Device, method and use of a device for separating a starting material

Abstract

Shown and claimed is a device for separating a starting material into components of different flowability by means of a perforated drum and a rotating functional belt. The functional belt is guided over a plurality of rollers, of which a tension roller keeps the functional belt taut and a pressure roller presses the functional belt against the perforated drum with an adjustable force. The device comprises a lever arrangement and a pressure pneumatic cylinder. By pivoting the lever arrangement using the pressure pneumatic cylinder, the position of the pressure roller can be changed and thus the force with which the functional belt presses against the perforated drum can be adjusted. Furthermore, a method for separating a starting material into components of different flowability and the use of a device for separating a starting material into components of different flowability are shown and claimed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for separating a starting material into components of different flowability by means of a perforated drum. The device has a closed, circumferential functional belt, which runs sectionally along the perforated drum and is configured to guide the starting material against the perforated drum. The functional belt is guided over a plurality of rollers. The plurality of rollers comprises at least one tension roller and one pressure roller. The tension roller is configured to keep the functional belt taut. The pressure roller is configured to press the functional belt against the perforated drum with an adjustable force. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for separating a starting material into components of different flowability and to the use of a corresponding device for separating a starting material into components of different flowability.

[0002] Various devices are known from the prior art with which a starting material can be divided into components of varying flowability. The starting material can, for example, be of animal origin and include (muscle) meat, skin, bones or fish bones, and tendons. In the device, the meat, which has a higher flowability, is separated from the other components such as skin, bones, fish bones, and tendons, which have a lower flowability. For example, the starting material can include the components fish meat, fish bones, and skin. The device separates this starting material into the components fish meat on the one hand and fish bones and skin on the other.

[0003] The devices can also be used to process products of plant origin. For example, the starting material can be fruit, which is separated in the device into pulp on the one hand and peel, seeds, and stems on the other. Packaged products can also be unpacked using such devices. The starting material can be packaged butter, for example, which is separated by the device into the butter on the one hand and the packaging on the other. Other dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and milk can also be separated into their packaging and contents and thus unpacked using the device.

[0004] The central element of the device is a cylindrical hollow drum with a multitude of holes in its outer wall, which is referred to below as the perforated drum. The starting material to be separated is guided against the outer wall of the perforated drum by means of a functional belt. This creates a wedge of the starting material. The pressure between the functional belt and the perforated drum forces the components of the starting material with higher flowability through the holes in the perforated drum into the interior of the perforated drum. The components with lower flowability remain on the outer wall of the perforated drum and can be removed, for example, with the functional belt.

[0005] The endless, circulating functional belt, sometimes also referred to as a squeezing or pressing belt, is guided over a plurality of rollers that define the path of the functional belt. The positions of at least two of the rollers, referred to below as the tension roller and the pressure roller, can be actively adjusted to adapt the properties of the device. The tension roller can be used to adjust the circumference of the path of the functional belt and thus the tension of the functional belt. The pressure roller, on the other hand, determines the pressure or force with which the functional belt is guided against the perforated drum.

[0006] For successful separation of the feedstock, adjusting the force with which the pressure roller is pressed against the functional belt is crucial. To apply sufficiently high forces, the state of the art uses a hydraulic system that allows the distance between the perforated drum and the pressure roller to be adjusted. This hydraulic system allows loads of 1 t or more to be applied to the perforated drum, allowing many feedstocks to be separated with great reliability. The hydraulic fluid used is pressurized to extremely high levels, sometimes exceeding 100 bar.

[0007] However, the use of a hydraulic system has several disadvantages. If the feedstock contains solid, slightly or non-compressible components with low flowability, the pressure roller must be able to move forward briefly to allow the components to pass between the perforated drum and the functional belt in the area of ​​the pressure roller. Since hydraulic fluid is incompressible, the hydraulic fluid must drain into a buffer volume to allow the pressure roller to retreat. However, even with this, a short-term retreat is not possible or only possible with limitations, as the hydraulic fluid is viscous and sluggish and only drains slowly into a buffer volume.

[0008] Such devices are typically operated continuously for long periods, during which the entire device, including the hydraulic fluid, heats up. However, as the hydraulic fluid heats up, the force with which the pressure roller is pressed against the perforated drum also increases, unintentionally. Some devices also use an eccentric to adjust the pressure roller. However, when using an eccentric, the change in the applied force is non-linear and therefore uncalculable.

[0009] Against this background, the skilled person is faced with the task of providing an improved device and an improved method for separating a starting material by means of a perforated drum into components of different flowability.

[0010] This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1, a method according to claim 11 and a use of a device according to claim 15. Preferred embodiments of the device and the method are described in the dependent claims.

[0011] According to a first aspect, the problem underlying the invention is solved with a device for separating a starting material into components of different flowability by means of a perforated drum. The device has a closed, circumferential functional belt, which runs sectionally along the perforated drum and is configured to guide the starting material against the perforated drum. The functional belt is guided over a plurality of rollers. The plurality of rollers comprises at least one tension roller and one pressure roller. The tension roller is configured to keep the functional belt taut. The pressure roller is configured to press the functional belt against the perforated drum with an adjustable force. The device further comprises a lever arrangement and a pressure pneumatic cylinder.The pressure roller is connected to the lever arrangement in such a way that by pivoting the lever arrangement about a pivot axis by means of the pressure pneumatic cylinder, the position of the pressure roller can be changed and thus the force with which the functional band is pressed against the perforated drum can be adjusted.

[0012] In other words, the device initially comprises a perforated drum and a functional belt. The perforated drum is, for example, a cylindrical hollow drum that can rotate about a rotational axis and whose outer wall is essentially made of stainless steel. The outer wall has a plurality of holes that can be arranged in various patterns on the outer surface. The diameter of the holes is selected depending on the starting material whose components are to be separated. It can, for example, be between 1 mm and 8 mm. In exceptional cases, holes with a diameter of more than 8 mm are also used.

[0013] The endless functional belt is guided over a plurality of rollers, one of which is referred to as a tension roller and another as a pressure roller. The functional belt can also be guided over further rollers. The rollers can also be referred to as cylinders. The plurality of rollers is arranged such that the functional belt is guided through the device along a predetermined path. This path is selected so that starting material fed into the device is first transported to the perforated drum and guided sectionally along the perforated drum. Each of the rollers is arranged in the device so that it can rotate about a respective axis of rotation.

[0014] At least for the tension roller and the pressure roller, the position of the rollers within the device, and in particular the position of their respective rotational axes, can be adjusted to modify the device configuration. The tension of the functional belt can be adjusted via the position of the tension roller by adjusting the length of the path along which the functional belt runs through the device. The tension of the functional belt also partially adjusts the force with which the functional belt is pulled along the perforated drum.

[0015] The pressure roller is also suspended or mounted in the device in such a way that the maximum pressure or force with which the functional band is pressed against the outer wall of the perforated drum can be adjusted. To do this, the distance between the rotational axis of the pressure roller and the rotational axis of the perforated drum, or between the outer wall of the perforated drum and the surface of the pressure roller, can be changed. This corresponds to a change in the force with which the pressure roller, and with the pressure roller, the functional band, are pressed against the outer wall of the perforated drum.

[0016] To adjust the position of the pressure roller, the device comprises a lever arrangement and a pneumatic cylinder, which is also referred to below as a pressure pneumatic cylinder. A pneumatic cylinder, as used herein, is a working cylinder powered by compressed air. The operation of a pneumatic cylinder therefore requires a compressed air source, which can be part of the device. Alternatively, the compressed air can also be provided from an external compressed air source.

[0017] The lever arrangement establishes a mechanical connection between the pressure pneumatic cylinder and the pressure roller, i.e. the pressure roller is attached to or connected to the lever arrangement in such a way that by pivoting the lever arrangement the pressure roller moves towards or away from the perforated drum and thus the force with which the pressure roller presses the functional tape against the perforated drum can be adjusted.

[0018] Compared to hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders operate at a pressure that is sometimes one or several orders of magnitude lower. Accordingly, a direct-acting pneumatic cylinder can only provide significantly lower forces. In the present device, the lever arrangement translates the forces of the pneumatic cylinder. This advantageously allows the pressure roller and, with the pressure drum, the functional belt to be pressed against the perforated drum with a sufficiently high force.

[0019] In addition, the pneumatic cylinder has the advantage that it also acts as a spring element, allowing the pressure roller to deflect when incompressible components of the source material have to pass between the pressure roller and the functional belt. Since the air in the pressure pneumatic cylinder is compressible, it is compressed in the pneumatic cylinder when incompressible components of the source material pass past the pressure roller. The pressure roller thus deflects and prevents the functional belt from clogging or jamming, thereby reducing wear and tear on the device. As soon as the incompressible components of the source material have passed between the pressure roller and the perforated drum, the pressure roller immediately springs back to its original position because the air in the pressure pneumatic cylinder can expand again. Therefore, subsequent source material is again pressed against the perforated drum with the set pressure force.

[0020] Unlike a hydraulic cylinder, which operates with an incompressible hydraulic fluid, this does not require a compensation or buffer volume into which the hydraulic fluid must first flow and from which it must flow again after passing through the incompressible components. The pressure roller according to the present invention can therefore compress and rebound more quickly.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the lever arrangement comprises two rockers extending parallel to one another which can be pivoted about the same pivot axis, with the pressure pneumatic cylinder acting on both rockers. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the lever arrangement is provided with two parallel lever arms which transmit the force of the pressure pneumatic cylinder parallel to one another. The parallel arrangement of two rockers allows higher forces to be transmitted without the lever arrangement becoming significantly distorted. In addition, the accommodation of the pressure roller is improved, which is not arranged between the rockers, but laterally next to the two rockers, so that in effect one of the rockers is arranged between the pressure roller and the other rocker.

[0022] It is preferred if the pneumatic pressure cylinder engages the rockers via a cross connection extending between the rockers. In the preferred embodiment, it is therefore provided that, for example, a piston rod of the pneumatic pressure cylinder extends and retracts in a plane extending between the two rockers. The force exerted by the pneumatic pressure cylinder can thus be evenly distributed between the two rockers.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the pneumatic pressure cylinder and the pressure roller are connected to opposite sections of the lever assembly relative to the pivot axis. When the lever assembly rotates about the pivot axis, the pressure roller consequently moves in the opposite direction to the point at which the pneumatic pressure cylinder engages the lever assembly. The pivot axis does not necessarily have to be in the same plane as the axes to which the pneumatic pressure cylinder and the pressure roller are attached to the rocker arm.

[0024] During operation of the device, the pressure roller preferably rotates about a rotational axis along which the pressure roller is connected to the lever assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the position of the rotational axis of the pressure roller is thus directly shifted when the lever assembly is pivoted.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferred to apply a maximum pressure of 10 bar to the pressure pneumatic cylinder, and preferably a maximum pressure of 6 bar. In contrast to the prior art, which uses a hydraulic arrangement, the pressure in the pressure pneumatic cylinder is thus applied at a pressure that corresponds to one-tenth or less of the pressure in the hydraulic fluid. This low pressure makes the use of a pneumatic cylinder possible and also allows the pressure pneumatic cylinder to be used as a spring element, allowing the pressure roller to flexibly increase the distance from the perforated drum when incompressible components are present in the starting material.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, a stripper is located on the perforated drum, which is configured to remove components of the starting material adhering to the outside of the perforated drum behind the pressure roller in the direction of rotation of the perforated drum. The stripper is mounted on the device so as to be pivotable about a stripper axis in order to adjust the distance of the stripper from the perforated drum. The device comprises a second pneumatic cylinder configured to pivot the stripper about the stripper axis.

[0027] In other words, a stripper acting on the outside of the perforated drum is preferably also pressed against the outer wall of the perforated drum by a pneumatic cylinder. The second pneumatic cylinder also fulfills a dual function. On the one hand, the second pneumatic cylinder presses the stripper or stripping knife against the perforated drum with an adjustable force so that, after passing through the squeezing area between the pressure roller and the perforated drum, any components adhering to the outside of the perforated drum are released. On the other hand, the pneumatic cylinder also serves as a spring means that enables flexible tracking of the stripper along the outer wall of the drum. Due to the high forces that sometimes occur in the device, the entire perforated drum can deflect.By using a pneumatic cylinder, the scraper can immediately follow such displacements, as the pneumatic cylinder can briefly compress and extend. This prevents, for example, unnecessary wear on the scraper and unnecessary braking caused by contact between the scraper and the perforated drum if the perforated drum moves toward the scraper, as the scraper deflects due to the pneumatic cylinder acting as an air spring. However, if the perforated drum moves away from the scraper, the scraper follows the perforated drum, ensuring that all remaining material can be scraped off the perforated drum.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment, the tensioning roller can be pivoted about a tensioning axis to tension the functional belt. The tensioning axis is spaced from a rotational axis around which the tensioning roller rotates during operation of the device. The device comprises a third pneumatic cylinder configured to pivot the tensioning roller about the tensioning axis.

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, the preferred embodiment provides for the tensioning roller to be able to be moved via a third pneumatic cylinder in order to adjust the tension of the functional belt. The functional belt is guided over the tensioning roller, which, like the other rollers, rotates about a rotational axis when the device is in operation and the functional belt conveys the starting material to the perforated drum. In this case, however, the rotational axis does not coincide with the tensioning axis to which the tensioning roller is attached to the device. Rather, the tensioning axis runs parallel to the rotational axis and at a distance from it. Between the tensioning axis and the rotational axis, for example, a tensioning rocker runs, which can be pivoted about the tensioning axis by means of the third pneumatic cylinder. The resulting change in the position of the tensioning roller makes it possible to adjust the length of the track or path of the functional belt and thus its tension.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, a threaded spindle is provided, which is connected to the tensioning roller via a spring element. The threaded spindle is designed to adjust the position of the tensioning roller in order to set the tension of the functional belt. Compared to a pneumatic cylinder, the threaded spindle represents a purely mechanical solution that can also be adjusted manually. However, since the tension of the functional belt must be regularly released and then manually re-established, e.g., for cleaning the device, it depends on the device operator and is difficult to reproduce.

[0031] Another alternative design provides a manually operated lever connected to the tension pulley via an eccentric. Manually adjusting the lever changes the position of the tension pulley and thus adjusts the tension of the functional belt. Even with this simple solution, the problem remains that the tension adjustment is highly dependent on the operator. Furthermore, the exact lever position, and thus the tension of the functional belt, is not reproducible.

[0032] The use of a third pneumatic cylinder to adjust the tension of the functional belt has the advantage of enabling precise configuration of the device while simultaneously providing spring or damping. This allows the functional belt to react to deformations of the track due to high loads, as the pneumatic cylinder can quickly rebound and rebound.

[0033] For the sake of completeness, it is pointed out that the positioning of the tension roller by means of the third pneumatic cylinder can be carried out alternatively or in addition to the positioning of the wiper by means of the second pneumatic cylinder, i.e. the use of a pneumatic cylinder for the tension roller can also be carried out if the wiper is attached to the device purely mechanically.

[0034] In principle, the use of a pneumatic cylinder for adjusting the tension roller or the wiper does not necessarily require the use of a pressure pneumatic cylinder. Therefore, it is also conceivable to use pneumatic cylinders for adjusting the position of the tension roller and / or the wiper, while a hydraulic or purely mechanical solution is used to press the pressure roller against the perforated drum. The use of pneumatic cylinders for positioning the wiper and / or the tension roller represents an independent inventive concept in this respect.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure cylinder and the further pneumatic cylinder(s) are supplied with compressed air from the same compressed air source, wherein the compressed air source is more preferably part of the device. This provides a simple, combined supply of compressed air for all pneumatic cylinders. The compressed air can be provided from an external compressed air source connected to the device via a compressed air line. However, it is preferred to provide a compressed air source, e.g., a compressor, as part of the device, which provides the compressed air within the device so that the device can be operated without an external compressed air source.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the hollow drum and the pressure roller are driven by the same drive. The pressure roller also drives the functional belt. The drive can, for example, comprise an electric motor that drives the hollow drum and pressure roller via a chain.

[0037] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for separating a starting material into components of different flowability using a device according to one of the preceding embodiments. A starting material with two or more components of different flowability is guided against the perforated drum by the functional belt. The functional belt is held taut by the tensioning roller and pressed against the perforated drum by the pressure roller with an adjustable force. The force is adjusted by the pneumatic cylinder pivoting the pressure roller about the pivot axis via the lever arrangement.

[0038] The pressure pneumatic cylinder for adjusting the force is subjected to a pressure of maximum 10 bar and preferably to a pressure of maximum 6 bar.

[0039] The process is preferably carried out using a device with a stripper. The stripper removes components of the starting material adhering to the outside of the perforated drum behind the pressure roller in the direction of rotation of the perforated drum. The stripper is pivoted about the stripper axis by means of the second pneumatic cylinder to adjust the distance of the stripper from the perforated drum.

[0040] It is also preferred if the method is carried out using a device with a pneumatically adjustable tensioning roller. The tensioning roller is pivoted about a tensioning axis by means of the third pneumatic cylinder to tension the functional belt.

[0041] With regard to the details and advantages of the embodiments of the method, reference is made to the corresponding embodiments of the device, which have device features corresponding to the method features.

[0042] In a second aspect, the invention relates to the use of a device according to one of the preceding embodiments for separating a starting material into components of different flowability using a perforated drum. With regard to the details and advantages of using the device, reference is made to the corresponding embodiments of the device being used.

[0043] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing showing an embodiment of a device, in which Fig. 1 a front view of an embodiment of a device for separating a starting material into components of different flowability, Fig. 2 a perspective front view of the device from Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a perspective, rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, wherein a partition wall between a front and a rear of the device is not shown, and Fig. 6 a perspective rear view corresponding to Fig. 5, in which the partition between the front and the back of the device is also made of Fig. 1 is not shown.

[0044] In the Fig. 1 to 6, an embodiment of a device 1 is shown, which is intended to separate a starting material into components of different flowability. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a working space 3 of the device 1 in which the starting material is processed. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show only a machine area 5 of the device 1, which is spatially separated from the working area 3 by a partition wall 7. The machine area 5 remains free of the starting material and its components during operation of the device 1. In the Fig. 5 and Fig. In Figure 6, the partition wall 7 is not shown, so that both the machine area 5 and the work area 3 can be seen. The view is first directed to the machine area 5 and then to the work area 3 located behind it in the illustration.

[0045] The following will first refer to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the structure of the work space 3 is described in more detail. In addition to the partition wall 7, the device 1 also comprises at least one front wall that shields the work space 3 from the surroundings. This front wall extends parallel to the partition wall and is not shown in the figures, as it would obscure the view of the components of the device 1.

[0046] The device 1 comprises a perforated drum 9 in the working chamber 3. The perforated drum 9 is formed by a stainless steel cylinder, in whose cylindrical outer wall 11 a plurality of holes 13 have been made. The holes 13 are partially in Fig. 2. They essentially follow a V-shaped pattern, with the tip of the V pointing opposite a direction of rotation 15 of the perforated drum 9. Due to the V-shaped arrangement of the holes 13 in the outer wall 11 of the perforated drum 9, the starting material is pushed away from the edges of the perforated drum 9 toward its center. The perforated drum 9 also has two peripheral edge limits 17, which are intended to prevent the starting material or its components from moving laterally away from the perforated drum 9.

[0047] The starting material is guided to and against the perforated drum 9 by means of a functional belt 19. The functional belt 19 is an endlessly circulating, elastic plastic or rubber conveyor belt, which is guided by a plurality of rollers 21, 23, 25. The rollers 25, which are located in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are largely concealed by a sheet 27, support the guidance of the functional band 19 around the perforated drum 9. Their function is not further described here.

[0048] The roller 21 is referred to herein as a pressure roller. It essentially serves to specify the force with which the functional belt 19 is pressed against the outer wall 11 of the perforated drum 9. The tension roller 23, on the other hand, primarily serves to keep the functional belt 19 under tension and also to specify the path along which the starting material runs to the perforated drum 9. Each of the rollers is rotatable about a rotational axis 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, each of which Fig. 1 into the image plane. In Fig. 2, the rotation axes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d are not shown in order not to overload the drawing. The function of the pressure roller 21 and the tension roller 43 will be explained further below with reference to the Fig. 3 to 6 are described in more detail.

[0049] In Fig. 2 also shows a scraper 29, which is located in the direction of rotation 15 of the drum behind the area where the pressure roller 21 rests against the perforated drum 9. The scraper 29 rests at a shallow angle against the outer wall 11 of the perforated drum 9 and is intended to detach components of the starting material adhering to the perforated drum 9 that have not passed through the holes 13 into the interior 31 of the drum 9, so that they can be transported away with the functional belt 19.

[0050] The device 1 also has further components which, however, are not relevant for understanding the present invention and are therefore not shown in the figures for the sake of clarity. For example, in the Fig. 1 to 6, no hopper or other means of supplying the starting material are shown through which the starting material can be filled into the working chamber 3. Also, no elements are shown with which the components of the starting material with high flowability can be removed from the interior of the drum or which allow them to flow away. Also, no components of the device are shown by means of which the components of the starting material that have not reached the interior 31 of the perforated drum 9 are removed from the working chamber 3 of the device 1.

[0051] Referring to the Fig. 3 to 6, the structure of the machine area 5 of the device 1 is described in more detail below. It should be noted at this point that in the Fig. 3 to 6 only show the components of the device 1, by means of which the pressure roller 21, the tension roller 23 and the stripper 29 can be adjusted. Other details, such as the drive which sets the functional belt 19 and the perforated drum 9 in rotation, are shown in the Fig. 3 to 6 are not shown. The Fig. 3 to 6 show the device 1 without the rear wall, so that the view of the machine area 5 is clear. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the partition wall 7 and one of two cross beams 32a, 32b were also hidden, so that the components of the working space 3 arranged behind the machine area 5 in the viewing direction can also be seen.

[0052] The device 1 has three pneumatic cylinders 33, 35, 37, which are supplied with compressed air from a common compressed air source (not shown). The compressed air source provides a maximum pressure of 6 bar. During operation of the device 1, the pneumatic cylinders 33, 35, 37 are initially supplied with the necessary pressure to achieve the required forces or desired positions. Valves prevent the air from escaping from the pneumatic cylinders 33, 35, 37. Subsequently, refilling of the pneumatic cylinders 33, 35, 37 is only necessary if the pressure in the pneumatic cylinders 33, 35, 37 drops. Preferably, the device 1 is configured to automatically adjust the pressure in the pneumatic cylinders 33, 35, 37. Preferably, however, the pneumatic cylinders 33, 35, 37 are designed to maintain the pressure for at least 30 minutes and preferably even longer.

[0053] The pneumatic cylinder 33 is also referred to as a pressure pneumatic cylinder and is intended to press the pressure roller 21 against the perforated drum 9 via a lever arrangement 39 and thus to adjust the force with which the functional band 19 is pressed against the perforated drum. How to Fig. 4 and Fig. 6, the lever arrangement 39 comprises two rockers 41a, 41b, which extend parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axes of rotation 27a to 27d as well as a pivot axis 43, about which the rockers 41a, 41b and thus the lever arrangement 39 can be pivoted.

[0054] The pressure pneumatic cylinder 33 engages the lever arrangement 39 in a first section 45. Specifically, a shaft 47 extends between the two rockers 41a, 41b, to which a piston rod 49 of the pressure pneumatic cylinder 33 is pivoted. Thus, when the piston rod 49 is extended, the lever arrangement 39 pivots counterclockwise about the pivot axis 43. If, however, the piston rod 49 is retracted, the lever arrangement 39 pivots clockwise about the pivot axis 43. The pressure roller 21 is connected to a second section 51 of the lever arrangement 39, which is opposite the first section 45 with respect to the pivot axis 43. The connection is made through the partition wall 7. The pressure roller 21 therefore does not run between the two rockers 41a, 41b of the lever arrangement 39, but only on one side of the lever arrangement 39. If the lever arrangement 39 is pivoted, the position of the rotational axis 27a of the pressure roller 21 moves.Specifically, pivoting the lever assembly counterclockwise causes the pressure roller 21 to move toward the perforated drum 9. This increases the force with which the functional band 19 is pressed against the outer wall 11 of the perforated drum 9. If, however, the lever assembly 39 is pivoted clockwise, the pressure roller 21 moves away from the perforated drum 9, and the force with which the functional band 19 is pressed against the perforated drum 9 decreases.

[0055] The device 1 thus advantageously enables the use of a pneumatic cylinder 33 to press a functional belt 19 against a perforated drum 9. Due to the use of the lever arrangement 39, sufficiently high forces are generated despite the relatively low pressure in the pneumatic cylinder 33, so that a successful separation of the starting material into components of different flow properties is achieved. At the same time, the pneumatic cylinder 33 functions as an air spring, allowing the pressure roller 21 to deflect when incompressible components of a starting material must pass between the pressure roller 21 and the perforated drum 9.Once the components have passed through the narrow passage between the pressure roller 21 and the perforated drum 9, the pneumatic cylinder 33 allows the pressure roller 21 to quickly swing back to its original position, as the air in the pneumatic cylinder 33 immediately expands again upon release of the force exerted on the lever arrangement 39 by the pressure roller 21. The air spring formed by the pressure pneumatic cylinder 33 thus advantageously reduces the overall load acting on the device 1, as the system is less rigid and stiff than conventional systems with mechanical or hydraulic locking of the pressure rollers 21.

[0056] The second pneumatic cylinder 35 serves to adjust the position of the stripper 29. For this purpose, a piston rod 53 of the second pneumatic cylinder 35 engages an adjusting element 55, which is rotated when the piston rod 53 is retracted or extended into the second pneumatic cylinder 35. The stripper 29 is pivoted in the working chamber 3 on a pivot or stripper axis 57. The second pneumatic cylinder 35 can thus be used to adjust the force with which the stripper 29 is pressed against the outer wall 11 of the perforated drum 9.

[0057] The second pneumatic cylinder 35 advantageously not only allows the adjustment of the force with which the stripper 29 is pressed against the perforated drum 9, but also simultaneously serves as a spring element. If the high forces acting in the device 1 cause a deformation of the perforated drum 9 or a fundamental change in the distance between the outer wall 11 of the perforated drum 9 and the stripper 29, the second pneumatic cylinder 35, acting as an air spring, enables the stripper 29 to either deflect or follow a movement of the perforated drum 9. Any uneven running of the perforated drum 9 is also compensated for. This ensures that the stripper 29 always rests against the outer wall 11 of the perforated drum 9, but is also not pressed too tightly against the outer wall 11, which would only lead to an undesirable braking effect and increased wear on the stripper 29.

[0058] Finally, a third pneumatic cylinder 37 is provided, via which the tension roller 33 is moved and thus the tension of the functional belt 19 can be adjusted. A piston rod 59 of the third pneumatic cylinder 37 is connected to a tensioning or adjusting axis 63 via another adjusting element 61. If the piston rod 59 is moved into the third pneumatic cylinder 37, the adjusting axis 63 rotates counterclockwise. If the piston rod 59 is extended from the third pneumatic cylinder 37, this leads to a clockwise rotation of the adjusting axis 63.

[0059] The adjusting axis 63 extends through the partition wall 7 from the machine area 5 into the work area 3. There, it is connected to a rocker arm 65, to which the tension roller 23 is attached with its rotational axis 27b. When the piston rod 59 moves into the third pneumatic cylinder 37, the rotational axis 27b of the tension roller 23 moves away from the pressure roller 21. This increases the tension in the functional belt 19. Conversely, the rotational axis 27b of the tension roller 23 moves towards the pressure roller 21 when the piston rod 59 extends from the third pneumatic cylinder 37. This reduces the tension in the functional belt 19. The use of a third pneumatic cylinder 37 for positioning the tension roller 23 also has the advantage that, in addition to the good adjustability of the tension of the functional belt 19, a spring effect is also ensured, which protects the device 1 from severe torsion and thus damage.The rocker 65 also compensates for the movement of the pressure roller 21 and the deflection of the functional belt 19.

[0060] The device 1 can also be used to carry out an exemplary method for separating a starting material into components with different flow properties. For example, the device 1 can be used to divide a starting material comprising bones, skin, and fish meat into fish meat on the one hand, and skin and bones on the other. For this purpose, the starting material is first applied to the functional belt 19. Driven by the rotation of the pressure roller 21, the functional belt 19 moves the starting material towards the perforated drum 9. The starting material is then squeezed between the functional belt 19 and the outer wall 11 of the perforated drum 9. The maximum force acting between the functional belt 19 and the perforated drum is adjusted via the lever arrangement 39 and the pressure pneumatic cylinder 33.The components of the starting material that exhibit higher flowability are pressed through the holes 13 in the outer wall 11 of the perforated drum 9 into the interior 31 of the perforated drum. The components of the starting material that exhibit lower flowability, however, remain on the functional belt 19 or the outer wall 11 of the perforated drum 9.

[0061] The components of the starting material adhering to the outside of the perforated drum 9 are detached from it by the stripper 29 and transported away with the functional belt 19. The force with which the stripper 29 is pressed against the perforated drum 9 is adjusted via the second pneumatic cylinder 35. This also enables the stripper 29 to dynamically follow the perforated drum 9 if it should shift or deform due to high loads from the device 1. To adjust the tension of the functional belt 19, the tension roller 23 can be moved by means of the third pneumatic cylinder 37. The tension roller 23 can be moved either away from or towards the pressure roller 21 in order to adjust the tension of the pneumatic belt. List of reference symbols 1 device 3 Workspace 5 Machine area 7 Partition wall 9 hole drum 11 Outer wall 13 holes 15 Direction of rotation 17 borders 19 Functional band 21 roller, pressure roller 23 roller, tension pulley 25 Role, leadership role 27a-27d axis of rotation 29 scrapers 31 Interior of the perforated drum 32a, 32b cross member 33 pneumatic cylinders, pressure pneumatic cylinders 35 second pneumatic cylinder 37 third pneumatic cylinder 39 Lever arrangement 41a, 41b swingarm 43 Swivel axis 45 first section 47 shaft 49 Piston rod 51 second section 53 Piston rod 55 Control element 57 Swivel axis, scraper axis 59 Piston rod 61 Control element 63 Adjusting axis, clamping axis 65 swingarm

Claims

[1] Device (1) for separating a starting material by means of a perforated drum (9) into components of different flowability, wherein the device (1) has a closed, circulating functional belt (19) which runs in sections along the perforated drum (9) and which is configured to guide the starting material against the perforated drum (9), wherein the functional band (19) is guided over a plurality of rollers, wherein the plurality of rollers comprises at least one tension roller (23) and one pressure roller (21), wherein the tension roller (23) is configured to keep the functional band (19) under tension, and wherein the pressure roller (21) is configured to press the functional band (19) against the perforated drum (9) with an adjustable force, wherein the device further comprises a lever arrangement (39) and a pressure pneumatic cylinder (33), wherein the pressure roller (21) is connected to the lever arrangement (39) in such a way that by pivoting the lever arrangement (39) about a pivot axis (43) by means of the pressure pneumatic cylinder (33), a position of the pressure roller (21) can be changed and thus the force with which the functional band (19) is pressed against the perforated drum (9) can be adjusted. [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lever arrangement (39) comprises two rockers (41a, 41b) extending parallel to one another, which are pivotable about the same pivot axis (43), wherein the pressure pneumatic cylinder (33) acts on both rockers (41a, 41b). [3] Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the pressure pneumatic cylinder (33) engages the rockers (41a, 41b; 65) via a transverse connection extending between the rockers (41a, 41b; 65). [4] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure pneumatic cylinder (33) and the pressure roller (21) are connected to opposite sections (45; 51) of the lever arrangement (39) with respect to the pivot axis (43). [5] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure roller (21) rotates about an axis of rotation (27a, 27b, 27c, 27d) during operation of the device (1) and is connected to the lever arrangement (39) along the axis of rotation (27a, 27b, 27c, 27d). [6] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure pneumatic cylinder (33) is subjected to a pressure of maximum 10 bar and preferably to a pressure of maximum 6 bar. [7] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a stripper (29) is arranged on the perforated drum (9), which stripper is configured to remove components of the starting material adhering to the outside of the perforated drum (9) behind the pressure roller (21) in the direction of rotation (15) of the perforated drum (9), wherein the stripper (29) is arranged on the device (1) so as to be pivotable about a stripper axis (57) in order to adjust a distance of the stripper (29) from the perforated drum (9), and wherein the device (1) comprises a second pneumatic cylinder (35) configured to pivot the scraper (29) about the scraper axis (57). [8] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tensioning roller (23) can be pivoted about a tensioning axis for tensioning the functional band (19), wherein the tensioning axis is spaced from a rotation axis (27a, 27b, 27c, 27d) about which the tensioning roller (23) rotates during operation of the device (1), and wherein the device (1) comprises a third pneumatic cylinder (37) which is configured to pivot the tensioning roller (23) about the tensioning axis (63). [9] Device (1) according to claim 7 and / or claim 8, wherein the pressure cylinder and the further pneumatic cylinder(s) (33) are supplied with compressed air from the same compressed air source. [10] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow drum and the pressure roller (21) are driven by the same drive, wherein the pressure roller (21) drives the functional belt (19). [11] Method for separating a starting material by means of a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims into components of different flowability, wherein a starting material with two or more components of different flowability is guided against the perforated drum (9) by the functional belt (19), wherein the functional belt (19) is kept under tension by means of the tensioning roller (23) and is pressed against the perforated drum (9) by the pressure roller (21) with an adjustable force, wherein the force is adjusted by the pressure pneumatic cylinder (33) pivoting the pressure roller (21) about the pivot axis (43) via the lever arrangement (39). [12] Method according to claim 11, wherein the pressure pneumatic cylinder (33) is subjected to a pressure of maximum 10 bar and preferably to a pressure of maximum 6 bar for adjusting the force. [13] Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the method is carried out with a device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the stripper (29) detaches components of the starting material adhering to the outside of the perforated drum (9) behind the pressure roller (21) in the direction of rotation of the perforated drum (9), wherein the stripper (29) is pivoted about the stripper axis (57) by means of the second pneumatic cylinder (35) in order to adjust the distance of the stripper (29) from the perforated drum (9). [14] Method according to claim 11, 12 or 3, wherein the method is carried out with a device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the tensioning roller (23) for tensioning the functional band (19) is pivoted about a tensioning axis (63) by means of the third pneumatic cylinder (37). [15] Use of a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 for separating a starting material by means of a perforated drum (9) and a functional belt (19) into components of different flowability.

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