FILLING DEVICE

Abstract

A filling device (1) comprising a frame (2) and at least one arm (4), the arm (4) being rotationally connected to the frame (2). The device (1) includes translational means (6) connecting the arm (4) to the frame (2), such that the arm (4) can pivot and be moved translationally relative to the frame (2). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: FILLING DEVICE technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of the food industry, and more particularly to the field of filling freezing trays. STATE OF PRIOR ART

[0002] In a known manner, during their production, certain products of the agri-food industry are frozen in plate freezers.

[0003] Thus, for example, it is known to freeze minced meat in a plate freezer. Typically, the meat is fed into the plate freezer by means of a filling arm. In a known manner, a filling arm is a mechanical structure comprising a fixed frame and an arm pivoting relative to the frame. The arm includes a conduit 16 that allows the transfer of the food (i.e., the meat) and an ejection nozzle.

[0004] Conventionally the arm pivots around the chassis, but the movements permitted by known arms do not allow the plates of a plate freezer to be filled correctly.

[0005] In this context, it is necessary to provide a filling device that allows a plate freezer tray to be filled correctly while also allowing for ergonomic and safe handling by a user. Description of the invention

[0006] To this end, according to a first aspect, a filling device is proposed comprising a frame and at least one arm, the arm being rotationally linked to the frame. The device includes translational means connecting the arm to the frame, so that the arm can pivot and be moved in translation relative to the frame.

[0007] The translational movement of the arm relative to the chassis is a particularly ingenious arrangement that addresses the safety, ergonomic, space-related, and biosecurity issues associated with filling plate freezers, as well as the homogeneity of the ice pack produced. Indeed, the translational movement of the arm allows for the proper filling of a plate freezer tray while enabling ergonomic and safe handling for the user. More specifically, the translational movement of the arm allows easier access to the entire surface of a tray. Furthermore, the translational movement of the arm allows for more ergonomic handling for the user. In fact, the translational movement allows a user to manipulate the arm while having movements more natural than with devices of the earlier art which can impose unnatural twists in their manipulation.

[0008] According to a particular arrangement, the translation means include at least one trolley supporting the arm and adapted to be moved in translation relative to the chassis.

[0009] According to a particular arrangement, the arm is connected to the carriage by a pivot joint, so that the arm pivots relative to the carriage and the chassis.

[0010] According to a particular arrangement, the translation means include a belt, the belt being adapted to transmit a movement to the carriage to move the carriage and the arm in translation.

[0011] According to a particular arrangement, the translation means include at least one pulley adapted to transmit a movement to the belt to move the carriage and the arm in translation.

[0012] According to a particular arrangement, the translation means include at least one geared motor assembly adapted to transmit a movement to the pulley to transmit a movement to the belt to move the carriage and the arm in translation.

[0013] According to a particular provision, the translation means include at least one safety stop allowing to limit a translational displacement of the arm.

[0014] According to a particular arrangement, the arm comprises a first part connected to the carriage and a second part linked at a pivot to the first part.

[0015] According to a particular arrangement, the arm includes a channel allowing the circulation of a food such as meat.

[0016] According to a particular arrangement, the pipeline comprises a first part fixed to the first part of the arm and comprises a second part fixed to the second part of the arm, the first part of the pipeline and the second part of the pipeline being connected by a pivot joint allowing the circulation of a food between the first part of the pipeline and the second part of the pipeline.

[0017] According to a particular arrangement, the arm has a filling head which is fixed to one end of the arm and which is connected to the pipeline, the head includes an ejection nozzle, the nozzle having at least one contact sensor allowing to stop a translational movement of the arm if the contact sensor presses on a solid element. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of at least one example of implementation, the said description being made in relation to the attached drawings, among which:

[0019] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a filling device;

[0020] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a front view of a chassis and a trolley of a filling device;

[0021] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a front view of a chassis and a trolley of a filling device;

[0022] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a perspective view of a chassis and a trolley of a filling device;

[0023] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates an arm and a trolley and a filling device;

[0024] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates an ejection head of an arm of a filling device.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS

[0026] Filling device

[0027] With reference to Figs 1 to 6, a filling device 1 is proposed comprising a chassis 2 and at least one arm 4. As will be described below, the arm 4 is linked in rotation to chassis 2. In addition, the filling device 1 includes translation means 6 connecting the arm 4 to the chassis 2, so that the arm 4 can pivot and be moved in translation relative to the chassis 2.

[0028] As will be described below, the translational movement of the arm 4 relative to the chassis 2 is a particularly ingenious arrangement that addresses the safety, ergonomic, space-saving, and biosecurity issues associated with filling plate freezers, as well as the homogeneity of the ice pack produced. Indeed, the translational movement of the arm 4 allows for the proper filling of a plate freezer tray while enabling ergonomic and safe handling for the user. More specifically, the translational movement of the arm 4 allows easier access to the entire surface of a tray. Furthermore, the translational movement of the arm 4 allows for more ergonomic handling by the user.Indeed, translational movement allows a user to manipulate arm 4 with more natural movements than with prior art devices, which can impose unnatural twists in their manipulation.

[0029] The translation means 6 are a particularly ingenious feature of the invention which will be detailed below.

[0030] Chassis

[0031] The filling device 1 comprises a frame 2 which supports the arm(s) 4. According to the example shown here, the device 1 comprises two arms 4. As schematically illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the frame 2 is a column-shaped structure which can be anchored to the ground. According to the embodiment presented here, the frame 2 comprises four longitudinal beams 22 connected by cross members. Typically, the beams 22 and the cross members can be welded or bolted. As shown in [Fig. 1], each beam 22 has one end embedded in the floor of the building in which the filling device 1 is used. Anchoring to the ground greatly increases the stability of the filling device 1.

[0032] Typically, the beams 22 and the crossbeams are metallic elements.

[0033] According to the example presented here, an electric or electropneumatic control and motorization block is integrated into the chassis 2. As will be described below, this block can supply and control the translational movements of the translation means 6. In addition, this block can also control the pumping of food or fluid into a pipe 16 to fill freezing plates.

[0034] In addition, the frame 2 also includes a conduit 16 for transferring food or fluid. As will be described below, the conduit 16 of the frame 2 is connected to a conduit 16 of the arm 4 to convey the food or fluid from the frame 2 to one end of the arm 4.

[0035] Means of translation

[0036] As previously stated, the filling device 1 includes translation means 6.

[0037] As shown in [Fig. 1] to 5, the translation means 6 comprise at least one trolley 8 supporting the arm 4 and adapted to be moved in translation relative to the chassis 2.

[0038] It is specified that, according to the example presented here, the translation means 6 allow for translation about a vertical axis (i.e., substantially perpendicular to the ground plane on which the chassis 2 rests). Furthermore, as will be described below, the arm 4 is pivotally connected (i.e., rotationally connected) to the carriage 8. Thus, the carriage 8 very advantageously allows the arm 4 to be connected to the chassis 2 by means of a pivot-sliding joint.

[0039] According to the embodiment presented here, the trolley 8 can, for example, be made of bent sheet metal.

[0040] The translation means 6 also include a belt 10 adapted to transmit a movement to the carriage 8 to move the carriage 8 and the arm 4 in translation.

[0041] In addition, according to the example presented here, the translation means 6 include at least one pulley adapted to transmit a movement to the belt 10 to move in translation the carriage 8 and the arm 4.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the example presented here, the translation means 6 include at least one geared motor assembly adapted to transmit a movement to the pulley to transmit a movement to the belt 10 to move in translation the carriage 8 and the arm 4.

[0043] In other words, according to the example presented here, the translation means 6 comprise a carriage 8 whose translational movement is driven by a belt 10, the belt 10 being set in motion by a pulley, itself connected to a geared motor assembly. Furthermore, according to the example presented here, the geared motor assembly is set in motion by the electric motor located in the control block.

[0044] According to a particularly advantageous arrangement, the translation means 6 include at least one safety stop for limiting the translational displacement of the arm 4. Typically, the translation means 6 include two stops. A first stop is positioned at a first desired limit of the translational displacement of the slide. A second stop is positioned at a second desired limit of the translational displacement of the slide.

[0045] Arm

[0046] As shown in Figs. 1, 5, and 6, each arm 4 of the device 1 comprises a first part 12 connected to the carriage 8 and a second part 14 pivotally connected to the first part 12. Typically, the first part 12 and the second part 14 of each arm 4 can be made of a lattice of metal profiles, such as food-grade stainless steel. This arrangement allows the arms 4 to be strong, washable, and inexpensive to manufacture. However, according to other arrangements, the parts of each arm 4 can be made of composite materials or polymers.

[0047] Each arm 4 includes a conduit 16 for the circulation of a food product, such as minced meat. In a particularly advantageous manner, the conduit 16 includes a first part 18 fixed to the first part 12 of the arm 4 and includes a second part 20 fixed to the second part 14 of the arm 4, the first part 18 of the conduit 16 and the second part 20 of the conduit 16 being connected by a pivot joint allowing the circulation of a food product between the first part 18 of the conduit 16 and the second part 20 of the conduit 16.

[0048] According to the example shown here, the two parts of each arm 4 are of unequal length. The first part 12 is pivotally fixed around the carriage 8. Advantageously, the first part 12 can have a rotation range of approximately 180° around the carriage 8. The continuity of the piping is ensured by swivel fittings (204) to maintain full rotation. According to the example shown here, the first part 12 is approximately 3400 mm long. Naturally, according to other embodiments, the first part 12 may have a different length.

[0049] According to the embodiment presented here, the second part 14 pivots around the first part 12 and holds a filling head. Advantageously, the second part 14 can have a rotational amplitude of approximately 350° around the first part 12. In the example presented here, the second part 14 is approximately 2300 mm long. Naturally, according to other embodiments, the second part 14 can have a different length.

[0050] According to a particularly advantageous arrangement, between the first part 12 and the carriage 8, and between the first part 12 and the second part 14, a welded and machined sleeve incorporates bearings to allow effortless rotation from the filling head and therefore from the operator's position. However, since both parts bear a certain load, it is necessary to control the inertia during the movement of the arm 4; therefore, in a particularly advantageous manner, the device 1 incorporates a pneumatic brake. During operation, the brake can be kept controlled by a pressure regulator. Similarly, when the arm 4 is being washed, the brake can be held locked to prevent any unexpected movement.

[0051] Head

[0052] As described previously, each arm 4 has a filling head 24 which is fixed to one end of the second part 14 of the arm 24 and which is connected to the pipeline 16.

[0053] According to the embodiment presented here, the head 24 includes an ejection nozzle 26 with two handles 28 and 30.

[0054] In a particularly advantageous way, the handles 28 and 30 are articulated so that the operator's hand does not have to adjust to the height of the filling head. In other words, the articulation of the handles 28 and 30 makes the device 1 even more ergonomic.

[0055] According to the example presented here, a first handle 28 has a lighted button for starting a pump that sends food into the pipe 16. The light on the button indicates the presence or absence of food in the pump and in the pipe 16. This arrangement allows the operator to have direct information on the presence of food in the pipe 16, without having to move, which further enhances the ergonomics of the device 1.

[0056] According to the example shown here, a second handle 30 has two illuminated buttons: a first button for raising the slide (translation of the slide in a first direction), and a second button for lowering the arm 4 (translation of the slide in a second direction). By default, the light on each illuminated button of the second handle 30 is on. is off, this means that the slider has reached an extreme position and it is not possible to go any further in the desired direction.

[0057] According to the example shown here, the head 24 also includes an emergency stop button which allows any movement to be blocked instantly.

[0058] Furthermore, according to the embodiment presented here, the nozzle 26 of the head 24 has a contact sensor that stops the translational movement of the arm if the contact sensor presses against a solid object. In other words, this arrangement stops the translational movement if the head 24 is about to collide with an obstacle. This arrangement enhances safety for the user (the movement is stopped in case of a collision with the user) and for the integrity of the device 1 (the movement is stopped in case of a collision with another object, thus preventing damage to the device 1).

Claims

Demands

1. A filling device (1) comprising a frame (2) and at least one arm (4), the arm (4) being rotationally linked to the frame (2), the device (1) being characterized in that it comprises translation means (6) connecting the arm (4) to the frame (2), such that the arm (4) can pivot and be moved in translation relative to the frame (2), the translation means (6) comprising at least one carriage (8) supporting the arm (4) and adapted to be moved in translation relative to the frame (2), and the translation means (6) comprising a belt (10), the belt (10) being adapted to transmit motion to the carriage (8) to move the carriage (8) and the arm (4) in translation.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the arm (4) is connected to the carriage (8) by a pivot joint, so that the arm (4) pivots relative to the carriage (8) and the chassis (2).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the translation means (6) comprise at least one pulley adapted to transmit motion to the belt (10) to move in translation the carriage (8) and the arm (4).

4. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the translation means (6) comprise at least one geared motor assembly adapted to transmit motion to the pulley to transmit motion to the belt (10) to move in translation the carriage (8) and the arm (4).

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the translation means (6) comprise at least one safety stop enabling the limitation of a translational displacement of the arm (4).

6. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the arm (4) comprises a first part (12) connected to the carriage (8) and a second part (14) pivotally connected to the first part (12).

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm (4) includes a conduit (16) allowing the circulation of a food such as meat.

8. Device (1) according to claims 6 and 7 in combination, wherein the conduit (16) comprises a first part (18) fixed to the first part (12) of the arm (4) and comprises a second part (20) fixed to the second part (14) of the arm (4), the first part (18) of the pipe (16) and the second part (20) of the pipe (16) being connected by a pivot link allowing the circulation of a food between the first part (18) of the pipe (16) and the second part (20) of the pipe (16).

9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the arm has a filling head (24) which is fixed to one end of the arm and connected to the pipeline (16), the head (24) includes an ejection nozzle (26), the nozzle (26) having at least one contact sensor enabling the arm (24) to stop translational movement if the contact sensor presses on a solid element.

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