TW201600430A - Apparatus and method for the metered dispensing of pumpable masses - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus and method for the metered dispensing of one or more masses (1) which are pumpable and contain solid inclusions such as, in particular fat-containing creams with solid flakes, chocolate creams with nut pieces or pressurized and gassed fat creams with solid pieces which are conveyed from a mass reservoir to one or more outlet nozzles in order to emerge through the outlet nozzles.

Description

Apparatus and method for metering and dispensing pumpable substances

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for metering and dispensing pumpable materials containing bulk articles.

WO 2011/001267 discloses an apparatus and method in which a pumpable substance containing a bulky item, as the case may be, can be transported from a reservoir to a metering location. For this purpose, a pump chamber is provided which contains a supply line for the substance and a discharge line extending up to the nozzle outlet. The cylindrical piston is linearly movably mounted in the pump chamber. The piston is in particular surrounded by a hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder is particularly mounted on the inner wall of the pump chamber. Furthermore, a drive member is provided such that the hollow cylinder and the piston can be separated from each other and, as the case may be, moved independently of each other. The hollow cylinder is particularly used to achieve selective opening or selective closing of the supply and discharge lines of the pump chamber. Therefore, in the first position, the material supply opening of the pump chamber can be closed. If the cartridge is pushed further into the pump chamber, the opening of the substance disposed in the pump chamber is closed. Irrespective of this, a pump piston can be moved, whereby the volume of the pump chamber can be changed. By suitable selection of the position and movement of the components, the substance can be transported from the reservoir to the metering destination by this configuration as described in WO 2011/001267. In particular, the piston is retracted after dispensing the desired amount so that the remaining material residue in the material outlet line is drawn back to prevent dripping.

By the selected components thus constructed, for example, compared to a gear pump A cream or pumpable substance having a solid component such as a nut granule can be delivered. In particular, creamy chocolate with nut granules or other fat-containing creams having other solid components can be metered by the construction of WO 2011/001267.

However, in practice, the shortcomings of this device have been revealed. In particular, low viscosity substances can drip. To prevent this, for example, according to the prior art, a sheet or slider that penetrates into the outlet line can cause mechanical shutoff of the channel. However, in the case of a substance containing a blocky article, this treatment is not possible because solid objects such as nut flakes hinder the simple closure by the sheet or slider.

Another problem arises with regard to aerated substances. These materials are in the premixing chamber with, for example, air or carbon dioxide. After refilling, these materials have a high pressure of up to 7 or 8 bars. In order to prevent any leakage of this pressure through the nozzle opening, the device must be adapted to prevent direct leakage of pressure through the nozzle outlet at any time and in any position.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular to improve the above-described construction to achieve the effect of achieving a reliable closure of the nozzle even in the case of a gas-filled, pressurized and/or block-like article. .

The object according to the invention is solved in particular by the features of the independent item of the patent application.

The invention relates in particular to a device for metering and dispensing one or more substances which can be pumped and which contain solid inclusions, in particular substances such as fat-containing cream with solid flakes, cream chocolate with nut granules, or solids a pressurized and aerated fat cream of a block, which is delivered from a substance reservoir to one or more outlet nozzles for emergence via the outlet nozzles, the device comprising: a pump chamber having a substance a supply opening and a material outlet opening; a material supply line leading to the pump chamber via the material supply opening, and from a material reservoir; a material outlet line via the material outlet opening to the pump chamber and to the outlet nozzle a pump piston for varying a pump chamber volume, the pump piston being linearly displaceably disposed and partially delimiting the pump chamber; the closure device having a first position in which the substance supply opening And the material outlet opening is open to the pump chamber, having a second position in which the substance supply opening is closed by the closure device and the material outlet opening to the pump chamber is open and has a third position In the third position, the substance supply opening and the substance outlet opening are closed by the closing device, wherein, as the case may be, the outlet nozzle comprises a flexible tubular nozzle line and is mounted in the nozzle line a nozzle passage exposed at a free end of the nozzle line; a nozzle closure device is provided that includes a shut-off element that is laterally movable into the path of the nozzle passage, The breaking element has a closed position in which the shut-off element is pressed onto the outer side of the flexible nozzle line, wherein the flexible nozzle line is thereby deformed, and the nozzle passage is closed at the closed position and/or In the closed position, the nozzle passage has a wedge shape from the closed position in the longitudinal section plane.

Optionally, the shut-off element and the closed position are disposed in a route of the nozzle line away from the free end of the nozzle line, and/or, in the closed position, the nozzle channel has a self-section in a longitudinal section plane The closed position begins with a double wedge shape on both sides.

Depending on the situation: a counter holder is provided; the nozzle line is disposed between the opposite holder and the shut-off element; in the closed position, the nozzle line is clamped to the opposite holder and the Closing between the elements and elastically deforming such that the nozzle passage is closed; and/or providing an open position in which the The opposing holder and the shut-off element are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than the distance between the opposing retainer and the shut-off element in the closed position, such that in the open position, the nozzle passage is at least partially Open, preferably fully open.

If appropriate, the shut-off element and/or the counter holder comprise a cam-shaped, wedge-shaped or finger-shaped shut-off extension which protrudes in the direction of the nozzle line in the region of the closed position.

Optionally, the shut-off element is disposed on a shut-off base body; the opposite retainer is disposed on the pair of retainer base bodies; and a shut-off drive member is provided, the turn-off drive a member causing relative movement between the shutoff base body and the opposing retainer base body and/or between the shutoff element and the opposing retainer such that the outlet nozzle and in particular the nozzle line The nozzle passage can be closed and opened by controlling and/or adjusting the shutoff drive.

Optionally, the shut-off drive member is a linear drive member that causes a linear displacement of the shut-off member relative to the opposing retainer. Optionally, a plurality of outlet nozzles are provided, each of which includes a nozzle line and a shut-off element for closing the nozzle passage of the respective nozzle line.

Optionally, a plurality of shut-off elements are mounted on a single shut-off base body such that a plurality of shut-off elements are movable by moving a shut-off base body, and as a result, a plurality of nozzle lines can be closed .

Optionally, a plurality of opposing retainers are mounted on a single opposing retainer base body, wherein the opposing retainer base main system is configured to be movable or stationary for access to the shutoff base The closure of the outlet nozzle is caused during relative movement of the seat body.

Depending on the situation: for each outlet nozzle, one pump chamber has one a material supply opening and a material outlet opening; a material supply line leads to the pump chamber through the material supply opening, and from a material reservoir; a material outlet line leads to the pump outside through the material outlet opening, and Providing a pump piston and a closure device, wherein the closure of the pump piston and the plurality of outlet nozzles can be jointly controlled, adjusted and/or moved; or, for a plurality of outlet nozzles a single pump chamber having a substance supply opening and a substance outlet opening; a substance supply line leading to the pump chamber via the substance supply opening and from a substance reservoir; a substance outlet line opening through the substance outlet opening Outside the pump, and to its respective outlet nozzles; a pump piston and a closure device are provided, wherein the closures of the pump piston and the plurality of outlet nozzles can be jointly controlled, adjusted and/or moved.

Optionally, the pump piston and the closure device have a withdrawal mode provided after the metering of the substance in time, but prior to the closure of the outlet nozzle, wherein the closure device is located The substance supply opening is closed by the closure device and the substance outlet opening is oriented in the second position in which the pump chamber is open, and wherein the pump piston is undergoing a withdrawal movement to increase the pump chamber volume such that The substance in the free end of the nozzle line is withdrawn or will be withdrawn, and since the nozzle line is closed by the shut-off element and the volume of the nozzle channel is associated reduced, the substance remains in the nozzle channel Drip.

Optionally, the shut-off base body is designed as an elongated body that is horizontally extendable and horizontally displaceable, and/or has a plate-like body for the through opening of the nozzle lines.

Optionally, the closure device comprises a closure slide that is displaceable in the direction of closure, the outer shape of which is adapted to the shape of the pump chamber such that the substance is supplied The opening and the material outlet opening may be closed by displacement of the closing slider in its closing direction, and the internal shape thereof is adapted to the shape of the pump piston such that the pump piston is along the closing slider Displaceably mounted in a displaceable manner; and/or the closure slide and the pump piston are displaceably and separately displaceable and displaceable relative to the pump chamber in the closing direction, and jointly on one side Delimit and seal the pump chamber.

Optionally, the pump chamber has a pump chamber section disposed perpendicular to the closing direction; the pump piston has a piston section disposed perpendicular to the closing direction; the closing slider is configured as a hollow body perpendicular to the a free inner cross section of the closed direction corresponds to the piston cross section, and an outer cross section perpendicular to the closing direction corresponds to the pump chamber cross section; and/or the pump piston is sealingly mounted to the closed portion In the slider, the closure slide is sealingly mounted in the pump chamber.

As the case may be, the pump piston has a circular cross section, the closing slide is designed as a hollow cylinder, and the pump chamber is configured to be cylindrical.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for metering and dispensing a pumpable substance containing solid inclusions, such as a fat-containing cream having a solid flake, a cream chocolate with a nut granule, or a pressurization with a solid mass. And aerated fat cream, which is delivered from a substance reservoir to an outlet nozzle for emergence via the outlet nozzle, the method comprising the steps of: opening a substance supply opening such that the material reservoir is from The substance supply line is connected to a pump chamber, wherein, at the same time, the outlet nozzle is closed by a nozzle closing device, and/or at the same time, a substance outlet opening is closed, so that the substance outlet opening is closed and prevented from coming from The substance of the substance reservoir exits through the direct substance of the outlet nozzle; and draws back a pump piston installed in the pump chamber, so that the required amount of material from the material reservoir through the material supply opening and its material supply line , delivered to the pump chamber; then, closing the material supply opening, So that the substance reservoir and optionally the substance supply line are fluidly separated from the pump chamber; subsequently or simultaneously, the substance outlet opening is opened as appropriate, such that the substance outlet line is connected to the pump chamber; then or simultaneously Moving the pump piston into the pump chamber such that the pump chamber volume is reduced, and the substance is transported from the pump chamber through the material outlet opening and the material outlet line in the direction of the outlet nozzle, wherein Immediately before the substance exits via the outlet nozzle, the outlet nozzle and in particular the nozzle closure device are opened such that material emerges from the free end of the outlet nozzle; after the desired amount of material has exited: by being closed by the nozzle The device closes the outlet nozzle and stops the discharge of material from the outlet nozzle by stopping the pump piston.

As the case may be, the pump piston is stopped shortly before closing the outlet nozzles and then withdrawn to enlarge the pump chamber volume and thereby withdraw its material in the material outlet line or in the outlet nozzle Part to prevent dripping.

The apparatus of the present invention is particularly suitable for metering delivery and dispensing of aerated and/or non-aerated pumpable materials for the food industry, particularly chocolate or fat cream with or without inclusions. The apparatus of the present invention can be "in-line" for use in systems for the industrial production of food products. An example of this application is filling a hollow thin muffin shell with creamy chocolate. In this case, the apparatus of the present invention is installed after the thin muffin baking machine. However, the device of the present invention can also be used as a stand-alone module to, for example, meter a cream containing a mass therein to a conveyor belt or any destination. The device of the present invention is suitable for filling pre-manufactured containers (e.g., thin muffin shells) or for applying the substance in the form of dots or lines. Furthermore, the device of the present invention is suitable for dispensing a substance onto a moving transport surface (such as a belt) or a stationary destination (such as a board) by a free dressing. The device of the present invention is also suitable for decorating a food product by applying cream.

All such applications assume that the device of the present invention can be in a predetermined form The metering destination is assigned an exact amount. Fluctuations in form or quantity reduce the efficiency of their manufacturing methods and for this reason these fluctuations should be avoided.

The basic principle of transporting the substance corresponds to a piston pump that is inhaled from the material reservoir or that is specifically fed from the collector under pressure and pumped to the metering destination. In particular, in order to deliver the aerated material, the entire pump chamber should be provided with a seal between the supply line and the outlet line. Other extension components may be provided, such as additional rotary pumps, shakers, rotating nozzles, and the like, as appropriate. This type of machine is particularly suitable for forming one-shot products.

In addition, the device is suitable for transporting and dispensing materials having bulky items such as nuts, hazelnut kernels, peanut kernels, frozen chunks, particulate material, crispy sugar, etc., or other substantially non-fragile bodies. For example, a mass having a size of 1 mm to 12 mm can be delivered and dispensed. The blocky articles or solid inclusions in all of the specific examples may, for example, be particulate materials added to the substance.

The apparatus of the present invention is adapted to deliver and dispense up to 8 bar of pressurized material from the collector system. The outlet nozzle is preferably designed to be closable. Optionally, the device can obtain material from a stationary storage container or a stationary reservoir. The entire structure and their components that are preferably in contact with the material may be formed from stainless steel. A servo motor can be provided to drive the moving parts, as appropriate. Depending on the situation, a detection unit is provided which detects the monitoring of the form of the substance dispensed and, where appropriate, detects the monitoring of the amount of substance dispensed. For example, an optical recording device such as a video camera can be used. The production process can be modified or stopped with deviation from the defined specifications by means of an evaluation unit such as, in particular, a computer with suitable software.

Furthermore, the device of the present invention optionally includes an interface for an industrial production facility for connection to a food product. This interface comprises a mechanical interface for connecting the machine frame and/or for synchronizing the control of the device of the invention and for the production of food products Control technology interface for control.

Furthermore, temperature control devices can be provided, with which the pump unit (in particular the pump chamber and/or the pump piston), the substance reservoir or also the lines can be temperature-controlled, in particular cooled or heated. Again, the outlet nozzle or the line leading to the outlet nozzle can be temperature controlled. In particular, cooling can improve the quality of the formed product in order to handle temperature sensitive materials such as ice cream or aerated cream chocolate.

In addition, a control interface can be provided that is adapted to control the supply of external materials. In particular, for continuously produced materials, this interface can be used to control the throughput of mass production.

The apparatus of the present invention preferably includes a plurality of outlet nozzles such that a plurality of products or a plurality of metering destinations are simultaneously provided by the apparatus of the present invention. For example, one or two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven or more (especially up to 300) outlet nozzles may be provided. Preferably, each outlet nozzle provides a pump piston and a pump chamber. The cylindrical design of the pump piston can, for example, have a diameter of 4 mm to 50 mm. In particular, each pump piston or each pump chamber can deliver, for example, 0.1 g to 160 g per piston stroke. Depending on the situation, the pump volume can be changed by exchanging the pump piston. The pump piston can, for example, perform up to 40 or 50 pump strokes per minute, wherein the throughput can be expanded, in particular by the drive member used.

An exemplary application of the apparatus of the present invention can be performed as follows: The substance is directed to the apparatus of the present invention via a supply line at a pressure of, for example, 1 to 8 bar. The supply line, for example, is configured as a manifold and, as appropriate, is mounted on the pump chamber. In the case of a pressurized material, the supply line is preferably pressurized at all stages and locations of the process. In order to deliver the substance, the piston is withdrawn in the pump chamber to increase the pump chamber volume. Thereby, the substance is sucked from the supply line and especially from the material supply opening, or under pressure It was introduced below. After the pump chamber is filled, the closure is activated and the material supply opening is closed. The connection to the outlet nozzle is then opened, wherein the outlet nozzle itself remains closed during the previous processing steps. In the next step, the pump piston is again inserted into the pump chamber to reduce the pump chamber volume. Since the substance supply opening is closed, the substance located in the pump chamber is delivered in the direction of the outlet nozzle. At this point, the outlet nozzle opens and as a result, the substance can leave. The speed, time and/or size of the opening opening the outlet nozzle is controlled by the apparatus of the present invention. As a result, pressure regulation of the substance can occur, dripping from the outlet line can be prevented, and/or the amount of treatment can be varied.

Shortly before the piston's forward rest position (in this position, the delivery of the cream from the pump chamber is stopped), the outlet nozzle is closed. This has the effect of preventing pressure drops.

In order to ensure a reliable closure of the outlet nozzle, the outlet nozzle has a flexible tubular nozzle line in which a nozzle passage is provided through which the substance can be pumped and which is exposed at the free end of the nozzle line . The flexible tubular nozzle line can be deformed by shutting down the element and preferably by the opposing holder, so that even in the case of a substance having a block-like article, reliable closed control becomes possible. For this purpose, the nozzle line is elastically deformed by a shut-off element which is pressed onto the outer side of the nozzle line. As a result, the nozzle passages guided in the nozzle line are also deformed. Preferably, the nozzle passage has a substantially wedge shape in the closed position. Solid objects (such as nut particles) located in a closed position are transported back into the pipeline or outward due to the wedge shape. The wedge configuration prevents the nut particles from obstructing the closure of the nozzle line. In the present invention, due to the special configuration of the nozzle line and the nozzle passage, the solid object is transported away from the closed position by the closed movement.

The invention will be further explained with reference to specific illustrative specific examples.

1‧‧‧Materials; Substance Residues

2‧‧‧ pump room

3‧‧‧ material supply opening

4‧‧‧ material export opening

5‧‧‧ material reservoir

6‧‧‧ material supply pipeline

7‧‧‧Export nozzle

8‧‧‧ material export pipeline

9‧‧‧ pump piston

10‧‧‧Closed device

11‧‧‧Nozzle pipeline

12‧‧‧ (nozzle line) free end

13‧‧‧Nozzle channel

14‧‧‧Nozzle closure

15‧‧‧Shutdown components

16‧‧‧ (nozzle line) outside

17‧‧‧closed position

18‧‧‧ opposite retainer

19‧‧‧Shutdown extension

20‧‧‧Shutdown base body

21‧‧‧ opposite holder base

22‧‧‧Shutdown drive

23‧‧‧Closed slides

24‧‧‧ machine frame

25‧‧‧Control unit

26‧‧‧ pump configuration

27‧‧‧Measuring location

Fig. 1 shows an overall schematic view of a specific example of the apparatus of the present invention.

Figures 2a through 2d show schematic cross-sectional views of details of the device of the present invention in various positions.

Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of details of the apparatus of the present invention.

Figures 4a and 4b show schematic cross-sectional views of the outlet nozzle of the apparatus of the present invention.

1 shows a device of the present invention having a machine frame 24 that is preferably configured as a floor vertical machine frame 24. The pump arrangement 26 is disposed in the machine frame, preferably in an enclosed area of the machine frame 24. The pump arrangement 26 is adapted and/or adapted to deliver the substance from the substance reservoir 5 (illustrated only schematically herein) via the substance supply line 6 and the substance outlet line 8 to the metering site 27. The substance reservoir can be designed to be branched. For example, a manifold is provided that extends from the vessel to a distribution line from which the pump's own material supply line 6 leads to each or the pump chamber, depending on the pump configuration. In the present specific example, a plurality of outlet nozzles 7 are provided. In particular, in this specific example, ten outlet nozzles 7 are shown. More nozzles can be placed behind it. For example, another twelve columns of ten nozzles each may be provided to achieve a total of 120 nozzles. The number can be expanded or reduced in construction.

Furthermore, the device of the invention comprises a control unit 25. This control unit is adapted and/or adapted to perform control of the device of the invention. Depending on the situation, this control is concerned with the control of the drive components (in particular the drive components of the pump piston, the servo drive and other moving components). Furthermore, the control unit is adapted and/or adapted to process sensor data (such as, in particular, data from an optical recording device, temperature recording, etc.), and optionally to modify the control based on the sensor data. . Furthermore, the control unit is adapted and/or adapted Equipped with coupling to another device, such as a material supply or baking machine.

The metering location 27 is a fixed area, such as an intermediate product of a board or food product. Optionally, the metering location is a moving item, such as a mobile edible roast body. Optionally, the metering site is an intermittently moving body that can be stopped, for example, for application of a substance such as cream. For example, a thin muffin shell can be delivered to the metering site where it is briefly stopped for introduction of cream and then further transported for further processing.

Optionally, a conveyor belt, such as, in particular, a belt or belt conveyor, is disposed in the area of the metering location.

In the current embodiment of Figure 1, ten outlet nozzles 7 are shown. In the diagram of Figure 1, two pump configurations 26 are depicted, one pump configuration being disposed to the left of the region of the outlet nozzle 7, and a pump configuration being disposed to the right of the region of the outlet nozzle 7. As appropriate, more pump configurations with more outlet nozzles 7 will be installed behind, in this figure, behind the visible pump configuration 26. Due to the configuration of a plurality of such pump configurations 26, the number of outlet nozzles 7 can be substantially arbitrarily enlarged or reduced. Depending on the maximum throughput of the manifold, it may be necessary to provide a plurality of manifolds or a plurality of material reservoirs. Optionally, in all embodiments, the material reservoir may also be configured as a device for the continuous manufacture of a substance, wherein it is not necessary to provide a container for storing the substance.

For the metering of the substance 1 from the outlet nozzle 7, the material from the substance supply line is pumped via the outlet nozzle 7 and metered.

Figure 2 shows the components of pump configuration 26 in different positions. This device comprises a pump chamber 2 having a substance supply opening 3, a substance outlet opening 4 and a substance reservoir 5, in which case the substance reservoir contains a manifold or distributor line.

Furthermore, the device comprises an outlet nozzle 7 which is made of a substance The outlet line 8 is connected to the pump chamber 2. The pump piston 9 is disposed in the pump chamber 2. The pump chamber volume can be increased and decreased by moving the pump piston 9. Furthermore, a closure device 10 is provided. The closure device 10 includes a closure slide 23. The substance supply opening 3 and/or the substance outlet opening 4 can be closed and opened by closing the slide 23 or by means of the closure device 10. Further, in the present specific example, one outlet nozzle 7 is provided for each pump piston 9. The outlet nozzle 7 comprises a flexible tubular nozzle line 11. The nozzle passage 13 is disposed within the nozzle line 11 and the nozzle passage is exposed from the nozzle line at the free end 12 of the nozzle line. Substance 1 can be pumped through nozzle passage 13 and dispensed at free end 12.

In the present specific embodiment, the closure slide is configured as a hollow cylinder in which the pump piston 9 is mounted and movably mounted therein. The pump piston 9 is preferably mounted in the closing slide 23 in a linearly movable manner. The closing slide 23 itself is also mounted in the direction of movement of the pump piston or mounted along its direction of movement. The installation work is done in the pump chamber 2. The pump chamber 2 has a suitable internal dimension such that the closure slide 23 is substantially sealingly mounted in the pump chamber. The closure slide 23 has a suitable internal dimension such that the pump piston 9 is substantially sealingly mounted therein. The pump chamber 2 is partially sealed and delimited by the two component pump pistons 9 and the closing slide 23 together. The material supply opening 3 and the material outlet opening 4 are successively mounted along the moving direction of the pump piston. Furthermore, the substance supply line and the substance outlet line are substantially open transversely or vertically with respect to the direction of movement of the pump piston in the pump chamber. As a result, the closure device 10 and in particular the closure slide can open the substance supply opening 3 and the substance outlet opening 4 in the first position during displacement in the direction of movement. This first position is, for example, depicted in Figure 2a. The closing slide 23 is drawn from the pump chamber 2 so far that the substance supply opening 3 and the substance outlet opening 4 are both open, and the substance supply line 6 and the substance outlet line 8 lead to the pump chamber 2 and to the pump chamber 2. In this position, the substance reservoir 5 is thus via the substance supply line 6, The pump chamber 2 and the material outlet line 8 are directly connected to the outlet nozzle 7. In order to prevent any leakage of material in this position, a shut-off element 15 (not shown) is preferably provided which enables closure of the nozzle passage and the outlet nozzle 7.

Figure 2b shows another location. The closure slide 23 is maintained in its first position in which the substance supply line 6 and the substance outlet line 8 are connected to the pump chamber 2. The substance 1 from the substance reservoir 5 is sucked into the pump chamber 2 by withdrawing the pump piston 9. Preferably, the outlet nozzle 7 is also closed during this process step.

Figure 2c shows the device, in particular the closure slide 23 in the second position. The closure slide 23 now reaches the second position from the withdrawal position of the first position, in which the closure slide 23 projects into the pump chamber 2, causing the substance supply opening 3 to close. However, the substance outlet opening 4 is opened such that the substance outlet line 8 is connected to the pump chamber 2. On the other hand, the substance supply line 6 is not connected to the pump chamber 2. At the same time, or after closing, the pump piston 9 is further moved into the pump chamber 2 such that the pump chamber volume is reduced. At the same time, or with only a slight offset, the outlet nozzle 7 is opened. As a result, the substance 1 is transported from the pump chamber 2 from the outlet nozzle 7 to the metering point 27 via the movement of the pump piston 9.

Figure 2d shows an additional third position of the closure slider 23. In this position, the closing slide protrudes so far into the pump chamber 2 that the substance supply opening 3 and the substance outlet opening 4 are both closed by the closing slide 23. As a result, the further transport of the substance 1 from the pump chamber 2 via the pump piston 9 is prevented.

Optionally, a withdrawal mode is provided in which, after completion of the pumping procedure, while the outlet nozzle 7 is open, the piston is briefly withdrawn to withdraw the material residue 1 located in the outlet nozzle 7. By this means, any dripping of the substance 1 can be prevented. In addition, dripping can also be prevented by closing the outlet nozzle 7.

After the position in Figure 2d, the pump piston 9 and the closing slide 23 are both Pull back again, and in particular to the position of Figure 2a, to repeat the pumping procedure.

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the outlet nozzle 7 and adjacent components. The substance 1 from the pump chamber 2 (not shown) is transported in the direction of the outlet nozzle 7 via the material outlet opening 4 and the material outlet line 8. The outlet nozzle 7 contains a nozzle line 11 at its free end, at which the central nozzle channel 13 is exposed. The nozzle line 11 is preferably configured to be flexible and/or tubular. A nozzle closure 14 is provided for closing the outlet nozzle 7. The nozzle closure 14 comprises a shut-off element 15. This element presses on the outer side 16 of the nozzle line 11 in the region of the closed position 17 in order to close the nozzle channel 13. Furthermore, the nozzle closure device optionally includes a counter holder 18. The nozzle line 11 is mounted between the opposing holder 18 and the shutoff element 15. By the relative movement of the shut-off element 15 relative to the opposing holder 18, the nozzle line 11 is clamped between the two elements and compressed as appropriate. The nozzle passage 13 is thus closed due to elastic deformation. As a result, the outlet nozzle 7 can be closed. Preferably, the closed position 17 is disposed in the region of the free end 12 of the nozzle line 11. Optionally, the closed position 17 is provided away from the free end 12 of the nozzle line 11. The shutoff element 15 is connected to the shutdown base body 20. The opposing holder is rigidly coupled to the opposing holder base body 21. Due to the relative movement of the base body 20 relative to the opposing holder base body 21, the shut-off element 15 is thus moved relative to the opposing holder 18. While the opposing holder base body 21 is preferably rigidly coupled to the machine frame, in a preferred embodiment, the shut down base body 20 is designed to be movable and drivable. In particular, a shut-off drive 22 is provided. This may in particular cause a linear movement of the base body 20 to be shut off (in particular, by transmission, for example, also by a crank assembly). Preferably, the shut-off drive 22 is connected to the control unit 25 and is controlled and/or adjusted, in particular by the control unit 25.

Figure 4a shows the outlet nozzle 7 or nozzle closure in the open position Set 14. The nozzle line 11 is mounted between the shutoff element 15 and the opposing holder 18. In the open position shown, the nozzle passage 13 extends substantially linearly through the nozzle line 11 and is exposed from the nozzle line at the free end 12 of the nozzle line 11. The shut-off element 15 preferably has a shut-off extension 19. The shut-off extension 19 protrudes from the shut-off element 15 in the direction of the nozzle line 11. The closed position 17 is defined by the shut-off extension 19. The opposing retainer preferably also includes an extension that is similar to the shut-off extension 19 in such a manner that it projects in the direction of the nozzle line 11. Preferably, both extensions are disposed in the region of the closed position 17.

Figure 4b shows the same configuration as Figure 4a, but in the closed position. The position of the base body 20 is displaced relative to the position of FIG. 4a such that the nozzle line 11 is clamped between the shut-off extension 19 or the shut-off element 15 and the opposing holder 18 in an elastically deformable manner. The nozzle passage 13 has a wedge shape in this position. In particular, the nozzle channel 13 narrows in an asymptotic or continuous manner along the path of the nozzle line 11 in the direction of the closed position 17. Thus, a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape of the nozzle passage 13 from the closed position 17 is obtained. Optionally, the closed position 17 is mounted away from the free end 12 of the nozzle line 11. Depending on the situation, a double wedge shape is thus obtained, wherein the nozzle channel of the wedge profile extends along the nozzle line on both sides from the closed position 17.

This wedge configuration of the nozzle passage prevents solid objects, such as nut particles or similar solid, hard or brittle objects, from blocking the closure of the outlet nozzle when the nozzle passage is closed. Due to the current configuration of the nozzle closure 14 of the present invention, the solid object (such as a block, nut, etc.) during the closure of the nozzle closure 14 has a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape due to the shut-off movement and the continuously formed nozzle passage. And being transmitted away from the area of the closed position 17. Thereby, a reliable closure of the outlet nozzle 7 is provided.

In all specific examples, a complex can be set for each pump chamber and each pump barrel. Several outlet nozzles.

In all embodiments, a plurality of material outlet channels may be combined to simultaneously dispense different materials via one or more nozzles. For example, two substances from two different material reservoirs can be delivered via a pump chamber and a pump piston and can be dispensed together via a single outlet nozzle.

The closure slide has a plurality of openings, as appropriate. By providing an offset of the individual openings relative to each other, other control possibilities for opening and for closing the substance supply opening and/or the substance outlet opening can be provided. For example, in all embodiments, the opening in the closure slide can be configured to be elongated. By twisting the closure slide (in particular, along the direction of movement of the piston), or by twisting the closure slide around the central axis, which is preferably mounted parallel to the direction of movement of the pump piston, two The openings (the substance supply opening and the substance outlet opening) can thereby be opened or closed separately from each other. For example, only one of the two openings can be opened or closed as desired. Depending on the situation, the two openings can be closed or both openings can be opened.

Optionally, the material reservoir (in particular, its supply line) and the pump chamber may be pressurized during each and every time during operation. The pressure corresponds to, for example, 1 to 8 bar. In particular, the pressure in the pump chamber is preferably equal to the pressure of the material reservoir such that it has no pressure fluctuations or only slight pressure fluctuations.

Optionally, the substance is drawn through the material supply line by withdrawing the piston. Optionally, the substance is forced into the pump chamber by a positive pressure in the material reservoir. Optionally, the substance is delivered to the pump chamber by withdrawing the piston and by the pressure of the material reservoir.

An exemplary method of the present invention includes the steps of displacing the closure slide into a position such that the substance supply opening is open and The outlet opening is closed. The pump piston is withdrawn so that the substance is delivered to the pump chamber from the material reservoir and in particular via the substance supply opening and its material supply line. Next, the closure slide is moved such that the material supply opening is closed and the material supply line is separated from the pump chamber. Move the pump piston at the same time or offset in time. Subsequently or simultaneously, the material outlet line is connected to the pump chamber. In particular, the material outlet opening is opened by shifting the closure slider. Simultaneously or subsequently, the pump piston is moved into the pump chamber to reduce the pump chamber volume. As a result, the material is transported from the pump chamber through the material outlet opening and the material outlet line in the direction of the outlet nozzle. Simultaneously or subsequently, the outlet nozzle is opened to allow material to exit from the free end of the nozzle. Shortly before the material exits, the nozzle closure is actuated to open the outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle is preferably closed during the inhalation of the substance into the pump chamber. In order to prevent the substance from leaving the outlet nozzle, the outlet nozzle is closed again by the nozzle closing device. Subsequently, the closing slide reaches the initial position again, in which the material outlet opening is closed and the material supply opening is opened. Simultaneously or subsequently, the piston is again withdrawn to increase the pump chamber volume and deliver material from the material reservoir to the pump chamber.

Optionally, the method of the invention comprises the step of: in the first basic position, all of the outlet nozzles are closed. When the method of the present invention is initiated, the closure slider is brought to a position where the material supply opening is opened. In this position, the outlet nozzle is closed by the nozzle closure or the material outlet opening is closed by the closure. This prevents the substance from appearing directly from the material reservoir via the pump chamber via the outlet nozzle and prevents pressure drops from occurring.

If the closing slide has reached the position where the material supply opening is open, the pump piston is withdrawn to fill the pump chamber with material. The movement of the pump piston can be driven by a servo motor or by pressure in a material reservoir. Preferably, the movement of the pump piston is driven by a regulated or controlled servo motor. In particular, the body of the inhaled substance The product is adjusted. At this point, the outlet nozzle is closed.

Thereafter, the closure slide and the pump piston are preferably moved in unison into the pump chamber such that the material outlet opening is open, the material supply opening is closed, and the pump piston can deliver material in the direction of the outlet nozzle via the material outlet opening. At this point, the outlet nozzle is still closed.

In the next step, the outlet nozzle opens. At this point, the operation of metering the substance to the metering destination via the outlet nozzle is initiated. With regard to opening and closing the outlet nozzle, as previously described, the shut-off element is moved to the outside of the flexible and/or tubular nozzle line to close or open the nozzle passage provided in the nozzle line by elastic deformation. This movement can be controlled or adjusted. In particular, servo drives are provided that move the shut-off elements or the shut-off elements. In particular, the size of the opening, the duration of the opening, the duration of the closure procedure, and other parameters can be varied by control and/or adjustment. Optionally, another procedural step is provided in which the piston is withdrawn shortly before closing the outlet nozzle. In this case, the substance outlet opening or the substance outlet line opens at least partially in the direction of the pump chamber. As a result, a portion of the substance located in the material outlet line or in the outlet nozzle is withdrawn. This will prevent any dripping of the substance.

For example, for a substance having a density of 0.35 g/cm ³ to about 0.8 g/cm ³ , no withdrawal mode is provided. At greater than about 0.8 g/cm ³ , the withdrawal mode is preferably used.

Optionally, the material supply opening and the material outlet opening are mounted at a distance from each other along the direction of movement of the pump piston. In addition, the closure slide designed, for example, as a hollow cylinder, preferably has a through opening that enters on one side of the closure slide and exits on the other side of the closure slide. As a result, two free positions are formed in the outer wall of the closing slider. If the opening of the closing slider is combined with the material supply opening, the opening is made It is possible to pump the substance from the material supply line into the pump chamber by reaching the substantially overlapping or overlapping positions. If the closure slide is displaced such that the opening is configured to substantially overlap or overlap with the substance outlet opening, it becomes possible to pump material from the pump chamber through the material outlet opening to the material outlet line. If the opening of the closure slide is not in the overlapping or overlapping position with the material supply opening or the material outlet opening, the opening is closed and the transport of the substance is not possible.

Depending on the situation, each pump chamber and each pump piston provides a plurality of outlet nozzles. These outlet nozzles are supplied, for example, by a manifold. The manifold is connected to the material outlet opening and the material outlet line of the pump chamber such that the substance can be delivered via a plurality of outlet nozzles by pump stroke. Optionally, a plurality of such pump configurations can each have a plurality of outlet nozzles such that material can simultaneously flow through a plurality of material outlet nozzles.

Depending on the situation, different materials are delivered in different pump configurations.

The apparatus of the present invention and the method of the present invention are particularly suitable for metering a pumpable substance at a constant pressure (the pumpable substance is optionally at a high pressure and is added, for example, to inclusions such as cakes, nut slices, etc.) And metering the substance via one or more outlet nozzles. In this case, a throughput of, for example, up to 50 strokes/min per pump piston becomes possible.

In particular, in the case of aerated substances, and in the case of temperature sensitive substances, it is extremely important that both the pressure and the temperature of the substance remain substantially constant for the quality of the food product to be formed. Larger pressure fluctuations have the following consequences: the aerated material changes its consistency, and in particular the backmixing of the gas phase with the cream occurs. The same result applies equally to temperature fluctuations, and the consistency of the substance can vary due to temperature fluctuations. For this reason, the apparatus of the present invention preferably has temperature control means whereby its components in direct contact with the substance can be actively cooled or heated. For this purpose, examples For example, a double walled enclosure, a double walled line, or a media line may be provided in which a heat exchanger configuration (such as a cooling or heating line) is provided. The cooling capacity or (in terms of the heating line) heat capacity can be adjusted by conditioning and temperature control of the medium flowing through the media line.

Optionally, in all embodiments, the outlet nozzle points downward along the direction of gravity. However, depending on the situation, the outlet nozzle can also be directed obliquely downward. Optionally, in all embodiments, the shutdown base body is configured as a substantially horizontally extending plate or as a horizontally extending carrier. In particular, a shut-off base body is rigidly coupled to the plurality of shut-off elements such that the plurality of shut-off elements can move due to substantial horizontal movement of the base body due to the drive member, resulting in a plurality of The outlet nozzle can be closed.

This shutdown movement can be adjusted or controlled, as appropriate, in all specific examples. As already described, the nozzle line is compressed by the nozzle closure to close the nozzle passage. During compression, the nozzle passage is compressed from the initial substantially circular cross section to the oval profile. The area of the free section of the nozzle passage is thereby reduced. By further compression of the nozzle line, the profile of the nozzle passage is reduced to a narrow gap. If the narrow gap is further compressed, the nozzle passage is closed at the closed position. In this position, the nozzle passage has a wedge shape in a plane extending along the direction in which the nozzle passage extends and in particular perpendicularly to the flow section of the nozzle passage. This wedge shape is continuously formed when the nozzle passage is compressed from the substantially circular shape to the gap shape via the oval shape. Due to this movement, in particular, inclusions such as solid objects are transported from the area of the closed position.

Depending on the situation, the closure of the outlet nozzle is achieved in a jerk manner by shutting off the movement of the base body. Thereby, a faster outlet nozzle closure can be achieved. Preferably, the movement of the shut-off element or the cut-off extension is relative to the direction in which the substance is released (ie, the phase The route to the nozzle line is lateral), occurring laterally or vertically.

Preferably, in all embodiments, the opposing holder base body and the shutoff base body have a free position for the nozzle line to pass. A nozzle line is routed through the base bodies. The free position in the base body can have an oversized size such that displacement of the shutoff base body relative to the opposing retainer base body can occur without damaging the nozzle line. The oversized dimension of the free position in the base body and/or the opposing holder base body is bridged by the protruding shut-off extension such that the base body can be closed relative to the opposite holder The base body moves, but the grip at the closed position is achieved by closing the extension rather than by opposing the free position in the holder base or in the base body.

The present invention relates, as appropriate, to metered dispensing of one or more pumpable materials containing solid inclusions (such as, in particular, fat-containing cream with solid flakes, creamy chocolate with nut kernels, or solid blocks). a device for pressurized and aerated fat cream) which is delivered by a material reservoir to one or more outlet nozzles for emergence via the outlet nozzles, wherein the outlet nozzles have a flexible tubular shape a nozzle line, and a nozzle passage disposed in the nozzle line and exposed at a free end of the nozzle line, wherein a nozzle closure device is provided that includes a shut-off element that is laterally movable relative to a path of the nozzle passage, wherein The shut-off element has a closed position in which the shut-off element is pressed onto the outer side of the flexible nozzle line, the flexible nozzle line is thereby deformed, and the nozzle channel is closed at the closed position and/or In the closed position, the nozzle passage has a wedge shape from the closed position in the longitudinal section plane. Other features of the outlet nozzle will be obtained from the scope of the patent application and its description together with the drawings.

11‧‧‧Nozzle pipeline

12‧‧‧ (nozzle line) free end

13‧‧‧Nozzle channel

15‧‧‧Shutdown components

17‧‧‧closed position

18‧‧‧ opposite retainer

19‧‧‧Shutdown extension

21‧‧‧ opposite holder base

Claims (17)

A device for metering and dispensing one or more substances (1) which are pumpable and containing solid inclusions, such as, for example, a fat-containing cream having a solid flake, a cream chocolate having a nut granule, or having a solid mass a pressurized and aerated fat cream that is delivered from a substance reservoir to one or more outlet nozzles for emergence via the or outlet nozzles, the device comprising: a pump chamber (2) having a supply of material Opening (3) and material outlet opening (4); material supply line (6), through the material supply opening (3) leading to the pump chamber (2), and from the material reservoir (5); material outlet line (8) passing through the material outlet opening (4) to the outside of the pump chamber (2) and leading to the outlet nozzle (7); the pump piston (9) for changing the volume of the pump chamber, the pump piston is linear Displaceably disposed, and partially delimiting the pump chamber (2); and the closure device (10) having a first position in which the substance supply opening (3) and the substance outlet opening (4) Opening the pump chamber (2); having a second position in which the substance supply opening (3) is closed by the seal The closing device (10) is closed, and the substance outlet opening (4) to the pump chamber (2) is open; and has a third position in which the substance supply opening (3) and the substance outlet opening (4) being closed by the closing device (10); characterized in that the outlet nozzle (7) comprises: a flexible tubular nozzle line (11), and is installed in the nozzle line (11) and at the nozzle a nozzle passage exposed at the free end (12) of the line (11); a nozzle closure (14) is provided that includes a shut-off element (15) that is laterally movable into the path of the nozzle channel (13), The breaking element (15) has the shut-off element (15) Pressed to a closed position on the outer side (16) of the flexible nozzle line (11), wherein the flexible nozzle line (11) is thereby deformed and the nozzle passage (13) is in the closed position (17) ) is closed; and in the closed position, the nozzle channel (13) has a wedge shape from the closed position (17) in the longitudinal section plane. The device of claim 1, wherein the shut-off element (15) and the closed position (17) are disposed at a free end (12) of the nozzle line (11) remote from the nozzle line (11) In the course of the route, and in the closed position, the nozzle channel (13) has a double wedge shape starting from the closed position (17) on both sides in the longitudinal section plane. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein a counter holder (18) is provided; the nozzle line (11) is disposed on the opposite holder (18) and the shutoff element (15) In the closed position, the nozzle line (11) is clamped between the opposite retainer (18) and the shut-off element (15) and elastically deformed such that the nozzle passage (13) is closed And providing an open position in which the opposing retainer (18) and the shut-off element (15) are separated from each other by a distance greater than the opposing retainer in the closed position The distance of the shut-off element is such that, in the open position, the nozzle channel (13) is at least partially open, preferably fully open. The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shut-off element (15) and/or the opposing retainer (18) comprises a cam-shaped, wedge-shaped or finger-shaped shut-off extension ( 19), which protrudes in the direction of the nozzle line (11) in the region of the closed position (17). The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shut-off element (15) is disposed on a shut-off base body (20); the opposite retainer (18) is disposed on a pair of retainer base bodies (21); and, a shut-off drive member (22) is provided, Turning off the drive member between the shutoff base body (20) and the opposing holder base body (21) and/or between the shutoff element (15) and the opposing retainer (18) The relative movement is such that the outlet nozzle (7) and in particular the nozzle passage of the nozzle line (11) can be closed and opened by controlling and/or adjusting the shut-off drive. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shut-off drive member (22) is a linear drive member that causes linearity of the shut-off member relative to the opposing retainer (18) Shift. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of outlet nozzles (7) are provided, each of which comprises a nozzle line (11) and a unit for closing the respective nozzle line (11) The shut-off element (15) of the nozzle channel (13). The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of shut-off elements (15) are mounted on a single shut-off base body (20) such that by moving a shut-off base The seat body (20), the plurality of shut-off elements (15) can be moved, and as a result, the plurality of nozzle lines (11) can be closed. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of opposing holders (18) are mounted on a single opposing holder base body (21), wherein the pair The holder base body (21) is configured to be movable or stationary to cause closure of the outlet nozzle (7) during relative movement of the shutdown base body (20). The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, for each outlet nozzle (7), a pump chamber (2) has a substance supply opening (3) and a substance outlet opening (4); A substance supply line (6) leads to the pump chamber (2) via the substance supply opening (3) and from a substance reservoir (5); a substance outlet line (8) through the substance outlet opening (4) And leading to the outside of the pump chamber (2) and leading to their respective outlet nozzles (7); providing a pump piston (9) and a closing device (10), wherein the pump piston (9) and the plurality The closing devices (10) of the outlet nozzles (7) can be jointly controlled, adjusted and/or moved; or for a plurality of outlet nozzles (7), the single pump chamber (2) has a substance supply opening (3) And a substance outlet opening (4); a substance supply line (6) leads to the pump chamber (2) via the substance supply opening (3), and from a substance reservoir (5); a substance outlet line (8) passing through the material outlet opening (4) to the outside of the pump chamber (2) and leading to its respective outlet nozzle (7); providing a pump piston (9) and a closing device (10) The closure (10) of the pump piston (9) and the plurality of outlet nozzles (7) can be jointly controlled, adjusted and/or moved. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pump piston (9) and the closing device (10) have a time after the metering of the substance (1), but in time a withdrawal mode provided before the closure of the outlet nozzle (7), wherein the closure device (10) is located such that the substance supply opening (3) is closed by the closure device (10) and the material outlet opening (4) in the second position in which the pump chamber (2) is opened, and in which the pump piston (9) is undergoing a withdrawal movement to increase the volume of the pump chamber so that it is located in the nozzle line (11) The substance (1) in the free end (12) is withdrawn, and since the nozzle line (11) is closed by the shut-off element (15) and the volume of the nozzle channel (13) is associated with a decrease, the substance No dripping is maintained in the nozzle passage (13). The device of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the shut-off base body (20) is designed as an elongated body that is horizontally extendable and horizontally displaceable, and/or has a nozzle for the nozzles A plate-shaped body of the pipeline (11) that penetrates the opening. The device of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the closure device comprises a closure slide (23) displaceable in a closing direction, the outer shape of the closure slide being adapted to the pump The shape of the chamber makes the substance available The opening and the material outlet opening may be closed by displacement of the closing slider in its closing direction, and the inner shape of the closing slider is adapted to the shape of the pump piston such that the pump piston is along The closure slide is removably mounted in a displaceable manner; and the closure slide (23) and the pump piston are displaceably and separately displaceable and displaceable relative to the pump chamber in the closing direction, and The pump chamber is jointly delimited and sealed on one side. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the pump chamber has a pump chamber cross section that is perpendicular to the closing direction; the pump piston has a piston cross section that is perpendicular to the closing direction; The closed sliding member is configured as a hollow body, and a free inner cross section perpendicular to the closing direction corresponds to the piston cross section, and an outer cross section perpendicular to the closing direction corresponds to the pump chamber cross section; And the pump piston is sealingly mounted in the closure slide, and the closure slide is sealingly mounted in the pump chamber. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the pump piston has a circular cross section, the closing slide is designed as a hollow cylinder, and the pump chamber is configured in a cylindrical shape. A method for metering and dispensing a pumpable substance containing solid inclusions, such as a fat-containing cream having a solid flake, a creamy chocolate with a nut, or a pressurized and aerated fat having a solid mass a cream, which is delivered from a substance reservoir to an outlet nozzle for emergence via the outlet nozzle, the method comprising the steps of: opening a substance supply opening such that a material supply line from the substance reservoir is connected to a pump room, Wherein, at the same time, the outlet nozzle is closed by a nozzle closing device, and/or at the same time, a substance outlet opening is closed, so that the substance outlet opening is closed and the substance from the substance reservoir is prevented from passing through the outlet Direct discharge of the nozzle; pumping back a pump piston installed in the pump chamber such that a desired amount of material is delivered from the material reservoir to the pump chamber via the material supply opening and its material supply line; Closing the substance supply opening such that the substance reservoir and optionally the substance supply line are fluidly separated from the pump chamber; and subsequently or simultaneously, opening the substance outlet opening as appropriate such that the substance outlet line is connected to the Pump chamber; subsequently or simultaneously, moving the pump piston into the pump chamber such that the pump chamber volume is reduced and the material is from the pump chamber via the material outlet opening and the material outlet line at the outlet nozzle In the direction of the transport, wherein the outlet nozzle and in particular the nozzle closure device are opened directly before the substance is discharged through the outlet nozzle, such that the substance From the free end of the outlet nozzle; after the desired amount of material is discharged: the outlet nozzle is closed by closing the device with the nozzle, and the material is stopped from exiting the nozzle by stopping the pump piston. The method of claim 16, wherein the pump piston is stopped shortly before closing the outlet nozzles, and then withdrawn to expand the pump chamber volume, and thereby withdrawing the substance at the material outlet A portion of the pipeline or the outlet nozzle to prevent dripping.