DEVICE FOR DISPENSING PASTY OR VOCACITY SUBSTANCE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for dispensing pasty or viscous material as defined in claim 1.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a system as defined in claim 13.

[0003] Devices with movable dispensing units for dispensing pasty foodstuffs or similar are generally known. Such movable dispensing units are used, for example, as so-called attachments (also sold separately) on sausage filling machines, which are largely automated. Automatic sausage filling machines generally feature so-called twisting devices with casing brakes, which serve to ensure reliable removal and filling of the casing and twisting of the sausages during the filling process, so that a continuous chain of sausages can be produced. Therefore, in such filling machines, a filling tube equipped with casing is inserted into this casing brake, i.e., brought into the dispensing position, in order to dispense the sausage meat via the filling tube and thus fill the casing.To change the casing, the filling tube must be pulled back out of the casing brake into the waiting position in order to make its end accessible for re-loading with a casing.

[0004] Instead of retracting the delivery unit to the standby position, the casing brake or twisting device could be pivoted away. However, this is not always practical, for example, if the delivery unit has two filling tubes and switching between the two filling tubes requires rotating a changeover unit of the delivery unit that supports the filling tubes, or if only a fixed, non-pivoting casing brake or twisting device is to be used. Such delivery units with two or more filling tubes are already known in principle, for example, as so-called "twin or triple heads."

[0005] When the dispensing unit is moved back into the standby position, the dispensing unit is moved towards the filling machine, resulting in a shortening of the transport path for the product. In practice, this can be compensated for, for example, by a telescopic connecting pipe between the filling machine and dispensing unit that can be adjusted in length. Since the filling product, such as sausage meat, is not compressible or only compressible to a relatively small extent, the filling product cannot be pushed back into the filling machine when the dispensing unit is pulled back, or can only be partially pushed back, or can be compressed during transport. In practice, this often results in filling product running along the transport path and out of the dispensing end of the filling pipe, i.e. ultimately, when the dispensing unit is moved back, a not insignificant amount of filling product is pushed into the dispensing unit and out of the filling pipe. This is obviously a disadvantage, especially from a hygiene point of view.Previously known solutions for solving this lagging problem include, among other things, retracting the product using a specially installed pump, using a retraction piston installed between the filling machine and the dispensing unit, or using the filling machine's conveyor system. Closing the transport path by moving the dispensing unit itself into the standby position is also known. However, practice has shown that these solutions have at least the disadvantage of not sufficiently minimizing or completely preventing the problem of lagging product. Furthermore, at least some of the above-mentioned solutions can pose a significant space problem or involve excessive design or control engineering effort.

[0006] A device for filling sausage casings is known, for example, from EP 3 178 326 A1. At the end of a filling process, a filling tube is moved axially from a filling position onto a closure element to close an opening in the filling tube. However, even in this case, filling material still in the filling tube can escape during retraction of the filling tube, as the filling material in the filling tube can expand toward the end of the filling tube.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device of the type mentioned at the outset in which the running-on of filling material can be minimized or avoided.

[0008] This object is achieved by a device for dispensing pasty or viscous material according to claim 1.

[0009] According to the invention, a closure system is provided which automatically interrupts a transport path for the goods running through the dispensing unit between the inlet and outlet for a change from the dispensing position to the waiting position in order to prevent goods from running through the transport path caused by the movement of the dispensing unit into the waiting position.

[0010] The locking system therefore serves to automatically close the transport path, at least partially, at the right time to prevent the goods from moving further along the transport path. The locking system according to the invention reliably prevents contamination of the system without additional effort for the operating personnel.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the closure system comprises a closure device and an actuating device for actuating the closure device. The closure system is characterized by its multi-part design, with the closure device being designed as a "passive" part and the actuating device being able to assume an "active" role by actuating the closure device. One advantage of this division is that such a closure system can be easily integrated into existing dispensing devices.

[0012] Another embodiment provides for the closure device to be arranged on the dispensing unit and to be movable together with the dispensing unit relative to the actuating device. Arranging the closure device on the dispensing unit has the advantage that the transport path of the goods can be interrupted particularly easily at the point where the problem of lagging arises. Since the problem of lagging arises only through the movement of the dispensing unit, it is advantageous to also provide the closure device on the dispensing unit.

[0013] The actuating device, however, does not necessarily have to be arranged on the dispensing unit. This can mean, but does not necessarily mean, that the two devices are at least temporarily separated from one another in such a way that the closure device cannot be actuated temporarily. In particular, it can be sufficient if the actuating device can only actuate the closure device in one of the two positions of the dispensing unit. Alternatively, it is also possible that although there is a relative movement between the closure device and the actuating device, the two devices are nevertheless in constant operative connection with one another or form a constant operative configuration with one another, so that the actuating device can actuate the closure device at any time.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, the actuating device is arranged on a stationary holding unit. This embodiment therefore provides that the actuating device is arranged stationary and therefore does not move with the dispensing unit. The stationary holding unit can, in principle, have multiple functions. For example, it can be designed merely as a holder for the actuating device. Alternatively, it is also possible for the holding unit to serve as a base for the entire dispensing unit in at least one of the two positions of the dispensing unit, for example, as a support along which the dispensing unit can move, for example, slide.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the closure device and the actuating device can be brought into an operative configuration by moving the dispensing unit into one of its positions, in particular into the dispensing position, which operative configuration can be canceled by moving the dispensing unit into its other position, in particular into the standby position. This embodiment accordingly provides that the actuating device and the closure device do not interact continuously, but only in one of the two positions of the dispensing unit, preferably in the dispensing position. Within the meaning of the invention, the term "operative configuration" is understood to mean any configuration of the actuating and closure devices, and in particular any type of connection in which the actuating device can actuate the closure device. This can be, for example, a mechanical connection or a magnetic coupling.Other detachable connections are also conceivable in principle.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the active configuration is a mechanical, in particular a form-fitting, connection.

[0017] A further embodiment provides that the operating configuration enables the transmission of opposing actuating movements of the actuating device to the closure device. This means that the actuating device only needs to be capable of a back-and-forth movement to both interrupt and release the transport path. Such actuating devices can be implemented simply and inexpensively, for example, in the form of piston / cylinder arrangements, and are particularly easy to control. This is also particularly advantageous with regard to the possible integration of the closure system into existing dispensing devices.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, an adjusting movement of the actuating device for actuating the closure device takes place along an actuating axis that is not parallel to a movement axis along which the movement of the dispensing unit between the dispensing position and the waiting position takes place. Thus, the actuating device can be arranged at any location in the area of ​​the dispensing unit, since the adjusting movement of the actuating device does not have to take place along the same axis as the movement of the dispensing unit. This is particularly advantageous when space is limited and the closure system therefore cannot be used in any location. The actuating axis and the movement axis preferably run perpendicular to one another.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that the closure device has a closure element which can be adjusted by means of the actuating device between a release position in which the transport path for the goods is released and a blocking position in which the transport path for the goods is interrupted.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, when the closure element is moved into the blocking position, at least part of the goods is moved out of the transport path with the closure element and is brought back into the transport path when the closure element is moved into the release position.

[0021] This means that despite the transport path being interrupted and subsequently released by the closure element, no goods enter the environment.

[0022] The closure element is preferably designed as a slider, in particular as a flat, plate-shaped, or strip-shaped slider. As a closure element, a slider can interrupt and release the transport path in a comparatively simple manner without taking up unnecessary space.

[0023] Preferably, the closure element has a through-opening for the goods, which in the release position of the closure element lies in the transport path for the goods.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the closure element has at least one stop surface that serves as a limit for movement into the locked position and / or the released position. This allows the use of comparatively simple actuating devices to move the closure element, which, in particular, are only operated between two end positions and cannot specifically control arbitrary intermediate positions, as is the case with servo motors, for example. This facilitates the control of the actuating device and thus also the integration of the closure system into existing dispensing devices.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the closure device comprises a preferably multi-part housing for the closure element, in which the closure element is movable between the release position and the blocking position. The closure element can be arranged either completely or only partially within the housing. Preferably, the housing has a passage for the product that is interrupted by the closure element in the blocking position.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the housing is constructed in multiple parts and has a recess on an inner wall of at least one housing part, which is designed as a guide for the movement of the closure element between the locked position and the released position. Such a housing enables a compact arrangement and guidance of the closure element and, due to the multi-part design, can be disassembled and thus easily cleaned.

[0027] Furthermore, it can be provided that the dispensing unit and / or the housing has a positioning aid, in particular a preferably circular projection on an outer wall, by means of which the housing is positioned relative to the dispensing unit and a passage of the housing is aligned with the transport path. Such positioning aids can significantly simplify the attachment of the closure device to the dispensing unit. Any passages or inlet openings already present can be advantageously used for this purpose.

[0028] The actuating device can comprise a piston / cylinder unit, particularly a pneumatically operated one, as the drive unit. Such units represent comparatively simple and cost-effective drive systems that can provide opposing actuating movements.

[0029] A piston of the piston / cylinder unit can be designed as an actuator or can carry an actuator, wherein the actuator interacts directly with a closure element of the closure device.

[0030] Preferably, the actuating device can be controlled depending on the movement of the dispensing unit. Since the locking system is only necessary in certain positions or movement phases of the dispensing unit, it is advantageous if the actuating device only actuates the locking device when the dispensing unit is currently in such a position or movement phase. This can be achieved if the control of the actuating device is derived from the movement of the dispensing unit.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the dispensing unit has at least two outlets arranged on an interchangeable unit movable relative to a base body of the dispensing unit such that, in the dispensing position, one of the outlets corresponds to the transport path and, at least in the waiting position, the outlets can be switched between by moving the interchangeable unit relative to the base body. Such dispensing units, also referred to as "twin heads" and provided, for example, with two spaced-apart filling tubes, are generally known and allow particularly efficient operation in practice. Since only one outlet corresponds to the transport path at a time, the other outlet can be prepared for its next use while material is being dispensed from one outlet.In the standby position, the exchange unit can be moved relative to the base body to switch between the two outlets, positioning the prepared outlet for subsequent use. For this purpose, the exchange unit can be attached to the base body in a rotatable manner, for example.

[0032] In practice, such a "twin head" cannot usually be used in conjunction with a pivoting casing brake or twisting device, so it must be moved back to switch between outlets. The invention is therefore particularly advantageous for such dispensing units with a changeable unit.

[0033] The invention also relates to a system comprising a filling machine, in particular a vacuum filling machine or piston filling machine, a dispensing device according to the invention, and a connecting device via which the filling machine feeds the product to the dispensing device. Known vacuum filling machines include, for example, vane cell filling machines or screw filling machines.

[0034] Preferably, the connecting device is designed to be variable in length, in particular telescopic, to compensate for the movement of the dispensing unit.

[0035] Preferably, a control device is provided which controls the operation of the actuating device as a function of the movement of the dispensing unit, in particular such that the transport path is interrupted before the dispensing unit is moved from the dispensing position to the waiting position, and the transport path is released at the earliest when the dispensing unit has been moved from the waiting position back to the dispensing position. In this way, the same pressure conditions prevail along the transport path, and in particular at the outlet of the dispensing unit, both during closing and during the subsequent release of the transport path, so that overrun is reliably prevented and the precise and targeted dispensing of the goods is not impaired by the movement of the dispensing unit or the temporary closing of the transport path.Furthermore, this makes it particularly easy to synchronize the dispensing process, and in particular the filling of sausages with sausage meat, since the same pressure is applied when the slider is opened as before closing. Previously known solutions, which, for example, involve suctioning the sausage meat from the dispensing unit, result in different pressure conditions in the dispensing device at different times during the changeover process between positions, meaning that the starting point of the subsequent filling process must be readjusted after each changeover in order to fill each sausage with exactly the same amount of sausage meat, without, for example, causing air pockets.In other words, before the transport path is cleared, the filling machine must first replenish sufficient material that was previously sucked back, or at least build up sufficient pressure that was previously released, so that filling operations can resume without any loss of quality. This increases the complexity of controlling the dispensing or filling process. This problem can be avoided by ensuring that consistent pressure conditions in the dispensing device are maintained over time.

[0036] Preferably, the control device is a central control device of the filling machine, which is also capable of controlling the dispensing device. This ensures that the product from the filling machine is only made available to the dispensing device when the dispensing unit is in the dispensing position. If the dispensing unit is in the standby position, the supply of product is interrupted or awaited. Alternatively, the dispensing device has its own control device, which can communicate with a control device of the filling machine or with a higher-level control system of an entire system, of which the system consisting of the filling machine and dispensing device is a component. It is preferably provided that the control device of the filling machine or the higher-level control system forms a "master," and the control device of the dispensing device serves as a "slave."

[0037] The invention also relates to a method for operating a device according to the invention or a system according to the invention, in which the closure system interrupts the transport path before the dispensing unit moves from the dispensing position to the waiting position and only releases it again when the dispensing unit has moved back to the dispensing position.

[0038] As already mentioned above, this advantageously ensures that when the transport path is released, the same pressure conditions prevail as before the previous interruption of the transport path, which in particular simplifies the synchronization of the process flow.

[0039] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawing, which shows: Fig. 1: schematically shows a system according to the invention comprising a filling machine and a dispensing device; Fig. 2: an embodiment of a closure system of the dispensing device in an exploded view; Figs. 3 to 5: individual components of the closure system; Figs. 6 to 8: the closure system and a dispensing unit in different operating phases.

[0040] In Fig. 1 A system according to the invention comprising a filling machine 62 and a dispensing device 10 is schematically shown, wherein the filling machine 62 is connected to the dispensing device 10 via a connecting device 64. The connecting device 64 is schematically shown here as being formed by two tubes 68 that can slide telescopically into one another when a dispensing unit 12 of the dispensing device 10 moves relative to the filling machine 62.

[0041] The dispensing unit 12 is movably mounted on a stationary holding unit 26 supported by a frame, which also serves as a carrier for an actuating device 24. The left detailed view in Fig. 1 shows the holding unit 26 with the dispensing unit 12 in a front view of the side facing away from the filling machine 62. The actuating device 24 is arranged in a lower recess 70 of the holding unit 26. The dispensing unit 12 can slide in an upper, larger recess 71, approximately semicircular in cross-section, relative to the holding unit 26 and the filling machine 62 along a horizontal movement axis 30. The smaller recess 70 for the actuating device 24 is formed in the bottom of the larger recess 71.

[0042] In Fig. 1 The dispensing unit 12 is in a rear, retracted waiting position closer to the filling machine 62. In the front dispensing position, further away from the filling machine 62, there is a closure element 32 (see right detailed view in Fig. 1 ) a closure device, which is arranged on a base body 56 of the dispensing unit 12, directly above the actuating device 24, so that the actuating device 24 and the closure element 32 can interact, which in the waiting position according to Fig. 1 is not possible. The actuating device 24 ensures adjusting movements of the closure element 32 along an actuating axis 28 running perpendicular to the movement axis 30 of the dispensing unit 12.

[0043] The design and functioning of the closure device 22 are described below with reference to Fig. 2 bis 5 and their functioning in interaction with the dispensing unit 12 based on the Fig. 6 bis 8 explained in more detail.

[0044] The dispensing unit 12 has two filling tubes 16 serving as outlets for the product, which are attached to a change unit 58 of the dispensing unit 12, which is mounted on the base body 56 so as to be rotatable about an axis running parallel to the movement axis 30. During operation, the product is dispensed via only one of the filling tubes 16 at a time. The other filling tube 16 is then not part of a transport path for the product, which runs from the filling machine 62 through the connecting device 64 and the dispensing unit 12 to the dispensing opening of the active filling tube 16. The active filling tube 16 is located here at approximately the same height as the connecting tubes 68 and like an inlet 14 formed in the base body 56 (cf. right detailed view in Fig. 1 ) of the delivery unit 12.

[0045] Furthermore, Fig. 1 a twisting device 72 with casing brake arranged on the same frame as the delivery unit 12, which has a funnel-shaped receptacle 73, for example, into which the respectively active filling tube 16 projects with its delivery opening when the delivery unit 12 is in the front, in Fig. 1 not shown delivery position.

[0046] During the filling operation, the filling material is discharged via the currently active filling tube 16 into a casing that has previously been pulled onto the filling tube 16. The filled casing leaves the twisting device 72 via an outlet 74.

[0047] The structure and functioning of twisting devices and casing brakes are generally known to the person skilled in the art, so that there is no need to go into this in more detail.

[0048] The filling machine 62 has a central control device 66 which controls both the operation of the filling machine 62 and the operation of the dispensing device 10 including the closure system according to the invention, in particular the actuating device 24, depending on the course of the filling process and in particular on the back and forth movement of the dispensing unit 12 for changing between the filling tubes 16. For this purpose, the filling machine 62 and the dispensing device 10 are connected to one another in a suitable manner, not shown here, in terms of control technology.

[0049] In the following, the structure of the locking device 22 is described using the Fig. 2 bis 5 described in more detail. Fig 2 shows an exploded view of the locking system with the locking device 22, the actuating device 24 and a connecting tube 68.

[0050] The closure device 22 comprises a housing with two housing parts 44A, 44B. Both housing parts 44A, 44B have a passage 40 through which the transport path for the filling material runs. The housing part 44A serves as a base plate, which is attached directly to the base body 56 of the dispensing unit 12 and has a recess 46 ( Fig. 3 ), which, in the assembled state, serves as a guide for the closure element 32. In addition, both housing parts 44A, 44B have screw holes 80 for screws 81, by means of which the two housing parts 44A, 44B are screwed together, i.e. when the housing is assembled, to the base body 56.

[0051] To seal the housing 44A, 44B from the outside, a sealing ring 86 is arranged between the closure element 32 and the housing part 44B located away from the base body 56, which sealing ring 86 consists of a different material on its side facing the closure element 32 than on the side facing the housing part 44B and for which the housing part 44B is provided with a receptacle 45 ( Fig. 4 ). The sealing ring 86 may be a composite element made of a hard material that interacts with the closure element 32 and an elastic material for sealing against the housing part 44B.

[0052] The housing part 44B also has an annular projection 48 on its outer wall ( Fig. 4 ), through which the connecting tube 68 is aligned with the closure device. The housing part 44A also has a projection 48 ( Fig. 3 ), via which the housing part 44A and thus the closure device as a whole is positioned on the dispensing unit 12 in the correct alignment relative to its inlet 14.

[0053] In the assembled state, a continuous transport path for the filling material is provided from the filling machine 62 to the discharge opening of the respectively active filling tube 16.

[0054] The closure element 32 ( Fig. 5 ) is designed as a flat slide which has a through opening 34, two stop surfaces 36 and a connecting contour 76.

[0055] Two pins 78 of the locking device ( Fig. 2 ), which can also serve as an assembly aid when assembling the locking device. If the slider 32 moves in Fig. 2 downwards, the stop surfaces 36 strike the pins 78 and stop the movement of the slide 32. The pins 78 serve as an assembly aid in that the housing parts 44A, 44B have holes 79 on their respective inner walls, into which the pins 78 are inserted when assembling the locking device.

[0056] The actuating device 24 comprises a pneumatically operated piston / cylinder arrangement. The piston 54, which is movable in the cylinder 53, carries a piston rod 54a (both in Fig. 2 shown in dashed lines), which in turn carries an actuator 55 which has at its free end a head 84 in the form of a circular cylindrical disc which can form a positive connection with a recess of a connecting contour 76 of the slide 32, described below.

[0057] The connecting contour 76 of the slide 32 comprises two tabs 82, which can engage behind a head 84 of an actuator 55 of the piston 54 when the dispensing unit 12 is in the dispensing position. The tabs 82 delimit a recess that corresponds to the contour of the head 84 and into which the head 84 moves when the dispensing unit 12 and thus the slide 32 reaches the dispensing position. This positive connection between the slide 32 and the head 84 of the actuator 55 ensures that the drive unit 52 of the actuating device 24, with the aid of the piston 54 carrying the actuator 55, can move the closure element 32 into Fig. 2 can be pushed upwards into the release position as well as pulled downwards into the locking position (see also Fig. 6 bis 8 ).

[0058] The operative configuration between the closure device and the actuating device 24 is consequently established when the movement of the dispensing unit 12 into the dispensing position along the movement axis 30 ( Fig. 1 ) the tabs 82 have been pushed under the head 84. With respect to the actuating axis 28, there is then a positive connection between the drive unit 52 and the slide 32. If the dispensing unit 12 is returned to the standby position, the tabs 82 are disengaged from the head 84 and the active configuration is canceled again.

[0059] The Fig. 6 bis 8 show the closure system according to the invention in the assembled state and attached to the dispensing unit 12. To simplify the illustration, the other components of the dispensing device 10 ( Fig. 1 ) is not shown, in particular the holding unit 26, on which the dispensing unit 12 is adjustably supported in the direction of movement 30 and into which the actuating device 24 is integrated.

[0060] The two filling tubes 16 of the cylindrical dispensing unit 12 are attached to the exchange unit 58, which can be rotated relative to the base body 56 by means of a drive (not shown), so that by rotating the exchange unit 58 by 180 degrees it is possible to switch between the two filling tubes 16.

[0061] At the entrance 14 ( Fig. 1 The closure device 22 is mounted on the upper end of the base body 56, the housing 44A, 44B of which is screwed to the base body 56. The slide 32 projects downward from the housing 44A, 44B so that the connecting contour 76 can interact with the head 84 of the actuator 55 of the piston / cylinder unit 52 of the actuating device 24.

[0062] Between the closure device 22 attached to the base body 56 of the dispensing unit 12 and the filling machine 62 (not shown here) Fig. 1 ) extend the two telescopically inserted tubes 68, one of which is connected to the housing part 44B and the other is connected to the filling machine 62.

[0063] In Fig. 6 the dispensing unit 12 is in the retracted standby position according to Fig. 1 The two tubes 68 are pushed together and the slide 32 is in the locked position. In this position, work can be carried out on the filling tubes 16. In particular, the Fig. 6 The upper filling tube 16, onto which a new casing was previously pulled, is moved into the position of the lower filling tube 16 by rotating the exchange unit 58 and thus placed in the transport path of the product. During this operating phase, the filling machine 62 is not active and the conveying process of the product is interrupted. The transport path of the product into the discharge unit 12 is interrupted by the slide 32.

[0064] In Fig. 7 However, the dispensing unit 12 is in the advanced dispensing position. Consequently, the closure device with the slide 32 is at the same height as the actuating device 24, ie the tabs 82 of the slide 32 engage behind the head 84 of the actuator 55. The two tubes 68 are pulled apart due to the now greater distance between the dispensing unit 12 and the filling machine 62, so that in Fig. 7 the inner connecting tube 68 can also be seen.

[0065] In Fig. 7 the slide 32 is still in the blocking position, since the piston 54 of the actuating device 24 is still in the retracted position, ie in Fig. 7 downward position. At this point in time, the delivery unit 12 has already moved into the delivery position, but the conveying process of the goods has not yet begun again.

[0066] The Fig. 8 finally shows the working situation in which the delivery unit 12 is located as in Fig. 7 is in the delivery position, but the piston 54 now moves along the actuating axis 28 ( Fig. 1 ) has been extended upwards and has thus moved the slide 32 into the release position via the actuator 55. The transport path for the product to be dispensed is now cleared, and the product can be conveyed by means of the filling machine 62 through the two tubes 68, the closure device, and the dispensing unit 12 to the relevant filling tube 16.

[0067] Before the dispensing unit 12 returns to the standby position for the next filling tube change according to Fig. 6 is moved, is first controlled by means of the control device 66 ( Fig. 1 ) the actuating device 24 is activated to pull the slide 32 downwards into the blocking position and to interrupt the transport path for the goods. The device is then again in the state according to Fig. 7 . As an end stop for the stop surfaces 36 of the slide 32 ( Fig. 5 ) during the downward movement, the two pins 78 ( Fig. 2 ). The locking position of the slide 32 is thus defined by the pins 78 and does not need to be specifically controlled by the actuating device 24.

[0068] Subsequently, the delivery unit 12 is returned to the waiting position according to Fig. 6 retracted. As a result, the material on the transport path up to the slide 32 is compressed in the tubes 68 or pushed back into the filling machine 62. However, the material can no longer be pushed into the dispensing unit 12 and out of the filling tube 16, since the transport path in this direction is interrupted by the slide 32 being in the locked position.

[0069] The through hole 34 of the slide 32 ( Fig. 5 The goods located in the transport path ( ) are moved out of the transport path when the slide 32 is opened, but only temporarily, since these goods return to the transport path when the slide 32 is closed. The closure device is therefore designed such that, despite the alternating interruption and release of the transport path, the device is not contaminated by the goods.

[0070] In general, the invention also has the advantage that the closure system can be retrofitted to existing dispensing devices with relatively little effort. The actuating device can be easily integrated into the holding unit. The "on-board" closure device requires little space, can be easily mounted on the dispensing unit, and is designed to be passive, meaning no active components need to be controlled. Only the drive unit of the actuating device needs to be controlled.

[0071] The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. List of reference symbols

[0072] 10Device 12Dispensing unit 14Inlet 16Outlet, filling tube 22Closing device 24Actuating device 26Holding unit 28Actuating axis 30Moving axis 32Closing element, slide 34Through opening 36Stop surface 40Through 44AHousing part, base plate 44BHousing part 45Receptacle 46Recess 48Positioning aid 52Drive unit 53Cylinder 54Piston 54aPiston rod 55Actuator 56Base body 58Changeover unit 62Filling machine 64Connecting device 66Control device 68Tube 70Recess 71Recess 72Casing twisting device 73Receptacle 74Outlet 76Connecting contour 78Pin 79Hole 80Screw hole 81Screw 82Tab 84Head 86Sealing ring

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for dispensing pasty or viscous material, in particular for filling casings with sausage meat, comprising a dispensing unit (12) which can be moved between a dispensing position and a waiting position, wherein the dispensing unit (12) can be moved from the dispensing position into the waiting position by a pulling back, wherein the dispensing unit (12) has an inlet (14) for receiving the material and at least one outlet (16), in particular a filling tube, for dispensing the material, characterized in that a closure system (22, 24) is provided which, for a change from the dispensing position to the waiting position, automatically interrupts a transport path for the material, said transport path running through the dispensing unit (12) between the inlet (14) and the outlet (16), in order to prevent a lagging of material through the transport path that is caused by the movement of the dispensing unit (12) into the waiting position.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the closure system comprises a closing device (22) and an actuating device (24) for actuating the closing device (22).

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the closing device (22) is arranged at the dispensing unit (12) and is movable together with the dispensing unit (12) relative to the actuating device (24), and / or wherein the actuating device (24) is arranged at a stationary holding unit (26).

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, by moving the dispensing unit (12) into its one position, in particular the dispensing position, the closing device (22) and the actuating device (24) can be brought into an active configuration with one another which can be canceled by moving the dispensing unit (12) into its other position, in particular the waiting position, in particular wherein the active configuration is a mechanical connection, in particular a form-fitting connection.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the active configuration enables a transmission of oppositely directed actuating movements of the actuating device (24) to the closing device (22).

6. An apparatus according to any one of the claims 2 to 5, wherein an actuating movement of the actuating device (24) for actuating the closing device takes place along an axis of actuation (28) which does not extend parallel to, in particular extends perpendicular to, an axis of movement (30) along which the movement of the dispensing unit (12) between the dispensing position and the waiting position takes place.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the claims 2 to 6, wherein the closing device (22) has a closing element (32) which can be adjusted by means of the actuating device (24) between a release position, in which the transport path for the material is released, and a blocking position in which the transport path for the material is interrupted, in particular wherein at least some of the material is moved out of the transport path with the closing element (32) during the movement of the closing element (32) into the blocking position and is brought back into the transport path again during the movement of the closing element (32) into the release position.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the closing element (32) is configured as a slider, in particular as a flat, plate-shaped or strip-shaped slider, and / or wherein the closing element (32) has a passage opening (34) for the material that lies in the transport path for the material in the release position of the closing element (32), and / or wherein the closing element (32) has at least one stop surface (36) which serves as a limit for the movement into the blocking position and / or into the release position.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the closing device has a housing, preferably a multi-part housing (38), for the closing element (32), in which housing the closing element (32) can be moved between the release position and the blocking position, in particular wherein the housing (38) has a passage (40) for the material, said passage being interrupted by the closing element (32) in the blocking position thereof.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the housing (38) is formed in multiple parts and has, at an inner wall of at least one housing part (44A), a recess (46) which is configured as a guide for the movement of the closing element (32) between the blocking position and the release position, and / or wherein the dispensing unit (12) and / or the housing (38) has / have a positioning aid (48), in particular a preferably circular projection at an outer wall, by means of which the housing (38) is positioned relative to the dispensing unit (12) and a passage (40) of the housing (38) is aligned with the transport path for the material.

11. An apparatus according to any one of the claims 2 to 10, wherein the actuating device (24) comprises a piston / cylinder unit, in particular a pneumatically operable piston / cylinder unit, as a drive unit (52), in particular wherein a piston (54) of the piston / cylinder unit is configured as an actuator or carries an actuator (55), wherein the actuator (55) interacts directly with a closing element (32) of the closing device (22), and / or wherein the actuating device (24) can be actuated in dependence on the movement of the dispensing unit (12).

12. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing unit (12) has at least two outlets (16) which are arranged at a change unit (58), which is movable relative to a base body (56) of the dispensing unit (12), such that, in the dispensing position, one of the outlets (16) corresponds to the transport path and, at least in the waiting position, a change between the outlets (16) can be made by a movement of the change unit (58) relative to the base body (56), in particular by a rotary movement.

13. A system (60) comprising a filling machine (62), in particular a vacuum filling machine or a piston filling machine, a dispensing apparatus (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims and a connection device (64) via which the filling machine (62) feeds the material to the dispensing apparatus (10), in particular wherein the connection device (64) is variable in length, in particular telescopic, to compensate for the movement of the dispensing unit (12).

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein a control device (66) is provided which controls the operation of the actuating device (24) in dependence on the movement of the dispensing unit (12), in particular such that the transport path is interrupted before the dispensing unit (12) is moved from the dispensing position into the waiting position, and the transport path is released at the earliest when the dispensing unit (12) has been moved from the waiting position back into the dispensing position.

15. A method of operating an apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 12 or a system according to claim 13 or 14, in which the closure system (22, 24) interrupts the transport path before the dispensing unit (12) moves from the dispensing position into the waiting position and only releases the transport path again when the dispensing unit (12) has moved back into the dispensing position again.