DROP FORMER AND DEVICE WITH A DROP FORMER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a droplet former for producing lozenges from a free-flowing substance, comprising a perforated outer drum rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis, and an inner body arranged inside the outer drum. The inner body is provided with at least one feed channel for the free-flowing substance, and during operation of the droplet former, the inner body discharges the free-flowing substance towards an inner surface of the outer drum. The invention also relates to a device comprising a droplet former according to the invention and a circulating belt for depositing product droplets. Droplet formers of this type are known, for example, from DE 35 30 508 A1, DE 198 46 935 C1, DE 103 06 691 A1, or EP 0 244 849 B1.

[0002] The invention aims to improve a droplet former and a device with a droplet former with regard to the processing of abrasive and / or sedimenting flowable substances.

[0003] According to the invention, a droplet former with the features of claim 1 or a device with a droplet former with the features of claim 13 is provided for this purpose. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0004] In a droplet former for producing pastilles from a free-flowing substance, comprising a perforated outer drum rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis and an inner body arranged inside the outer drum, wherein the inner body is provided with at least one feed channel for the free-flowing substance and wherein the inner body rests against an inner side of the outer drum during operation of the droplet former, it is provided that the inner body rests against the inner side of the rotating outer drum exclusively under the influence of gravity.

[0005] As a result, the inner body is pressed against the inside of the outer drum solely by its own weight. This allows the inner body to move slightly, resulting in less abrasion when processing abrasive, free-flowing substances. It also significantly reduces the risk of the drop former clogging. If, for example, solid particles or dried residues of the free-flowing substance are present on the inner body or the inner circumference of the outer drum, the inner body simply moves away from these solids, preventing blockage, and the continuous movement allows the blockage to clear.

[0006] In a further development of the invention, the inner body has a stator and a sliding shoe arranged on the stator, wherein at least one contact surface of the sliding shoe, which rests against an inner circumference of the outer drum, is made of a softer material than the inner circumference of the outer drum.

[0007] Because the sliding shoe is made of a softer material than the inner circumference of the outer drum, it can wear out faster than the inner circumference of the outer drum and can be replaced when excessively worn. The device according to the invention can therefore be used in a particularly suitable way for the continuous pastillation of abrasive, free-flowing substances, for example, sulfur-solid mixtures or other liquid / solid mixtures, especially fertilizers. The sliding shoe is, for example, attached longitudinally to a stator that forms part of the inner body and connected to the inner body, for example, by means of a dovetail joint. This allows the sliding shoe to be reliably fixed and yet easily replaced.

[0008] In a further development of the invention, the inner body is provided with at least two heating channels.

[0009] In cross-section, the heating channels surround a feed channel in the inner body in sections. These heating channels ensure uniform and reliable heating of the fluid within the stator, thus significantly reducing the risk of solidification of the fluid within the inner body and consequently the risk of clogging.

[0010] In a further development of the invention, a distribution strip is provided on the inner body, by means of which the flowable medium is deflected several times and discharged in the direction of the inner circumference of the outer drum.

[0011] The distribution bar is located in the feed channel between the inner body and the sliding shoe and ensures an even distribution of the flowable substance over the length of the inner body.

[0012] In a further development of the invention, the distribution strip and / or the sliding shoe is arranged to be fully extendable in the longitudinal direction of the outer drum on the inner body.

[0013] The distribution strip and the sliding shoe can therefore be removed very easily, for example for maintenance purposes. The sliding shoe can be held in place on the inner body by means of a dovetail guide, and the distribution strip can be held in place in a recess in the inner body, allowing it to be extended.

[0014] In a further development of the invention, the inner body is part of a stator arranged inside the outer drum, wherein the stator has at least one support rod and the inner body is held inside the outer drum by means of the at least one support rod in and against the direction of rotation of the outer drum.

[0015] The at least one support rod is held on supports on at least one side, wherein the supports are held in the area of ​​bearing plates or on the bearing plates of the outer drum; generally, the support rods are held in the area of ​​at least one of the lateral rotary bearings of the outer drum.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, the inner body is arranged to be fully extendable in the outer drum in the longitudinal direction of the outer drum.

[0017] In this way, the inner body can be removed from the outer drum. In particular, the outer drum does not need to be disassembled; instead, the inner body can be pulled out of the outer drum axially. Advantageously, the inner body is slidably mounted on the support rod. The inner body can also be arranged to be slidably mounted on the support rod in the longitudinal direction.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, the stator has a lifting device which is connected on the one hand to the support rod and on the other hand to the inner body, wherein the inner body can be lowered onto the inner circumference of the outer drum and lifted off from the inner circumference of the outer drum by means of the lifting device.

[0019] When lowered, the inner body floats on the inner circumference of the outer drum during operation of the droplet former, i.e., when the outer drum is rotating. In this lowered position, the inner body no longer has a rigid connection to the lifting device, so it is pressed against the inner circumference of the outer drum solely by its own weight. To remove the inner body or the outer drum, the lifting device can be used to raise the inner body and thus lift it off the inner circumference of the outer drum.

[0020] In a further development of the invention, the support rod forms part of a holding cage, on which the inner body is held against movements in and against the direction of rotation of the outer drum.

[0021] In a further development of the invention, the holding cage has three support rods running parallel to each other.

[0022] Advantageously, the support rods form a triangular configuration, with one support rod at the top and two support rods at the bottom.

[0023] In a further development of the invention, the stator is provided with a segmented surface heater, wherein the segmented surface heater is arranged inside the outer drum, extends parallel to the outer drum and, viewed in cross-section, extends over an angle of more than 180° along the inner circumference of the outer drum.

[0024] Ideally, the segmented surface heating extends on both sides to just before the sliding piece of the inner body, which rests on the inner circumference. This allows the inner circumference of the outer drum to be heated extensively, with the exception of the area where the sliding piece rests on the inner circumference.

[0025] In a further development of the invention, the outer drum is rotatably mounted on at least one bearing plate of a frame, wherein one end face of the outer drum is mounted by means of at least three outer bearings arranged on the bearing plate.

[0026] This allows the outer bearings to be serviced without removing the outer drum, as they are easily accessible from the outside. Removing the outer drum is also significantly easier this way.

[0027] At its longitudinal end opposite the bearing plate, the outer drum can be mounted in the area of ​​a second bearing plate or mounted in a bearing block by means of an axle.

[0028] In a further development of the invention, the outer drum is non-rotatably connected to an outer gear ring, which is arranged concentrically to the outer drum and is in particular arranged radially outside the outer drum, with a rotary drive engaging the outer gear ring. Alternatively, a toothed belt or a roller chain can also be used to drive the outer drum.

[0029] The rotary drive, for example, is mounted on the bearing plate and is designed as a servo motor. By providing an external gear ring, the drive can be easily tested and, if necessary, serviced.

[0030] The problem underlying the invention is also solved by a device with a droplet former according to the invention and a circulating belt for the continuous depositing of product droplets, in which the droplet former is slidably arranged on a machine frame and can be moved from a position above the circulating belt, which is provided for depositing product droplets generated by means of the droplet former, to a service position away from the circulating belt.

[0031] This allows the droplet former to be moved very easily from an operating position to a service position. For this to work, the feed lines for the free-flowing material to be pastillated must be flexible or disconnected before moving the droplet former to the service position.

[0032] In a further development of the invention, the droplet former is arranged on a sliding carriage or carriage which is slidably arranged on guide rails of the machine frame.

[0033] In a further development of the invention, the outer drum is provided with a protective cover that extends to a plane in which an upper run of the circulating belt is arranged below the outer drum.

[0034] In this way, the outer drum or its surroundings can be easily heated or maintained under specific environmental conditions; for example, controlled humidity, temperature, or similar conditions can be maintained in the drum's vicinity. This prevents or at least hinders the drying out or solidification of the fluid material.

[0035] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a section view of a drop former according to the invention from an oblique top view, Fig. 2 a section view of the drop former Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a view of the drop former of the Fig. 1 in a partially disassembled state, Fig. 4 a section-by-section interior view of an inner body of the drop former of the Fig. 1 , Fig. 5 a distribution strip of the droplet former of the Fig. 1 , Fig. 6 another view of the drop former of the Fig. 1 in a partially disassembled state, Fig. 7 shows an enlarged detail of the Fig. 6 , Fig. 8 a representation of the inner body of the drop former of the Fig. 1 , Fig. 9 another illustration of the drop former of the Fig. 1 in a partially disassembled state, Fig. 10 a view of the drop former of the Fig. 1 From a slightly oblique angle above with the outer drum removed, Fig. 11 shows a detail of the droplet former. Fig. 1 and Fig. 12 a view of the drop former of the Fig. 1 with the outer drum removed and in a disassembly position.

[0036] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a droplet former 10 according to the invention, which is part of a pastillation system 12. The pastillation system comprises a device with a droplet former. A free-flowing substance to be pastillated is fed to the droplet former 10 via a feed port 14. The feed port leads to a Fig. 1 an unrecognizable inner body in a perforated outer drum 16. The outer drum 16 is rotated about its longitudinal axis by means of a drive unit 18, which is in Fig. 1 The flowable material to be pastillated is conveyed by the inner body against the inner wall of the perforated outer drum 16 and forced through the holes in the outer drum, forming product droplets that are deposited onto a circulating belt 20 that passes beneath the perforated outer drum 16. The circulating belt 20, for example a steel belt, moves the deposited product droplets into a cooling and / or solidification area 22, where the deposited product droplets solidify on the upper run of the belt 20 and can be removed from the circulating belt at the end of the upper run in the form of at least partially solidified pastilles.

[0037] The drop former according to the invention is particularly suitable for processing abrasive and / or sedimenting free-flowing substances. While abrasive and / or sedimenting free-flowing substances can also be processed with known drop formers, this comes at the cost of very high wear, especially of the perforated outer drum. In the inner body of conventional drop formers, blockages and / or deposits occur during operation when pastillating sedimenting free-flowing substances, which impair the product quality of the manufactured pastilles.

[0038] The droplet former 10 has a frame 24 to which the drive unit 18 is attached and on which the perforated outer drum is rotatably mounted. The inner body of the droplet former 10 is also indirectly attached to the frame 24, the inner body being shown in the illustration of the Fig. 1 The frame 24 rests on a machine frame 26 of the pastillating system 12. The frame 24 is slidably arranged on two guide rails 28, which run parallel to a floor surface on which the machine frame 26 stands. The frame 24 is suitably slidably arranged on the guide rails 28 and can be moved from the in Fig. 1 The operating position shown above the upper run of the circulating belt 20 is moved into a maintenance position, in which the droplet former 10 is then moved from the position shown in Fig. 1 In the illustrated operating position, the droplet former 10 is shifted downwards to the left towards the end of the guide rails 28. To limit this shifting movement, at least one of the guide rails 28 has an end stop 30 against which the frame 24 can abut in the maintenance or service position shifted to the left. In the maintenance position, the droplet former 10 is significantly more accessible than in the operating position. Fig. 1 In particular, the outer drum 16 is accessible from all sides.

[0039] Fig. 2 shows a section-by-section view of the drop former 10 of the Fig. 1 , where the circumferential band 20 is also shown section by section. The circumferential band 20 is deflected in the area below the drop former 10 by means of a deflecting roller 32. It is Fig. 2 It can be seen that the outer circumference of the perforated outer drum 16 is arranged at a very small distance above the circulating belt 20 in the area where the circulating belt 20 rests on the outer circumference of the roller 32. The product droplets dispensed through the perforated outer drum 16 thus land on a section of the circulating belt 20 that lies just before the line at which the upper run of the circulating belt 20 lifts off the deflecting roller 32.

[0040] Fig. 2 The figure shows that the perforated outer drum 16 is connected at one end to a hub 44, which in turn is connected to an outer gear ring 40. The hub 44 is rotatably mounted by means of an outer bearing arranged on an end plate 42 of the frame 24. The outer bearing is formed by at least three bearing rollers attached to the end plate 42 or bearing plate and a circumference of the hub 44 rotatably held on the bearing rollers. The outer gear ring 40 and the perforated outer drum 16 are fixedly attached to the hub 44 to prevent rotation.

[0041] This external bearing and its three bearing rollers are in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 concealed.

[0042] On the longitudinal side of the perforated outer drum 16 opposite the end plate 42, a second hub 46 is non-rotatably connected to the perforated outer drum 16, the second hub 46 being rotatably mounted in a bearing block 50 of the frame 24 by means of a stub axle 48, see Fig. 1 .

[0043] Inside the perforated outer drum 16, a stator 52 of the droplet former 10 can be seen. The stator 52 remains in the position during operation of the droplet former 10. Fig. 2 the position shown, while the perforated outer drum 16 rotates, and one in Fig. 2 The lower side of the stator 52 rests on the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16. The stator 52 rests with its inner body 54 on the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16. The underside of the inner body 54, resting on the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16, forces the fluid substance to be pastillated through the holes of the perforated outer drum 16, forming product droplets from the fluid substance, which are then deposited on the upper side of the circulating belt 20. The deflecting roller 32 rotates in the illustration. Fig. 2 clockwise, so that the product drops produced by means of the perforated outer drum 16 are deposited on the circulating belt 20 and in Fig. 2 to be transported to the right on the upper section of the encircling belt 20.

[0044] As already explained, the stator 52 has the inner body 54 and a retaining cage 56, which is formed by means of three support rods 58a, 58b and 58c.

[0045] The in Fig. 2 The two lower support rods 58b, 58c are arranged horizontally next to each other, whereas the support rod 58a is arranged above the two support rods 58b, 58c. In the sectional view of the Fig. 2 The support rods 58a, 58b, 58c thus form a triangular configuration in cross-section.

[0046] The inner body 54 is held in the retaining cage 56 of the stator 52 such that it rests against the inner surface of the rotating, perforated outer drum 16 solely under the influence of gravity. Consequently, the inner body 54 is pressed against the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum only by its own weight and the weight of the fluid within it during operation. The weight of the inner body 54 is dimensioned such that the contact pressure it generates is sufficient to force the fluid to be pastilled through the holes in the perforated outer drum 16, thereby producing product droplets.On the other hand, this floating mounting of the inner body on the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16 allows the inner body 54 to move upwards and thus lift slightly from the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16, for example, when larger particles, agglomerations of solid particles, or solidified product residues of the flowable substance are arranged on the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16 and are then moved between the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16 and the underside of the inner body 54 by the movement of the perforated outer drum 16. It has been found that this floating arrangement of the inner body 54, or rather,Because the inner body 54 rests against the inside of the rotating outer drum 16 solely under the influence of gravity, wear on the underside of the inner body 54 and the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16 can be significantly reduced when abrasive and / or sedimenting fluids are pastillated. Despite this floating mounting, excellent quality of the pastilles produced can be achieved with the droplet former 10 according to the invention.

[0047] The inner body 54 is consequently located in the Fig. 2 held in the position shown, even if the perforated outer drum 16 in Fig. 2 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise. For this purpose, the retaining cage 56 has lateral stops for the inner body 54, which prevent movement of the inner body 54 in Fig. 2 Up and down, but not left or right.

[0048] As will be explained later, the retaining cage 56 is equipped with a lifting device to move the inner body 54 from the position in Fig. 2 to raise from the operating position shown, in which a bottom side of the inner body 54 rests against the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16, to a maintenance position in which the bottom side of the inner body 54 is lifted away from the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16.

[0049] In Fig. 2 It is already apparent that the underside of the inner body 54 is formed by means of a sliding piece 60, which has passages for the flowable substance to be pastillated. The flowable substance is introduced by means of a Fig. 2 The distribution strip, shown only schematically, is transported on the inner body towards the sliding piece 60. Fig. 2 Further visible is a central feed channel 64 in the inner body 54, through which the flowable substance to be pastillated is distributed along the inner body 54 and which is in flow connection with the feed connection 14, cf. Fig. 1 , stands.

[0050] As will be explained further, in the illustrated embodiment, the inner body 54 is formed from a metal block provided with two kidney-shaped heating channels 66a, 66b. The kidney-shaped heating channels 66a, 66b surround the in Fig. 2 The cross-section shown depicts the distribution strip 62 section by section. This ensures that the flowable substance in the distribution strip 62 is kept at a temperature at which there is no risk of the flowable substance solidifying.

[0051] To rotate the perforated outer drum 16 together with the hub 44 and the outer gear ring 40, a drive gear 68 of the drive unit 18 meshes with the outer gear ring 40. The drive gear 68 is in turn rotated by a motor, for example an electric servomotor, of the drive unit 18, so that the perforated outer drum 16 can be rotated relative to the stationary stator 52 and relative to the frame 24. As already explained, a rotation of the perforated outer drum 16 in Fig. 2 can be done clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0052] Fig. 3 shows a representation of the drop former 10 of the Fig. 1 in a partially disassembled state. It is Fig. 3 It can be seen that the perforated outer drum 16 was removed together with the second hub 46. The first hub 44, however, remained on the frame 24 and continued to be rotatably attached to the end plate 42 by means of the three outer bearings. Even with the outer drum 16 removed, the outer gear ring 40 remains on the hub 44.

[0053] The frame 24 comprises the end plate 42, a first base support 70a connected to the end plate 42, and a second base support 70b arranged parallel to the first base support. The two base supports 70a, 70b are connected to each other by three frame rods 72a, 72b, 72c, which run parallel to a pivot axis of the perforated outer drum 16 and the first hub 44. The axle 48 is rotatably mounted in the bearing block 50, which is pivotally mounted on the frame 24, as will be explained later; see, for example, [reference]. Fig. 9 .

[0054] Fig. 3 The figure shows the stator 52 with the holding cage consisting of the three support rods 58a, 58b and 58c. The inner body 54 is connected to the holding cage by means of two lifting devices 74a, 74b. Fig. 3 The figure also shows three stop plates 76a, 76b and 76c, which on the one hand connect the three support rods 58a, 58b, 58c to each other and on the other hand form a lateral stop for the inner body 54, so that it is fixed in and against the direction of rotation of the perforated outer drum 16.

[0055] As already explained, the inner body 54 can be raised or lowered relative to the perforated outer drum 16 and thus also relative to the frame 24 by means of the lifting devices 74a, 74b.

[0056] In the presentation of the Fig. 3 The sliding piece 60 can be seen on the underside of the inner body, whereas the distribution strip 62 has already been pulled out of the inner body 54 parallel to the longitudinal axis, i.e. also parallel to the support rods 58a, 58b and 58c.

[0057] The distribution strip 62 can be easily pulled out of the inner body 54 parallel to the longitudinal axis or axis of rotation of the perforated outer drum 16. This allows the distribution strip 62 to be replaced and / or maintained very easily.

[0058] Also the sliding piece 60, cf. Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 , can be pulled out of the inner body 54 in an axial direction, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal axis or axis of rotation of the perforated outer drum 16.

[0059] Fig. 4 This shows that the sliding piece 60 is designed as an elongated profile strip which is connected to a suitable guide on the inner body 54 by means of a dovetail joint or by means of two undercuts on both sides of the sliding piece 60. Fig. 4 This further reveals that the distribution strip 62 can also be pulled out of the inner body in an axial direction. In the state of Fig. 4 The distribution strip 62 has already been pulled out of the inner body 54 to a certain extent, while the sliding piece 60 is still in the position in which it is fully inserted into the guide on the inner body 54.

[0060] Fig. 4 does not represent a sectional view, so see: Fig. 2 , the feed channel 64 and the kidney-shaped heating channels 66a, 66b in Fig. 4 are not recognizable.

[0061] Fig. 5 Figure 62 shows the distribution strip 62 in its fully extended state. Along its length, the distribution strip 62 has several feed slots 78, which contribute to a uniform distribution of the flowable substance supplied via the feed channel 64 over the entire length of the distribution strip 62.

[0062] Fig. 6 shows one of the Fig. 3 comparable view of the drop former 10 according to the invention, wherein in the state of Fig. 6 the distribution strip 62 has already been completely removed from the inner body 54 and the sliding piece 60 has now also been completely pulled out of the guide on the inner body 54.

[0063] Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of a detail of the Fig. 6 . An end plate of the inner body 54 is in the state of Fig. 6 and 7The part has been removed so that the kidney-shaped heating channels 66a, 66b in the inner body 54 are visible. Also visible is a section of the sliding piece 60 and the two guides 80a, 80b on the inner body 54, which are undercut on one side and fit the sliding piece 60. Between the distribution strip 62, which in the state of Fig. 7 is completely removed, and the sliding piece 60, which is in Fig. 7 In addition to the inner body 54 being completely withdrawn, a separating plate 82 of the inner body 54 is provided, which holds the distribution strip 62 in the inner body 54 against falling out and which is provided with openings to direct the flowable substance to be pastillated from the distribution strip towards the sliding piece 60 and the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16.

[0064] Fig. 8 shows the inner body 54 from the side of the feed port 14, see Fig. 1 The sliding piece 60 can be identified on the inner body, as well as connecting pieces 84, which connect the inner body 54 to the in Fig. 8 Lifting devices not shown 74a, 74b, cf. Fig. 3 , connect. This can be seen in Fig. 8 a section of the feed channel 64, which is connected to the feed port 14, see Fig. 1 , is connected, and with which the flowable substance to be pastillated is introduced into the inner body 54.

[0065] A section of the upper support rod 58a is also still visible.

[0066] Fig. 9 shows a representation of the drop former 10 according to the invention from an oblique angle above, wherein, in contrast to the representation of the Fig. 3 Not only was the perforated outer drum 16 removed, but the entire inner body 54, as well as the upper support rod 58a and the lifting devices 74a, 74b, were also removed. The hub 46 opposite the hub 44 was also removed (see figure). Fig. 1 , was removed along with the 48mm thru-axle.

[0067] Only the two lower support strings 58b, 58c are still connected to the end plate 42 of the frame 24.

[0068] The entire inner body 54, together with the stop plates 76a, 76b, 76c and the lifting devices 74a, 74b, can be moved longitudinally by the support rods 58b, 58c. Fig. 9 that is, it is pulled off to the lower right. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper support rod 58a is also pulled off in this way, although this is not necessarily the case within the scope of the invention. The support rod 58a can also remain connected to the end plate 42 together with the support rods 58b, 58c when the inner body 54 is pulled off longitudinally.

[0069] To allow the inner body 54 to be pulled off the support rods 58b, 58c, the bearing block 50 on the side of the frame 24 opposite the end plate 42 is pivoted upwards. This upward pivoted position is in Fig. 9 As shown. By pivoting the bearing block 50, it is possible to pull the inner body 54 away from the support rods 58b, 58c.

[0070] Fig. 10 Figure 1 shows another view of the droplet former 10 according to the invention in a view from an oblique top view, with the perforated outer drum 16 removed. The stator 52 has a segmented surface heater 86, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the Fig. 10 The segmented surface heater 86 extends over the perforated outer drum 16 (not shown), in other words, it has the shape of a cylindrical segment. An outer circumference of the segmented surface heater 86 is thus arranged at a constant distance from the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum. Viewed in cross-section, the segmented surface heater extends over an angle of more than 180° along the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16. According to the invention, the segmented surface heater 86 can extend almost to the sliding element 60 in order to heat the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16, with the exception of the section where the sliding element rests on the inner circumference.This ensures that the free-flowing material to be pastillated, which is still located in the holes of the perforated outer drum 16, does not solidify, but rather, when this free-flowing material returns to the area below the sliding piece, is forced radially outwards through the holes in the outer drum 16 to form a product droplet. According to the invention, the segmented surface heating element can also extend over an angle of exactly 180° along the inner circumference of the perforated outer drum 16.

[0071] Fig. 11 Figure 1 shows a section-by-section view of the droplet former 10 in the area of ​​the bearing block 50. The hub 46, see Fig. 1 The frame 24 is partially visible, and an axle section 88 of the hub 46 is inserted into the stub axle 48, which in turn is held on the bearing block 50. A further section of the frame 24 is visible, on which the bearing block 50 is pivotally mounted at one end and on which the bearing block 50 rests at its other end (see figure). Fig. 1 .

[0072] The 48mm thru-axle can be used in Fig. 11 The bearing block 50 is pulled out a short distance to the right. This exposes the axle section 88 of the hub 46. After pivoting the bearing block 50 upwards, see... Fig. 12 , the perforated outer drum can be removed together with the hub 46, and then the inner body can also be removed from the in Fig. 11 The support rods, which are not visible, are pulled off in the longitudinal direction.

[0073] Fig. 12 The figure shows the droplet former 10 in another view with the bearing block 50 pivoted upwards. The plug axle 48 has been subtracted from the axle section 88 as far as shown. Fig. 11 that the bearing block 50 could be pivoted upwards. The axle section 88 of the hub 46 thus protrudes freely. After loosening the fastening nuts, in this state the Fig. 12 Now the hub 46, as well as the inner body and other parts of the stator 52, are pulled off longitudinally along the support rods 58b, 58c until the state of Fig. 9 has been achieved. Reference symbol list

[0074] 10 Drop former 12 Pastillation unit 14 Feed connection 16 Perforated outer drum 18 Drive unit 20 Circulating belt 22 Cover 24 Frame 26 Machine frame 28 Guide rails 30 End stop 32 Deflection roller 40 Outer gear ring 42 End plate 44 First hub 46 Second hub 48 Drive shaft 50 Bearing block 52 Stator 54 Inner body 56 Retaining cage 58a, 58b, 58c Support rods 60 Sliding piece 62 Distribution strip 64 Feed channel 66a, 66b Heating channels 68 Drive gear 70a, 70b Base support 72a, 72b, 72c Frame rods 74a, 74b Lifting device 76a, 76b, 76c Stops 78 Slots 80a, 80b Guides 82 Dividing plate 84 Holding parts 86 Segment surface heating 88 Axle section

Claims

1. Drop former (10) for producing pastilles from a free-flowing substance, having a perforated outer drum (16) which is mounted so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, having an inner body (54) disposed within the outer drum (16), wherein the inner body (54) is provided with at least one feed channel (64) for the free-flowing substance, and wherein the inner body (54) dispenses the free-flowing substance in the direction of an inner side of the outer drum (16) during operation of the drop former (10), characterized in that the inner body (54) rests on the inner side of the rotating outer drum (16) exclusively under the influence of gravity.

2. Drop former according to Claim 1, characterized in that a sliding shoe is disposed on the inner body, wherein at least one contact surface of the sliding shoe that rest on an inner circumference of the outer drum is formed from a softer material than the inner circumference of the outer drum.

3. Drop former according to Claim 2, characterized in that the inner body is provided with at least two heating ducts (66a, 66b).

4. Drop former according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that provided on the inner body (54) is a distributor strip (62) by means of which the free-flowing medium is deflected multiple times and discharged in the direction of the inner circumference of the outer drum.

5. Drop former according to at least one of preceding Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the distributor strip (62) and / or the sliding shoe are / is disposed on the inner body so as to be fully extractable in the longitudinal direction of the outer drum.

6. Drop former according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner body is part of a stator (52) disposed within the outer drum, wherein the stator has at least one support rod (58a, 58b, 58c) and the inner body is held within the outer drum in and counter to the direction of rotation of the outer drum by means of the at least one support rod.

7. Drop former according to Claim 6, characterized in that the stator (52) has a lifting device (74a, 74b) which is connected on the one hand to the support rod and on the other hand to the inner body, wherein the inner body can be lowered onto the inner circumference of the outer drum and lifted from the inner circumference of the outer drum by means of the lifting device.

8. Drop former according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the support rod forms part of a holding cage (56) on which the inner body is held with respect to movements in and counter to the direction of rotation of the outer drum.

9. Drop former according to Claim 8, characterized in that the holding cage (56) has three support rods running parallel to one another.

10. Drop former according to at least one of preceding Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the stator is provided with a segment surface heater (86), wherein the segment surface heater (86) is disposed within the outer drum, extends parallel to the outer drum and, when viewed in cross section, extends over an angle of more than 180 degrees along the inner circumference of the outer drum.

11. Drop former according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum is rotatably mounted on at least one bearing plate of a frame, wherein mounting of an end side of the outer drum is performed by means of at least three outer bearings disposed on the bearing plate.

12. Drop former according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum is co-rotationally connected to an outer ring gear (40) disposed radially outside the outer drum and concentrically with the latter, and wherein a rotary drive engages on the outer ring gear (40).

13. Device having a drop former according to at least one of the preceding claims and a revolving belt (20) for depositing product drops, characterized in that the drop former is disposed so as to be displaceable on a machine frame and is displaceable from a position which is above the revolving belt (20) provided for depositing product drops generated by means of the drop former, to a servicing position remote from the revolving belt (20).

14. Device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the drop former is disposed on a displacement slide or displacement carriage which is disposed so as to be displaceable on guide rails of the machine frame.

15. Device according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the outer drum is provided with a protective cover which extends as far as a plane in which an upper strand of the revolving belt is disposed below the outer drum.