Apparatus for transferring liquid dairy products

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for transferring liquid dairy products, comprising: a base frame (2); a container assembly (3) associated with the base frame (2) and adapted to contain liquid dairy products; a fluid-operated circulation path (7) associated with the container assembly (3) and intended for dispensing liquid dairy products; an electronic transfer means (8) associated with the fluid-operated circulation path (7) and operable to determine whether to transfer liquid dairy products from the container assembly (3) along the fluid-operated circulation path (7); and an electronic control unit (9) operably connected to the electronic transfer means (8) and configured to drive the electronic transfer means (8) depending on the volume of liquid dairy products to be transferred.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring liquid dairy products.

Background Art

[0002] It is well known that dairy factories are equipped with various production lines designed for manufacturing different types of dairy products.

[0003] These include well-known apparatuses for transferring liquid dairy products, which are used to power auxiliary machinery intended to process the dairy products themselves.

[0004] For example, in the case of a butter manufacturing machine, a known transfer device ensures that a storage tank is filled with the stretch curd that constitutes the filling of the butter.

[0005] In these factories, it may also be necessary to prepare individual packaging containers containing liquid dairy products for retail. In this case, the stretch curd is a dairy product and is known to be consumed not only as the filling of butter cheese but also as itself.

[0006] However, since known devices are configured to quickly move large quantities of dairy products to the processing machine to avoid interruptions in the manufacturing process, known devices are not suitable for small-scale transfers for filling packaging containers such as trays.

[0007] Therefore, small-scale transfers are carried out manually or using special dispensers. However, it is not suitable for rapid feeding into the processing machine.

[0008] As a result, customers face the need to use two different types of equipment to perform both tasks, incurring high costs for the business and consequently increasing the price of the final product. Additionally, it is obvious how much space the manufacturing plant will require by using multiple separate pieces of equipment. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The main objective of the present invention is to devise a device for transferring liquid dairy products that enables controlled transfer of liquid dairy products depending on the intended use.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to devise a device for transferring liquid dairy products that enables the rapid transfer of large quantities of liquid dairy products while precisely dividing small quantities of the same liquid dairy product into appropriate amounts.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to devise a device for transferring liquid dairy products that enables both feeding into processing machines and dispensing small amounts of liquid dairy products.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to devise a device for transferring liquid dairy products that can overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a configuration that is simple, rational, easy, and efficient to use, as well as a cost-effective solution. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The aforementioned objective is achieved by an apparatus for transferring liquid dairy products having the features of claim 1.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the description of preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of the apparatus for transferring liquid dairy products, which are shown in the accompanying diagrams as non-limiting examples. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a detailed isometric projection view of an apparatus for transferring liquid dairy products according to the present invention. [Figure 2] These are unequal angle projection views of the apparatus according to the present invention from different angles. [Figure 3] This is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus according to the present invention, which is one of two different operating configurations. [Figure 4] This is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus according to the present invention, which is one of two different operating configurations. [Figure 5] This is a front view of the device according to the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a detailed isometric projection view of the distribution device of the apparatus according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Referring closely to these drawings, reference number 1, in general, shows an apparatus for transferring liquid dairy products.

[0017] The apparatus 1 comprises at least one base frame 2 and at least one container assembly 3 associated with the base frame 2 and adapted to contain a liquid dairy product.

[0018] In the context of this disclosure, the term “liquid dairy product” means a dairy product with reduced viscosity that is primarily in a liquid form, such as cream, or that consists of a majority of liquid components and a minority of solid components, such as stracciatella, which consists of cream and the filamentous parts of stretched cheese.

[0019] The container assembly 3 comprises a tab body 4 adapted to contain a liquid dairy product. According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the tab body 4 has a substantially rectangular planar section. However, it cannot be ruled out that the tab body 4 may have a planar section of a different form, such as circular.

[0020] As shown in the figure, the container assembly 3 also conveniently includes a lid 5 adapted to close the tab body 4. Further, referring to the embodiment shown in the figure, the lid 5 is operable by an electric actuator. Conveniently, the container assembly 3 includes a supply duct 6. It is connected to the lid 5 in a fluid-operated manner and is adapted such that the tab body 4 can be filled while the lid 5 remains closed.

[0021] Although not shown in detail in the figure, the container assembly 3 may also include a cooling system adapted to cool the dairy product contained within the tab body 4.

[0022] As an addition, the container assembly 3 may include at least one stirring device. Although not shown in detail in the figure, it is associated with the tab body 4 and is adapted to stir the contents of the tab body 4. The stirring device has the functions of keeping the dairy product homogeneous and avoiding the possibility of forming sediment.

[0023] The stirring device can also have the function of mixing raw materials to obtain a liquid dairy product. In this case, the raw materials are put into the tab body 4 through the supply duct 6, and the dairy product is directly produced within the tab body 4.

[0024] The device 1 also includes at least one fluid-operated circulation path 7, which is associated with the container assembly 3 and is intended to distribute the liquid dairy product.

[0025] According to the present invention, the device 1 includes an electronic transfer means 8 associated with the fluid-operated circulation path 7 and operable to determine to transfer the liquid dairy product from the container assembly 3 along the fluid-operated circulation path 7, and at least one electronic control unit 9 operably connected to the electronic transfer means 8 and configured to drive the electronic transfer means 8 depending on the volume of the liquid dairy product to be transferred.

[0026] In fact, the electronic transfer means 8 enables the controlled transfer of the liquid dairy product for both large volumes and small amounts.

[0027] Therefore, in the case of stracciatella, this device 1 enables both feeding into machines for processing liquid dairy products, such as burrata production machines, and filling into retail packages.

[0028] In this regard, for burrata manufacturing machines, these include the use of tanks with a capacity of 40-60 L, which must be refilled quickly once empty to avoid machine failure and / or interruption of the manufacturing stage. Retail packages, on the other hand, may have a capacity of 100-1000 mL.

[0029] Conveniently, the electronic transfer means 8 comprises at least one pump assembly 10 and at least one electric actuator assembly 11 operably connected to the pump assembly 10.

[0030] The fluid-operated circulation path 7 includes a connecting duct 12 located between the container assembly 3 and the pump assembly 10.

[0031] In detail, the connecting duct 12 is connected to the bottom of the tab body 4. For this purpose, the tab body 4 has an inclined bottom surface 13 adapted for conveying liquid dairy products toward the connecting duct 12.

[0032] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the tab body 4 is elongated, and the connecting duct 12 is connected to the bottom at one end of the tab body 4. However, it cannot be ruled out that the connecting duct 12 may be connected to the bottom of another region of the tab body 4, such as the center.

[0033] Pump assembly 10 is: - At least one body 14 extending along the development axis S; and - At least one transfer member 15 is associated with the main body 14 so as to slide along the deployment axis S, together defining the container chamber 16 and connected to the electric actuator assembly 11, It is equipped with.

[0034] The movement of the transfer member 15 results in the suction / distribution of liquid dairy products.

[0035] In practice, the main body 14 serves as a primary container for liquid dairy products, which are then dispensed according to manufacturing requirements.

[0036] The main body 14 has a tubular shape that extends along the development axis S.

[0037] The main body 14 is connected to the connecting duct 12 at the associated first end 17.

[0038] Main unit 14 has a maximum usable capacity ranging from 3 to 10 liters.

[0039] Advantageously, the transfer member 15 comprises a plunger body 18 positioned within the main body 14 and configured to be in close contact with the inner wall of the main body 14, and at least one connecting shaft 19 connected to the plunger body 18 and communicating with the outside.

[0040] The position of the plunger body 18 relative to the first end 17 defines the volume of the containment chamber 16.

[0041] The plunger body 18 is substantially circular in shape and has a diameter substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of the main body 14.

[0042] The transfer member 15 also includes at least one sealing element, which is made of an elastically deformable material and is wound around the periphery of the plunger body 18. This sealing element enables a perfect seal of the plunger body 18, ensuring optimal suction / distribution of liquid dairy products. Furthermore, the sealing element prevents the possibility of dairy products being transferred outside the containment chamber 16.

[0043] The connecting shaft 19 has the function of transmitting movement from the electric actuator assembly 11 to the plunger body 18.

[0044] The connecting shaft 19 is positioned from the containment chamber 16 to the plunger body 18 on the opposite side. In other words, during use, the connecting shaft 19 does not come into contact with the dairy product.

[0045] The connecting shaft 19 protrudes from the main body 14 through a second end 20 opposite the first end 17 and connects to the electric actuator assembly 11.

[0046] Advantageously, the electric actuator assembly 11 is: - At least one variable screw shaft 21 extending along the operating axis L which is substantially parallel to the opening axis S; - At least one motor 22 connected to the variable screw shaft 21 and adapted to rotate the variable screw shaft 21 around the operating axis L; - At least one nut body 23 that engages with the variable screw shaft 21 and is connected to the transfer member 15, It is equipped with.

[0047] In detail, the nut body 23 is associated with the connecting shaft 19.

[0048] The rotation of the variable screw shaft 21 moves the nut body 23 along the operating axis L.

[0049] As a result, the movement of the nut body 23 causes a corresponding movement of the transfer member 15 along the unfolding axis S. Specifically, when this movement is carried out from the first end 17 to the second end 20, the electronic transfer means 8 is adapted to draw liquid dairy product from the container assembly 3, thereby filling the containment chamber 16. Conversely, when the movement is carried out from the second end 20 to the first end 17, the electronic transfer means 8 is adapted to dispense liquid dairy product from the pump assembly 10, and the containment chamber 16 is emptied.

[0050] For example, a motor 22 such as an electric motor is equipped with a drive shaft which is rotatable and connected to a variable screw shaft 21 by a transmission member 24.

[0051] The electronic control unit 9 is configured to drive the motor 22 at a predetermined rotational speed so as to produce a predetermined movement speed for the transfer member 15. In this way, the device 1 is able to adjust the transfer flow rate of the dairy product and enable rapid distribution of the dairy product.

[0052] Furthermore, the electronic control unit 9 is configured to intermittently drive the motor 22 to regulate the movement of the transfer member 15 and the outflow of dairy products from the storage chamber 16. In this way, the device 1 enables the controlled distribution of a portion of the dairy products.

[0053] For this purpose, the device 1 is further equipped with a user interface 26, which is associated with the base frame 2, operably connected to an electronic control unit 9, and adapted to allow the device itself to be controlled by an operator.

[0054] The fluid-operated circulation path 7 further comprises at least one distribution duct 27, which is connected to the pump assembly 10 and adapted to receive the flow of liquid dairy product from the pump assembly itself.

[0055] For this purpose, the device is equipped with valves, which are operably connected to an electronic control unit 9 and adapted to regulate the flow of dairy products between at least the connecting duct 12 and the distribution duct 27.

[0056] Advantageously, the valve mechanism includes at least one control valve 28 positioned between the pump assembly 10, the connecting duct 12, and the distribution duct 27.

[0057] The control valve 28 is configured to alternately connect the connecting duct 12 to the pump assembly 10 and connect the pump assembly 10 to the distribution duct 27.

[0058] In detail, the control valve 28 comprises at least one regulating body 29 which is movable between a first operating position in which the connecting duct 12 is fluidly connected to the pump assembly 10 and a second operating position in which the pump assembly 10 is fluidly connected to the distribution duct 27.

[0059] In fact, when the regulator 29 is in the first operating position, the control valve 28 allows the dairy product to be drawn out of the container assembly 3, while when the regulator 29 is in the second operating position, the control valve 28 allows the dairy product to be transferred to the distribution duct 27.

[0060] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the adjusting body 29 defines the internal duct 30 in three directions.

[0061] Conveniently, the adjuster 29 is rotatably associated with the pump assembly 10 around the rotation axis R.

[0062] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the rotation axis R is substantially orthogonal to the deployment axis S and to the connecting duct 12 and the distribution duct 27. However, it cannot be ruled out that the pump assembly 10, as well as the connecting duct 12 and the distribution duct 27, may be arranged differently from each other, and that the adjusting body 29 may be of different types and have different rotation axes R.

[0063] The control valve 28 comprises at least one electric actuator 31, which is associated with and adapted to rotate the adjuster 29.

[0064] The electric actuator 31 is operably connected to the electronic control unit 9, which is configured to drive the electric actuator itself to regulate the flow of dairy products.

[0065] Conveniently, the apparatus 1 includes at least one dispensing device 25, which is associated with a fluid-operated circulation path 7 and is adapted to distribute a portion of the liquid dairy product.

[0066] The dispensing device 25 is operably connected to the electronic control unit 9 and can operate synchronously with the electric actuator assembly 11 to dispense small amounts of dairy products.

[0067] In detail, according to a preferred embodiment, the dispensing device 25 is a valve member type adapted to open / close the first duct 35. The dispensing device 25 separates the first duct 35 from the outside between one dispensing operation and another, thereby preventing the dairy products contained within from being contaminated. The dispensing device 25 can also prevent the dairy products from accidentally spilling from the first duct 35, ensuring optimal hygiene in the apparatus 1 and the work area.

[0068] Advantageously, the fluid-operated circulation path 7 comprises at least one first duct 35 connected to the distribution device 25, and at least one second duct 36 connectable to a machine intended for processing liquid dairy products.

[0069] The first duct 35 and the second duct 36 branch off from the distribution duct 27 and are adapted to receive liquid dairy products from the pump assembly 10. For this purpose, valve means are further configured to regulate the flow of liquid dairy products between the first duct 35 and the second duct 36.

[0070] Specifically, the valve mechanism includes a first valve device 37 associated with the first duct 35 and a second valve device 38 associated with the second duct 36.

[0071] The valve devices 37 and 38 are substantially similar to each other and are, for example, of the solenoid ball valve type.

[0072] Thus, the valve devices 37 and 38 allow the apparatus 1 to guide the flow of dairy products into the first duct 35 or the second duct 36, depending on the manufacturing requirements.

[0073] In fact, device 1 is capable of performing both the function of feeding dairy products into a processing machine and the function of dividing small amounts of dairy products into appropriate amounts. It has been confirmed that the described invention has achieved its intended purpose. In particular, it is emphasized that the apparatus according to the present invention for transferring liquid dairy products enables controlled transfer of liquid dairy products in accordance with its intended use, due to the presence of electronic transfer means controlled by an electronic control unit.

[0074] Thus, this device enables the rapid transfer of large quantities of liquid dairy products while also allowing for the precise division of small quantities of liquid dairy products into appropriate amounts.

[0075] Finally, the presence of two separate ducts allows the device to both feed liquid dairy products into the processing machine and dispense small amounts of liquid dairy products.

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for transferring liquid dairy products, At least one base frame (2), At least one container assembly (3) associated with the base frame (2) and adapted to contain a liquid dairy product, A fluid-operated circulation path (7) associated with the container assembly (3) and intended for dispensing the liquid dairy product, Equipped with, Here, the device (1) is Electronic transfer means (8), which is associated with the fluid-operated circulation path (7) and is operable to determine whether to transfer the liquid dairy product from the container assembly (3) along the fluid-operated circulation path (7), At least one electronic control unit (9) is operably connected to the electronic transfer means (8) and configured to drive the electronic transfer means (8) depending on the volume of liquid dairy product being transferred. Apparatus (1) characterized by comprising:

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the electronic transfer means (8) comprises at least one pump assembly (10) and at least one electric actuator assembly (11) operably connected to the pump assembly (10).

3. The pump assembly (10) is At least one body (14) extending along the development axis (S), and At least one transfer member (15) is associated with the main body (14) so ​​as to slide along the deployment axis (S), and together defines the container chamber (16), and is connected to the electric actuator assembly (11), To be equipped, and The movement of the transfer member (15) brings about the suction / distribution of the liquid dairy product. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the following:

4. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transfer member (15) comprises a plunger body (18) disposed within the main body (14) and configured to adhere to the inner wall of the main body (14), and at least one connecting shaft (19) connected to the plunger body (18) and communicating with the outside.

5. The electric actuator assembly (11) is At least one variable screw shaft (21) extending along an operating axis (L) which is substantially parallel to the deployment axis (S), At least one motor (22) connected to the variable screw shaft (21) and adapted to rotate the variable screw shaft (21) around the operating shaft (L), and At least one nut body (23) engages with the variable screw shaft (21) and is connected to the transfer member (15), To be equipped, and The rotation of the variable screw shaft (21) causes the nut body (23) to move along the differential coaxial axis (L), and the transfer member (15) to move along the unfolding axis (S). The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the following:

6. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the motor (22) comprises a drive shaft, the drive shaft is rotatable and connected to the variable screw shaft (21) by a transmission member, and the electronic control unit (9) is configured to drive the motor (22) at a predetermined rotational speed for determining a predetermined moving speed of the transfer member (15).

7. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electronic control unit (9) is configured to intermittently drive the motor (22) in order to adjust the movement of the transport member (15).

8. The fluid-operated circulation path (7) is At least one connecting duct (12) is positioned between the container assembly (3) and the pump assembly (10), and Connected to the pump assembly (10) and adapted to receive the flow of liquid dairy product from the pump assembly (10), at least one distribution duct (27), To be equipped, and The system is operably connected to the electronic control unit (9) and includes valve means adapted to regulate the flow of dairy products at least between the connecting duct (12) and the distribution duct (27). The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the above.

9. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the valve means comprises at least one control valve (28) positioned between the pump assembly (10), the connecting duct (12), and the distribution duct (27), the control valve (28) comprising at least one adjuster (29) that is movable between a first operating position in which the connecting duct (12) is fluidly connected to the pump assembly (10) and a second operating position in which the pump assembly (10) is fluidly connected to the distribution duct (27).

10. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the adjusting body (29) is rotatably associated with the pump assembly (10) around a rotation axis (R), and the control valve (28) comprises at least one electric actuator (31), the electric actuator (31) being associated with the adjusting body (29) and adapted to set the adjusting body (29) to rotate.

11. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising at least one dispensing device (25) associated with the fluid-operated circulation path (7) and adapted for dispensing a portion of the liquid dairy product.

12. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the fluid-operated circulation path (7) comprises at least one first duct (35) connected to the distribution device (25) and at least one second duct (36) connectable to a machine intended for processing the liquid dairy product.

13. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the valve means comprises a first valve device (37) associated with the first duct (35) and a second valve device (38) associated with the second duct (36).

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