, and by a second section 29B that extends axially to the output 28B from this bend 5 29. The inputs 28A and 30A of the ducts 28 and 30 both open into a cylindrical face 10C of the rotary shutter and their outputs 28A and 30A both open into the dispensing face 10B. The duct 30 is, however, implemented so as to have no intersection with the duct 28. To do this, 10 the input 30A of the duct 30 is formed in a groove 31A made in said cylindrical face 10C and inclined in order to form a portion of a helix. At its upper end, this groove opens into the same axial section TA of the shutter as the input 28A of the duct 28. In other words, the inputs 30A and 28A of the ducts are situated at the same distance from the face 10B of the 15 shutter. At its lower end, the groove 31A is connected to a substantially transverse section 31B of the duct 30 which passes under the first section 29A of the duct 28 and which is connected to the output 30B of the duct 30 by an end section of this duct which is substantially axial. In the case in point, the output 30B of the duct 30 comprises a plurality of output 20 openings 32 which are distributed so as to form a cluster. In the case in point, each output opening 32 is connected to the aforementioned section 31B by a particular machining 32A. These machinings 32A form a divergent cluster of small pipes. Overall, the output openings 32 that form the output 30B of the 25 duct 30 fit into the same area as the output 28B of the duct 28 in order to be able, like the latter, to be placed in correspondence with the dispensing hole 21 of the shuttering element 20. In Figures 4 to 8, the position of the dispensing hole 21 has been indicated in broken lines, the solid part of this element forming a 30 masking area 20A. In Figure 4, the angular position of the rotary shutter 10 is such that the outputs 28B and 30B of the ducts 28 and 30 are both situated opposite the masking area 20A, whilst a solid part of the face 10B of the shutter is opposite the dispensing hole 21. Thus, the two ducts have their 35 outputs masked. Similarly, the inputs 28A and 30A of the ducts are both opposite a solid part of the cylindrical wall of the sleeve 14. In this angular 7 position of the shutter, this cylindrical wall therefore masks the inputs and prevents their being supplied with product. In order to get from its position of Figure 4 to that of Figure 5, the shutter 10 has been turned in the direction S1 until the output 28B of 5 the first duct is situated in correspondence with the dispensing hole 21. In the same angular position, the input 28A of this duct is also situated opposite the hole 26 in the cylindrical wall of the sleeve 14 which therefore frees this input in order to allow it to be supplied with product. Consequently, the product can be dispensed via the first duct. From the 10 position of Figure 5, in order to return to that of Figure 4, the shutter 10 must be turned in the direction R1 opposite to the direction S1. In order to get from its position of Figure 4 to that of Figure 6, the shutter 10 must be pivoted in a direction S2 which corresponds to the direction R1. In Figure 6, the output 30B of the second duct formed by the 15 output openings 32 is situated opposite the dispensing hole 21 and the input 30A of this duct is situated opposite the hole 26 in the wall of the sleeve 14 which therefore frees this input. Thus, the product can be dispensed via the second duct. To then return to its rest position illustrated in Figure 4, the shutter must be turned in the direction R2 20 opposite to the direction S2 and therefore corresponding to the direction S1. Thus, in order to dispense measures of product via the first duct by making the shutter 10 go alternately between its rest position of Figure 4 and its first dispensing position of Figure 5, neither the input nor 25 the output of the second duct at any time goes in front of, respectively, the opening 26 and the hole 21. Similarly, in order to dispense measures of product via the second duct by making the shutter go alternately between its rest position of Figure 4 and its second dispensing position of Figure 6, neither the 30 input nor the output of the second duct goes in front of, respectively, the opening 26 and the hole 21. Figure 7 shows the position of the shutter 10 during its rotation, from its first dispensing position of Figure 5 to its rest position of Figure 4. In effect, compared with Figure 5, the shutter has been turned in the 35 direction R1 by an angle a1. It can be seen that, in this situation, the cylindrical wall of the sleeve 14 masks the input 28A of the duct 28 while 8 the output 28B of this duct is still partly in correspondence with the dispensing hole 21. Similarly, Figure 8 shows an intermediate position of the shutter during its passage from its position of Figure 6 to that of Figure 4. The 5 shutter has been turned by an angle a2 for which the input 30A of the second duct 30 is masked by the wall of the sleeve 14 while the output 30B of this duct is still partly in correspondence with the dispensing hole 21, some apertures 32 still being opposite this hole. In other words, during a rotation of the shutter 10 to its rest 10 position from one of its dispensing positions in which the output of a duct is opposite the dispensing hole, the cylindrical wall of the hollow body, or more precisely that of the sleeve, is capable of masking the input of this duct before the output of this duct is masked by the masking area of the shuttering element. This makes it possible, during successive closures of a 15 duct during delivery, via this duct, of successive measures of product, to avoid pressurisation of this duct and backflow of product via the supply 24. Closure of the duct at its output is therefore carried out while this duct is no longer under significant pressure and this closure is implemented cleanly with no splashing of product. 20 In the example depicted, the hollow body comprises only a single opening 24 to which the input 28A of the duct 28 or the input 30A of the duct 30 can be connected. There could, however, be two separate openings each specifically dedicated to one of the ducts. For example, all that would be 25 needed is to remove the groove 31A and open the section 31B of the duct 30 directly into the cylindrical face 10B, in an axial section of the shutter situated under the section TA. An opening in the body 12 and an aperture in the sleeve 14 could be added under the opening 24 and the aperture 26 in order to be able to be connected to the input of this modified duct 30 in 30 the second dispensing position of the shutter. Of course, for this, the axial dimensions of the rotary shutter 10, the body 12 and the sleeve 24 would be adapted so that these two openings can coexist. As indicated previously, when the rotary shutter is in its first dispensing position of Figure 5, it cannot be pivoted any more in the 35 direction S1, but only in the direction R1 so as to return directly to its rest position. Similarly, when the shutter is in its second dispensing position of 9 Figure 6, it can only be pivoted in the direction R2 in order to return directly to its rest position. Thus, the positions of Figures 5 and 6 constitute respectively the limit positions of angular movement of the shutter 10 in, respectively, 5 the directions S1 and S2 from its rest position of Figure 4. In order to determine these limit positions, various means can be provided. In particular, the motor M and/or the electronic control unit ECU can be configured accordingly. In particular, the unit ECU can allow rotation of the output shaft of the motor only over a given angular range either side 10 of its neutral position in which the shutter is at rest. Mechanical limiting can also be provided, for example by a limit stop system. This is illustrated by Figure 9, in which the internal face of the hollow body 12 has a groove 13 that extends over an angular range corresponding to the sum of the maximum movements in the directions 15 S1 and S2. As for the control rod 18, this has, on its cylindrical face, a limit stop 19 in the form of a lug that moves in this groove 13. In the positions of Figures 5 and 6, this lug is respectively situated resting against the faces 13A and 13B of the groove 13. Figure 10 depicts the shutter 10 in the cleaning position. From 20 their working position of Figure 1, the shutter 10 and its control rod 18 have been moved upwards, that is to say so as to move away from the shuttering element 20 (not depicted in Figure 9). In this cleaning position, it can be seen that the cylindrical face 10C of the shutter is situated at a distance from the wall of the hollow body 12, so that the inputs of the 25 ducts 28 and 30 open into an annular space 40 made between the internal face of the hollow body 12 and the cylindrical face 10C of the shutter. In other words, in the cleaning position, the inputs of the ducts 28 and 30 are disposed in a region of the hollow body with an increased internal cross-section. 30 As can be seen in Figure 10, the sleeve 14 forms an extra thickness on the internal wall of this hollow body and, in the cleaning position, the inputs of the ducts are situated above the upper end 14A of this sleeve. In this position, moreover, the face 10B of the shutter is moved away from the shuttering element 20 so that the outputs of the 35 ducts 28 and 30 are also at a distance from this shuttering element. Thus, the cleaning fluid that is injected into the hollow body 12 via the cleaning 10 input 42, which is situated in the region of the hollow body with increased internal cross-section, can circulate freely around the cylindrical wall 1OC of the shutter and in the ducts, and exit freely from these ducts via the dispensing hole 21. It can also be seen that, in the cleaning position of 5 Figure 10, the lower end of the shutter is at a slight distance from the internal wall of the sleeve 14 so as to also allow the circulation of fluid, directly, from the annular space 40 to the dispensing hole 21 which therefore constitutes a drainage opening for the cleaning fluid.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing products, the device comprising a rotary shutter, which has a first duct having an input and an output and which is capable of being moved rotationally with respect to a shuttering element in order to position the output of 5 the first duct opposite a dispensing hole or opposite a masking area of the shuttering element, wherein the rotary shutter has a second duct, separate from the first duct and having an input and an output, and in that the outputs of the first and second ducts are made in the same face of the rotary shutter and spaced apart from one another so that the 10 rotary shutter is capable of occupying a rest position in which the outputs of the two ducts are opposite the masking area, a first dispensing position in which the output of the first duct is opposite the dispensing hole whilst the output of the second duct is opposite the masking area and a second dispensing position in which the output of the second duct is opposite the dispensing hole whilst the output of the first duct is opposite the masking is area, the inputs of said ducts being capable of being supplied with products to be dispensed in the first and second dispensing positions.

2. The device according to claim 1, whereby, from its rest position, the rotary shutter is capable of being controlled in two opposite directions of rotation in order to adopt the first or the second dispensing position, whereas, from one of the dispensing 20 positions, the rotary shutter is capable of being controlled solely in the direction of its rotation towards its rest position.

3. The device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and second dispensing positions are symmetrical with one another, either side of the rest position.

4. The device according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein the first and 25 second ducts have different flow cross-sections for product to be dispensed.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the output of the second duct comprises a plurality of output openings distributed in a cluster.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inputs of the ducts open into a cylindrical face of the rotary shutter and in that the shutter is 30 mounted in a hollow body having a cylindrical wall capable, depending on the position of the rotary shutter, of masking or freeing said inputs in order to allow them to be supplied with product.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein, during a rotation of the rotary shutter towards its rest position, from one of the dispensing positions in which the output 35 of a duct is opposite the dispensing hole, the cylindrical wall of the hollow body is 12 capable of masking the input of said duct before the output of this duct is masked by the masking area of the shuttering element.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the outputs of the ducts are situated in an end face of the rotary shutter, perpendicular to the axis of 5 rotation of the latter.

9. The device according to any one of claims I to 8, wherein the shutter is also capable of occupying a cleaning position, in which the inputs of the ducts communicate simultaneously with an input for a cleaning fluid and in which the outputs of said ducts communicate simultaneously with a drainage opening.

10 10. The device according to claim 6 or claim 9, wherein the input for the cleaning fluid is situated in a region of the hollow body with increased internal cross section and in that, from the rest and dispensing positions, the rotary shutter is capable of being moved translationally in this body in order to adopt the cleaning position, in which the inputs of the ducts are disposed in said region with increased internal cross-section is and in which the outputs of the ducts are at a distance from the shuttering element.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, whereby at least one of the components constituted by the rotary shutter and the shuttering element is made of ceramic.

12. The device according to any one of claims I to 11, wherein the 20 dispensing products are food products.

13. A device for dispensing food substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 28 September, 2010 Erca Formseal 25 Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON