EP1952021B1 - Positive displacement pumping device comprising a joint-free dispensing member - Google Patents

Abstract

The volume-metering pump device comprises a pump member associated with a manifold member comprising a body containing a manifold chamber having ports providing connections with the pump member, with an admission duct connected to a feed vessel, and with a discharge duct, and in which a manifold control element is mounted to move along a longitudinal axis of the manifold chamber, the ports providing connections with the admission duct and with the discharge duct being disposed facing each other and being coaxial about the longitudinal axis of the manifold chamber on either side of the port providing a connection with the pump member, and being adjacent to seats facing towards the inside of the manifold chamber with which valve-member forming portions made at the ends of the manifold control element co-operate to enable one or the other of the ports to be closed.

Description

The present invention relates to a volumetric pumping device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Volumetric pumping devices are known comprising a pumping member associated with a dispensing member comprising a body containing a dispensing chamber having connection orifices with the pumping member, with an intake duct connected to a tank of supply, and with a discharge pipe, and wherein a distribution element is mounted movable in a longitudinal direction of the distribution chamber and is actuated by a control member to alternately put the pump member in connection with the conduit d inlet or with the discharge pipe.

In existing devices, including the device described in the document GB-A-968,452 , the dispensing member is slidably mounted in an alternate movement in the dispensing chamber and has rubber O-valves mounted on the dispensing member outside the dispensing chamber. During operation of the pumping device, the connection of the pumping chamber with the intake duct or the discharge duct is a function of the position of the dispensing element. As the dispensing member moves, pumped product accumulates between the O-valves and the dispensing member. This product is difficult to extract during washing so that in practice it is not possible to pump under aseptic conditions with the existing devices.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a volumetric pumping device that can easily operate under aseptic conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve this object, a volumetric pumping device is proposed according to the invention, comprising a pumping member associated with a dispensing member comprising a body containing a dispensing chamber comprising connecting orifices with the dispensing member. pumping, with an intake duct connected to a feed tank, and with a delivery duct, a distribution element being mounted movable along a longitudinal axis of the distribution chamber and being actuated by a control member, connecting orifice with the intake duct and the connection orifice with the delivery duct being disposed facing each other coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the distribution chamber on either side of the connecting port with the pumping member and being adjacent seats facing inwardly of the dispensing chamber, and the dispensing member having ends configured to form s valves adapted to come sealingly against one or the other of the seats under the action of the control member of the distribution element.

Thus, while ensuring a tight closure of one of the connecting ports during operation of the pumping device, the dispensing element can be easily cleaned by removing the valve from its seat and by flowing cleaning product around the valve. valve.

According to an advantageous version of the invention, the pumping member comprises a cylindrical pumping chamber in which is mounted a piston without a seal connected to an actuating member for moving the piston. in an axial direction of the pumping chamber, and at an end opposite to the connection orifice of the distribution chamber with the pumping chamber, the pumping chamber is connected to the feed tank, the piston being mounted in the pumping chamber with a sufficiently low clearance so that a product contained in the feed tank does not flow around the piston.

Thus, when pumping a product, a film of the thin product is formed between the piston and the pumping chamber, so that a seal is provided between the piston and the pumping chamber and this product film is easily removed during washing.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the pumping member comprises an auxiliary chamber which is coaxial with the pumping chamber and which opens into the feed tank, and preferably the actuating member of the piston. a stroke sufficient to bring the piston completely into the auxiliary chamber, the auxiliary chamber having a sufficient diameter to then allow a product flow around the piston. The auxiliary chamber then has a triple function, that is to say that for a position of the piston in the pumping chamber, it ensures the sealing function of the piston and when the piston is brought into the auxiliary chamber during washing the piston is largely subjected to the effects of the cleaning agent so that the auxiliary chamber functions as a piston washing chamber. In addition in this position of the piston, the pumping chamber is disengaged and is therefore thoroughly cleaned by the washing product. Finally, during the initial filling of the installation with the product to be conditioned the piston is brought into the auxiliary chamber so that the product flows around the piston to fill the pumping chamber and the distribution chamber, and the bubbles air can flow back into the feed tank so that the chamber the auxiliary chamber has a feeding chamber function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe axiale par un plan vertical du dispositif selon l'invention et de la cuve d'alimentation qui lui est associé, pour une position d'admission de l'élément de distribution,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe analogue à celle de la figure 1, pour une position de lavage du dispositif de pompage.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of a preferred non-limiting embodiment of the invention, with reference to the attached figures among which:

• the figure 1 is a view in axial section through a vertical plane of the device according to the invention and the feed tank which is associated with it, for an intake position of the distribution element,
• the figure 2 is a sectional view similar to that of the figure 1 , for a washing position of the pumping device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the figure 1 , the pumping device comprises a pumping member 1 connected to a feed tank 2 and associated with a dispensing member 3. The pumping member comprises a pumping body 4 comprising a pumping chamber 5 in which a piston 6 without joint is mounted to slide with a very small clearance, for example a few tenths of a millimeter. The piston 6 is actuated by a rod 7 connected to an actuating member 8.

Between the pumping chamber 5 and the feed tank 2, the pumping member 1 comprises an auxiliary chamber 9 coaxial with the pumping chamber 5, having a transverse dimension D much greater than a transverse dimension d of the pumping chamber. 5 and opening into the feed tank 2.

The dispensing member 3 comprises a body 10 containing an elongated cylindrical distribution chamber 11 having a longitudinal axis 36. The dispensing chamber 11 comprises a connecting orifice 12 with the organ Pumping 1. The connecting orifice 12 opens laterally into the distribution chamber 11. At each of its ends, the distribution chamber 11 has orifices, respectively 13 and 14, coaxial with the longitudinal axis 36 and extending next to each other, on either side of the connecting orifice 12. Adjacent the connecting orifices 13 and 14, the distribution chamber comprises zones configured to make seats, respectively 33 and 34, coaxial with the connecting openings and facing the interior of the dispensing chamber. The seats 33, 34 are each arranged to receive an end configured to form a valve, respectively 15 and 16, of a cylindrical distribution element 17 mounted to slide in a longitudinal direction of the distribution chamber. The valves 15, 16 are therefore mounted between the seats 33, 34.

The distribution element comprises a control rod 18 extending in a bore 27 and connected to a control member 19. The control member 19 comprises an actuating member 35 and a coupling member 20 without crossing wall. For example, the coupling member comprises, in a manner known per se, a magnet 21 carried by a rod 22 associated with the actuating member 35 and movably mounted in a glove finger 23 made of non-magnetic material, and a magnetized ring 24 surrounding it. the glove finger 23 and connected to the control rod 18 by a stirrup 25. The dispensing element 17 is kept coaxial with the distribution chamber 11 by guide vanes 26 sliding in the bore 27 coaxial with the chamber of FIG. distribution 11, and guide flanges 28 sliding in a bore 29 also coaxial with the distribution chamber 11. The connecting orifice 14 is connected to an intake duct 30 through the bore 27 and an admission chamber 31 surrounding the organ at its upper end, the intake duct 30 opens at the lower end of the auxiliary chamber 9.

The connecting orifice 13 is connected to a delivery conduit 32 through the bore 29. The discharge conduit 32 is connected to a dosing nozzle not shown.

Furthermore, the actuating member 8 has a sufficient stroke to not only maneuver the piston 6 in a reciprocating movement in the pumping chamber 5, but also to pull the piston 6 out of the pumping chamber 5 to in the auxiliary chamber 9 as illustrated on the figure 2 .

The valve 15 of the dispensing element 17 is shaped to seal the connection orifice 13 when the valve 15 bears on the seat 33 adjacent to the orifice 13. Similarly, the valve 16 is shaped to close sealingly the connecting orifice 14 when the valve 16 is in abutment against the seat 34 adjacent to this opening. The distance between the valves 15 and 16 is less than the distance between the seats 33 and 34 so that when one of the connecting ports is closed, the other opening is wide open. In addition, the distribution element 17 has a transverse dimension substantially smaller than the transverse dimension of the distribution chamber 11 so that the product to be dispensed flows easily around the dispensing element 17 when one of the orifices link 13 or 14 is open.

At the initial start of the installation comprising the pumping device according to the invention, the valve 16 is brought to bear against its seat 34 so that the connecting orifice 13 is widely open. Moreover, the piston 6 is raised in the auxiliary chamber 9 as illustrated in FIG. figure 2 . In this position, the product to be packaged flows by gravity in the auxiliary chamber 9 and flows around the piston 6 to ensure on the one hand the filling of the inlet duct 30 and on the other hand the filling of the pumping chamber 5 and the filling of the distribution chamber 11 and the discharge duct 32. The auxiliary chamber 9 thus has a booster chamber function.

The piston 6 is then lowered to the maximum of its stroke in the pumping chamber 5 and is then moved back and forth in a stroke holding the piston 6 in the pumping chamber 5. During each movement of the piston to the top, the valve 15 is brought into abutment against the seat 33 adjacent to the connection opening 13 to close it. The connection opening 14 is then largely open and the product to be conditioned is sucked into the pumping chamber 5 through the auxiliary chamber 9 and the intake duct 30, the inlet chamber 31 and the distribution chamber 11 With each downward movement of the piston 6, the dispensing element 17 is moved to close the connection orifice 14 and open the connecting orifice 13 so that a volume of product corresponding to the stroke of the piston 6 is propelled by the piston 6 in the discharge conduit 32. The auxiliary chamber 9 then performs a sealing chamber function with respect to the piston.

When the feed tank 2 is empty, a washing product is introduced into the feed tank 2 and the pumping device is placed in the position illustrated in FIG. figure 2 that is, the piston 6 is raised to extend into the sealing chamber 9 and the dispensing element 17 is placed in an intermediate position in which the connecting orifices 13 and 14 are both open. The washing liquid then flows into the discharge pipe 32 while passing simultaneously through the conduit 30 and the pumping chamber 5. The auxiliary chamber 9 then has a washing function. In addition, this system allows a total purge of the air during the washing of the spout, by raising the air in the tank.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and is capable of variants that will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

In particular, although the described device combines a seamless distribution member and a seamless pumping member, the seamless distribution member could be used in connection with a conventional structure pumping member, the inlet duct being then directly connected to the feed tank.

Although in the illustrated embodiment an auxiliary chamber is interposed between the pumping chamber and the feed tank, the invention can be realized with a pumping chamber opening directly into the feed tank which then acts as a chamber. auxiliary for both feeding and pumping and washing.

Conversely, the auxiliary chamber can be separated from the feed tank and be connected thereto by a conduit.

Claims (7)

1. A volume-metering pump device comprising a pump member (1) associated with a manifold member (3) comprising a body (10) containing a manifold chamber (11) having ports (12, 14, 13) providing connections with the pump member, with an admission duct (30) connected to a feed vessel (2), and with a discharge duct (32), a manifold control element (17) being mounted to move along a longitudinal axis of the manifold chamber (11) and being actuated by a control member (19), the port (14) providing a connection with the admission duct and the port (13) providing a connection with the discharge duct being disposed facing each other and coaxially about the longitudinal axis of the manifold chamber on opposite sides of the port (12) providing a connection with the pump member and being adjacent to respective seats (34, 33), the pump device being characterized in that the seats face towards the inside of the manifold chamber, and the manifold control element (17) has ends shaped to form valve members (16, 15) adapted to come to bear in leaktight manner against one or the other of the seats under drive from the control member of the manifold control element.
2. A pump device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control member (19) is a magnetic member adapted to control displacement of the manifold control element (17) through a wall, without piercing the wall.
3. A pump device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump member (1) has a cylindrical pump chamber (5) in which there is mounted a piston (6) without gaskets that is connected to an actuator member (8) for moving the piston along an axial direction of the pump chamber, and in that, at an end remote from the port (12) providing a connection between the manifold chamber and the pump chamber, the pump chamber is connected to a feed vessel (2), the piston (6) being mounted in the pump chamber with clearance that is small enough to ensure that a fluid contained in the feed vessel (2) does not flow around the piston.
4. A pump device according to claim 3, characterized in that between the pump chamber and the feed vessel (2), the pump member includes an auxiliary chamber (9) of transverse dimension (D) greater than a transverse dimension (d) of the pump chamber.
5. A pump device according to claim 4, characterized in that the auxiliary chamber (9) is on the same axis as the pump chamber (5) and opens out into the feed vessel (2).
6. A pump device according to claim 5, characterized in that the actuator member (8) presents a stroke that is long enough to be able to bring the piston (6) into a position in which the piston is withdrawn into the auxiliary chamber sufficiently to allow fluid to flow around the piston into the pump chamber.
7. A pump device according to claim 6, characterized in that the admission duct (30) opens out into the auxiliary chamber (9).

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