FLOW SYSTEM COMPRISING A ROTARY TUBE FOR A DOSING MACHINE

Abstract

FLOW SYSTEM COMPRISING A ROTATING TUBE FOR A DOSING MACHINE The invention relates to a flow system (106) for a dosing machine and comprising a hopper for receiving a product to be dosed from a supply system, a tube (106b) having an upper end disposed under the hopper and a lower end transferring the product to be dosed to a calibration system (108), and a drive system (106c) carrying at least the tube (106b) and arranged to move the tube (106b) in alternating rotation about its axis alternately in a first direction and then in a second direction opposite to the first direction by a given angle. Fig. 5

Description

Title of the invention: FLOW SYSTEM COMPRISING A ROTATING TUBE FOR A DOSING MACHINE Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow system for a dosing machine where the flow system comprises a rotating tube. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] In the context of the food industry, it is known to use a dosing machine to produce calibrated portions, for example to produce ready-to-use salads, bags of products such as rice or pasta.

[0003] Such a dosing machine generally comprises a supply system which feeds a flow system which itself feeds a calibration system which makes it possible to produce portions with a given weight and / or volume.

[0004] The supply system comprises, for example, a conveyor belt which brings the product to be dosed to the flow system which comprises a hopper and a vertical tube which is under the hopper.

[0005] The product to be dosed is poured above the hopper and passes into the vertical tube which opens above the calibration system.

[0006] While such a machine gives good results with dry products, the results may be less good with certain wet products such as cooked pasta dishes where the adhesion of the product to the walls of the machine is greater, which hinders and slows down the continuous flow of the product in the vertical tube. Statement of the invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a flow system for a dosing machine which ensures a constant flow rate of the product to be dosed, even if the latter has significant adhesion.

[0008] To this end, a flow system is proposed for a machine for dosing a product to be dosed, where the dosing machine comprises an intermediate frame, a supply system intended to bring the product to be dosed, and a calibration system intended to produce portions of the product to be dosed, the flow system comprising

[0009] - a hopper intended to receive the product to be dosed from the system supply,

[0010] - a tube, one upper end of which is arranged under the hopper and one lower end is intended to transfer the product to be dosed to the calibration system, and

[0011] - a drive system intended to be mounted on the intermediate frame and which carries at least the tube, and arranged to move the tube in reciprocating rotation about its axis alternately in a first direction and then in a second direction opposite to the first direction through a given angle.

[0012] Advantageously, the drive system comprises a flange secured to the tube and intended to be mounted mobile in rotation on the intermediate frame, and a motor system comprising means for moving the flange in alternating rotation.

[0013] Advantageously, the motor system comprises a motor with a motor shaft and a transmission system arranged to transform a rotation of the motor shaft into an alternating rotational movement of the flange.

[0014] Advantageously, the drive shaft is parallel to the axis of the tube and the transmission system comprises a plate secured to the drive shaft, a crank parallel to the axis of the tube and fixed to the plate in an offset manner relative to the drive shaft, and a guide consisting of two walls parallel to each other and between which the crank is inserted.

[0015] Advantageously, the drive system comprises a barrel secured to the flange and coaxial with the axis of the tube, the tube is housed and guided in a central bore of the barrel and the second barrel is intended to be fitted into a cylindrical housing of the intermediate frame.

[0016] The invention also provides a machine for dosing a product to be dosed, said dosing machine comprising:

[0017] - a frame placed on a ground and an intermediate frame,

[0018] - a supply system intended to bring the product to be dosed,

[0019] - a flow system according to one of the preceding variants, where the hopper receives the product to be dosed from the supply system, where the drive system is mounted on the intermediate frame, and

[0020] - a calibration system intended to produce portions of the product to be dosed and where the second end of the tube transfers the product to be dosed to the calibration system.

[0021] Advantageously, the calibration system comprises:

[0022] - a lower tray fixed to the frame and having a drain hole,

[0023] - a slide which is mounted mobile in horizontal translation on the plate lower parallel to a transfer direction,

[0024] - an upper plate arranged above the lower plate, which is connected to the slider and which is crossed by an orifice and which is mounted mobile in translation under the intermediate frame parallel to the transfer direction,

[0025] - a bowl secured to the slide and having peripheral walls extending between the lower plate and the upper plate, where the bottom and top of the bowl are open, where the top of the bowl is fixed to the upper plate at the said opening of the upper plate, and

[0026] - a moving means mounted on the lower plate and arranged to move the slide parallel to the transfer direction between a filling position, in which the top of the bowl and the orifice of the upper plate are below the lower end of the tube and a draining position, in which the bottom of the bowl is above the drain orifice and vice versa.

[0027] Advantageously, the intermediate frame is movable vertically relative to the frame and the slide, the peripheral walls of the bowl are adjustable in height and the dosing machine comprises an adjustment system arranged to move the intermediate frame. Brief description of the drawings

[0028] The above-mentioned features of the invention, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the attached drawings, among which:

[0029] [Fig-1] is a side view of a dosing machine according to the invention,

[0030] [Fig.2] is a side view of a flow system according to the invention,

[0031] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a detail of the flow system of [Fig.2],

[0032] [Fig.4] is a top view of the flow system seen in section along line IV- IV of [Fig.2], and

[0033] [Fig.5] is a view of the flow system seen in section through a vertical plane passing through the axis of the vertical tube.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0035] [Fig.l] shows a dosing machine 100 according to the invention which comprises a frame 102 placed on the ground 1 and an intermediate frame 102a which, depending on the case, can be fixed or movable relative to the frame 102.

[0036] The dosing machine 100 also comprises a supply system 104 secured to the frame 102, a flow system 106 and a calibration system 108 which are secured to the intermediate frame 102a.

[0037] In the following description, the terms relating to a position are taken with reference to a dosing machine 100 in the position of use, that is to say as it is shown in [Fig.l].

[0038] The supply system 104 is arranged to bring the product to be dosed from a source and here comprises an ascending conveyor belt which is motorized to move. The conveyor belt is supplied with a product to be dosed in the lower part and the product to be dosed is poured into the upper part of the conveyor belt, here through a funnel 104a.

[0039] The product to be dosed is then poured through the flow system 106 which is under the outlet of the supply system 104, here under the funnel 104a, then into the calibration system 108 which produces portions of the product to be dosed with a given weight and / or volume to deposit them in a container such as a tray or a sachet.

[0040] Figs. 2 to 5 show different views of the flow system 106 and the calibration system 108 which is disposed below the flow system 106.

[0041] The flow system 106 comprises a hopper 106a and a tube 106b which is arranged vertically under the outlet of the hopper 106a, the upper end (the inlet) of which is arranged under the funnel 104a and the lower end (the outlet) of which is arranged above the calibration system 108 to transfer the product to be dosed thereto. The product to be dosed is thus transferred by gravity from the funnel 104a to the hopper 106a then the tube 106b and finally the calibration system 108.

[0042] The upper end of the tube 106a is arranged below the outlet of the hopper 106a and the lower end of the tube 106a is arranged above the calibration system 108.

[0043] [Fig. 5] shows a particular embodiment of the calibration system 108. Although the invention is more particularly described with this calibration system 108, it can be implemented with any other calibration system 108.

[0044] The calibration system 108 comprises a lower plate 502a which is fixedly mounted on the frame 102 and which has a drain orifice 503a which allows the dosed product to be discharged into the container. The lower plate 502a is arranged horizontally.

[0045] The calibration system 108 also comprises a slide 504 which is mounted to move in horizontal translation on the lower plate 502a in a transfer direction T.

[0046] The calibration system 108 also comprises an upper plate 502b which is arranged above the lower plate 502a and which is linked in horizontal translation to the slide 504, here by the installation of columns 503b, so that a horizontal movement of the slide 504 parallel to the transfer direction T causes the same movement of the upper plate 502b. The upper plate 502b is mounted movable in translation under the intermediate frame 102a parallel to the transfer direction T.

[0047] The calibration system 108 also comprises a bowl 504a which is integral with the slide 504 and which has peripheral walls which extend between the lower plate 502a and the upper plate 502b. The bottom and the top of the bowl 504a are open. The top of the bowl 504a is fixed to the upper plate 502b at an orifice which passes through said upper plate 502b.

[0048] The calibration system 108 also comprises a displacement means 506, here a jack, which is mounted on the lower plate 502a and which is arranged to move the slide 504 parallel to the transfer direction T between a filling position, in which the top of the bowl 504a and the orifice are under the lower end of the tube 106a to receive the product to be dosed through the orifice of the upper plate 502b and a draining position, in which the bottom of the bowl 504a is above the drain orifice 503a and vice versa.

[0049] The translational guidance of the slide 504 is completed here by guide elements 508 which here take the form of grooves made in the lower plate 502a and of studs (not seen) integral with the slide 504 which are guided in the grooves.

[0050] Thus, when the slider 504 is in the filling position, the product to be dosed arrives via the tube 106b and flows into the bowl 504a via the open top of said bowl 504a. When the quantity of product to be dosed is reached, the displacement means 506 moves the slider 504 towards the emptying position where the product to be dosed flows through the bottom of the bowl 504a into the emptying orifice 503a. When the product has flowed from the bowl 504a via the emptying orifice 503a, the displacement means 506 moves the slider 504 towards the filling position to restart a cycle.

[0051] The flow system 106 also includes a drive system 106c which is mounted on the intermediate frame 102a and the drive system 106c carries at least the tube 106b attached thereto. In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the hopper 106a is attached directly to the tube 106b and thus to the drive system 106c, but in another embodiment not shown, the hopper 106a may be attached to the frame 102 or to the intermediate frame 102a.

[0052] The drive system 106c is a motorized system arranged to move the tube 106b in alternating rotation (double arrow 50) around its axis alternately in a first direction then in a second direction opposite to the first direction over a given and limited angle. In other words, the tube 106b is shaken from left to right then from right to left around its axis. The tube 106b is thus mounted by means of a pivot connection relative to the intermediate frame 102a.

[0053] The rotation angle is for example between 10° and 40°, and more particularly 20°, that is to say ±10° around a middle position.

[0054] The number of round trips is for example between 200 and 500 per minute, and more particularly between 300 and 400 round trips per minute.

[0055] The number of round trips per minute as well as the rotation angle can vary depending on the nature of the product to be dosed.

[0056] Such shaking of the tube 106b facilitates the descent of the product to be dosed, in particular when the latter has strong adhesion.

[0057] In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the drive system 106c comprises a flange 302 secured to the tube 106b, here in the vicinity from its lower end. To block the movement of the tube 106b vertically, the flange 302 is fixed freely in rotation to the intermediate frame 102a.

[0058] In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the flange 302 has a shaking arm 302a with a circular shape.

[0059] The attachment of the shaking arm 302a is ensured here by two fittings 304 secured to the intermediate frame 102a and which, with the intermediate frame 102a, enclose the shaking arm 302a in a diametrically opposite manner, leaving it free to pivot around the axis of the tube 106b relative to said intermediate frame 102a.

[0060] Of course, any other means of fixing ensuring the pivot connection of the tube 106b relative to the intermediate frame 102a can be put in place.

[0061] The drive system 106c also comprises a motor system 306 comprising means for moving the flange 302 here by means of the shaking arm 302a in alternating rotation around the axis of the tube 106b alternately in the first direction then in the second at the given angle.

[0062] The motor system 306 comprises a motor 306a with a motor shaft 306b and a transmission system 308 arranged to transform a rotation of the motor shaft 306b into a reciprocating rotational movement of the flange 302.

[0063] According to another embodiment not shown, the motor system 306 comprises a double-acting cylinder whose cylinder is secured to the intermediate frame 102a and whose piston is secured to the flange 302. The movement of the piston in one direction then in the other will drive the flange 302 in alternating rotation.

[0064] In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the motor shaft 306b is parallel to the axis of the tube 106b, i.e. vertical, and the transmission system 308 comprises a plate 308a secured to the motor shaft 306b and a crank 308b extending parallel to the axis of the tube 106b and fixed to the plate 308a in an offset manner relative to the motor shaft 306b. The crank 308b is thus fixed at a certain radial distance relative to the motor shaft 306b and this radial distance makes it possible to adjust the angle of rotation of the flange 302 and of the tube 106b.

[0065] The transmission system 308 also comprises a guide 308c consisting of two walls 309 parallel to each other and between which the crank 308b is inserted. The guide 308c is integral with the flange 302 and here more particularly with the shaking arm 302a. The crank 308b is here of cylindrical shape and the distance between the two parallel walls 309 is equal to the diameter of the crank 308b to avoid any stopping of the flange 302 during its rotation. The walls 309 are vertical.

[0066] Thus, the rotation of the motor shaft 306b causes the rotation of the plate 308a and therefore of the crank 308b around the axis of the motor shaft 306b, and finally by contact between the crank 308b and the walls 309 in an alternating rotational movement of the flange 302 around the axis of the tube 106b.

[0067] To ensure good guidance of the tube 106b in rotation, the latter is guided by guide means which are integral with the intermediate frame 102a and which guide the rotation of said tube 106b.

[0068] In the embodiment of the invention presented in [Fig. 5], the guide means are constituted by a barrel 512 secured to the flange 302 and coaxial with the axis of the tube 106b. The barrel 512 is fitted into a cylindrical housing of the intermediate frame 102a. The tube 106b, here its lower end, is housed and guided in the central bore of the barrel 512.

[0069] In the embodiment of the invention, presented in [Fig. 5], the diameter of the tube 106b is less than the diameter of the central bore of the barrel 512 and to ensure the guidance of the tube 106b, the drive system 106c comprises a spacer 510 which takes the form of a barrel coaxial with the axis of the tube 106b which fits into the central bore of the barrel 512 and in which the tube 106b, here its lower end, is fitted. Depending on the diameter of the tube 106b, this spacer 510 may be more or less thick, or even not be present if the diameter of the tube 106b is equal to the diameter of the central bore of the barrel 512.

[0070] In the embodiment of the invention presented in [Fig. 5], the upper plate 502b is connected to the intermediate frame 102a and it is slidably mounted under the intermediate frame 102a, which makes it possible to close the top of the bowl 504a during its transfer to the emptying position and limits the quantity of product to be dosed which enters the bowl 504a.

[0071] In the above description, the intermediate frame 102a may be fixed or movable relative to the frame 102. In the remainder of the description, the intermediate frame 102a is movable relative to the frame 102.

[0072] In the embodiment of the invention presented more particularly in [Fig. 5], the intermediate frame 102a is movable vertically relative to the frame 102, which makes it possible to move the upper plate 502b and the top of the bowl 504a which is connected to it, the tube 106b and the drive system 106c. Such movement is ensured by an adjustment system 550 of the dosing machine 100.

[0073] The horizontal translational connection between the upper plate 502b and the slide 504, here by the installation of the columns 503b, allows the vertical translational movement of the upper plate 502b relative to the slide 504. For example, each column 503b is integral with the upper plate 502b and is fitted into a vertical bore of the slide 504 while remaining free in translation in said bore.

[0074] Such a movement makes it possible to move the lower plate 502a and the upper plate 502b apart to a greater or lesser extent in order to modulate the volume of the bowl 504a which, for this purpose, comprises peripheral walls that are adjustable in height. In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the peripheral walls are telescopic and the bowl 504a comprises three cylindrical walls mounted to slide within each other and one of the cylindrical walls, here the wall delimiting the bottom of the bowl 504a, being constituted by the wall of a hole passing through the slide 504.

[0075] In the embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig. 5], the adjustment system 550 comprises guide bars 550a, here four in number, which are fixed vertically to the frame 102 and along which the intermediate frame 102a is slidably mounted. The guide bars 550a ensure the vertical translational guidance of the intermediate frame 102a.

[0076] The adjustment system 550 also comprises a drive means 550b which takes the form of a screw-nut system with a threaded rod 550c fixed vertically to the intermediate frame 102a and a nut 550d fixed to the frame 102. Of course, any other adjustment system can be used.

Claims

Claims

1. Flow system (106) for a dosing machine (100) for dosing a product to be dosed, where the dosing machine (100) comprises an intermediate frame (102a), a supply system (104) for supplying the product to be dosed, and a calibration system (108) for producing portions of the product to be dosed, the flow system (106) comprising: - a hopper (106a) for receiving the product to be dosed from the supply system (104), - a tube (106b) having an upper end arranged under the hopper (106a) and having a lower end for transferring the product to be dosed to the calibration system (108), and - a drive system (106c) for mounting on the intermediate frame (102a) and which carries at least the tube (106b), and arranged to move the tube (106b) in alternating rotation around its axis alternately in a first direction then in a second direction opposite to the first direction over a given angle.

2. Flow system (106) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive system (106c) comprises a flange (302) secured to the tube (106b) and intended to be mounted so as to be able to rotate on the intermediate frame (102a), and a motor system (306) comprising means for moving the flange (302) in alternating rotation.

3. Flow system (106) according to claim 2, characterized in that the motor system (306) comprises a motor (306a) with a motor shaft (306b) and a transmission system (308) arranged to transform a rotation of the motor shaft (306b) into a reciprocating rotational movement of the flange (302).

4. Flow system (106) according to claim 3, characterized in that the motor shaft (306b) is parallel to the axis of the tube (106b) and in that the transmission system (308) comprises a plate (308a) integral with the motor shaft (306b), a crank (308b) parallel to the axis of the tube (106b) and fixed to the plate (308a) in an offset manner relative to the motor shaft (306b), and a guide (308c) consisting of two walls (309) parallel to each other and between which the crank (308b) is inserted.

5. Flow system (106) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the drive system (106c) comprises a barrel

6.

7. (512) secured to the flange (302) and coaxial with the axis of the tube (106b), in that the tube (106b) is housed and guided in a central bore of the barrel (512) and in that the second barrel (512) is intended to be fitted into a cylindrical housing of the intermediate frame (102a). Machine (100) for dosing a product to be dosed, said dosing machine (100) comprising: - a frame (102) placed on a floor (1) and an intermediate frame (102a), - a supply system (104) intended to bring the product to be dosed, - a flow system (106) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hopper (106a) receives the product to be dosed from the supply system (104), wherein the drive system (106c) is mounted on the intermediate frame (102a), and - a calibration system (108) intended to produce portions of the product to be dosed and where the second end of the tube (106b) transfers the product to be dosed to the calibration system (108). Dosing machine (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the calibration system (108) comprises: - a lower plate (502a) fixed to the frame (102) and having a drain orifice (503a), - a slider (504) which is mounted to move in horizontal translation on the lower plate (502a) parallel to a transfer direction (T), - an upper plate (502b) arranged above the lower plate (502a), which is connected to the slider (504) and which is crossed by an orifice and which is mounted to move in translation under the intermediate frame (102a) parallel to the transfer direction (T), - a bowl (504a) secured to the slide (504) and having peripheral walls extending between the lower plate (502a) and the upper plate (502b), where the bottom and the top of the bowl (504a) are open, where the top of the bowl (504a) is fixed to the upper plate (502b) at the level of said orifice of the upper plate (502b), and - a moving means (506) mounted on the lower plate (502a) and arranged to move the slider (504) parallel to the transfer direction (T) between a filling position, in which the top of the bowl (504a) and the orifice of the upper plate (502b) are below the lower end of the tube (106a) and a draining position, in which the bottom of the bowl (504a) is above the drain orifice (503a) and vice versa.

8. Dosing machine (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the intermediate frame (102a) is movable vertically relative to the frame (102) and to the slide (504), in that the peripheral walls of the bowl (504a) are adjustable in height and in that the dosing machine (100) comprises an adjustment system (550) arranged to move the intermediate frame (102a).

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