FR3039137A1 - DOSING MACHINE WITH DOUBLE CYLINDRICAL SHUTTERS - Google Patents

Abstract

Dosing machine (1) comprising a frame (100) on which are mounted: - a hopper (2) opening into a supply duct (4); - a dosing jacket (5) inside which a piston (6) is slidably mounted and which has an open first end (5.1); - a first component (7); a second flap (8), the metering liner (5) being rotatably mounted on the frame (100) around a first axis (31) so as to be able to adopt a first suction position in which the first end (5.1) open of the metering liner (5) faces one end (4.2) of the supply duct (4) and a second discharge position in which the first end (5.1) open of the metering liner (5). ) faces a container to fill (71), the first and second flaps (7, 8) being also articulated about the first axis (31).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the dosing of products such as food products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A dosing machine generally comprises a frame on which are fixed: - a feed hopper; a dosing unit provided with a dosing jacket which is connected to an outlet of the hopper and which slidably receives a piston; means for driving the piston; - A discharge pipe of the product connected to the metering liner; - A three-way ball valve that can selectively connect the inside of the metering liner with the feed hopper or the discharge pipe.

These machines are effective for the determination of homogeneous food products (puree, sauces) but are unsuitable for the determination of vegetables such as green beans or non-homogeneous preparations comprising a liquid base (sauce or seasoning) and a solid product, as per example spaghetti with meatballs or grated carrots with less than 10% sauce. These products tend to agglomerate in the bushel and butcher (shredded carrots) or degrade when subjected to excessive compression.

It is known, particularly from FR-A-288914, a metering unit comprising a suction piston rotatably mounted in a cylindrical barrel. The barrel holds the product in the metering piston chamber as it rotates 90 ° between a suction position and a discharge position. Such a device is bulky because the stroke of the piston defines the diameter of the barrel, and the machine sees its volume greatly increase for a small increase in the stroke of the piston. Finally, such a metering device is complicated to clean in particular because the withdrawal of the piston from the metering cylinder out of the barrel is very complex.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to reduce the volume of a metering piston dosing machine and to facilitate cleaning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For this purpose, there is provided a dosing machine comprising a frame on which are mounted: - a hopper opening into a supply duct; a dosing jacket inside which a piston is slidably mounted and which has an open end; a first closing shutter of the supply duct; a second closing flap of the dosing liner.

The metering liner is rotatably mounted on the frame about a first axis perpendicular to a sliding axis of the piston so as to be able to adopt a suction position in which the open end of the metering sleeve faces a end of the supply duct and a discharge position in which the open end of the metering liner faces a container to be filled. According to the invention, the first and second flaps are also articulated around the first axis.

A machine is thus obtained whose piston is not enclosed in a barrel but having two flaps which close the dosing jacket, protecting the product to be dosed and keeping it in the dosing jacket. This machine is easier to clean, especially because of the absence of barrel which allows in particular to have easy access to the back of the dosing liner. The dosing machine according to the invention is also more compact because the modification of the dosing liner for a longer sleeve or larger diameter does not require to resize accordingly the barrel of the prior art.

Advantageously, the machine according to the invention comprises means for motorizing at least one of the shutters. Thus, it is possible to precisely control the opening of the shutters.

According to another embodiment, the flaps comprise a straight cylinder portion whose axis corresponds to the first axis.

The flaps can therefore be erased by rotation, which makes it possible to centralize the control mechanisms on the same axis, providing a more economical and compact solution than the use of guillotine shutters for example. It may be advantageous to implement flaps in which the inner diameter of the second flap is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the first flap.

Advantageously, the machine according to the invention comprises means for pressurizing the end of the supply duct against the first end of the dosing liner.

These means make it possible to make reliable the establishment of a tight junction between the supply duct and the metering liner. These pressurizing means may comprise a ram extending between a frame connected to the metering sleeve and the frame.

According to a particular embodiment, the feed duct comprises a feed screw.

This makes it possible to dose products that have difficulty in compressing and / or are incompatible with a transfer by suction.

According to another particular embodiment, the piston is arranged to slide to a position in which it is projecting from the metering liner.

Thus, the piston can realize a packing of the product to be dosed in the recipient container. The piston may also adopt a position in which the piston head is disengaged from the dosing liner and which then allows cleaning of the dosing liner by rinsing a cleaning product through the dosing liner. Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the following description of particular non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a side view in vertical section of a dosing machine according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a front view in vertical section of the metering machine of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a view from above of the metering machine of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a partial front view in perspective of the metering machine of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a front view of the metering machine of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a detailed view. the dosing unit of the dosing machine of Figure 1 in a step prior to the assay; FIG. 7 is a view identical to that of FIG. 6 of the dosing unit in a first dosing step; FIG. 8 is a view identical to that of FIG. 6 of the dosing unit in a second dosage step; - Figure 9 is a view identical to that of Figure 6 of the dosage unit in a third metering step; - Figure 10 is a view identical to that of Figure 6 of the dosing unit in a fourth metering step; - Figure 11 is a view identical to that of Figure 6 of the dosage unit in a sixth metering step; - Figure 12 is a view identical to that of Figure 6 of the dosage unit in a seventh assay step; FIG. 13 is a view identical to that of FIG. 6 of the dosage unit in an eighth dosing step; FIG. 14 is a view identical to that of FIG. 6 of the dosage unit in a ninth metering step; - Figure 15 is a view identical to that of Figure 6 of the dosage unit in a tenth metering step; FIG. 16 is a view identical to that of FIG. 6 of the dosage unit in an eleventh dosage step; FIG. 17 is a view identical to that of FIG. 6 of the dosage unit in a twelfth dosing step; - Figure 18 is a view identical to that of Figure 6 of the dosing unit in a cleaning configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the dosing machine according to the invention, and generally designated 1, comprises a frame 100 on which are mounted: - a hopper 2 receiving the product to be assayed 3 and whose lower part 2.1 opens into a supply duct 4 provided with a feed screw 4.1; a first metering jacket 5 inside which a piston 6 is slidably mounted along an axis X of sliding. The metering liner 5 has a first end 5.1 and a second end 5.2 both open. A second metering jacket 105 identical to the first metering jacket 5 is shown in dashed line and will not be detailed for the sake of clarity of the description; a first shutter 7 for closing the supply duct 4; a second shutter 8 for closing the dosing liner 5.

The metering liner 5 is integral with a metering liner holder 9 which is rotatably mounted on the frame 100 around a sleeve 30 which extends along a first axis 31, here horizontal, between a first flange 9.1 of the support 9 and a frame 10 rotatably mounted on the frame 100. The first flap 7 and the second flap 8 are also articulated on the sleeve 30, thus around the first axis 31.

A preferred embodiment of the relationships between the various elements of the dosing machine 1 according to the invention will now be described in detail.

The frame 100 comprises a frame 10 comprising two flanges 10.1 and 10.2 parallel to each other. The frame 10 is rotatably mounted on the frame 100 about an axis 32 parallel to the first axis 31 by means of a first bearing 11 and a second bearing 12. A first hollow shaft 13 extends between the first bearing 11 and the flange 10.1 of which it is integral in rotation while a second hollow shaft 14 extends between the second bearing 12 and the flange 10.2 which it is integral in rotation. A first motorized shaft 33 using a geared motor 34 extends along the axis 32 (thus parallel to the first axis 31) through the first bearing 11 and the first hollow shaft 33. The end 33.1 of the first shaft motor 33 opposite the end 33.2 connected to the geared motor 34 comprises a first pulley 35. The first pulley 35 cooperates, via a belt 35.1, with a second pulley 35.2 integral in rotation with the sleeve 30. A second motorized shaft 36 using a geared motor 37 extends along the axis 32 (thus parallel to the first axis 31) through the second bearing 12 and the second hollow shaft 14. The end 36.1 of the second motorized shaft 36 opposite the end 36.2 linked the geared motor 34 comprises a third pulley 38.

The sleeve 30 is rotatably mounted on the flange 10.1 by a third bearing 39. A third motorized shaft 40 extends through the third bearing 39 and through the sleeve 30. This third motor shaft 40 is rotatably mounted. on the flange 10.1 and has an end 40.2 linked to a geared motor 41 and an end 40.1 provided with a toothed wheel 42. The gear wheel 42 cooperates with a toothed wheel 44.1 carried by a shaft 43 mounted to rotate on the support 9 and which extends parallel to the axis 31. The shaft 43 also carries a toothed wheel 44.2 cooperating with a rack 45 cut in the rod 46 of the piston 6.

The support 9 also comprises a second flange 9.2 connected to the flange 10.2 by a shaft 47 rotatably mounted in a bearing 48 of the flange 10.2.

The first flap 7 and the second flap 8 have a form of mains valve and respectively comprise a straight cylinder portion 7.1 and 8.1 whose axis of revolution corresponds to the axis 31. The right cylinder portion 7.1 is articulated via two arms 7.2 and 7.3 respectively on the shaft 47 and the sleeve 30 with the bearings 7.4 and 7.5. An electric jack 50 extends from a rod 10.3 connecting the flanges 10.1 and 10.2 to the arm 7.2 of the first flap 7.

The right cylinder portion 8.1 is, in turn, articulated via two arms 8.2 and 8.3 respectively on the shaft 47 and the sleeve 30 with the bearings 8.4 and 8.5. The arm 8.3 is connected in rotation with a fourth pulley 8.6 which cooperates, via a belt 38.1, with the third pulley 38. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the inside diameter of the straight cylinder portion 8.1 of the second flap 8 is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the right cylinder portion 7.1 of the first flap 7.

As can be seen in FIG. 6 and following, the straight cylinder portion 7.1 of the first flap 7 is arranged to abut against the metering liner 5.

An electric jack 51 extends from the flange 10.1 of the frame 10 to the frame 100. The actuation of the jack 51 causes a rotation of the frame 10 relative to the frame 100 about the axis 32.

The geared motors 34, 37 and 41, the actuator of the feed screw 4.1 and the cylinders 50 and 51 are connected to a control unit 60, not shown.

The frame 100 also comprises a worm 70 conveying containers to fill 71 which extends horizontally.

Advantageously, the frame 100 of the metering machine 1 comprises four feet 80.1, 80.2, 80.3 and 80.4 respectively provided with a vertical rack 81.1, 81.2, 81.3, 81.4 which cooperate respectively with the toothed wheels 82.1, 82.2, 82.3, 82.4. These gears are actuated by two geared motors 83.1 and 83.2 (not shown) integral with a support frame 84 resting on the ground. Transmission shafts 85 ensure the synchronism of the rotational movements of the gears 82.1 to 82.4. Thus, it is possible to adjust the height of the dosing machine 1 as a function of the height of the containers to be filled 71.

The operation of the dosing machine will now be described with reference to FIG. 6 and following.

In a step prior to dosing, and shown in FIG. 6, the dosing machine 1 is in the following configuration: - dosing jacket 5 in a first suction position in which the first end 5.1 of the dosing sleeve faces one end 4.2 of the supply line 4 / - piston 6 at top dead center in the metering jacket 5; - First flap 7 abuts against the metering liner 5 / - second flap 8 abuts against the end 4.2 of the supply duct 4, the first flap 7 and the second flap 8 are positioned on either side of the X axis of sliding of the piston 6.

In a first metering step, the unit 60 controls the withdrawal of the rod of the jack 51, which has the effect of pressurizing the end 4.2 of the supply duct 4 against the first open end 5.1 of the jack sleeve. assay 5 (FIG. 7). In a second metering step, the unit 60 controls the rotation of the geared motor 41 at the same time as the rotation of the feed screw 4.1. This causes the piston 6 to be withdrawn into the metering jacket 5 and the metering element 5 to be introduced simultaneously into the metering jacket 5 (FIG. 8). In a third metering step, the unit 60 controls the release of the pressure in the cylinder 51 (FIG. 9). According to a fourth metering step, the unit 60 controls the rotation of the geared motor 34 as well as the deployment of the rod of the jack 50 so as to cause the rotation of the support 9 of the dosing liner 9 and the first flap 7 until that the first flap 7 completely closes the end 4.2 of the supply duct 4 (FIG. 10) preventing leakage of the product to be assayed 3 out of the supply duct 4. According to a fifth dosing step, the unit 60 then controls the deployment of the cylinder rod 50 simultaneously with the rotation of the geared motor 37 so that the metering liner 5 continues its rotational movement while having its first end 5.1 closed by the second flap 8 preventing leakage of the product to be assayed In a sixth metering step, the unit 60 controls the continued simultaneous movement of the metering liner 5 and the second louver 8 until a p first end of the second flap 8 is substantially in line with one of the edges of the container 71 to fill (Figure 11). According to a seventh metering step, the unit 60 controls a stopping of the rotation of the gearmotor 37 in order to stop the movement of the second pane 8 while the movement of the metering liner 5 continues to a second position of discharge in which the first end 5.1 of the metering liner 5 faces a container to fill 71 (Figure 12). According to an eighth metering step, the unit 60 controls a rotation of the geared motor 37 so as to bring back the second flap 8 in abutment against the end 4.2 of the supply duct 4 (FIG. 13). According to a ninth metering step, the unit 60 controls a rotation of the gearmotor 41 so as to cause an output of the rod 46 of the piston 6. This displacement causes a discharge of the product to be metered 3 from the metering sleeve 5 into the container to be filled 71 (Figure 14). As shown in Figure 14, the piston 6 is arranged to be slidable to a position in which it is projecting from the metering liner 5, beyond the top dead center. This makes it possible in particular to pack the product to be dosed 3 into the container to be filled 71. According to a tenth dosing step, the unit 60 controls a rotation of the gearmotor 41 so as to cause a withdrawal of the rod 46 from the piston 6 to the top dead center (Figure 15). According to an eleventh metering step, the unit 60 controls the rotation of the geared motor 34 so as to cause the return of the metering liner support 9 to its first suction position. During the movement of the dosing jack support 9, the dosing jacket 5 abuts against the first flap 7 (FIG. 16). The unit 60 then controls the rotation of the gearmotor 37 so that the first flap 7 accompanies the movement of the metering liner 5 and reveals the end 4.1 of the supply duct 4 as the first end 5.1 of the metering liner 5 is facing the end 4.1 of the supply duct 4, and until the metering liner 5 reaches its first suction position (Figure 17). The first metering step can then resume to fill the next filling container, conveyed by the screw 70.

It should be noted that it is necessary to disengage the geared motor 41 or to control its movement during the rotational movements of the metering liner 5 (steps of FIGS. 10 to 17) so that the meshing of the rack 45 cut in the rod 46 of the piston 6 does not cause withdrawal movement or deployment of the rod 46 of the piston 6.

When it is necessary to carry out a cleaning of the dosing machine 1, for example during a change of product to be dosed, the operations are as follows. In a first cleaning step, the unit 60 controls the rotation of the gearmotor 34 so that the metering liner 5 is in its second discharge position shown in Figure 12. In a second cleaning step, the unit 60 controls the withdrawal of the rod of the jack 50 so that the first flap 7 leaves the end 4.2 of the supply duct 4 free. Finally, according to a third cleaning step, the unit 60 controls the rotation of the geared motor 41 to move the rod 46 of the piston 6 so that the head of the piston is completely disengaged from the metering jacket 5. This final configuration is represented in FIG. 18. It is then possible to proceed easily with the cleaning of all the surfaces which have been in contact with the product to be assayed 3: inside of the metering liner 5, rod 46 and piston head 6, inside the supply duct 4, feed screw 4.1 and the faces of the first and second flaps 7 and 8. This cleaning can be advantageously carried out by rinsing with a cleaning solution introduced into the feed hopper 2 , and by a second open end 5.2 of the metering jacket 5.

Once the cleaning operations have been carried out, the unit 60 controls the return of the various elements of the dosing machine 1 to their pre-dosing position and corresponding to FIG. 6.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

In particular, - although here the dosing machine has been described with reference to a dosing unit comprising two dosing liners, the invention is also applicable to a dosing machine comprising a dosing unit provided with a single dosing jacket or more, mounted parallel to each other or in the same perpendicular plane and spaced at an angle between 0 and 180 °; - Although here the dosing liner support is rotatably mounted on the frame around a sleeve extending along a first horizontal axis, the invention is also applicable to other constructive arrangements and in particular to an axis rotating the dosing jacket support extending in a different orientation such as a vertical or any other orientation; - Although here the movement of the piston in the metering sleeve is provided by a rack cut in the piston rod, the invention is also applicable to other means of displacement of the piston such as a rack reported by screwing by welding, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder integral with the piston rod or a linear actuator; - Although here the first flap is moved by an electric jack and the second flap is moved via a pulley-belt assembly, the invention also applies to other means of motorization flaps such as for example an identical motorization for the two shutters, or an engine involving one or more hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic, one or more gears, a cam systems or linear actuators; - Although here the two components are motorized, the invention also applies to a dosing machine in which only one flap, or none of the flaps, is motorized. The first flap can thus be driven by gravity being accompanied in its movement by coming into abutment against the metering liner and then maintained facing the end of the supply duct with the aid of a fixed stop. The second flap can be held in abutment against the supply duct by means of elastic return means or a counterweight. - Although here the first flap comes into physical abutment in contact with the dosing liner, the invention also applies to other types of abutments such as virtual or electronic abutments implemented using control of the drive means of the shutters and position encoders; although here the pressurization of the end of the supply duct against the first end of the dosing liner is carried out by means of an electric jack, the invention also applies to other means for pressurizing the end of the supply duct against the first end of the metering liner, for example a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a linear actuator, an eccentric, an electromagnet or the like. It is also possible to dispense with such a pressurizing means, in particular for viscous or even solid products, although here the frame of the metering machine comprises four feet provided with racks cooperating with toothed wheels actuated by geared motors, the invention is also applicable to other means for adjusting the height of the metering machine such as cylinders or a screw-nut assembly; - Although here during the seventh metering step, the control unit controls a movement stop of the second flap before the metering liner is in line with the container to be filled, the invention also applies to a second flap accompanying the movement of the dosing liner to the plumb of the container to be filled and then erased; - Although here, in order to facilitate the description, the steps of the dosing and cleaning operations have been described as successive, the invention also applies to a simultaneous progress of certain steps.

Claims (12)

1. Dosing machine (I) comprising a frame (100) on which are mounted: a hopper (2) opening into a supply duct (4); a dosing jacket (5) within which a piston (6) is slidably mounted and has an open end (5.1); a first shutter (7) for closing the supply duct (4); a second shutter (8) for sealing the metering liner (5), the metering liner (5) being rotatably mounted on the frame (100) about a first axis (31) perpendicular to a sliding axis (X) of the piston (6) so as to be able to adopt a suction position in which the end (5.1) open of the metering liner (5) faces an end (4.2) of the supply duct (4). ) and a discharge position in which the first end (5.1) open of the metering liner (5) faces a container to be filled (71), the first and second flaps (7, 8) also being articulated around the first axis (31). 2. Machine (1) according to claim 1, comprising drive means (37,50) of at least one of the flaps (7, 8). 3. Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the flaps (7,8) comprise a straight cylinder portion (7.1, 8.1) whose axis corresponds to the first axis (31). 4. Machine (1) according to claim 3, wherein the inner diameter of the second flap (8) is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the first flap (7). 5. Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the metering liner (5) is arranged to abut against the first flap (7). 6. Machine (1) according to claim 1, comprising means (51) for pressurizing the end of the supply duct (4.2) against the first end (5.1) of the metering liner (5). 7. Machine (1) according to claim 6, wherein the pressurizing means comprise a jack (51) extending between a frame (9) connected to the metering sleeve (5) and the frame (100). 8. Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the supply duct (4) comprises a feed screw (4.1). 9. Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rod (46) of the piston (6) comprises a rack (45) which cooperates with a toothed wheel (44.2) motorized. 10. Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the piston (6) is arranged to be slidable to a position in which it projects from the metering liner (5). 11. Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the metering liner (5) has a second end (5.2) open. 12. Machine (1) according to claim 1, comprising means (83.1, 83.2) for adjusting its height.