EP2695847A1

EP2695847A1 - Machine for emptying drums automatically and hygienically

Info

Publication number: EP2695847A1
Application number: EP12764477.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Holger FUNKE
Original assignee: Seppelec S L; Seppelec SL
Current assignee: Seppelec S L; Seppelec SL
Priority date: 2011-04-01
Filing date: 2012-03-21
Publication date: 2014-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-21
Also published as: BR112013025399B1; WO2012131131A1; MX344062B; ES2400553A2; BR112013025399A2; ES2709889T3; PT2695847T; ES2400553B1; MX2013011308A; EP2695847B1; EP2695847A4; ES2400553R1

Abstract

The machine comprises an extraction pipe that is moved vertically on a first support of the pipe by means of a stepper motor. The first support is mounted on an extender that is associated with a second support on which the extender can move vertically and horizontally. In addition, means for supporting and sealing a bag are provided on the extender, and said extender and bag-closing and -supporting means can be moved together in a precise manner. The extraction pipe includes: a central drainage channel; a movable closure cone; and, peripherally, a first internal sleeve which sprays water into the drainage channel and a second external sleeve which sprays water towards the exterior of the pipe. This machine provides automatic, hygienic drainage, in which the entire process is controlled and all of the product contained in the bag is used.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention, as established in the invention title, is a machine for emptying cans automatically and hygienically, where the cans contain concentrated products, pulp, pieces of fruit or any other product.
The elements which form part of the machine characterize the present invention, especially the design of these elements, which produce a synergistic result, in such a way that a machine which facilitates the emptying of cans with products inside that must be extracted and diluted for industrial use, the entire process being carried out with the minimum amount of human intervention, i.e. automatically and hygienically.
Therefore, the present invention falls within the scope of the means and machines used to extract and dilute more or less viscose products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In industry in general and especially within the food industry, the use of more or less viscose products is common, these products being distributed to the industries for the preparation of food products.
A common case is that of fruit juice, the fruit juice concentrate being distributed from the countries of origin, to the transformation industries tasked with diluting them and preparing the final juices using the concentrates sent or adding preparations which include pieces of fruit.
These products are packaged in cans, inside which there is a bag which has been closed hermetically, with the aim of preventing any of the product contained therein from deteriorating, it being necessary to extract said product in order to subsequently dilute and prepare the final product.
The extraction processes are carried out by means of an extraction pipe, after having opened the bag containing the product and introducing the extraction pipe into the bag. The pipe is handled manually, an operator moving it conveniently. When the process for emptying the bag has almost finished, the operator moves the pipe towards all those areas or creases in the bag where residue remains, with the purpose of better ensuring that the majority of the product extracted.
As it can be seen, with the means used up until now, the process has some disadvantages and aspects which could be improved. Firstly, one of the disadvantages of the emptying process is that the product comes into contact with the air, hygiene therefore not being guaranteed in the emptying process. Secondly, the operator is required to be present at all times, as well as to direct the pipe towards those areas where product remnants remain. In addition, with the means used up until now, it is not possible to control the emptying process at all, in terms of the amounts emptied.
Therefore, the present invention aims to develop a machine and process for emptying cans filled with products which overcome the abovementioned limitations, i.e. a machine which carries out the emptying process automatically, in addition to ensuring maximum hygiene in the emptying process and enabling controlled emptying.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is a machine for emptying cans automatically and hygienically, where the cans contain a number of closed bags filled with products.
The machine comprises an extraction pipe, which is displaced vertically on a support for the pipe, by means of a step motor, this support being mounted to an extender (5), to which a number of bag support and closure means are also joined, where the extender, along with the bag support and closure means are joined to a second support for both, by means of which it is displaced precisely. Said second support, in one possible embodiment, may have a rotating base.
The extraction pipe, as explained in more detail in the preferred embodiment of the invention, has a central drainage drainage channel, at the end of which there is an opening and closure cone, which may be displaced by means of a rod which runs along the inside of the drainage channel. In addition to the drainage channel, the extraction pipe has two sleeves - one internal sleeve and one external sleeve - both of which are arranged concentrically.
The internal sleeve facilitates the injection of water into the inside of the drainage channel alone and not, in any case, towards the outside of the pipe. The projection of water is carried out on the ascending product flow, which produces a fine film which lubricates the passage of the product, which facilitates its extraction and dilution of the product, without affecting the concentration of the product contained inside the bag.
The external sleeve facilitates the projection of water outside the pipe, logically inside the bag contained in the can, which dilutes the concentration and facilitates its subsequent extraction.
This water projected from the external sleeve may be used for various purposes. Firstly, it enables the dilution of the product inside, in the event of one wanting to or dilution being required for better extraction. Secondly, once the plastic packaging has been emptied completely, it facilitates the injection of water in such a way that the product remnants are dissolved and facilitates the cleaning and extraction of the entirety of the product contained therein. Finally, it may simply serve to clean the drainage channel, by making cleaning solutions pass through it.
The specific characteristics of the pipe, with the aim of improving the operation of the assembly, may be employed alongside other elements.
On the one hand, the machine may have a loading cell where a can is positioned, which reads the weight of the can at all times, in such a way that, alongside a number of control means, it is possible to empty the product in a controlled way, by controlling the weight emptied in comparison with the initial weight measured.
Another important aspect, which improves performance and the operation of the machine, is that the machine has a number of bag support and closure means, once the extraction pipe has been introduced inside it. Said support and closure means may be a number of pincers or any other means which carries out a similar function.
Therefore, when the content of the bag has almost finished being extracted, given that the bag contained inside the can is bigger than the can itself, the bag has a number of creases in which product remains are deposited, which makes it necessary to lift the bag in order to improve the cleaning of the same. Therefore, thanks to the bag support and closure means, on the one hand it is possible to close the bag and prevent the product from coming into contact with the environment and on the other hand, it is possible to lift the bag and thus proceed to better empty it and derive benefit from the product.
In order to be able to lift the bag, the machine has a number of elevation means of the bag fastening and closure elements. In general, the bag is emptied completely once the bag has been lifted, water being injected inside it and said water subsequently being sucked up, ensuring a complete recovery of the product inside the bag.
Another constructive aspect of the machine, which improves the facilities of the machine is the fact that a number of displacement means are arranged on top of the extraction pipe support by means of a step motor, which facilitates correct positioning in the bottom of the bag, given that it makes sure it is neither very stuck to the bottom nor very separated from it, all this depending on the viscosity of the product.
It is possible for the control system to set recipes corresponding to each product and each kind of container, so as to optimize the emptying time.
Thanks to the means described, the following advantages are obtained in comparison to machines used up until now in the state of the art:

The emptying operation is carried out in a simple way.
The emptying operation is carried out automatically.
It increases the optimized emptying capacity for each product and type of container.
It facilitates instant product changes after a can has been emptied completely.
It empties all kinds of products, regardless of their viscosity or concentration level.
It can be used with all kinds of containers.
The emptying is carried out hygienically, without coming into contact with the surfaces exposed to the product with the hands of the operator and in an environment in which the product is protected by the bag, where strange objects are prevented from falling. The assembly is completely washable: the pipe(1) is therefore introduced into a washing case once production has come to an end, which is why the (CIP) cleaning solutions are made to circulate, in order to clean the surfaces which were dirtied by the product, both outside and inside the pipe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to complement the current description and with the aim of facilitating a better understanding of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, below is a set of drawings, which form an integral part and provide a non-limiting example thereof:

Figure 1 is a simplified representation of the emptying machine, object of the present invention, wherein it is possible to observe the main characteristics of the same.
Figure 2 is a representation of the machine, wherein it is possible to observe how the bag has been lifted.
Figure 3 represents a detail of the end output of the extraction pipe, in order to facilitate a better view of the structural details.
In Figures 4 to 9, it is possible to observe the structural characteristics of the extraction pipe and the various operations that may be carried out using the extraction pipe. Therefore, in Figure 4, it is possible to observe the priming process of the pump. Figure 5 shows the start of the product suction process. Figure 6 shows the product suction alone. Figure 7 shows the product suction alongside another fluid which runs along the internal sleeve. Figure 8 shows the suction of dense products and Figure 9 shows the process for rinsing the bag contained inside the can.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the abovementioned figures, below is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is by no means limiting.
As can be seen in Figure 1, the machine for emptying cans automatically and hygienically comprises an extraction pipe (1), linked to a support (6) of the pipe, upon which it is displaced said support (6) being linked to an extender (5) mounted to a support (8) upon which it is possible to make vertical and horizontal movements. The machine also has a number of bag fastening and closure means (4), which are linked to the extender (5) and displaced alongside it.
The extender (5) makes it possible to bring the support (6) closer or to move away from it and all the elements mounted to said support (6), of the support (8). On the other hand, the base of the support (8) is rotational. Both movements, the rotation of the support (8) and moving the support (6) closer or further away, make it possible to access any position with the pipe. In our case, it is used to access any of the 4 cans, which are sometimes arranged on a pallet, or to access a case in which the pipe is placed for cleaning.
In Figure 1, it is possible to observe how the extraction pipe (1) has been introduced into the bag (3), which is in turn inside a can (2).
The bag (3) once opened and once the extraction pipe (1) has been introduced, is closed and supported and closed by one of the support and closure means, which basically consist of a number of pincers (13), mounted to an element (14), which supports both pincers and which is likely to be displaced vertically alongside the extender (5).
The displacement of the extraction pipe (1) on the support (6) of the pipe is carried out precisely, thus making it possible to position the end of the pipe in the most precise way possible in relation to the bottom, this being achieved by means of a step motor (7).
In fact, in Figure 2, it is possible to observe how the assembly formed by the support and closure means (4) has been vertically displaced alongside the extender (5), thus lifting the bag (3), which makes it possible to inject and subsequently absorb water, diluting any remains that may be left in any crease, which is formed if the bag is not stretched out or lifted, as shown in Figure 2.
In Figure 3, it is possible to observe the structural characteristics of the extraction pipe (1), which has an drainage channel (10), which runs along the center of the extraction pipe, at the free end of which there is a displaceable cone (9), which fits on the output of the extraction pipe. The displaceable cone is linked to a displacement rod (15), which runs inside the drainage channel.
The extraction pipe furthermore has an internal sleeve (11) and another sleeve arranged externally to the former, which shall be referred to as external sleeve (12), both arranged concentrically, the fact that in the internal sleeve (11) the ring shaped evacuation opening (16) is directed towards the inside of the drainage channel (10) being a structural characteristic, in such a way that, the displaceable cone (9) still being located in such a way that it closes the drainage channel, it is possible for the water or fluid to run through said internal sleeve (11) towards the inside of the drainage channel (10), serving, as shown in Figure 4, as a pump priming means.
With a complete displacement of the displaceable cone (9), it is possible to access the product towards the inside of the drainage channel (10), as can be seen in Figure 6.
In the event of the product viscosity being such that it makes extraction difficult, or should one simply wish to dilute the concentration, it is possible to inject fluid though the internal sleeve (11), as shown in Figure 7. Thanks to this internal sleeve, it is possible to facilitate the extraction of high viscosity products by lubricating the contract film of the product with the emptying tube (10).
On the other hand, the external sleeve (12) is unique in that the fact that the ring shaped evacuation opening (17) evacuates or projects the water towards the outside of the extraction pipe , as shown in Figure 8, i.e., the ring shaped evacuation opening (17) is open in the external wall of the extraction pipe on the lower end thereof.
Thanks to this external sleeve, it is possible to dilute the concentration of the product contained inside the bag, as shown in Figure 8 and when the bag is already empty, it is impossible to inject water to completely clear the bag and derive benefit from the entire product (see Figure 9).
In order to drain the rest of the rinse, the displaceable cone (9) has a third position, which facilitates the assembly of the pipe being brought closer to the bottom of the bag in order to complete the extraction (Figure 5).
Variations in materials, form, size and the arrangements of elements and components, described in a non-limiting way, do not alter the essence of this invention, based on reproduction thereof by an expert.

Claims

Machine for emptying cans automatically and hygienically, characterised in that it comprises an extraction pipe (1), linked to a support (6) of the pipe, upon which it is displaced, said support (6) being linked to an extender (5), mounted to a support (8), upon which it is possible to make vertical and horizontal movements. The machine also has a number of bag fastening and closure means (4), these being linked to an extender (5) and the fastening and closure means (4) being displaced alongside the extender (5).
Machine for emptying cans automatically and hygienically according to claim 1, characterised in that the support and closure means consist in a number of pincers (13) mounted to an element (14) which supports both pincers and is likely to be vertically displaced alongside the extender (5).
Machine for emptying cans automatically and hygienically according to claim 1, characterised in that the extraction pipe (1) has an drainage channel (10), which runs along the centre of the extraction pipe, at the free end of which there is a displaceable cone (9), which fits on the output of the extraction pipe. It also has an internal sleeve (11) and another external sleeve (12) arranged concentrically to the former.
Machine for emptying cans automatically and hygienically, according to claim 3, characterised in that the internal sleeve (11) has a ring shaped evacuation opening (16) which is directed towards the inside of the drainage channel (10).
Machine for emptying cans automatically and hygienically, according to claim 3, characterised in that the external sleeve (4) has a ring shaped evacuation channel (17), which evacuates or projects the water towards the outside of the extraction pipe.
Machine for emptying cans automatically and hygienically, according to claim 1, characterised in that the displacement of the extraction pipe (1) on the support (6) of the pipe is carried out by means of a step motor (7).
Machine for emptying cans automatically and hygienically according to claim 1, characterised in that the machine has a loading cell which reads the weight of the can at all times, being linked to the loading cell with control means.
Machine for emptying cans automatically and hygienically according to claim 1, characterised in that the support base (8) is rotational.