EP1586368B1

EP1586368B1 - Machine for the preparation of creams

Info

Publication number: EP1586368B1
Application number: EP03815080A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Victoriano Prim Gonzales
Original assignee: Nego 2000 SCL
Current assignee: Nego 2000 SCL
Priority date: 2003-01-09
Filing date: 2003-01-09
Publication date: 2007-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-09
Also published as: ES2291752T3; AU2003209757A1; DE60315357D1; ATE368509T1; EP1586368A1; WO2004062776A1

Abstract

Machine for preparing creams from among machines that prepare creams automatically, comprised of monitor with a screen keyboard, printing means, transmission means for remote knowledge of the state, and a microprocessor for controlling the machine, aided by field sensors. The machine is provided with a double set of spindles, controlled by an encoder with two sensors, a double set of revolving drums controlled by an encoder and a zero-position Hall effect sensor, a beater provided with an encoder, a beater arm and a series of closing clips that seal each of the cartridges.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is a machine for preparing creams from a number of products contained in cartridges supplied in a suitable proportion and combination in order to obtain the desired product.
The present machine is characterised by its configuration and construction, as the entire cream preparation process is performed automatically, allowing to repeat a specific composition with total accuracy.
Also the object of this invention is the development of a machine with all processes fully automated, including the initial recognition of the cartridges containing creams, dosing and preparation of these creams, allowing to obtain information remotely on the state of the cartridges and the operation of the machine by means of a microprocessor-based control system provided in the machine, in charge of controlling all of the machine's actions through a removable modem incorporated in the system aided by a number of field sensors.
Therefore, the present invention lies in the field of machines for preparing and supplying various products, specifically creams, in order to produce a final cream with specific properties, in which the preparation takes place automatically after selection with a keyboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hitherto, machines for mixing and preparing creams or various cosmetic products in specific proportions rely on the use of revolving drums provided with a peripheral alignment of cartridges containing the products to be dosed. These products are dosed by a plunger common to all cartridges, connected on its top to a radial arm which in turn is connected to a nut driven by a spindle. The entire drum and spindle assembly is suitably motorised by a pulse motor controlled by a microprocessor.
Machines of this category are known from documents ES-A1-2154523 , EP-A1-0 391 286 , US-A-5 445 195 and EP-A-0 461 371 .
These dosing machines have several drawbacks, such as the lack of suitable pinching means for the cartridges while they are not in use, which makes the products contained in them dry up.
On another hand, in these machines it is not possible to know the state of each cartridge, to be aware of whether a cartridge is nearly empty or contains enough product.
It is often the case that after dosing a specific product contained in a cartridge which is then closed by a clip, as this closure is not sufficiently accurate there is an overflow of excess product that is adhered to the end of the cartridge, so that this nozzle must be cleaned after each application.
Therefore, the object of this invention is to develop a machine for preparing creams that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks, in which the closure means for each cartridge after dosing are accurate without any dripping, also allowing a remote knowledge of the state of the cartridges after each application so that it is not necessary to clean the cartridge nozzles after each application, wherein the unit as a whole performs all actions in an automated manner, for which it is provided with the required control means (encoders, Hall effect transducers, etc.) and a microprocessor that receives the signals from these control means or field sensors and acts on each part of the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention of a machine for preparing creams consists of a frame provided with an external display and a screen with a keyboard, placed at a height that allows its use by a standing user. On the bottom it is provided in an with a number of accessible drawers. Inside one of these drawers is an adhesive label printer; inside another drawer is a card printer; another drawer contains the input and output cards for a remote control and the power supply; finally, another contains the microprocessor or programmable logical control that receives the field signals and emits the commands to the various parts of the device.
On the inside, the device has a double set of revolving drums driven by a motor reducer. The cartridges containing the creams to be dosed are placed inside the set of drums. Each drum is driven and turned by a motor that transmits its motion to the plates through a set of gears.
A Hall effect sensor is disposed around the circumference of each plate, used for the initial positioning of each drum. It is also provided with an encoder for knowing the position of each drum.
Near and above each drum is a barcode reader that provides a first identification of each cartridge informing of the content of all the cartridges placed above the revolving drums. This first reading and identification is performed after the machine has been loaded using the Hall effect sensor placed on the circumference of each drum, which is used as a zero-position sensor, so that the machine knows the position of each cartridge at all times.
It is provided with a double spindle set, one for each drum. The spindles are driven by a motor reducer in charge of moving a push tube provided on its end with a sliding bushing that pushes or presses against the top of the cartridges. Each spindle set is provided with an encoder that allows knowing the displacement of each sliding bushing, and thus the state of each cartridge. In addition, two Hall effect sensors are fitted: one for the top position and one for the bottom position.
It is also provided with a motor-driven positioning arm, which with the aid of three Hall effect sensors is positioned either under one of the revolving drums or at the centre to allow the beater to fully mix the creams supplied.,
It is provided with a beater driven by a motor and controlled by an encoder. Associated to the end of the motor is a set of gears, on the end of which is a supporting piece for a spatula that is subjected to a double revolution.
The beater is moved by a motor-driven beater arm provided with two Hall effect sensors used to position the beater.
Under the revolving drums and on their ends are disposed clips meant to close the cartridge nozzles permanently. These nozzles are opened and closed by a motor reducer which as it turns moves a clip-opening cam. The open and closed positions of each clip are indicated by Hall effect sensors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complete the description made below and in order to aid a better understanding of its characteristics, the present descriptive memory is accompanied by a set of drawings where the most significant details of the invention are shown for purposes of illustration only and in a non-limiting manner.
Figure 1 shows a front and side view of the outside of the machine object of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a front and side view of the inside of the machine.
Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the spindle group used to dose the cartridges.
Figure 4 shows a front and side view of one of the clips used to seal the cartridges.
Figure 5 shows a detail of the beater meant to beat the dosed creams.
Figure 6 shows the elements conforming the jar centring arm on which the creams are first dosed and then mixed.
Figure 7 shows a revolving drum next to he means for opening and closing the cartridge clips.
Figure 8 shows the parts comprising the beater arm.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to and explaining the figures.
Figure 1 shows that the machine comprises a monitor (1) that shows the information required for the selection process of the desired cream. Next to it is a keyboard (2) with a mouse touch pad. Under the monitor (1) and the keyboard (2) is a set of compartments housing, from top to bottom, an adhesive label printer (3), a card printer (4), the input and output cards (5) for knowing the state of the machine remotely by a modem and the power supply, and lastly on the bottom compartment the control unit (6) in the form of a microprocessor.
The frontal and side interior view of figure 2 shows a double set of spindles (8) in charge of dosing each cartridge. Also shown is a double set of revolving drums (12), a double set of barcode readers (7) and a beater (10). Suspended under the bottom disc of the revolving drums (12) are the clips (9). The side view allows appreciating a jar centring arm (11) provided on its end with a ring (11.3). Also shown is the arm (14) of the beater (10).
In figure 3 the spindle (8) has a motor reducer (8.1) disposed on a support (8.2) whose position is known by an encoder (8.8). On the end of the motor reducer (8.1) is a coupling piece (8.2) between the motor reducer (8.1) and the spindle (8.4). On this spindle (8.4) moves a sliding bushing (8.7) that moves inside a push tube (8.6) supported by a support (8.7).
Figure 4 shows the clip (9) meant to seal each cartridge nozzle. Each clip (9) has two arms (9.1) hinged on a fork (9.2) that is connected to the bottom plate of each revolving drum (12) by a support plate (9.4). These clips (9) are kept in the closed position by the action of a spring (9.5) held at the end of each of the arms of the clip by a retainer (9.6). In the space between the two arms (9.1) of the clip (9) is housed a cam (9.3) that is vertical in the closed position of the clip. On its other end the cam (9.3) is connected to a cam drive head (9.7). The clip (9) is opened and closed by the drive head (9.7) through an actuator (14) (figure 7). Two Hall effect sensors allow knowing whether the clip has reached the open or closed position.
In figure 5 the beater (10) has a motor reducer (10.1) disposed on a support, and controlled with the aid of an encoder (10.2). On the end of the motor reducer (10.1) is a coupling piece (10.3) to the beater shaft, which is in turn connected to a set of gears (10.4) and (10.5). On the end of these is a part (10.6) for supporting the spatula, so that this part has a double rotation: about itself and about the centre. The support part is located inside a centring bell (10.7).
Figure 6 shows that the jar centring arm (11) has a main plate (11.1) joined to another plate (11.2), on the end of which is placed the arm ring (11.3) and on it the centring ring (11.4). This centring arm (11) is driven by a motor (11.6) mounted on a support (11.5) and joined to the plate (11.1) by a clutch shaft (11.6) provided with a spring (11.7). To cooperate in the positioning of the aforementioned centring arm, three Hall effect sensors are disposed used to position the centring arm (11) either at the centre, for beating, or under each revolving drum (12).
Figure 7 shows that the revolving drum (12) has a main shaft (12.1) on which is disposed a cartridge inner support (12.2), a cartridge external support plate (12.3) and finally a cartridge positioning plate (12.4). Between the plates (12.4) and (12.5) are placed a number of separators (12.5). The drums (12) are driven by a motor (12.8), supported by a support (12.6) and by a gear (12.7) transmit the movement to the drum plate. The motor (12.8) is controlled by the action of an encoder (12.9).
Also shown is a detail of an actuator (14) in charge of acting on the clips (9), which are provided with a motor reducer (14.1) disposed on a support (14). Connected to this motor reducer is a fork (14.3) that turns the head (9.7) (figure 4) of the clips (9). This actuator works with the aid of two Hall effect sensors (14.4) that indicate the open or closed position of the clips (9).
- Figure 8 shows the beater arm (13) assembly, comprising a top plate (13.1) and a bottom plate (13.2) on which is a spindle (13.3) that by means of the piece (13.6) lifts and lowers the arm. The spindle (13.3) is turned by a motor (13.5) held by the piece (13.4). The motion of the beater arm (13) is limited by the action of two Hall effect sensors.
It is not considered necessary to extend this description for any expert in the field to understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived thereof.
The materials, shape, size and arrangement of the component elements may vary within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Machine for preparing creams, from among the machines that automatically perform an accurate dosing of the contents of several cartridges, comprising a beater (10) having, a beater arm (14), a centring arm (11), double set of revolving drums (12) for mounting the cartridges, a double set of spindles (8) for pressing against the cartridges, clips (9) for closing the cartridge nozzles, a monitor (1) and a keyboard (2), characterised in that the machine is provided with an adhesive label printer (3), a card printer (4), a set of input, output and remote control cards (5), a control unit (6) by means of a programmable logical control or a microprocessor, wherein for an improved control and government of the machine each spindle is provided with an encoder (8.8) and a double set of Hall effect sensors, one for the bottom position and one for the top position, the centring arm is provided with three Hall effect sensors, each revolving drum is provided with an encoder and a zero-position Hall effect sensor, each of the clip actuators (14) has two Hall effect sensors to know whether the clips are open or closed, the beater is provided with an encoder (10.2) and the beater arm is provided with two Hall effect sensors.
Machine for preparing creams, according to claim 1, characterised in that each clip (9) has two arms (9.1)hinged on a fork (5.2) that is connected to the bottom plate of each revolving drum (12) by a support plate (9.4). These clips (9) are kept in the closed position by the action of a spring (9.5) held at the end of each of the arms of the clip by a retainer (9.6). In the space between the two arms (9.1) of the clip (9) is housed a cam (9.3) that is vertical in the closed position of the clip. On its other end the cam (9.3) is connected to a cam drive head (9.7). The clip (9) is opened and closed by the drive head (9.7) through an actuator (14) (figure 7).
Machine for preparing creams, according to claim 1, characterised in that the spindle (8) has a motor reducer (8.1) disposed on a support (8.2) whose position is known by an encoder (8.8). On the end of the motor reducer (8.1) is a coupling piece (8.2) between the motor reducer (8.1) and the spindle (8.4). On this spindle (8.4) moves a sliding bushing (8.7) inside a push tube (8.6) supported by a support (8.7).
Machine for preparing creams, according to claim 1, characterised in that the beater (10) has a motor reducer (10.1) disposed on a support, controlled with the aid of an encoder (10.2). On the end of the motor reducer (10.1) is a coupling piece (10.3) to the beater shaft, which is in turn connected to a set of gears (10.4) and (10.5). On the end of these is a part (10.6) for supporting the spatula, so that this part has a double rotation: about itself and about the centre. The support part is located inside a centring bell (10.7).
Machine for preparing creams, according to claim 1, characterised in that the jar centring arm (11) has a main plate (11.1) joined to another plate (11.2), on the end of which is placed the arm ring (11.3) and on it the centring ring (11.4). This centring arm (11) is driven by a motor (11.6) mounted on a support (11.5) and joined to the plate (11.1) by a clutch shaft (11.6) provided with a spring (11.7). To cooperate in the positioning of the aforementioned centring arm, three Hall effect sensors are disposed used to position the centring arm (11) either at the centre, for beating, or under each revolving drum (12).
Machine for preparing creams, according to claim 1, characterised in that the revolving drum (12) has a main shaft (12.1) on which is disposed a cartridge inner support (12.2), a cartridge external support plate (12.3) and finally a cartridge positioning plate (12.4). Between the plates (12.4) and (12.5) are placed a number of separators (12.5). The drums (12) are driven by a motor (12.8), supported by a support (12.6), and by a gear (12.7) transmit the movement to the drum plate. The motor (12.8) is controlled by the action of an encoder (12.9).
Machine for preparing creams, according to claim 6, characterised in that an actuator (14) is disposed on the revolving drums, in charge of acting on the clips (9), this actuator being provided with a motor reducer (14.1) disposed on a support (14). Connected to this motor reducer is a fork (14.3) that turns the head (9.7) of the clips (9). This actuator works with the aid of two Hall effect sensors (14.4) that indicate the open or closed position of the clips (9).
Machine for preparing creams, according to claim 1, characterised in that the beater arm (13) assembly, comprising a top plate (13.1) and a bottom plate (13.2) on which is a spindle (13.3) that by means of the piece (13.6) lifts and lowers the arm. The spindle (13.3) is turned by a motor (13.5) held by the piece (13.4). The motion of the beater arm (13) is limited by the action of two Hall effect sensors.