GB2069060A

GB2069060A - Dispensing viscous substances

Info

Publication number: GB2069060A
Application number: GB8004300A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Powell E Shires N F; Shires N N
Current assignee: Powell E Shires N F; Shires N N
Priority date: 1980-02-08
Filing date: 1980-02-08
Publication date: 1981-08-19

Abstract

A viscous substance, which may be an emulsion such as mayonnaise, is dispensed from a container 2 by a plunger 14 which is driven into the container 2 by a pneumatic ram 10. The substance is discharged from an opening 28 into, for example, a bottle or jar. The container 2 is located by lugs 26 on a support plate 4, and may be removed for replacement by another container. The substance to be dispensed may be prepared in the container 2 before it is placed on the support plate 4. By dispensing the substance from the vessel in which it is prepared, excessive handling of the substance can be avoided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dispensing viscous substances This invention relates to the dispensing of viscous substances, and in particular to the packaging of emulsions such as mayonnaise and compositions based on mayonnaise.

Conventionally, substances such as mayonnaise and other compositions based on mayonnaise (such as tartare sauce) are packaged for sale or use by forcing a bulk mass of the substance through an aperture into a bottle or jar by using a screw conveyor. However, the shearing action of the screw conveyor and the consequent agitation of the emulsion tends to cause the constituents of the emulsion to separate, and a residue tends to build up on the screw conveyor.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of dispensing a viscous substance, the method comprising forcing the substance through an opening in the lower region of a container by means of a plunger which is a sliding fit in the container and which is driven into the container in the direction from the top to the bottom.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for dispensing a viscous substance, the apparatus comprising an open-topped container having an opening in its lower region, a support plate for supporting the container and a plunger which is a sliding fit in the container and which is drivable into the container from the top of the container to the bottom of the container.

Preferably, the container can be lifted off the support plate, and the support plate has lugs for locating the container beneath the piston when the plunger is raised. The opening is preferably in a side wall of the container.

The plunger may be driven by means of a pneumatic ram. Preferably the plunger is provided with a venting valve which allows air to escape to the atmosphere from the space between the plunger and the surface of the substance in the container when the plunger first enters the container. The venting valve also allows air to enter the container when the plunger is raised.

The apparatus may be supported on the ground in such a way that the support plate can be raised from the ground. For example, the support plate may be supported by pneumatic jacks.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawing, which shows apparatus for dispensing mayonnaise, or mayonnaise-based compositions into bottles or jars.

The apparatus shown in the Figure comprises a container 2, for containing a bulk mass of mayonnaise which is to be dispensed into bottles or jars of smaller size. The container 2 is supported on a support plate 4. Columns 6 extend upwardly from the support plate 4, and across the top of the columns 6 there is a member 8. This member 8 supports a pneumatic ram 10 comprising a cylinder 11 within which a piston is slidable.

Attached to the piston is a piston rod 12 which carries a plunger 14. The plunger is a sliding fit in the container 2 and has a sealing ring 6 for sealing engagement with the inner surface of the container 2. The plunger 14 also has a venting valve 1 8 which allows the passage of air from one side of the plunger 14 to the other, but which does not allow the passage of mayonnaise, or whatever other substance is in the container 2.

The member 8 rests on shoulders 20 which are fixed to piston rods 22 of pneumatic jacks 24.

The container 2 is accurately located on the support plate 4 by lugs 26, which position the open upper end of the container 2 directly beneath the plunger 14. In the lower region of the container 2 there is an outlet opening 28.

Although not shown in the Figure, the opening 28 may be connected to a system of pipes leading to a number of jars to be filled simultaneously.

In operation, the container 2 containing freshly made mayonnaise is placed on the support plate 4, where it is accurately located by the lugs 26.

The plunger 14 is lowered from the raised position shown in the Figure by means of the pneumatic ram 10. As the plunger enters the container 2, any air in the container above the level of the mayonnaise is vented to the surroundings through the venting valve 1 8. However, when the plunger 14 contacts the surface of the mayonnaise, the mayonnaise is forced through the opening 28 into one or more jars, disposed beneath the opening 28 or disposed beneath the outlet ends of the pipe system connected to the opening 28. The jacks 24 can be used to raise the container above a surface on which the apparatus stands to that the opening 28 can be positioned directly above a jar or bottle to be filled.

The movement of the plunger 14 is controlled by a remote switch (not shown) which can be arranged at an operator station. Other controls, for example those relating to the filling of the container 2, may be disposed at suitable places on the apparatus.

When the container 2 is empty, the plunger 14 is raised, the venting valve 18 then allowing air to enter the container 2. When the plunger 14 has left the container 2 the container can be removed for cleaning and refilling, and another, full, container can be placed on the support plate 4. By dispensing the mayonnaise directly from the container 2 in which the mayonnaise is brought to the apparatus, deterioration of the mayonnaise is avoided which might otherwise result from transferring the mayonnaise from the container 2 to a cylinder fixed to the apparatus.

The apparatus described allows the dispensed quantity of the substance in the container 2 to be accurately controlled so that jars or bottles which may have a capacity for example of between 2009 and 3kg can be filled accurately. Furthermore, the action of the plunger 14 does not cause significant agitation of the mayonnaise in the container 2, which does not therefore tend to separate or otherwise deteriorate. The venting valve 18 prevents the build-up of possibly dangerous gas pressure or vacuum in the container.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dispensing a viscous substance, comprising an open-topped container having an opening in its lower region, a support plate for supporting the container and a plunger which is a sliding fit in the container and which is drivable into the container from the top of the container towards the bottom of the container.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the container is removable from the support plate.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which locating means are provided for locating the container with respect to the support plate.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the opening is provided in a side wall of the container.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the plunger is drivable by a pneumatic ram.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the plunger is provided with a venting valve for permitting the passage of air into and out of the container.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which pneumatic jacks are provided for supporting the support plate on the ground.

8. Apparatus for dispensing a viscous substance substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawing.

9. A method of dispensing a viscous substance, the method comprising forcing the substance through an opening in the lower region of a container by means of a plunger which is a sliding fit in the container and which is driven into the container in the direction from the top to the bottom.

10. A method of dispensing a viscous substance substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.