CN212333018U

CN212333018U - Device and system for filling at least one package with a first volume of solid food product

Info

Publication number: CN212333018U
Application number: CN201921943212.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 卡琳·伯格; 彼得·拉尔森; 弗雷德里克·尼尔松
Original assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Current assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Priority date: 2018-11-12
Filing date: 2019-11-12
Publication date: 2021-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2029-11-12
Also published as: WO2020099195A1; EP3650359A1; ES2909001T3; CN111169677B; EP3650359B1; CN111169677A

Abstract

An apparatus (1) is provided for filling at least one package (10) with a first volume of solid food product. The device (1) comprises: a pump (4) operatively connected to a product tank (2) containing solid food; at least one filling head (8) operatively connected to the pump (4); a valve (7) configured to selectively connect the pump (4) to the product tank (2) or the filling head (8); and a control unit (9) configured to control the valve (7) to connect the pump (4) to the product tank (2) or the filling head (8) and to control the pump (4) to supply the first volume of solid food product to the filling head (8), wherein the control unit (9) is further configured to control the pump (4) to draw a volume of solid food greater than the first volume from the product tank (2) and output the excess volume back to the product tank (2). A system (20) for filling at least one package (10) with a first volume of solid food product is also provided.

Description

Device and system for filling at least one package with a first volume of solid food product

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for filling packages. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for filling a package with food particles.

Background

Today, there are several known techniques for filling packages with liquid food products (e.g. soups, purees, juices and sauces). A liquid or substance of sufficiently low viscosity can be moved from the product tank to the package using a standard pump in combination with a standard volume measurement in order to control the amount of product filled.

However, filling of packages with food in the form of food particles (e.g. mushrooms, fruits, peas or beans) is usually carried out in two steps; first the solid part of the food product (i.e. the actual mushrooms/fruit/etc.) is filled, and then a second step of filling with brine or syrup or the like is performed. Especially the first part has proven to be very difficult to automate, since air pockets (air pockets) occupy an unknown amount of volume between individual food particles. Today, solid food products are often filled in volumetric pouch filling machines, or manual filling is performed. Even for an automatic filling process, a manual adjustment after filling is often necessary. Weighing filling machines can also be used for certain types of solid food products, thereby achieving better filling accuracy. To some extent, prior art systems can successfully fill the package with food particles. However, such machines cannot be used to accurately fill viscous, irregularly shaped, somewhat fragile, spongy or moist food particles or pieces without requiring manual adjustment after filling.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

It is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome one or more of the above identified limitations of the prior art. In particular, it is an object to provide a device, a method and a system for filling a package with a solid food product in an improved and more accurate manner.

Preferably, food particles such as sliced mushrooms are transported on a conveyor into the filling tank. Advantageously, the mushrooms should contain as little moisture/humidity as possible when they reach the filling machine. According to some embodiments described herein, mushroom is drawn from a fill tank into a piston pump controlled by a servo motor. When filling the piston pump from a tank, the stroke of the piston is about 40-80% longer than the stroke required for the desired filling amount, for example 50% longer. Before switching the piston pump connection from the tank to the filling nozzle, a retraction stroke of a nominal or desired filling quantity is performed. The retraction stroke compresses the product in the piston and forces out air between the food particles. The profile and acceleration of the piston movement can be controlled in order to accurately control the filling process. During filling, i.e. when the piston pump discharges the desired filling amount to the filling nozzle, the piston pump can be emptied by the filling head, which can be closed to cut out food particles if necessary. Other filling machines may be used to add the saline/liquid to the package.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects are achieved, in whole or at least in part, by an apparatus for filling at least one package with a first volume of solid food product. The device comprises: a pump operatively connected to a product tank containing the solid food product; at least one fill head operably connected to the pump; a valve configured to selectively connect the pump to the product tank or the fill head; and a control unit configured to control the valve to connect the pump to the product tank or the filling head and to control the pump to supply the first volume of solid food product to the filling head, wherein the control unit is further configured to control the pump to draw a volume of solid food product greater than the first volume from the product tank and output an excess volume to the product tank.

The advantage of the product flow in and out of the pump is that it makes the product more homogeneous (syngeneous), which means that air is expelled, so that the volume measurement becomes more standardized and the product is easier to handle.

The pump may be a reciprocating pump.

An advantage of the reciprocating pump is that it can be easily scaled according to the first volume to be filled.

The pump may comprise a piston.

The advantage of the piston is that it increases the efficiency of the pump.

The means may comprise a motor, such as a servo motor, for actuating the piston.

The advantage of the motor is that it allows for increased speed and automatic control of the piston. This is especially the case when the control unit is used to control the movement of the piston according to a software profile adapted to fill specific food particles. In this way, potentially any solid product with a corresponding software profile for the movement of the piston stored in the control unit or some external memory accessible to the control unit can be accurately filled into the previously described container. The software profile has the function of controlling the movement of the motor and thus the movement of the piston.

The excess volume of solid food product withdrawn from the product tank may be between 40-80% of the first volume to be filled.

The advantage of this interval is that the utility model of the present application has found that it maximizes the exhausted air while maintaining high speed and high efficiency.

Said first volume to be filled may correspond to the volume of solid food product to be filled in only one package.

The advantage of this volume is that it enables a simpler filling head and a simpler operable connection between the filling head and the canister, thereby making the valve simpler.

According to a second aspect, a system for filling at least one package with a solid food product is provided. The system comprises an apparatus according to the first aspect; a product tank containing the solid food product; at least one spout for pouring a liquid into the at least one package; and a sealer for sealing the at least one package. Optionally, the system further comprises a heater for cooking the at least one package.

The advantage of this system is that it allows for an efficient fit of the different components and results in a complete, cooked food package for consumption.

The system may include at least one liquid tank operatively connected to the at least one nozzle.

The advantage of the liquid tank is that it supplies the nozzles in a simple and effective manner.

The system may include a conveyor belt for storing the solid food product in the product tank.

The advantage of the conveyor belt is that it can quickly transport any solid food product.

Other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for filling at least one package with a solid food product according to an embodiment;

fig. 2 is a schematic view of an apparatus for filling at least two packages with a solid food product according to another embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system for filling at least one package with a solid food product according to an embodiment; and

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, there is shown an apparatus 1 for filling at least one package 10 with a first volume of solid food product (i.e. food particles). The package 10 may be a cardboard box, a metal can, a plastic bottle, or any other suitable package for food. In the most preferred embodiment, the package 10 is a retortable carton package designed for shelf-stable products like vegetables, beans, tomatoes, pet food, soups and sauces that are traditionally filled in cans, glass jars or pouches. Such carton packages are commercially available and are referred to as

For the device 1 of fig. 1, the food particles may for example comprise mushrooms, fruit pieces or meat pieces. Solid foods are heterogeneous (xenogeneous) and contain chunks or particles of product with air pockets in the middle. The solid food product may have a certain amount of liquid, for example between 0-20% liquid, as long as the result is non-homogeneous. The solid food product is typically packaged in brine or another type of liquid (e.g., syrup), which is added to at least one package 10 at a later stage, as discussed below with reference to fig. 3.

The apparatus 1 comprises a pump 4, said pump 4 being operatively connected to a product tank 2 containing solid food products (i.e. the solid part of the food products). The pump 4 may be a reciprocating pump capable of drawing solid food products from the product tank 2. The advantage of a reciprocating pump is that it is very convenient to scale to the filling amount of solid food product. The scaling may be, for example, dependent scaling. In this way, one device 1 can be used for any number of filling volumes or packaging volumes. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the volume of the package 10 need not be the same or even proportional to the fill volume.

Preferably, the pump 4 pumps at a fast and efficient speed and acceleration, but without causing any damage to the product. Preferably, the pump 4 is operated automatically.

The purpose of the pump 4 is to draw solid food product from the product tank 2 and then deliver the drawn solid food product to the package 10. The fill volume, i.e. the volume of solid food product to be delivered to the package 10, is now denoted as the first volume.

Another function of the pump 4 is to temporarily store the solid food product while measuring the amount of product to be filled. The pump 4 is therefore made of a material suitable for periodically containing solid food products (for example plastic, glass or metal) and is shaped, for example, substantially like a ball, box, cylinder or tube.

The pump 4 is configured to contain a volume of solid food product that is greater than the first volume (i.e., the volume to be filled in the package 10). When solid food is pumped into the pump 4, a volume of solid food greater than the first volume enters the pump 4. The excess volume (i.e. the difference between the pumped volume and the first volume) is then discharged from the pump 4 back to the product tank 2.

The excess volume is thus the difference between the input/extracted volume and the first volume to be filled. Outputting the excess volume back towards the product tank 2 does not necessarily mean that product will reach the product tank 2. The excess volume of output product may instead be temporarily stored in the connecting tube, for example.

The process compresses the solid food product to primarily expel air from the air pockets to achieve a more homogeneous and compact solid food product. This means that by extracting the extra volume and then outputting the extra volume, while the final volume of the product is the same as without the extra step, the final content effectively fills the volume in fact and can be used as a reasonable measure.

In one embodiment, the volume withdrawn is 40-60% greater than the first volume to be filled. In another embodiment, the extracted volume is about 50% greater than the first volume to be filled.

The device 1 further comprises at least one filling head 8 operatively connected to the pump 4. The filling head 8 is configured to dispense the solid food product supplied by the pump 4 into at least one package 10. The filling head 8 may be, for example, a nozzle, a funnel or a pipe opening.

Preferably, the filling head 8 ensures that all the solid food product supplied by the pump 4 is filled into the at least one package 10 by using a feedback system such as a sensor or the like, or simply by designing the filling head 8 such that spillage and loss are prevented.

The device 1 further comprises a valve 7, said valve 7 being configured to selectively connect the pump 4 to the product tank 2 or to the filling head 8. Preferably, the valve 7 is a passive component that does not affect the flow. The valve 7 may be, for example, a branch pipe with a mechanical switch or a set of plugs blocking different paths depending on its position. The valve 7 may allow flow into or out of one or more pumps 4.

Preferably, valve 7 connects pump 4 to product tank 2 to allow solid food to flow between product tank 2 and pump 4 while drawing product into pump 4 while outputting excess product back into product tank 2, as previously described. For modern filling operations, this process typically takes about half a second.

Note that valve 7 allows product to flow from product tank 2 to pump 4, and from pump 4 to product tank 2. In different embodiments, the valve 7 may be arranged to allow two flows in two directions simultaneously or to switch between allowing two flows in two directions at different times.

Once excess product is output from the pump 4, the valve 7 is preferably switched to connect the pump 4 to the fill head 8 to allow flow between the pump 4 and the fill head 8. This enables the correct amount of solid food product contained in the pump 4 to be filled into the package 10 by the filling head 8. For modern filling operations, this process typically takes about half a second.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the pump 4 comprises a piston 5 for controlling the flow of solid food between the product tank 2 and the pump 4.

During the stroke, the piston 5 will first drive the flow of solid food product into the pump 4 and by changing direction push the piston 5 forward, thereby outputting product from the pump 4 towards the product tank 2 or to the filling head 8.

Preferably, the piston 5 moves with a fast and efficient speed and acceleration, but without damaging the product.

The device 1 may further comprise a motor 6 for driving the piston 5. The motor 6 may be integrated into or arranged in connection with the piston 5 and may be arranged to actuate one or more pistons 5. The motor 6 may be controlled manually or automatically. The motor 6 may be, for example, a stepper motor or an electric motor, preferably a servo motor.

The apparatus 1 further comprises a control unit 9, said control unit 9 being configured to control the valve 7 to connect the pump 4 to the product tank 2; controlling the pump 4 to draw a volume of solid food product from the product tank 2 that is greater than the first volume to be filled, and then output the excess volume back to the product tank 2; the control valve 7 connects the pump 4 to the filling head 8; and controlling the pump 4 to supply the first volume of solid food product to the filling head 8.

The control unit 9 may further be configured to control the operation of one or more pistons 5 and/or one or more motors 6 in order to coordinate the pistons 5 with the pump 4.

The control unit 9 may further be configured to control the operation of one or more filling heads 8 in order to activate the filling of the solid food product, to monitor and react to the feedback system, and/or to control the processing means, as previously discussed.

The control unit 9 may be implemented as one or more processors (CPU) or Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). It may be a single unit or divided into several parts. A control unit 9 may be configured to control the operation of any number of valves 7, pumps 4, pistons 5, motors 6, and/or fill heads 8.

By using a feedback system, the control unit 9 can be fully automatic in order to control the device 1 in the most efficient way. The control unit 9 may have a semi-manual variation control such as a package volume control by using a user interface such as a control panel or the like.

The control unit 9 is preferably configured to accurately control the motion profile of the piston 5, both in terms of speed and acceleration, and in terms of defining the end positions of the piston 5 (i.e. the end positions corresponding to the larger volume, and the intermediate positions corresponding to the first volume to be filled). Since the piston 5 is preferably driven by a servo motor, the control unit 9 communicates with the servo motor to follow a software profile suitable for each type of food particles filled. Such control will improve the filling operation in terms of accuracy and speed.

Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of the device 1, where two devices 1 are arranged with some shared components in order to increase efficiency. The skilled person will realize that any number of devices 1 may be arranged with any number of shared components.

Fig. 2 shows two pumps 4, each comprising a piston 5. Although not shown, two or more pumps 4 may be arranged to share the same piston 5. Only one of the pistons 5 is equipped with a motor 6, in this embodiment the motor 6 is configured to actuate both pistons 5.

Two filling heads 8 are shown, each filling one respective package 10. One filling head 8 may for example be arranged with a plurality of nozzles or openings, each nozzle or opening being configured to fill one package 10.

In one embodiment, the first volume to be filled corresponds to the volume of solid food to be filled in only one package 10. In this case, preferably one filling head 8 is used per package to be filled 10.

Preferably, the first volume to be filled output by each pump 4 does not change between the pump 4 and the respective package 10 to be filled. For this reason, it is beneficial to scale the system 20 while keeping the number of pumps 4 and fill heads 8 the same. Each filling head 8 may then be configured to fill exactly one volume to be filled into any number of packages 10 using known methods to ensure that each package 10 receives the same amount of solid food product.

Fig. 2 further shows two valves 7, each connected to a respective pump 4 and a respective filling head 8. However, each valve 7 is connected to the same product tank 2 (not shown). The skilled person will recognise that more than one valve 7 may share any two or more connections.

Preferably, however, the valves 7 maintain a direct connection between the pumps 4 and the respective filling heads 8 to ensure that the first volume to be filled output by each pump 4 does not change as discussed above.

Fig. 2 shows one control unit 9 controlling two valves 7 and one motor 6. Although all these components may each be controlled by one control unit 9, it may be more efficient for one control unit 9 to control all components as required, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Fig. 3 shows a system 20 for filling at least one package 10 with a solid food product. The system 20 comprises a device 1 for filling at least one package 10 with a first volume of solid food product, which is similar to the device 1 of fig. 1 and will therefore not be described again.

The system 20 includes a product tank 2 containing solid food products. As mentioned before, the product tank 2 is connected to the pump 4 via a valve 7. The product tank 2 may be any tank suitable for storing solid food products, made of a material suitable for containing solid food products, such as plastic, glass or metal, and shaped, for example, substantially like a ball, box, cylinder or tube.

The product tank 2 may be of any size, for example 0.1-5 liters, 5-10 liters, 10-20 liters and 20-100 liters. Regardless of size, a restocked (restocked) may eventually be required. Storage may be performed manually or automatically. If automated, any suitable means for transporting the solid food product may be used, such as screws, vibrating hoppers or conveyor belts 3.

It may be beneficial to treat the solid food product before it is stored in the product tank 2. For example, the dryer 13 may be arranged with means suitable for transport to dry the product while it is stored. Other processing stations 11-15 are also possible. Other examples of processing include shaping, stamping, cutting, or coating.

However, the dryer 13 is not necessary for the system 20 described. In such an embodiment, the conveyor or any other type of transport should ensure that the food particles are thoroughly discharged when they reach the filling device 1. When a conveyor is used, it may have holes to discharge the food product.

After filling at least one package 10, further processing may be beneficial. The embodiment of fig. 3 shows a conveyor belt 3 in which the packages 10 are treated in a specific order at different treatment stations 11-15. The different processing stations 11-15 may be processed in any order and any station may be omitted. Each processing station 11-15 may process any number of packages 10 at a time, and any number of processing stations 11-15 may process the same package 10 at the same time.

The different processing stations 11-15 may be part of different machines or integrated into one machine. The packages 10 may be transported in some way (e.g. by hand or by the conveyor 3) between the different processing stations 11-15. Additionally or alternatively, different processing stations 11-15 may be transported to the package 10; additionally or alternatively, the different treatment stations 11-15 may be arranged to treat the packages 10 without any transport.

The spout 11 may be used to pour a liquid into at least one package 10. The liquid is saline or syrup. The nozzle 11 may be any opening suitable for delivering a liquid (similar to the manner in which the fill head 8 delivers a solid food product) to the package 10.

The nozzle 11 may be operatively connected to at least one liquid tank 12. The liquid tank 12 may be any tank suitable for storing a liquid, made of a material suitable for containing a liquid, such as plastic, glass or metal, and shaped, for example, substantially like a ball, box, cylinder or tube. Different liquid tanks 12 may contain different liquids. The liquid tank 12 may or may not be integrated with the nozzle 11. One liquid tank 12 may be centrally connected to any number of nozzles 11, in addition or alternatively each nozzle 11 may have its own liquid tank 12.

The sealer 14 may be used to seal at least one package 10. Sealer 14 may seal package 10 using, for example, adhesive, pressure, fastening means, heat, or electricity. The package 10 may need to be folded prior to sealing 170, which may be done by the sealer 14 or another processing station.

The heater 15 may be used to cook at least one package 10. The heater 15 may heat the package 10 to between 100 ℃ and 130 ℃.

The control unit 9 of the apparatus 1 for filling at least one package 10 may further be used for controlling any number of components of the system 20, such as the different processing stations 11-15 and/or the conveyor 3. The feedback system may be implemented at the system level to allow the control unit 9 to automatically control the system 20.

The system 20 may further comprise a user interface (not shown) to allow a user to interface with the control unit 9 and thus with the system 20. The user interface may, for example, be configured to allow a user to change the first volume or excess volume/stroke length of the solid food product, to adjust the speed of the filling operation, or to stop or resume the filling operation.

From the above description, although various embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not limited thereto but can also be implemented in other ways within the scope of the subject-matter defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Device (1) for filling at least one package (10) with a first volume of solid food product, said device (1) comprising:

a pump (4), the pump (4) being operatively connected to a product tank (2) containing the solid food product,

at least one filling head (8), said filling head (8) being operatively connected to said pump (4);

a valve (7), the valve (7) being configured to selectively connect the pump (4) to the product tank (2) or the filling head (8); and

a control unit (9), the control unit (9) being configured to control the valve (7) to connect the pump (4) to the product tank (2) or the filling head (8), and to control the pump (4) to supply the first volume of solid food product to the filling head (8),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the control unit (9) is further configured to control the pump (4) to draw a volume of solid food product from the product tank (2) that is larger than the first volume and to output excess volume back to the product tank (2).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said pump (4) is a reciprocating pump.

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said pump (4) comprises a piston (5).

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said device (1) further comprises a servomotor (6) for actuating said piston (5).

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit (9) is further configured to adjust the movement and/or speed of the piston (5) according to a software profile adapted to fill specific food particles.

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said excess volume of solid food product drawn from said product tank (2) is between 40-60% of said first volume to be filled.

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first volume to be filled corresponds to the volume of solid food product to be filled in one package (10).

8. A system (20) for filling at least one package (10) with a first volume of a solid food product, said system (20) comprising:

the device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7;

a product tank (2) containing the solid food product;

at least one spout (11) for pouring a liquid into said at least one package (10); and

a sealer (14) for sealing the at least one package (10).

9. The system (20) according to claim 8, characterized in that said system (20) further comprises at least one liquid tank (12) operatively connected to said at least one nozzle (11).

10. System (20) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the system (20) further comprises a conveyor belt (3) for storing solid food products in the product tank (2).