DEPOSITING MACHINE HAVING A PLUG-IN CONNECTION

Abstract

A depositing machine (1) comprising a removable component, a method for inserting the removable component (10) in a machine frame (2) of a depositing machine, a method for removing the removable component (10) from a machine frame (2) of a depositing machine (1), and a kit for retrofitting a depositing machine (1) with the removable component (10). The component (10) is fastened to the machine frame (2) by a substantially horizontally arranged plug-in connection (11), in particular, a bolt connection.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. A depositing machine having: at least one tank which contains a product for depositing and which is equipped with a stirring device for stirring the product in the tank; a depositing assembly which is located below the tank and comprises: a) at least one row of horizontal pistons which perform: an intake cycle which draws product from the tank, and an exhaust cycle which expels acquired product; and b) at least one dispensing device which rotates between: a first position for receiving the product acquired by the pistons, and a second position enabling an outflow of the acquired product that is expelled by the pistons; a motor for rotating the dispensing device; actuation means for moving the pistons in a reciprocal manner, and the actuation means are releasably connected to the pistons; and a machine frame which carries the motor and comprises two arms which project along respective parallel horizontal axes and are equipped with the actuation means; and the tank and the depositing assembly form part of a module which is removable as one piece from the frame; the module is releasably connected to the motor and is equipped with a further frame, and the further frame in the machine frame is fastened, by way of a form-fitting bolt connection, which is disposed in a substantially horizontal manner.

24. A depositing machine for depositing a foodstuff mass comprising: a machine frame, a depositing assembly for delivering the foodstuff mass from the depositing machine, and at least one tank for supplying the foodstuff mass to the depositing assembly, wherein at least a component of the depositing machine is removable from the machine frame, and the component is fastened to the machine frame by way of a plug-in connection which is disposed in a substantially horizontal manner.

25. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the component is the tank, the depositing assembly, and/or a module comprising a tank and a depositing assembly.

26. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the plug-in connection is a bolt connection.

27. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the plug-in connection comprises at least one bolt hole, on one hand, and at least one bolt which in the fitted state is disposed in the latter, on another hand.

28. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 27, wherein the bolt hole is one of a blind hole or a through hole.

29. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein a bolt connection is configured by: at least one bolt which is disposed on the component, and/or at least one bolt hole which is disposed on the component, on one hand, and at least one bolt hole which is disposed on the machine frame, and/or at least one bolt which is disposed on the machine frame, on another hand; and the bolt and the bolt hole are disposed such that, in a fitted state, they interact and hold the component in the machine frame.

30. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 26, wherein a bolt of the bolt connection is embodied as a centering bolt.

31. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 30, wherein the bolt and the associated bolt hole are axially tapered.

32. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the plug-in connection comprises at least two bolts which have identical axial alignment.

33. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 26, wherein a bolt of the bolt connection has an opening for a fastening element.

34. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 33, wherein a bolt and a bolt hole each are provided with one axial threaded bore such that a complete configuration of a form-fit is achievable by way of a screw which is guided longitudinally through the bolt.

35. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 28, wherein a bolt of the bolt connection has axially or radially displaceable elements, or elements of a variable radial extent, for radially pressing the bolt in a bolt hole.

36. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the depositing machine comprises at least one motor and actuation means for actuating the depositing assembly, the motor and the actuation means are disposed on the machine frame, the tank and/or the depositing assembly individually, or the tank and the depositing assembly as a module in one piece is/are removable from the motor and the actuation means.

37. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the depositing assembly comprises at least one of the following assemblies: at least one dispensing device, and at least one pump piston; at least one metering-pump cylinder; at least one vertical pump cylinder; at least one rotating pair of gear wheels; and at least one nozzle plate.

38. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the tank has at least one stirring device.

39. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the machine frame comprises a rear plate on which the at least one bolt and/or the at least one bolt hole are provided.

40. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein members which protrude into the machine frame and have projecting elements and/or clearances for a plug-in connection are disposed in a region of the machine frame that is remote from a rear wall.

41. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein guides, on which the at least one component is guidable, are attached to the machine frame, at least one projecting element and one corresponding clearance are convergeable, and the guides are configured in such a manner that the component, upon complete establishment of the plug-in connection, does not bear on the guide.

42. The depositing machine as claimed in claim 41, wherein the guides are rollers.

43. A method for inserting a module info a depositing machine as claimed in claim 23, wherein the method comprising: offering up a module in front of the machine frame in such a manner that the module is located in a front region between the two arms of the machine frame; introducing the module into the region between the two arms in such a manner that a substantially horizontal bolt connection, is configured between the machine frame and the further frame; linking the pistons to the actuation means; and linking the motor to the dispensing device.

44. A method for inserting a component into a machine frame of a depositing machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the method comprising: introducing at least one component into the machine frame, at least one projecting element and one corresponding clearance, each being attached to the component, on one hand, and to the machine frame, on another hand, are mutually converged; establishing a substantially horizontal plug-in connection.

45. The method as claimed in claim 44, wherein the component is guided, on guides, between two arms of the machine frame.

46. The method as claimed in claim 45, wherein the guide is a roller track.

47. The method as claimed in claim 45, wherein the component, upon configuration of the plug-in connection, is raised from the guide.

48. A method for removing a module from a depositing machine as claimed in claim 23, the method comprising: separating the pistons from the actuation means; separating the motor from the dispensing device; retrieving the module from a region between the two arms in such a manner that a substantially horizontal bolt connection, between the machine frame and the further frame, is released.

49. A method for removing at least one component from a machine frame of a depositing machine as claimed in claim 24, the method comprising: releasing a substantially horizontal plug-in connection between at least one projecting member and at least one corresponding clearance, each being disposed on the component, on one hand, and on the machine frame, on another hand, by mutual axial displacement in a substantially horizontal direction, and displacing the component in relation to the machine frame, and the projecting member and the corresponding clearance are removed from one another.

50. The method as claimed in claim 49, the method further comprising at least one of the following: separating the depositing assembly from actuation means and/or from a motor, separating a stirring device from a motor, lowering the component onto a guide, horizontally displacing the component on a guide, and transferring the component by way of a carrier device.

51. A construction kit for converting a depositing machine which comprises a machine frame, a depositing assembly, for delivering the foodstuff mass from the depositing machine, and at least one tank for supplying the foodstuff mass to the depositing assembly, wherein the tank, the depositing assembly, and/or a module comprising a tank and a depositing assembly, is/are removable from the machine frame, the construction kit for the conversion comprises: at least one first carrier part which is fastenable to a component, the depositing assembly, and/or the module; and at least one second carrier part which is fastenable to the machine frame, at least one projecting member and/or at least one clearance is/are disposed on each of the first carrier part and the second carrier part, and a plug-in connection is establishable between the first and the second carrier part.

Description

[0093] The invention is explained hereunder by way of exemplary embodiments by means of the drawings in which:

[0094] FIG. 1 shows a depositing machine according to the invention in the fitted state in a schematic sectional illustration transverse to the push-fit direction;

[0095] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of fragment T of FIG. 1;

[0096] FIG. 3 shows the depositing machine according to the invention, having the component in a first position, in a schematic sectional illustration along the push-fit direction;

[0097] FIG. 4 shows the depositing machine according to the invention, having the component in a second position, in a schematic sectional illustration along the push-fit direction;

[0098] FIG. 5 shows the depositing machine according to the invention, having the component in a third position, in a schematic sectional illustration along the push-fit direction;

[0099] FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of fragment X of FIG. 4;

[0100] FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of fragment W of FIG. 4;

[0101] FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of fragment V of FIG. 5;

[0102] FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of fragment U of FIG. 5;

[0103] FIG. 10 shows a first example of a depositing assembly in a schematic sectional illustration;

[0104] FIG. 11 shows a second example of a depositing assembly in a schematic sectional illustration;

[0105] FIG. 12 shows a third example of a module in a schematic sectional illustration;

[0106] FIG. 13 shows a fourth example of a module in a schematic sectional illustration;

[0107] FIG. 14 shows a fifth example of a depositing assembly in a schematic sectional illustration.

[0108] FIG. 1 shows a depositing machine 1 in the fitted state in a schematic sectional illustration.

[0109] The depositing machine 1 has a machine frame 2 which carries at least one motor (not explicitly shown) and comprises two arms 3 which project along respective parallel horizontal axes 4 and are equipped with actuation means 5.

[0110] The depositing machine 1 has a depositing assembly 6 for delivering the foodstuff mass from the depositing machine 1, said depositing assembly 6 preferably being disposed below a tank 7.

[0111] The tank 7 is equipped with a stirring device 8.

[0112] In the present exemplary embodiment, the tank 7 and the depositing assembly 6 form part of a module 9 which as a component 10 of the depositing machine 1 is removable in one piece from the frame 2.

[0113] The component 10 is fastened to the machine frame 2 by means of a plug-in connection 11 which is disposed in a substantially horizontal manner.

[0114] The module 9 is equipped with a further frame 13 which in the present example is fastened to the machine frame 2 by way of a form-fitting bolt connection.

[0115] The depositing assembly 6, on both sides facing the arms 3, comprises a row of horizontal pistons (not explicitly illustrated) which perform an intake cycle, so as to draw product from the tank, and an exhaust cycle, so as to expel the acquired product. The depositing assembly 6 on each side moreover comprises one dispensing device 12 which rotates between a first position, so as to receive the product that has been acquired by the pistons, and a second position, which enables an outflow of the product that is expelled by the pistons.

[0116] The depositing assembly 6 is releasably connected to a motor, attached to the machine frame 2, for rotating the dispensing device 12. The actuation means for moving the pistons are likewise releasably connected to the pistons.

[0117] Guides 14, in the present case strips 15 having rollers 16, are attached to the machine frame 2.

[0118] It can be seen in FIG. 2 that the component 10 in the fitted state, that is to say upon complete establishment of the plug-in connection 11, does not bear on the guide 14, but that there is a spacing d between the frame 13 of the module 9 and the rollers 16.

[0119] Thus, the rollers 16 do not have to carry the module 9 during operation.

[0120] Introducing the module 9 into the machine frame 2 is shown by means of the following pictures.

[0121] In a first step, the module 9 is positioned in front of the machine frame in such a manner that the module 9 is located in the front region between the arms 3 of the machine frame 2. The module 9 may then be guided into the region between the arms 3. Positioning may be performed by way of a carrier device (not explicitly shown), for example a lifting truck.

[0122] FIG. 3 shows the depositing machine 1 according to the invention in a schematic sectional illustration along the push-fit direction 17, wherein the component 10 is located in a first position between the arms 3 of the machine frame 2.

[0123] Bolts 18 as projecting elements 28 for a plug-in connection 11 are attached to the machine frame 2 in the rear region 36. The bolts 18 are configured as conically shaped centering bolts.

[0124] The machine frame 2 comprises a rear plate 37 on which bolts 18 are provided. Moreover, couplings (not explicitly shown) for connecting at least one motor are provided on the rear plate 37.

[0125] Members 39 which protrude into the frame 2 and likewise have bolts 20 are disposed in a region 38 of the machine frame 2 that is remote from the rear plate 37.

[0126] Roller tracks 19 having rollers 16 are provided on the arms 3, bolts 20 being likewise disposed on the front end of said roller tracks.

[0127] Corresponding rear bolt holes 21 and front bolt holes 22, as clearances 29, for a plug-in connection are disposed on the frame 13 of the module 9.

[0128] The component 10 may be push-fitted into the frame up to a stop 23 which is provided on the machine frame, is then lowered onto the roller track 19, and is pushed farther on the rollers 16 in the push-fit direction 17 such that bolts 18, 20 and corresponding bolt holes 21, 22 converge.

[0129] FIG. 4 shows the depositing machine 1 according to the invention in a schematic sectional illustration along the push-fit direction 17, wherein the component 10 is located in a second position between the arms 3 of the machine frame 2, wherein bolts 18, 20 and corresponding bolt holes 21, 22 have been brought into mutual contact but no form-fitting connection has yet been established.

[0130] The module 9 still bears on the rollers 16 of the roller track 19.

[0131] It can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7 that there is a spacing d between the axis 24 of the front centering bolt 20 and the axis 25 of the front bolt hole 22, as well as between the axis 26 of the rear bolt 18 and the axis 27 of the rear bolt hole 21.

[0132] The bolts 18, 20 are embodied so as to be conical such that upon further pushing of the module 9 in the push-fitting direction, the module 9 is inevitably drawn into the terminal position thereof, the latter being illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0133] In the third position illustrated in FIG. 3, a substantially horizontal plug-in connection 11 has been configured between the machine frame 2 and the frame 13 of the module 9, wherein a form-fit between in each case one bolt 18, 20 and a corresponding bolt hole 21, 22 has been established.

[0134] It can be seen in FIG. 8 that the frame 13 of the module 9 is spaced apart from the rollers 16 by a spacing d.

[0135] The rear bolt holes 21 are embodied as a blind hole 30.

[0136] The front bolt holes 22 have an opening 31 for a fastening element 32. In the present case, the front bolts 20 and the corresponding bolt holes 22 each are provided with axial threaded bores 33, 34 such that the complete configuration of the form-fit is achieved by fixing a screw 35 which is guided longitudinally through the bolts 20.

[0137] Now the pistons are yet to be linked to the actuation means, and the motor is yet to be linked to the dispensing device.

[0138] The following pictures show examples of various metering mechanisms, wherein components or a module are fastenable to a machine frame by way of a plug-in connection.

[0139] FIG. 10 shows a depositing assembly 6 having a double-sided piston system. Rotatable dispensing devices 12, on the one hand, and horizontal pistons 41, on the other hand, are disposed in a piston block 40. The pistons 41, preferably at the end side, are connected to a piston plate such that the pistons may be collectively moved in a reciprocal manner, for example by a gear rack or an eccentric. For removal, the piston plate has to be separated from the drive means, and the dispensing device has to be separated from the motor.

[0140] A nozzle plate 42 is provided below the depositing assembly 6.

[0141] FIG. 11 likewise shows a depositing assembly 6 having a piston block 40 in which rotatable dispensing devices 12 and horizontal pistons 41 are disposed. A blade block 43, by way of which masses that contain lumpy components may be cleanly metered, is disposed below the depositing assembly.

[0142] FIG. 12 shows a module 9 having a tank 7 which is embodied as a conical mass container and on which a vertically aligned stirring device 44 having a screw conveyor is provided. Modules of this type are suitable for conveying viscous masses, for example marzipan masses.

[0143] FIG. 13 shows a module 9 having a tank 7 in which vertical metering pistons 45 are disposed. A slide 46 which is moved by a servo motor, for example, may be moved to a metering position (left side) or to an intake position (right side) in which mass does not pass through the nozzles.

[0144] FIG. 14 shows a depositing assembly 6 having a metering block 47 in which gear wheels 48 are disposed as a pair of gear wheels 49. A nozzle plate 42 having distributor ducts 50 is disposed below the depositing assembly.