Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and a product dispenser comprising a tank for storing a flowable product and a conveyor for conveying storage containers along a longitudinal direction from an entry position to an exit position. The product dispenser further comprises a dosing mechanism extending in the longitudinal direction above the conveyor. The dosing mechanism comprises an inner cylindrical part and an outer cylindrical part enclosing and sealing against the inner cylindrical part. The inner cylindrical part defines a circumferential groove and a helically shaped groove extending between the entry position and the exit position. The outer cylindrical part defines an elongated opening extending in the longitudinal direction and an inlet opening for establishing a fluid path from the tank via the circumferential groove and the helically shaped groove to the elongated opening. The inner cylindrical part is rotatable for dispensing the flowable product into the storage containers.
Claims
1. A dosing mechanism for dispensing a flowable product from a tank into storage containers conveyed along a longitudinal direction from an entry position to an exit position, the dosing mechanism comprising: an inner cylindrical part coaxial with and rotatable within an outer cylindrical part having an inner surface; wherein the inner cylindrical part has an outer surface defining (i) at least one circumferential groove extending between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position located at the entry position, and (ii) at least one helically-shaped groove extending between the at least one circumferential groove at the second longitudinal position and a third longitudinal position located at the exit position, the at least one helically-shaped groove thereby forming at least one helically-shaped channel within the dosing mechanism; wherein the outer surface of the inner cylindrical part, except for the at least one circumferential groove and the at least one helically-shaped groove, is in sealing contact with the inner surface of the outer cylindrical part; wherein the outer cylindrical part defines (i) an inlet opening located between the first longitudinal position and the second longitudinal position, and in fluid communication with the at least one circumferential groove, and (ii) an elongated outlet opening extending longitudinally at least a part of the distance between the second longitudinal position and the third longitudinal position; and wherein rotation of the inner cylindrical part within the outer cylindrical part exposes a portion of the at least one helically-shaped groove through the outlet opening at different longitudinal locations along the outlet opening, whereby a single continuous fluid path of varying length is defined from the inlet opening to the outlet opening through the at least one circumferential groove and a portion of the at least one helically-shaped groove extending from the at least one circumferential groove to the exposed portion of the at least one helically-shaped groove to dispense the flowable product into the storage containers from the outlet opening between the entry position and the exit position.
2. The dosing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one helically shaped groove defines at least one turn between the second longitudinal position and the third longitudinal position.
3. The dosing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one helically shaped groove defines less than one turn between the second longitudinal position and the third longitudinal position.
4. The dosing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one helically shaped groove is a first helically shaped groove, and wherein the inner cylindrical part further defines a second helically shaped groove offset by ½ turn in relation to the first helically shaped groove.
5. The dosing mechanism of claim 4, wherein the at least one circumferential groove is a first circumferential groove, and wherein the inner cylindrical part defines a second circumferential groove fluidly connected to the second helically shaped groove.
6. The dosing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the inner cylindrical part and the outer cylindrical part are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.
7. The dosing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the outlet opening defines a circumferential width of 1°-20°.
8. The dosing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the outer cylindrical part comprises a backflow pipe configured for transporting the flowable product from the at least one circumferential groove out of the dosing mechanism.
9. The dosing mechanism of claim 8, wherein the inner cylindrical part and the outer cylindrical part are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction between a first position in which the backflow pipe is open to the at least one circumferential groove and a second position in which the backflow pipe is closed to the at least one circumferential groove.
10. The dosing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the outer cylindrical part is movable in the circumferential direction.
11. A method of dispensing a flowable product from a tank into storage containers conveyed along a longitudinal direction from an entry position to an exit position, the method comprising: (a) providing a dosing mechanism extending in a longitudinal direction, the dosing mechanism comprising an inner cylindrical part coaxial with and rotatable within an outer cylindrical part having an inner surface; wherein the inner cylindrical part has an outer surface defining (i) at least one circumferential groove extending between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position located at the entry position, and (ii) at least one helically-shaped groove extending between the at least one circumferential groove at the second longitudinal position and a third longitudinal position located at the exit position, the at least one helically-shaped groove thereby forming at least one helically-shaped channel in the dosing mechanism; wherein the outer surface of the inner cylindrical part, except for the at least one circumferential groove and the at least one helically-shaped groove, is in sealing contact with the inner surface of the outer cylindrical part; and wherein the outer cylindrical part defines (i) an inlet opening located between the first longitudinal position and the second longitudinal position, and in fluid communication with the at least one circumferential groove, and (ii) an elongated outlet opening extending longitudinally at least a part of the distance between the second longitudinal position and the third longitudinal position; (b) conveying a plurality of containers beneath the outlet opening along a longitudinal direction from the entry position to the exit position; (c) rotating the inner cylindrical part within the outer cylindrical part to expose a portion of the at least one helically-shaped groove through the outlet opening at different longitudinal locations along the outlet opening, whereby a single continuous fluid path of varying length is defined from the inlet opening to the outlet opening through the at least one circumferential groove and a portion of the helically-shaped groove extending from the circumferential groove to the exposed portion of the at least one helically-shaped groove; and (d) feeding the flowable product from the tank via the inlet opening, the at least one circumferential groove, the at least one helically-shaped groove, and the exposed portion of the at least one helically-shaped groove to the outlet opening, thereby dispensing the flowable product from the outlet opening into the containers between the entry position and the exit position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the product dispenser according to the present invention.
(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outer and inner cylindrical parts according to the present invention.
(3) FIG. 3 is a cut-out view of the dosing mechanism according to the present invention.
(4) FIG. 4A is a cut-out view illustrating the working principle of the dosing mechanism according to the present invention.
(5) FIG. 4B is an outside view of the dosing mechanism from below.
(6) FIG. 5A is a cut-out view of the dosing mechanism according to the present invention when the inner cylindrical part has rotated.
(7) FIG. 5B is an outside view of the dosing mechanism of the previous figure from below.
(8) FIGS. 6A and B are illustrating an alternative embodiment in which dispensing may be temporarily stopped.
(9) FIGS. 7A and B are illustrating an alternative embodiment having a backflow pipe.
(10) FIGS. 8 to 13 are illustrating an alternative embodiment having an intermediate cylindrical part made up of two elements.
(11) FIGS. 14 to 18 are illustrating an alternative embodiment having an intermediate cylindrical part made up of one element.
(12) FIG. 19 is illustrating another alternative embodiment in which two dosing mechanisms are connected in series.
(13) FIG. 20 is illustrating another alternative embodiment in which the inner cylindrical part has two helically shaped grooves.
(14) FIG. 21 is illustrating another alternative embodiment in which the inner cylindrical part has two helically shaped grooves and two circumferential grooves.
(15) FIGS. 22A and B are illustrating another alternative embodiment in which the inner cylindrical part has two helically shaped grooves, two circumferential grooves and a central passage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(16) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the product dispenser 10 according to the present invention. The product dispenser comprises a tank 12 for storing a flowable product such as a liquid, semi liquid or pasteous material. The product dispenser 10 further comprises a dosing mechanism 14. The dosing mechanism 14 comprises an inner cylindrical part 16 and an outer cylindrical part 18. The inner cylindrical part 16 is connected to a motor 20 for rotating the inner cylindrical part 16 relative to the outer cylindrical part 18.
(17) The tank 12 is connected to an inlet opening 22 of the outer cylindrical part 18 via a pump 24. The pump forces the flowable product into the dosing mechanism 14. The outer cylindrical part comprises an elongated opening 26 for dispensing the flowable product 28.
(18) The product dispenser 10 further comprises a conveyor 30 which in the present context is illustrated as a screw conveyor driven by a conveyor drive 32, however, other conveyor types are equally feasible such as belt conveyors etc. The conveyor 30 extends in a longitudinal direction between an entry position 34 and an exit position 36. Upwardly open food storage containers 38 are provided at the entry position 34. The food storage containers 38 are conveyed by means of the conveyor 30 between the entry position 34 and the exit position 36 below the elongated opening 26 of the outer cylindrical part for receiving flowable product 28 into the container 38.
(19) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the outer cylindrical part 18 and the and inner cylindrical part 16 of the dosing mechanism 14. The inner cylindrical part 16 comprises a circumferential groove 40 located at the inlet opening 22 of the outer cylinder 18 and extending between a first longitudinal position 42 and a second longitudinal position 44, and, a helically shaped groove 46 extending between the second longitudinal position 44 and a third longitudinal position 48, at which approximate position also the elongated opening 26 ends. When the dosing mechanism 14 is assembled, the circumferential groove 40 is sealed off at the first position 42 and is only connected to the helically shaped groove 46 at the second position.
(20) FIG. 3A shows a cut-out view of the dosing mechanism 14 according to the present invention. The flowable product 28 enters the dosing mechanism 14 from above via the inlet opening 22 and is fed to the circumferential groove 40. The flowable product 28 is further transported via the helically shaped groove 46 to the elongated opening 26 at which location the flowable product 28 is dispensed into the storage container 38.
(21) As the inner cylindrical part 16 is rotating, the helically shaped groove 46 is exposed at different locations at the elongated groove 26. By rotating the inner cylindrical part 16 at a velocity and direction corresponding to the speed and direction of the conveyor 30, the dosing mechanism 14 will be able to dispense the flowable product 28 into the storage container 38 when the storage container is moving on the conveyor 30. The helically shaped groove 46 may have a user selected number of turns.
(22) The distance between two turns should correspond to the distance between two storage containers 38 on the conveyor 30. As can be seen in the present view, the dosing mechanism is dispensing flowable product into one storage container 38′ at a location adjacent the second longitudinal position, and into a further storage container 38″ at a further location adjacent the third longitudinal position.
(23) FIG. 3B shows an outside view of the dosing mechanism 14 from below. The locations at which the helically shaped groove 26 is exposed at the elongated opening 26 are indicated by a filled line, whereas the locations at which the helically shaped groove 26 is obscured by the outer cylindrical part 18 are shown by dashed lines.
(24) FIG. 4A shows a cut-out view of the dosing mechanism 14 according to the present invention when the inner cylindrical part 16 has rotated in the direction shown by the arrow and at a velocity being synchronous with the velocity of the conveyor (not shown). As can be seen in the present view, the dosing mechanism is dispensing flowable product into only one storage container 38′ at a location between the second longitudinal position and the third longitudinal position.
(25) FIG. 4B shows an outside view of the dosing mechanism 14 of FIG. 4A from below. As can be seen in the figure, the helically shaped groove is exposed at only one location of the elongated opening 26.
(26) FIG. 5A shows an alternative embodiment of the dosing mechanism 14′ of the previous figure in which the circumferential groove 40 is wider.
(27) FIG. 5B shows the embodiment of FIG. 5A from below. It can be seen that the dosing mechanism 14′ is only exposing the helically shaped groove 46 at a location adjacent the second longitudinal position 44.
(28) FIG. 6A shows the alternative embodiment of the dosing mechanism 14′ when the inner cylindrical part 16 has been shifted in a direction as shown by the arrow, i.e. towards the first longitudinal position 42. This alters the number of turns of the helically shaped groove 46 which are exposable at the elongated opening 26.
(29) FIG. 6B shows the embodiment of FIG. 6A from below. In the present situation, the elongated opening 26 has been completely closed off, i.e. the helically shaped groove 46 is completely obscured by the outer cylindrical part 18. In this way the dispensing of flowable product 28 may be interrupted.
(30) FIG. 7A shows a further alternative embodiment of the dosing mechanism 14″ similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, however, including a backflow pipe 50 leading to the tank 12 or alternatively to another tank especially designated to accommodate the flowable product from the backflow pipe 50. In the present view, the backflow pipe 50 is obscured by the inner cylindrical part 16 while the helically shaped grove 46 is exposed at the elongated opening 26 adjacent the second longitudinal position 44.
(31) FIG. 7B shows the embodiment of FIG. 7A from below. The flowable product 28 is allowed to be dispensed.
(32) FIG. 8A shows the alternative embodiment of the dosing mechanism 14″ similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, however, including a backflow pipe 50. In the present view, the backflow pipe 50 is exposed by the inner cylindrical part 16 while the helically shaped grove 46 is obscured at the elongated opening 26.
(33) FIG. 8B shows the embodiment of FIG. 8A from below. The flowable product 28 is not dispensed, but caused to enter the backflow pipe 50.
(34) FIG. 9A shows a further embodiment of the dosing mechanism 14′″ in which an intermediate cylindrical part 52 is provided between the outer cylindrical part 18 and the inner cylindrical part 16. The outer cylindrical part 18 is provided with a return flow pipe 54 and the intermediate cylindrical part 52 is provided with further elongated openings 56, 56′. The intermediate cylindrical part 52 comprises two elements which are independently rotatable. The return flow pipe 54 is similar to and serves the same purpose as the previously mentioned backflow pipe 50.
(35) FIG. 9B shows a cross-sectional view of the outer cylindrical part 18 of the dosing mechanism 14′″ at two longitudinal locations showing the elongated opening 26 and the return flow pipe 54.
(36) FIG. 9C shows a cross-sectional view of the intermediate cylindrical part 52 of the dosing mechanism 14′″ at two longitudinal locations showing the further elongated openings 56 56′.
(37) FIG. 9D shows a cross-sectional view of the inner cylindrical part 16 of the dosing mechanism 14′″ at two longitudinal locations.
(38) FIG. 10A shows the dosing mechanism 14′″ in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product both at location A and location B.
(39) FIG. 10B shows the dosing mechanism 14′″ in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product at location A.
(40) FIG. 100 shows the dosing mechanism 14′″ in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product at location B.
(41) FIG. 11A shows the dosing mechanism 14′″ in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product at location A, but allows dispensing of flowable product at location B.
(42) FIG. 11B shows the dosing mechanism 14′″ in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product at location A.
(43) FIG. 11C shows the dosing mechanism 14′″ in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product at location B.
(44) FIG. 12A shows the dosing mechanism 14′″ in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product both at location A and B.
(45) FIG. 12B shows the dosing mechanism 14′″ in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product at location A.
(46) FIG. 12C shows the dosing mechanism 14′″ in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product at location B.
(47) FIG. 13A shows the dosing mechanism 14′″ in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product at location A and prevents dispensing of flowable product at location B.
(48) FIG. 13B shows the dosing mechanism 14′″ in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product at location A.
(49) FIG. 13C shows the dosing mechanism 14′″ in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product at location B.
(50) FIG. 14A shows a dosing mechanism 14.sup.IV in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52′ is shaped for allowing the functionality of being able to selectably allow or prevent dispensing of flowable product in two areas along the longitudinal direction.
(51) FIG. 14B shows a flat rolled out projection of the intermediate cylindrical part 52′ in which the two elongated openings 56″ 56′″ are shown.
(52) FIG. 15A shows a dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52′ allows dispensing of flowable product both at location A and location B.
(53) FIG. 15B shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52′ allows dispensing of flowable product at location A.
(54) FIG. 15C shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52′ allows dispensing of flowable product at location B.
(55) FIG. 16A shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52′ prevents dispensing of flowable product at location A, but allows dispensing of flowable product at location B.
(56) FIG. 16B shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52′ prevents dispensing of flowable product at location A.
(57) FIG. 16C shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52′ allows dispensing of flowable product at location B.
(58) FIG. 17A shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product both at location A and B.
(59) FIG. 17B shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52′ prevents dispensing of flowable product at location A.
(60) FIG. 17C shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52′ prevents dispensing of flowable product at location B.
(61) FIG. 18A shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52′ allows dispensing of flowable product at location A, but prevents dispensing of flowable product at location B.
(62) FIG. 18B shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52′ allows dispensing of flowable product at location A.
(63) FIG. 18C shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52′ prevents dispensing of flowable product at location B.
(64) FIG. 19 shows a side vies of another dosing mechanism 14.sup.VI in which two dosing mechanisms 14A, 14B are connected in series. In this way two storage containers 38 may be filled simultaneously. Each of the dosing mechanisms 14A, 14B may essentially be constructed identical to any of the previously shown dosing mechanisms, however, in each of the dosing mechanisms 14A, 14B instead of selecting the distance between two subsequent storage containers 38 to correspond to the distance covered by one turn of the helically shaped groove 46, the distance between two subsequent storage containers 38 corresponds to half the distance covered by one turn of the helically shaped groove 46. This can be made by altering the pitch of the helically shaped groove 46 and/or the longitudinal size of the storage containers 38. In this way the dosing mechanisms 14A, 14B may be arranged such that the dosing mechanisms 14A, 14B each serves every second storage container 38 on the conveyor 30.
(65) FIG. 20 shows a side view of another dosing mechanism 14.sup.VII in which the inner cylindrical part 16 has two helically shaped grooves 46 46′. In this way two subsequent storage containers 38 may be filled simultaneously without the need of another dosing mechanism. In the present embodiment, both helically shaped grooves 46 46′ are connected to the same circumferential groove 40, however, the helically shaped grooves 46 46′ are circumferentially off-set by half a turn, or 180°. The flow direction of the flowable product in each of the helically shaped grooves 46 46′ are shown by arrows.
(66) FIG. 21 shows a side view of another dosing mechanism 14.sup.VII in which the inner cylindrical part 16 has two helically shaped grooves 46 46′, similar to the previous embodiment. In the present embodiment, each of helically shaped grooves 46 46′ are connected to a separate circumferential groove 40 40′, respectively. The circumferential grooves 40 40′ are located at opposite ends of the dosing mechanism 14.sup.VII. The helically shaped grooves 46 46′ are still circumferentially off-set by half a turn, or 180 degrees. The circumferential groove 40 only feeds the helically shaped groove 46 whereas the circumferential groove 40′ only feeds the helically shaped groove 46′. The flow direction of the flowable product in each of the helically shaped grooves 46 46′ is shown by arrows. The present embodiment has the advantage compared to the previous embodiment in which both helically shaped grooves are fed from the same circumferential groove that the dispensing may be controlled to a much larger extent since each circumferential groove may be fed by a separate pump.
(67) FIG. 22A shows a side view of another dosing mechanism 14.sup.IX in which the inner cylindrical part 16 has two helically shaped grooves 46 46′, two circumferential grooves 40 40′ and a central passage (not shown). The flow direction of the flowable product in each of the helically shaped grooves 46 46′ are shown by arrows.
(68) FIG. 22B shows a side cut out view of the dosing mechanism 14.sup.IX. The central passage 58 is provided from the circumferential groove 40′ to the helically shaped grooves 46′ through the center of the inner cylindrical part 16 such that both the two helically shaped grooves 46 46′ are fed from different circumferential grooves 40 40′ but from the same direction. The flow direction of the flowable product in each of the helically shaped grooves 46 46′ are shown by arrows.
(69) It is evident that numerous modifications may be made to the above dosing mechanisms without departing from the inventive idea of the presently claimed invention. For instance, it is evident that the longitudinal size of the containers and the pitch of the helically shaped groove may be modified to suit the specific need of the user. As an example, the above dosing mechanisms as shown in FIGS. 19, 21-22 may alternatively be used for dispensing two different flowable materials into the same storage containers, or two different flowable materials in two different containers.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE FIGURES
(70) 10. Product dispenser 12. Tank 14. Dosing mechanism 16. Inner cylindrical part 18. Outer cylindrical part 20. Motor 22. Inlet opening 24. Pump 26. Elongated opening 28. Flowable product 30. Conveyor 32. Conveyor drive 34. Entry position 36. Exit position 38. Storage containers 40. Circumferential groove 42. First longitudinal position 44. Second longitudinal position 46. Helically shaped groove 48. Third longitudinal position 50. Backflow pipe 52. Intermediate cylindrical part 54. Return flow pipe 56. Further elongated openings 58. Central passage
