EP2774860A1 - Appareil de remplissage volumétrique - Google Patents

Appareil de remplissage volumétrique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2774860A1
EP2774860A1 EP13157677.9A EP13157677A EP2774860A1 EP 2774860 A1 EP2774860 A1 EP 2774860A1 EP 13157677 A EP13157677 A EP 13157677A EP 2774860 A1 EP2774860 A1 EP 2774860A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
food product
chamber
volumetric
filling apparatus
product chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP13157677.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Maurice Henry Geddis
Eric George Niblock
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ene Ltd
Original Assignee
Ene Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ene Ltd filed Critical Ene Ltd
Priority to EP13157677.9A priority Critical patent/EP2774860A1/fr
Publication of EP2774860A1 publication Critical patent/EP2774860A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
    • B65B3/10—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by application of pressure to material
    • B65B3/14—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by application of pressure to material pneumatically
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/26—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled
    • B65B3/30—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled by volumetric measurement
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B37/00—Supplying or feeding fluent-solid, plastic, or liquid material, or loose masses of small articles, to be packaged
    • B65B37/16—Separating measured quantities from supply
    • B65B37/20—Separating measured quantities from supply by volume measurement
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
    • B65B59/04—Machines constructed with readily-detachable units or assemblies, e.g. to facilitate maintenance
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/06—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a volumetric filling apparatus, that is, a filling apparatus which can deliver a known measured amount of a product into a container, in particular, the product may be a food product.
  • the known devices have tended to be based on filling uncooked amounts of beef and dairy products.
  • a volumetric filling apparatus for all food products, either cooked or uncooked, where the filling apparatus is adapted to be easily sanitised.
  • food product refers to any food product, both cooked and uncooked.
  • the present invention seeks to alleviate the above outlined disadvantages of known volumetric filling devices.
  • the present invention accordingly provides a filling apparatus for filling a pre-determined amount of a food product, the filling apparatus comprising means for delivery of food product to a volumetric food product chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port, the volumetric food product chamber being adapted to determine the amount of food product that is delivered by the apparatus into a container for packaging the pre-determined volumetric volume of food product.
  • the filling apparatus preferably comprises at least one food product chamber for receiving the pre-determined amount of food product from the volumetric food product chamber; and optionally, for holding the food product until it is dispensed from the filling apparatus.
  • the filling apparatus preferably comprises a piston moveable in a piston housing and operable for locating the food product chamber in position for receiving the pre-determined amount of food product from the volumetric food product chamber.
  • the piston comprises at least one recess defining the at least one food product chamber.
  • the provision of the at least one food chamber in the piston itself is a highly advantageous arrangement as it allows for ease of delivery of the measured amount of food product from the volumetric food product chamber to the food product chamber in which that amount of food product is carried as the piston travels in the piston housing, until the piston has travelled to its fully extended position in which the at least one food chamber is located over the exit port of the filling apparatus; and the measured amount of food product can be conveniently delivered into a container located underneath the exit port.
  • the piston ideally comprises a further recess, defining a vacuum chamber adapted for enabling a vacuum to be applied to the volumetric food product chamber such that, in use, when a vacuum is applied to the vacuum chamber, food product is forced into the volumetric food product chamber.
  • the volumetric food product chamber is defined by a portioning housing insert which is removably insertable into the filling apparatus and preferably, the food product chamber is engageable with the piston housing.
  • the filling apparatus comprises means for directing food product to the volumetric food product chamber; optionally wherein the means for directing the food product to the volumetric food product chamber comprises any one or more of the following: gravity, carrying the food product on a conveyor means, blowing the food product; and means for applying vacuum to the volumetric food product chamber.
  • the means for applying vacuum to the volumetric food product chamber ideally comprises a recess in the piston, the recess defining a vacuum chamber through which a vacuum can be applied to urge the food product into the volumetric food product chamber.
  • the vacuum chamber is in fluid communication with the volumetric food product chamber such that the vacuum can be applied through the vacuum chamber to the volumetric food product chamber.
  • the vacuum chamber is provided underneath the volumetric food product chamber.
  • the filling apparatus ideally comprises a food product reservoir and the means for directing food product to the volumetric food product chamber includes means for carrying the food product from the food product reservoir to the volumetric food chamber of the filling apparatus.
  • the filling apparatus comprises means for adjusting the size of the volumetric food product chamber.
  • the means for adjusting the size of the volumetric food product chamber comprise means for changing the height of the volumetric food product chamber.
  • the means for adjusting the size of the volumetric food product chamber may alternatively, or additionally, comprise a chamber having a different size of diameter.
  • the filling apparatus comprises cutting means for cutting the food product so as to separate the food product in the volumetric food chamber from other food product which can not fit inside the volumetric food chamber.
  • volumetric food product chamber is provided below the cutting means.
  • the cutting means is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, and ideally, the cutting means comprises a knife which is moveable between the retracted position and the extended position.
  • the cutting means also includes a knife actuator for moving the knife between a retracted position and an extended position; in particular for moving the knife between a fully retracted storage position and a fully extended position, in use, for cutting of the food product.
  • the volumetric food chamber is provided below the cutting means and in particular, the cutting knife of the cutting means when in the extended position defines the upper limit/upper wall of the volumetric food product chamber.
  • cutting knife and "knife” are to be construed to include any cutting edge or cutting blade, even if the edge is blunt such that the "cutting" action performed by the edge is a shearing action.
  • the internal surfaces of the volumetric food chamber and preferably, all the internal surfaces of the apparatus which come into contact with the food product, are curved thereby making the surfaces more easy to clean to a high standard of hygiene.
  • An advantage of the volumetric filling apparatus of the present invention is that the apparatus is very easily, and hence, very quickly, cleaned to the high standards required in the food production industry.
  • the ease of cleaning of the apparatus to the required high standard of cleanliness is always advantageous but is especially advantageous for filling weighted amounts of food products which have been cooked already prior to being brought to the filling apparatus since such cooked food will only be re-heated by the consumer and will not undergo any further cooking process prior to consumption.
  • high levels of sanitation in the filling apparatus are of paramount importance.
  • volumetric filling apparatus of the present invention is adapted to be dismantled/"stripped back" easily because of the arrangement of the component parts and also due to the arrangement of the at least one food chamber for receiving the food product from the volumetric food chamber, being preferably provided conveniently on a piston.
  • the filling apparatus of the present invention is particularly adapted for filling pre-determined weight amounts of food products that need to be cut to provide the appropriate weight amount.
  • food products such as noodles, spaghetti or other food products of similar nature which are difficult to handle and whose weight is especially difficult to measure precisely, may be filled into a container in a precisely pre-determined amount by the filling apparatus of the present invention.
  • the apparatus of the present invention is preferably pneumatically operated with a PLC (programmable logic controller).
  • PLC programmable logic controller
  • the apparatus is ideally manufactured from stainless steel but can, of course, be manufactured from suitable polymeric material.
  • the filling apparatus of the present invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 100.
  • the filling apparatus 100 comprises a mobile frame 1 on which the apparatus is mounted.
  • the mobile frame 1 may include wheels 2 for ease of locating the apparatus along a production line for instance.
  • the wheels 2 may be locked in position by known locking means.
  • the filling apparatus 100 is supplied with food product by food product supplying means comprising, for instance, a conveyor belt or a feeder hopper.
  • the filling apparatus 100 comprise a feeder hopper 3 as the food product supplying means.
  • the feeder hopper 3 is connected to a volumetric food product chamber 105 by means of a conduit 101.
  • the conduit 101 is preferably in the form of a transparent polymeric tube to enable inspection of the food product through the transparent tube, e.g.
  • the filling apparatus of the present invention also comprises a knife cover plate 171 and knife guard 172 as well as a knife guide mount 177 which provides a guide track 177' for the travel of the knife 170.
  • the knife 170 is in the form of a plate 170.
  • Bolts 174 are used to secure the knife cover plate 171 to the knife guide mount 177.
  • the knife 170 is moveable on the knife guide mount 177 having an aperture 179.
  • the knife guide mount has a side wall 177' along the length of each side of the knife guide mount 177 and the side walls 177' limit the lateral movement of the knife 170.
  • the knife 170 is moveable on the knife guide mount 177 between the retracted knife position and the extended knife position in which the knife 170 can shear the food product which is contained in the volumetric food chamber 105 and thus separate that food product in the volumetric food chamber from the food product which could not be accommodated within the volumetric food chamber 105 i.e. the food product remaining in the conduit 101.
  • the filling apparatus 100 includes a feeder hopper insert 102 for connecting the conduit 101 to the feeder hopper 3.
  • the filling apparatus 100 also includes a knife 170 which is moveable between a retracted, storage position; and an extended position in which the knife 170 is adapted to cut or shear the food product.
  • the knife 170 is operated by a knife actuator 175 which is operable to move the knife 170 between the retracted and the extended positions.
  • the knife 170 also includes a perforated segment 173 in the form of a generally circular segment 173 having a plurality of apertures on the surface of the knife 170.
  • the operation of the knife is controlled by the controlling PLC and control panel 190.
  • the filling apparatus 100 also comprises a piston 120 and a piston actuator 121.
  • the piston 120 is moveable in a piston housing defined by a first piston housing element 186 and a second piston housing element 185.
  • the piston housing includes an outlet port 128 through which the pre-determined amount of food product is ejected from the filling apparatus 100 into a container (not shown). The container is then subsequently sealed.
  • the piston housing also comprises a cover plate 183 which encloses the piston housing at one end; in particular, the cover plate 183 closes the piston housing at the end of the second piston housing element 186 from which the food product exits the filling apparatus 100 through food product exit port 128.
  • the piston housing is closed by the sealing member 122 carried on the piston actuator 121.
  • the piston 120 is generally cylindrical in cross section and the piston housing elements 185, 186 are correspondingly profiled so that the piston 120 can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position.
  • the piston 120 comprises at least one recess 125 which defines at least one food product chamber 125.
  • the piston also comprises a second recess 126 which defines a vacuum chamber 126, the function of which is to enable a vacuum to be applied to the volumetric food product chamber 105 so as to urge the food product from the conduit 101 and into the volumetric food chamber 105.
  • a vacuum/suction port 133 is provided underneath the vacuum chamber 126 and there is a connection port 134 on the suction port 133 for connecting the suction port 133 to a vacuum pump (not shown in the drawings).
  • the upper limit of the volumetric food chamber 105 is defined by the position of the knife 170 in the extended position.
  • the lower limit of the volumetric food chamber is defined by the piston 120, and particularly by the perforated insert 131 provided on the piston 120.
  • the perforated insert 131 provides the floor of the volumetric food chamber 105.
  • perforated segment 173 in the form of a generally circular segment 173 having a plurality of apertures on the surface of the knife 170, there is also a perforated floor segment 132 having a plurality of apertures, provided on the vacuum/suction port 133 such that, in use, when a vacuum pump is connected to the connection port 134, a vacuum is applied to the food product which is contained in the volumetric food product chamber 105.
  • a photocell or "electric eye” technology may optionally be used to determine when food provided or a specific volume of food product is in the chamber 105 and trigger the vacuum to evacuate the chamber 105.
  • the filling apparatus 100 also comprises means for adjusting the size of the volumetric food product chamber.
  • the adjustment means may comprise volumetric adjustment mechanism 110 which is shown enlarged in Figure 15 .
  • the filling apparatus also comprises a product inlet port 130 for enabling the pre-determined amount of food product to exit from the volumetric food product chamber 105 and to enter into the food product chamber 125 from which it will subsequently be ejected through product exit port 128.
  • the filling apparatus 100 also comprises means for urging the food product to exit from the food product chamber 125, in the preferred embodiment, by urging the food product out by means of an air jet.
  • the air jet is applied by means of air jet inlet port 180 which is provided over the food product chamber 125.
  • the air jet may also optionally be triggered by use of a photocell or "electric eye" technology to determine when food product is in the food product chamber 125.
  • the filling apparatus 100 also comprises controlling means 190 which includes a control panel (not shown).
  • the volumetric food product chamber 105 is provided by a portioning insert 105 which is locatable underneath the knife guide mount 177 which supports the knife 170.
  • the portioning insert 105 comprises a flange 107.
  • Another insert 106 is associated with portioning insert 105, the portioning insert 106 also comprising a flange 108.
  • the portioning insert 105 is generally cylindrical in cross section. The portioning insert 105 is dimensioned such that it can be inserted into an aperture 179 provided in the knife guide mount 177 such that the flange 107 rests on the knife guide plate 177 and holds the portioning insert 105 in position.
  • the portioning insert 106 connects to the piston housing 186 and the flange 108 on the portioning insert 106 is used to secure the portioning insert 106 to the piston housing 186 so as to secure the portioning insert 105 between the knife mount guide 177 and the piston housing 186.
  • the filling apparatus 100 also comprises an air/liquid separator 108 which is associated with the vacuum pump. There is a cover plate 109 on the air/liquid separator 108.
  • a third position (Position 3) of the knife 170 the knife actuator 175 is in the fully forwardly extended position and the piston 120 is in the fully retracted position such that the food product chamber 185 is now located immediately underneath the volumetric food product chamber 105.
  • the knife actuator 175 With the knife 170 and the piston 120 in these positions, food product falls from the volumetric food product chamber 105 directly into the food product chamber 125 provided by the recess 125 in the piston 120.
  • the apertures in the perforated segment 173 in the knife 170 ensure that there is minimal loss in suction through from the vacuum port 133. This means all of the food product in the volumetric food product chamber 105 will be sucked under vacuum, from the chamber 105 into the food product chamber 125 provided by recess in the piston 120.
  • a fourth position (Position 4) of the knife 170 the piston 120 moves to the fully forwardly extended position; and the knife actuator 175 moves to the fully retracted position.
  • the piston 120 moves forwardly and urges the food product chamber 125, containing the food product, forwardly towards the product exit port 128 provided in the piston housing 185.
  • the product is ejected downwards out through the product exit port 128.
  • this ejection may be with the aid of the air jet delivered through air jet port 180.
  • the knife 170 moves to the fully retracted position to allow for the next portion of product to be measured and separated from the food product outside of the volumetric food product chamber 105 ie food product remaining in the conduit 101.
  • the filling apparatus When in this fourth position, the filling apparatus deposits one measure of food product into a receiving container for example, a tray, (not shown in the drawings but this would be located underneath the product exit port 128), whilst at the same time drawing down another portion of food product to be measured in the volumetric food product chamber 105.
  • the piston will then be again pulled backwardly as shown in Figure 10 so as to position the food product chamber 185 underneath the volumetric food product chamber 105 to again receive the next pre-determined amount of the food product for subsequent ejection through the exit port 128.
  • the positions shown in Figures 9 to 12 are repeated. This operation allows for a high throughput of product through the apparatus of the present invention.
  • the food product could fall downwardly into the food product chamber 186 under force of gravity without the provision of a vacuum chamber and without the application of a vacuum, however, this would result in a much slower operation.
  • other means of urging the food product downwardly could be employed.
  • the vacuum chamber 186 and its operation as described above has been found to be highly advantageous for rapid throughput of food product through the filling apparatus 100.
  • the ease of dismantling and re-assembly of the components described above has the advantage of allowing for ease of cleaning and sanitising of the filling apparatus 100.
  • the curved surfaces of the component parts which are in contact with the food product also facilitates ease of cleaning eg the conduit 101, the volumetric food product chamber 105, and the food chamber 186 defined by the recess 186 in the piston 120 all have curved surfaces.
  • the filling apparatus 100 of the present invention has been designed specifically to reduce the complexity involved in cleaning the apparatus and the associated time required to strip down the apparatus for cleaning.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
EP13157677.9A 2013-03-04 2013-03-04 Appareil de remplissage volumétrique Withdrawn EP2774860A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13157677.9A EP2774860A1 (fr) 2013-03-04 2013-03-04 Appareil de remplissage volumétrique

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13157677.9A EP2774860A1 (fr) 2013-03-04 2013-03-04 Appareil de remplissage volumétrique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2774860A1 true EP2774860A1 (fr) 2014-09-10

Family

ID=47826981

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13157677.9A Withdrawn EP2774860A1 (fr) 2013-03-04 2013-03-04 Appareil de remplissage volumétrique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2774860A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN115806079A (zh) * 2023-02-09 2023-03-17 成都圣恩生物科技股份有限公司 一种可调式定量灌装器及火锅底料灌装设备

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR572926A (fr) * 1923-01-27 1924-06-16 Navarre & Fils P Machine automatique pour la mise en boîtes des pois et autres produits avec ou sans adjonction de jus
EP1908687A1 (fr) * 2006-10-05 2008-04-09 Ilapak International S.A. Machine d'emballage vertical avec unité de dosage volumétrique à grande vitesse
WO2011117732A2 (fr) * 2010-03-26 2011-09-29 Philip Morris Products S.A. Procédé et équipement pour ensacher du tabac ayant un taux élevé d'humidité

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR572926A (fr) * 1923-01-27 1924-06-16 Navarre & Fils P Machine automatique pour la mise en boîtes des pois et autres produits avec ou sans adjonction de jus
EP1908687A1 (fr) * 2006-10-05 2008-04-09 Ilapak International S.A. Machine d'emballage vertical avec unité de dosage volumétrique à grande vitesse
WO2011117732A2 (fr) * 2010-03-26 2011-09-29 Philip Morris Products S.A. Procédé et équipement pour ensacher du tabac ayant un taux élevé d'humidité

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN115806079A (zh) * 2023-02-09 2023-03-17 成都圣恩生物科技股份有限公司 一种可调式定量灌装器及火锅底料灌装设备
CN115806079B (zh) * 2023-02-09 2023-05-16 成都圣恩生物科技股份有限公司 一种可调式定量灌装器及火锅底料灌装设备

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20200031008A1 (en) Automated Systems for Dispensing Food Products
JP7133556B2 (ja) ポンピング可能な食材の塊から食料製品を成形するためのデバイスおよび方法
AU670666B2 (en) Process and apparatus for making bread
CA2754198C (fr) Vis sans fin a pas variable, diametre variable, dotee d'un racleur de matiere et d'une barre de fractionnement
US20140212558A1 (en) Processing a mass of pumpable foodstuff material
US9032699B2 (en) Pathogen reduction system for the preparation of food products
JP2009542254A (ja) 液体を食品に注入するための装置
EP2774860A1 (fr) Appareil de remplissage volumétrique
US4398577A (en) Flowable product metering and dispensing machine
JP2008201424A (ja) 定量充填装置
WO2005107482A1 (fr) Installation destinee au moulage de produits separes a partir d'une matiere premiere fournie en vrac et dispositif de moulage destine a etre utilise avec cette intallation
US3230926A (en) Apparatus for depositing whipped products on confections
EP2364594B1 (fr) Procédé de division de pâte en pâtons
US6145552A (en) Particulate product following system and method
WO2018053566A1 (fr) Grille-pain
US20120164289A1 (en) Machine for dispensing chocolate clusters
US20210260784A1 (en) Systems And Methods For Slicing And Dispensing Bread
CN111772102A (zh) 一种面皮、粉皮、米皮类食品自动生产设备
CN112113627B (zh) 计量装置
CN111169677A (zh) 用于用固体食品填充包装的装置、系统和方法
EP2661964A1 (fr) Vis sans fin avec diamètre et pas de vis variables, ainsi qu'un bras racleur et barre de désagglomération
KR101554439B1 (ko) 분말양념 공급장치
JP2022113257A (ja) 食品切断装置
RU2279048C1 (ru) Устройство для дозирования жидких и пастообразных продуктов
JP3175110U (ja) 真空包装装置の調味液ノズル

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20130304

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20150311