EP0751894B1 - Device for protecting a vacuum pump from liquids contained in containers to be evacuated - Google Patents

Abstract

When a vacuum pump (32) is used to produce a vacuum in rigid or flexible packaging (2), it is impossible to prevent liquids evacuated from the package from reaching the region of the pump (32). In order to prevent this from affecting or damaging the pump (32), the invention calls for a buffer tank (30) or similar device to be connected upstream of the pump (32). In a particularly simple and practical embodiment of the invention, the housing (2) of the vacuum-packaging machine is used as the buffer tank (30), one side of the housing (2) being fitted with a connection point (5) for connecting tubing (7) and the opposite side being fitted with a connection point (15) for the tubing (19) from the standard food packaging (21) to be evacuated. Any liquids evacuated from the packaging will have to pass through the housing (2) which is impossible, resulting in their collecting in the housing from where they can be removed without any great difficulty.

Description

The invention relates to a device for producing a vacuum in rigid or flexible containers, in particular vacuum packaging machine with one Receiving container for the goods, a vacuum pump integrated in the receiving container and connecting hose that connects to one in the interior of the receptacle opening connecting bore is coupled.

Vacuum packaging machines of this type are used for certain supplies such as sliced sausage to make it last longer. For this are these foods such as liver sausage, salads, soft cheese and. in placed an appropriate container, which is closed and connected to a vacuum pump is connected to draw vacuum in the container. Be the same way Bag filled with food, whereupon the air is sucked out of the bag and the bag is then sealed. The receptacle points to this a correspondingly large interior, in which a corresponding foil bag is hung to be filled with the food. Then the Receptacle closed and usually in the receptacle Integrated vacuum pump sucked empty, which is why the vacuum pump is connected via a connecting hose and a connection hole is created in the interior, so that over the vacuum pump evenly creates a vacuum inside the receptacle can be generated and thus also within the foil bag. After reaching the This foil bag is then vacuum-sealed so that the goods or the food is protected from spoilage for a long time. About suitable Indicators as well as control devices can pull the vacuum be set and monitored. If external containers are to be vacuumed, then a corresponding longer hose is connected to the connecting hose, which represents the connection to the external container to be vacuumed. It will then vacuum is drawn simultaneously in the receptacle and in the connected container, but which has no adverse effects, even if you have the receptacle should not necessarily have to be put under vacuum during this time. Problems arise when the external containers to be vacuumed tend to fall over or really fall over for other reasons, so that over the hose and the connecting hose for food parts, especially liquids, is sucked in. As soon as they get into the vacuum pump, they cause damage and finally, in the short term, to a permanent failure of the vacuum pump. The Costs for such vacuum pumps are relatively high, so that in this way resulting damage that you usually only from external containers then aspirates air and creates a vacuum when these external containers do not contain liquids contain. From FR-A-2 397 330 is a device for producing a Vacuum in flexible containers known. This vacuum device is missing as well the container according to EP-A-O 419 736 any possibility of the ingress of liquids to prevent additional containers from being switched on.

The invention has for its object a device for vacuuming to create food-holding containers, their vacuum pump also at fallen containers before the penetration of food, in particular Liquids is protected.

The object is achieved in that on the outer wall of the Receptacle has a hose connector that has at least one hole to the interior Connection has, it is provided that the hose connected there with its free end to a container to be vacuumed, preferably a gastronorm container is connected, and that the connection hole for the Connection hose of the vacuum pump is provided on the upper edge of the receptacle.

In the case of devices designed in this way, the interior acts or acts Entire receptacle as a dummy boiler that initially draws in the liquids once and practically only then forwards them towards the vacuum pump, if the entire interior with the liquid or the corresponding food is filled out. According to the invention, the vacuum pump namely sucks first via the connecting hose and the corresponding connection hole the interior of the receptacle empty to then or at the same time over the hose also act on the gastronorm container or other container. It is conceivable that the receptacle first of all by means of a corresponding circuit is applied to vacuum in order to only then also with a push to place the gastronorm container further behind accordingly under vacuum. It is particularly advantageous that no further installations are required, but instead that practically the existing facility can be used, the only needs to be expanded accordingly. Advantageously, the interior of the Receiving container quite large, so that even with large streaks of bad luck actually occurring can be easily worked without being destroyed or damaged the vacuum pump is to be feared. If such a case arises, it becomes easy recognizable, because namely the lid of the receptacle consists of plexiglass, so that the user can quickly determine that "something is wrong". It there is no damage, but it is then only necessary Clean the interior of the receptacle to then and then immediately to go back into operation.

Another useful embodiment of the invention provides that the Hose connection is arranged at the top of the receptacle. Thereby is practically the entire volume of the receptacle as a buffer or as a dummy boiler are available so that even larger gastronorm containers can be vacuumed without any problems can, because even if you drop and suck in food damage to the vacuum pump cannot occur.

To rule out the fact that when sucking in liquids these quasi from the sucked a connection hole to the other and then through this to the vacuum pump arrives, the invention provides that before the hose connection or before the bore has an air throttle protruding into the interior of the receptacle is arranged. This air throttle, which after an appropriate training of Invention is also arranged on the outlet-side hose connection bore, prevented moreover, that practically one originating from the vacuum pump Air blow to the flexible envelope in normal operation in the receptacle affects. The sucked air flow is rather evened out by the air throttle, so that the problems described cannot occur, in particular the film can not be pressed or sucked onto the hose connection which would lead to significant problems.

A practical design of this air throttle provides that it from a circular plate and a web fixed to the inner wall is formed. This about a 5-mark piece plate can be through a correspondingly simple web or two appropriately thin webs are supported so that they occur Loads are sufficient.

Especially the one on the bore of the inlet hose connection seated air throttle has a special plate that is bent towards the inner wall executed outer edge. As a result, that which is sucked in via the hose is sucked up Food, especially the liquid, and then hurled onto the plate via the lower outer edge to the inner wall of the receptacle, so that a quasi-continuous flow of the introduced food can be achieved leaves.

The device according to the invention is used as stated above of the receptacle used for other purposes, wherein according to the invention a quick and safe changeover is made possible by the hose connection and the hose end acting together as a quick release coupling are. One part of the quick-release coupling sits on the hose connection, the other on the hose end, so that the parts are practically easy on each other can be plugged in to quickly establish a permanent connection. They can just as easily be taken apart again, for which purpose in usually a spring-loaded thrust ring is used. With the plugging on of the hose end and a response of the clutch, the device according to the invention is ready for operation and virtually any external gastronorm container can be vacuumed without there is a risk that liquid will get into the vacuum pump. About swept away Liquid or other food residues would always be against the air throttle to be flung and then sink into the receptacle where they are easy to remove.

If you want to maintain the vacuum in the receptacle, for example a gastronorm container is vacuumed accordingly and now a second one to be connected, it is advantageous if a in the hose connection check valve that blocks the interior is integrated. This will shutdown the vacuum pump automatically closes the check valve so that the Vacuum in the receptacle cannot evaporate.

Instead of in the side wall and at the top edge, the hose connection can also according to a development of the invention in the lid of the receptacle be integrated. Similar to the arrangement at the top of the inner wall is also ensured with this arrangement that when sucking liquid into the Do not accidentally hold this liquid through the opposite Connection hole can be sucked in and brought to the vacuum pump.

For some reason the receptacle should be kept clear and not serve as a quasi blind boiler, it is possible according to the invention that the Hose connection with the connecting hose, which is in the double wall of the receptacle is installed, coupled and that the hose is connected via an intermediate Blind boiler, whose volume is about that of a gastronorm container corresponds. It goes without saying that here with Gastronorm containers one of the largest Gastronorm container is meant and not an extremely small size. It should be Ensure via the dummy boiler that possibly also accidentally sucked in Liquid or other substances can also be safely deposited in the dummy boiler, without the risk that these foods are sucked into the vacuum pump will. Similar to liquids, the vacuum pump also responds appropriate dusts are allergic, so that it is useful in such a case Case to switch a dummy boiler between. The hose is on any one Place separately and opens into the blind tank at two points, so that the any food accidentally sucked in is collected and removed without any problems can be.

It has already been pointed out earlier that if such combined vacuum packaging machine is not available, even the It is possible to work with simple stand-alone vacuum pumps in which namely, a dummy boiler is arranged between the vacuum pump and the gastronorm container in the hose ends of the gastronorm container or vacuum pump at the top Confluence. Here, too, is the dummy boiler, which is virtually inserted into the hose is to remove any harmful substances from the air drawn in, so that only the components of the suction that are not dangerous to the pump Air must also be sucked through them.

A particularly expedient version provides that the dummy boiler has two partial boilers which are detachably connected to one another, one of which Receiving hose ends and the other having the receiving space are. The partial boiler receiving the hose ends can thus be installed in the Shape remain when the recording space should be fully filled. The corresponding one The partial boiler is simply detached from the first partial boiler and then cleaned accordingly and emptied in order to be available for use again. This training is also advantageous because the one having the recording space Partial boiler can of course be cleaned more easily than a correspondingly complex one assembled total boiler.

Do you want some separation between the accidentally sucked food achieve, it may be advantageous if the side walls and / or the Bottom of the partial boiler inserted in the partial boiler having the receiving space are perforated. The sucked-in food is thus initially in the for example sucked in a slightly more deeply arranged area of the upper partial boiler, to be separated into solid and liquid parts. The liquid parts can drain through the side walls and / or the floor into the lower part of the boiler. Here it is understood that the bores, recesses or the like in the side walls and the floor must be designed so that there is a backwater or other Problems cannot come.

The invention is particularly characterized in that a device is created, which is particularly advantageous in the vacuuming of food can be used and the existing aggregates are used, at least in the large area. The corresponding safety device is very Versatile use because an integrated system via the large receptacle is available that has high performance. The other part of the Vacuuming device simply via plug connection to the interior of the receptacle connected so that the negative pressure prevailing there automatically and quickly sets in the container to be vacuumed located outside. Of the containers located outside and to be vacuumed are practically simply attached to the Interior of the receptacle connected via a hose, so that the Interior of the receptacle as a safety zone against the ingress of liquid into the vacuum pump.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Sicherungsvorrichtung,

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt durch die Wandung im Bereich der Anschlußbohrung,

Fig. 3

eine weitere Darstellung des Schnittes gemäß Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Sicherungsvorrichtung mit Blindkessel und

Fig. 5

ein Schema einer stand-alone-Vakuumpumpe mit Blindkessel.

Further details and advantages of the subject matter of the invention emerge from the following description of the accompanying drawing, in which a preferred exemplary embodiment is shown with the details and individual parts required for this. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of the safety device,

Fig. 2

a section through the wall in the area of the connection bore,

Fig. 3

2 shows a further illustration of the section according to FIG. 2,

Fig. 4

a perspective view of a safety device with dummy boiler and

Fig. 5

a diagram of a stand-alone vacuum pump with a dummy boiler.

The securing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 exists first of all from the cube-like receptacle 2 here, whose interior 3 via the lid 4 can be equipped with foil containers and food, for example. To the To make individual parts more visible, the cover 4 is shown partially folded up. This creates a connection hole on the back of the receptacle 2 5 visible, which with a laid in the double wall 6 connecting hose 7 the vacuum pump, not shown here, is connected. Let it run the vacuum pump, the entire interior 3 can thus be brought under vacuum. After closing the foil bag, not shown here, over the foil connector 8, the interior 3 can then be brought back to normal pressure, so that the vacuumed bags can be removed.

A pressure indicator 9 can be seen on the front of the receptacle 2, which makes it easy for the operator to see how far the vacuum in the interior 3 is advanced. A control panel 10 is also provided on the front, through which the various necessary functions are achieved or initiated can.

Closures 12, 13 are provided on the outer wall 11 in the upper region, via which the cover 4 can be fixed when vacuum is drawn in the interior 3 shall be.

On the outer wall 11 in the upper area, i.e. H. in the area of the upper edge 16, a hose connection 15 is provided, which is connected via at least one bore 17 or 18 is connected to the interior 3 or a connection to the interior 3 enables. The hose indicated here can be connected to this hose connection 15 19 are connected, which is a plug-shaped part at the hose end 27 having. It is a quick release coupling, the corresponding Parts of the hose end 27 and the hose connection 15 correspond are trained.

At the free end 20, the hose 19 has a connecting part with a Gastronorm container 21 so that when the hose 19 is appropriately placed in it Gastronorm container 21 vacuum can be generated.

It may happen that the bottom has a narrower base than the lid Gastronorm container 21 falls over, so that then automatically in the gastronorm container 21 liquid present is also sucked in via the hose 19. This liquid would then get into the interior 3 via the bores 17, 18, without the risk that this liquid then continues through the connecting hose 7 reaches the vacuum pump, not shown here.

Even at high pressure, accidental entrainment of liquid excluded from the hose connection 15 to the connection bore 5, because on the inner wall 24 of the receptacle 2, an air throttle 22 is provided, which in FIGS is shown enlarged in Fig. 3. This air throttle 22 consists of a plate 23 and a web 25, two or three webs also being provided instead of the web 25 can be to secure the plate 23. Fig. 3 additionally illustrates that the outer edge 23 can be bent toward the inner wall 24, so as to be thrown along Bring liquid, quasi forcibly to the inner wall 24.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment in which the air throttle 22 with a check valve 28 is combined, which ensures that once sucked in and achieved Vacuum effect in the receptacle 2 is maintained if, for example, the Gastronorm container 21 is to be replaced by a new gastronorm container. If the new gastronorm container is then connected, there is no need for vacuum again to be generated in the interior 3 of the receptacle 2, but it is already there due to the check valve 28 here.

Fig. 4 shows a slightly different embodiment, namely in the Hose 19 is connected to a dummy boiler 30, which may be sucked in to catch it Liquids are used if the interior 3 of the receptacle 2 is not corresponding want to affect. Here is the free end 20 on one side of the blind tank 30 connected, while on the other side the hose end 29 connected is.

Fig. 5 finally shows an embodiment in which with a stand-alone pump 32 is worked on to the consumer, not shown here, via the Hose 19 is connected and which is also a gastronorm container 21 can act. Therefore the hose 19 is also with an elbow drawn in the direction of Fig. 4.

A hose consisting of the two partial boilers 33, 34 is switched into the hose 19 Blind boiler 30, the two partial boilers being releasably connected to one another. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the partial boiler 33 is partially in the Partial boiler 34 shown sufficiently, with in the side walls 36 and / or in Bottom 37 recesses are provided so that when liquid penetrates them passes from the partial boiler 33 into the partial boiler 34. The free end 20 of the hose 19 is connected to the upper part of the boiler 33 and the hose end opposite 29, an air throttle 22 being arranged upstream of this or both. Both Hose connections 20 and 29 are provided on the upper edge 38 of the partial boiler 33.

5 would start up the vacuum pump 32 first of all in the partial boiler 33 and also 34 and in the gastronorm container 21 Vacuum. Should be here or during ongoing other operations the gastronorm container falls over and liquid flows in through the hose 19, would this liquid or the transportable foodstuffs be transported via the Hose end 29 get into the partial boiler 33 and sink there and over the holes get into the lower part of the boiler 34 in the side walls 36. As soon as the accident is noticed, one will turn off the vacuum pump 32 and the gastronorm container put it back in the right position. Then you only need the partial boiler 34 to solve from the partial boiler 33, after which you have taken care of the air balance and then to clean the receiving space 35 of the partial boiler 34, so that the Overall device is available again for further operation.

Claims (12)

1. Apparatus for producing a vacuum in rigid or flexible containers, in particular a vacuum packaging machine with a receptacle for the goods, a vacuum pump integrated into the receptacle and a connecting hose (7) which is coupled to an attachment orifice (5) opening into the interior of the receptacle, characterised in that a hose attachment (15) communicating with the interior (3) via at least one orifice (17; 18) is provided on the external wall (11) of the receptacle (2), in that the hose (19) attached there is attached with its free end (20) on a container to be evacuated, preferably a food container (21), and in that the attachment orifice (5) for the connecting hose (7) of the vacuum pump is provided at the upper edge of the receptacle.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the hose attachment (15) is arranged at the upper edge (16) of the receptacle (2) .
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that an air throttle (22) penetrating into the interior (3) of the receptacle (2) is arranged upstream of the hose attachment (15) or upstream of the orifice (17, 18).
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterised in that the air throttle (22) consists of a circular plate (23) and a web (25) fixed on the internal wall (24).
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that the plate (23) has an outer edge (26) which is bent toward the internal wall (24).
6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the hose attachment (15) and the hose end (27) are designed to act together as a snap coupling.
7. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that a non-return valve (28) which forms a barrier to the interior (3) is integrated into the hose attachment (15).
8. Apparatus according to claim 1 to claim 7, characterised in that the hose attachment (15) is integrated into the lid (4) of the receptacle (2).
9. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the hose attachment (15) is coupled to the connecting hose (7) laid in the double wall (6) of the receptacle (2) and in that the hose (19) has an interposed closed receiver (30) whose volume corresponds roughly to that of a food container (21).
10. Apparatus for producing a vacuum in rigid or flexible containers, in particular a vacuum packaging machine with a stand-alone vacuum pump and hose which represents the connection to the food container to be evacuated, characterised in that a closed receiver (30), in which the hose ends (20, 29) from the food container or vacuum pump open at the upper edge (38), is arranged between vacuum pump (32) and food container (21).
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterised in that the closed receiver (30) has two part receivers (33, 34) which are detachably connected to one another, one being designed to receive the hose ends (20, 29) and the other to have the receiving chamber (35).
12. Apparatus according to claim 10 and claim 11, characterised in that the side walls (36) and/or the base (37) of the part receiver (33) inserted into the part receiver (34) having the receiving chamber (35) are perforated.

Images