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
1-15. (canceled)
16. Apparatus for dispensing a flowable product into storage containers conveyed on a conveyor along a longitudinal direction from an entry position to an exit position, the apparatus comprising: a tank configured for storing the flow able product; and a dosing mechanism extending in said longitudinal direction above said conveyor, said dosing mechanism comprising an inner cylindrical part and an outer cylindrical part enclosing said inner cylindrical part; wherein said inner cylindrical part defines (i) a circumferential groove extending between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position, and (ii) a helically shaped groove extending between said circumferential groove at said second longitudinal position located at said entry position and a third longitudinal position located at said exit position; wherein said outer cylindrical part defines (i) an elongated opening extending in a longitudinal direction at least a part of the distance between said second longitudinal position and said third longitudinal position, and (ii) an inlet opening located between said first longitudinal position and said second longitudinal position for establishing a fluid path from said tank via said circumferential groove and said helically shaped groove to said elongated opening; and wherein said inner cylindrical part is rotatable for dispensing said flowable product into said storage containers between said entry position and said exit position.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said helically shaped groove defines at least one turn between said second longitudinal position and said third longitudinal position.
18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said helically shaped groove defines less than one turn between said second longitudinal position and said third longitudinal position.
19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said helically shaped groove is a first helically shaped groove, and wherein said inner cylindrical part further defines a second helically shaped groove offset by turn in relation to said first helically shaped groove
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said circumferential groove is a first circumferential groove, and wherein said inner cylindrical part defines a second circumferential groove fluidly connected to said second helically shaped groove.
21. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a pump between said tank and said inlet opening and operable to pump said flowable product from said tank into said inlet opening.
22. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said inner cylindrical part and said outer cylindrical part are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.
23. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said dosing mechanism is a first dosing mechanism, and wherein said apparatus comprises at least a second dosing mechanism as defined in claim 16, said first dosing mechanism and said at least second dosing mechanism being arranged in series.
24. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said elongated opening defines a circumferential width of 1-20.
25. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said outer cylindrical part comprises a backflow pipe configured for transporting the flowable product from said circumferential groove out of said dosing mechanism.
26. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said outer cylindrical part is movable in the circumferential direction.
27. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said dosing mechanism comprises an intermediate cylindrical part located in between said outer cylindrical part and said inner cylindrical part, said intermediate cylindrical part being rotatable in relation to said outer cylindrical part and said inner cylindrical part, said intermediate cylindrical part defining a second elongated opening corresponding to said elongated opening of said outer cylindrical part.
28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said intermediate cylindrical part defines a third elongated opening.
29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said second elongated opening and said third elongated opening are circumferentially offset relative to each other.
30. A method of dispensing a flowable product from a tank, said method comprising: (a) providing a dosing mechanism extending in a longitudinal direction, said dosing mechanism comprising an inner cylindrical part and an outer cylindrical part enclosing said inner cylindrical part; wherein said inner cylindrical part defines (i) a circumferential groove extending between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position, and (ii) a helically shaped groove extending between said circumferential groove at said second longitudinal position located at an entry position and a third longitudinal position located at an exit position; and wherein said outer cylindrical part defines (i) an inlet opening located between said first longitudinal position and said second longitudinal position, and (ii) an elongated opening extending in a longitudinal direction at least a part of the distance between said second longitudinal position and said third longitudinal position; (b) feeding said flowable product from said tank via said inlet opening, said circumferential groove and said helically shaped groove to said elongated opening; (c) conveying a plurality of storage containers beneath said elongated opening along a longitudinal direction from said entry position to said exit position; and (d) rotating said inner cylindrical part, thereby dispensing said flowable product from said elongate opening into said storage containers between said entry position and said exit position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the product dispenser according to the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outer and inner cylindrical parts according to the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a cut-out view of the dosing mechanism according to the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 4A is a cut-out view illustrating the working principle of the dosing mechanism according to the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 4B is an outside view of the dosing mechanism from below.
[0042] FIG. 5A is a cut-out view of the dosing mechanism according to the present invention when the inner cylindrical part has rotated.
[0043] FIG. 5B is an outside view of the dosing mechanism of the previous figure from below.
[0044] FIGS. 6A and B are illustrating an alternative embodiment in which dispensing may be temporarily stopped.
[0045] FIGS. 7A and B are illustrating an alternative embodiment having a backflow pipe.
[0046] FIGS. 8 to 13 are illustrating an alternative embodiment having an intermediate cylindrical part made up of two elements.
[0047] FIGS. 14 to 18 are illustrating an alternative embodiment having an intermediate cylindrical part made up of one element.
[0048] FIG. 19 is illustrating another alternative embodiment in which two dosing mechanisms are connected in series.
[0049] FIG. 20 is illustrating another alternative embodiment in which the inner cylindrical part has two helically shaped grooves.
[0050] FIG. 21 is illustrating another alternative embodiment in which the inner cylindrical part has two helically shaped grooves and two circumferential grooves.
[0051] 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
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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.
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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.
[0060] 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.
[0061] 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.
[0062] FIG. 5A shows an alternative embodiment of the dosing mechanism 14 of the previous figure in which the circumferential groove 40 is wider.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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.
[0067] FIG. 7B shows the embodiment of FIG. 7A from below. The flowable product 28 is allowed to be dispensed.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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.
[0070] 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.
[0071] 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.
[0072] 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.
[0073] FIG. 9D shows a cross-sectional view of the inner cylindrical part 16 of the dosing mechanism 14 at two longitudinal locations.
[0074] 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.
[0075] FIG. 10B shows the dosing mechanism 14 in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product at location A.
[0076] FIG. 100 shows the dosing mechanism 14 in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product at location B.
[0077] 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.
[0078] FIG. 11B shows the dosing mechanism 14 in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product at location A.
[0079] FIG. 11C shows the dosing mechanism 14 in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product at location B.
[0080] 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.
[0081] FIG. 12B shows the dosing mechanism 14 in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product at location A.
[0082] FIG. 12C shows the dosing mechanism 14 in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product at location B.
[0083] 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.
[0084] FIG. 13B shows the dosing mechanism 14 in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product at location A.
[0085] FIG. 13C shows the dosing mechanism 14 in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product at location B.
[0086] 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.
[0087] FIG. 14B shows a flat rolled out projection of the intermediate cylindrical part 52 in which the two elongated openings 56 56 are shown.
[0088] 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.
[0089] FIG. 15B shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product at location A.
[0090] FIG. 15C shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product at location B.
[0091] 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.
[0092] FIG. 16B shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product at location A.
[0093] FIG. 16C shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product at location B.
[0094] 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.
[0095] FIG. 17B shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product at location A.
[0096] FIG. 17C shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product at location B.
[0097] 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.
[0098] FIG. 18B shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 allows dispensing of flowable product at location A.
[0099] FIG. 18C shows the dosing mechanism 14.sup.V in which the intermediate cylindrical part 52 prevents dispensing of flowable product at location B.
[0100] 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.
[0101] 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.
[0102] 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.
[0103] 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.
[0104] 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.
[0105] 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
[0106] 10. Product dispenser [0107] 12. Tank [0108] 14. Dosing mechanism [0109] 16. Inner cylindrical part [0110] 18. Outer cylindrical part [0111] 20. Motor [0112] 22. Inlet opening [0113] 24. Pump [0114] 26. Elongated opening [0115] 28. Flowable product [0116] 30. Conveyor [0117] 32. Conveyor drive [0118] 34. Entry position [0119] 36. Exit position [0120] 38. Storage containers [0121] 40. Circumferential groove [0122] 42. First longitudinal position [0123] 44. Second longitudinal position [0124] 46. Helically shaped groove [0125] 48. Third longitudinal position [0126] 50. Backflow pipe [0127] 52. Intermediate cylindrical part [0128] 54. Return flow pipe [0129] 56. Further elongated openings [0130] 58. Central passage
