A VALVE, A MIXING UNIT AND A METHOD FOR MIXING A LIQUID FOOD PRODUCT WITH A POWDER FOOD PRODUCT

Abstract

A valve for controlling a product flow, comprising a valve body and a rotatable stem with an end portion of the stem disposed within a product flow channel of the valve, and a disk arranged on the stem at an angle greater than zero relative to an elongated extension of the stem for sealing respectively opening the valve closure area by rotating the stem approximately 180, the valve body comprising a stem seal groove having a stem seal that surrounds the stem, and a void space surrounding the stem and extending from the stem seal to the product flow channel, such that the stem seal is fluidly connected to the product flow channel via the void space. A mixing unit for mixing a liquid product with a powder product and a method for mixing a liquid food product with a powder food product are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A valve for controlling a product flow, the valve comprising a valve body having a product inlet, a product outlet, a product flow channel formed between the product inlet and the product outlet, and a valve seat arranged in the product flow channel, a rotatable stem extending through a wall of the valve body and into the product flow channel with an end portion of the stem disposed within the product flow channel, a disk arranged at the end portion of the stem at an angle greater than zero relative to an elongated extension of the stem, the disk being movable from a closed position where it abuts the valve seat for sealing the product flow channel, to an open position by rotating the stem approximately 180, wherein the valve body comprises a stem seal groove having a stem seal that surrounds the stem for providing sealing between the valve body and the stem, and a void space surrounding the stem and extending from the stem seal to the product flow channel, such that the stem seal is fluidly connected to the product flow channel via the void space.

2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the void space has an extension of at least 3 mm in a radial direction of the stem.

3. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the void space has a shape of a hollow body with a truncated section at a first end thereof and a base section at a second opposite end thereof, where a first portion of the base section extends into the wall of the valve body, and wherein a second portion of the base section is adjacent the product flow channel.

4. The valve according to claim 3, wherein the second portion of the base section is opposite to the first portion of the base section and wherein the second portion is in direct contact with the product flow channel.

5. The valve according to claim 3, wherein a peripheral part of the stem seal faces the base section of the void space, to thereby define a ring-shaped area partially defining the void space.

6. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the void space has the shape of a truncated, hollow cylinder, where the rotatable stem extends through the void space.

7. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve body comprises a removable stem holder radially surrounding a portion of the stem and being configured to hold the stem in relation to the valve body, wherein the stem seal groove is located between the stem holder and the valve body.

8. The valve according to claim 7, wherein the stem holder comprises a leakage detecting hole that extends through the stem holder, in a radial direction, for providing detection of leakage past the stem seal.

9. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve seat comprises a main seal groove in which a main sealing element is arranged.

10. The disc valve according to claim 9, wherein the valve body comprises two opposite leakage detection passages that extend from the main seal groove, to an outer surface of the valve body for providing detection of leakage past the main sealing element.

11. The valve according to claim 9, wherein the valve body comprises a first part, a second part and a third part that are connected to each other by attachment devices and with the second part arranged between the first part and the third part, the main seal groove being formed between the first part, the second part and the third part.

12. The valve according to claim 10, wherein the leakage detection passages are formed in the third part.

13. The disc valve according to claim 9, wherein the main sealing element has an extension seen along the product flow channel which is at least three times a thickness of the disc.

14. A mixing unit for mixing a liquid product with a powder product, the mixing unit comprising a tank comprising a liquid inlet configured to receive the liquid product to the tank and a powder inlet configured to receive the powder product to the tank, a vacuum source connected to the tank and configured to apply a vacuum to the tank, a valve connected to the powder inlet and configured to control a vacuum induced flow of the powder product into the tank via the powder inlet, and an agitator arranged inside the tank and configured to agitate the liquid product and the powder product, wherein the valve is a valve according to claim 1.

15. A method for mixing a liquid food product with a powder food product, the method comprising: feeding the liquid food product to the tank of a mixing unit, the liquid food product having a liquid surface inside the tank; applying a vacuum to the tank by using a vacuum source; feeding the food powder product to the tank of the mixing unit via a valve of the mixing unit, when the liquid surface is above the powder inlet such that the powder product is fed to the tank below the liquid surface; and agitating the liquid product with the powder product by using the agitator, wherein the mixing unit is a mixing unit according to claim 14.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a mixing unit.

[0046] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a valve according to the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 3a is an assembled view of the valve when the disk of the valve is in a closed position (P1).

[0048] FIG. 3b is an assembled view of the valve when the disk of the valve is in an open position (P2).

[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates a rotatable stem and a stem seal groove of the valve in further detail.

[0050] FIG. 5 illustrates a valve seat and of the valve in further detail.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a void space of the valve.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating steps of a method for mixing a liquid food product with a powder food product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] With reference to FIG. 1 a mixing unit 1 is illustrated. The mixing unit 1 comprises a tank 19 that has a liquid inlet 28 for receiving various liquid food products. A number of sources 11-15 that hold the liquid food products are connected to the liquid inlet 28 via valves 41-45 that control the supply of the liquid food products through the liquid inlet 28 and into the tank 19. It should be noted that the mixing unit 1 may be configured to receive less than five liquid food products or more than five liquid food products via the liquid inlet 28. The tank 19 has a powder inlet 38 having a valve 200 connected thereto for receiving a powder food product. The valve 200 is arranged for controlling the flow of the powder food product through the powder inlet 38 and is further discussed in connection with FIGS. 2-7. A powder source 35 that holds the powder food product is connected to the inlet 38. The mixing unit 1 is configured to mix the liquid food products with the powder food product to form a food product.

[0054] The mixing unit 1 has at its bottom 29 an outlet 30 through which mixed food product may leave the tank 19, for example by opening an outlet valve 31. To facilitate introducing liquid and/or powder food products into the mixing unit 1, the mixing unit 1 may comprise a pressure arrangement that inside the tank 19 creates a pressure that is lower than a pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the tank 19. To make mixed food products, or typically a finished food product, efficiently leave the mixing unit 1, the pressure arrangement may inside the tank 19 create a pressure that is higher than a pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the tank 19. Additionally or alternatively, one or more pumps may be arranged for feeding the food product into the tank 19 respectively for drawing out a content of the tank 19, such as a finished mayonnaise product.

[0055] The pressure arrangement may be a vacuum source 70 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The vacuum source 70 is connected to the tank 19 and is configured to apply a vacuum to the tank 19 to introduce the powder food product into the tank in an efficient way. The valve 200, which is connected to the powder inlet 38, is configured to control a vacuum induced flow of the powder food product into the tank 19 via the powder inlet 38.

[0056] A jacket 21 surrounds a periphery of the tank 19 and has an inlet respectively an outlet (not shown) for allowing a cooling or heating media to flow through the jacket 21 for decreasing or increasing a temperature of food product that are present inside the tank 19.

[0057] A double shaft agitator 20 is located inside the mixing unit 1 and has a double shaft axle 22, 23 that is suspended from the top of the tank 19. The double shaft axle has a first axle 22 that encloses an upper part of a second axle 23, and the two axles 22, 23 are driven to rotate in same or different directions R1, R2 by a motor unit 32 that is arranged at the top of the mixing unit 1. The two axles 22, 23 extend along and are rotatable about a first rotational axis A1 of the mixing unit 1.

[0058] A first blade 24 is via an arm 25 connected to the first axle 22 so that the first blade 24 rotates in the same direction R1 as the first axle 22 when driven by the motor unit 32. The first blade 24 may be a scraper blade that rotates close to an inner wall of the tank 19, so that food product that stick to the inner tank wall may be scraped off.

[0059] A second blade 26 is via an arm 27 connected to the second axle 23 so that the second blade 26 rotates in the same direction R2 as the second axle 23 when driven by the motor unit 32. The second blade 26 may be a fluid lifting blade in the sense that it is arranged to make food product in contact with the second blade 26 flow upward from the bottom 29 of the tank 19 in a direction towards the top of the tank 19 when the second axle 23 is driven by the motor unit 32. Any suitable numbers of fluid lifting blades like the second blade 26 may be connected to the second axle 23, such as four blades, as shown in the illustrated example.

[0060] A rotor 51 is arranged at the bottom 29 of the tank 19. The rotor 51 is via an axle 54 connected to a rotor engine 53 that, when activated, drives the axle 54 so that the rotor 51 rotates in a rotational direction R3. The axle 54 of the rotor 51 extends along and is rotatable about a second rotational axis A2 of the mixing unit 1. The two axes A1 and A2 are preferably aligned with each other. A stator 52 is arranged around the radial periphery of the rotor 51. An actuator 56 is arranged to move the stator 52 in a direction D that is parallel to the axis of rotation A2 of the rotor 51. The actuator 56 can set the stator 52 in a lowermost position where it surrounds the radial periphery (circumference) of the rotor 51. The stator 52 can then, by the actuator 56, be moved to an uppermost position where it is lifted such that it does not surround the radial periphery of the rotor 51. The stator 52 has openings where it surrounds the circumference of the rotor 51, thereby allowing food product to be pushed through the stator when the stator 52 in an a position where it surrounds all of or some of the rotor 51.

[0061] The rotor 51, the stator 52 and the actuator 56 form a rotor-stator arrangement 50 that allows a shear that food product are subjected to, by the rotor 51 and the stator 52, to be varied when the rotor 51 rotates. In detail, when the stator 52 is in its lowermost position (closest to the bottom 29 of the tank 19), food product inside the tank 19 are by the rotation of the rotor 51 drawn towards the upper side of the rotor 51. The food product are then forced outwards in a radial direction of the rotor 51, through the holes in the stator 52 that surround the circumference of the rotor 51.

[0062] When the stator 52 is in its uppermost position (farthest away from the bottom 29 of the tank 19), food product inside the tank 19 are by the rotation of the rotor 51 drawn towards the upper side of the rotor 51. The food product are still forced outwards in a radial direction of the rotor 51, but without passing through the holes in the stator 52 since the stator 52 does not surround the circumference of the rotor 51. The stator 52 can be positioned at any location between its lowermost position and its uppermost position, which will vary the amount of food product that pass through the stator 52. The more food product that pass though the stator 52, the higher the shear will be. Thus, due to the actuator 56 and the movable stator 52 it is possible to vary a shear that is provided by the rotor 51 and the stator 52 during mixing of any ingredient inside the mixing unit 1.

[0063] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the valve 200 as introduced in connection with FIG. 1. FIGS. 3a-b illustrates an assembled view of the valve 200.

[0064] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3a-3b, the valve 200 comprises a valve body 210 having a product inlet 211, a product outlet 212, and a product flow channel 213 formed between the product inlet and outlet 211, 212. The product flow channel 213 has an flow channel extension FCE.

[0065] The valve body 210 is formed by a first part 210a, a second part 210b and a third part 210c. In FIG. 2, the parts 210a-c are separated from each other. In FIGS. 3a-b, the parts 210a-c are connected to each other by attachment devices 219a, 219b. The attachment devices 219a, 219b are formed by a clamp 219a and a bolt 219b, wherein the clamp 219a is for connecting the first and second parts 210a-b. In the depicted figure, one bolt 219b is illustrated but also four bolt holes. Thus, the second and third parts 210b, 210c may be connected via four bolts 219b according to the present figure. The bolts 219b may be entered through openings in the second part 210b and screwed into threaded holes 229 in the third part 210c to thereby attach the second and third parts 210b, 210c to each other. Other attaching devices suitable to connect the parts 210a, 210b, 210c of the valve body 210 may be used as well. It should be noted that the valve body 210 may be formed by more than three parts or by less than three parts as well. The third part 210c may form a part of the mixing unit 1 in FIG. 1, for example by being welded to the mixing unit 1.

[0066] The valve body 210 comprises a valve seat 226. The valve seat 226 comprises a main seal groove 217 in which a main sealing element 216 is arranged. The main seal groove 217 extends along the parts 210a, 210b, 210c of the valve body 210. In the depicted figure, the main sealing element 216 is provided with a protrusion in order to fasten the main sealing element 216.

[0067] The third part 210c of the valve body 210 comprises two opposite leakage detection passages 218a, 218b. The leakage detection passages 218a, 218b extend from the main seal groove 217 to an outer surface of the valve body 210. The leakage detection passages 218a, 218b are arranged for providing detection of leakage past the main sealing element 216 of the valve 200. Preferably the leakage detection passages 218a, 218b are provided in the boundary between the second part 210b and third part 210c of the valve body 210.

[0068] The valve 200 further comprises a rotatable steam 220. The stem 220 comprises an end portion 221a and a further end portion 221b. In FIGS. 3a-b, the stem 220 extends through a wall 214 of the first part 210a of the valve body 210 such that the end portion 221a of the stem is disposed within the product flow channel 213. The stem 220 is arranged with an angle relative to the valve body 210.

[0069] The valve body 210 further comprises a removable stem holder 224 which is configured to receive the other end portion 221b of the stem 220 in order to hold the stem 220 in place in relation to the valve body 210. The valve 200 further comprises a stem seal groove 215 in which a stem seal 225 is arranged. The stem seal groove 215 is located between the steam holder 224 and the valve body 210 and the stem seal 225 is configured to seal between the stem holder 224 and the valve body 210. The stem holder 224 comprises a leakage detecting hole 224a, 224b. The leakage detection hole 224a, 224b extends through the stem holder 224, in the radial direction R (see FIG. 4). The leakage detecting hole 224a, 224b is arranged for providing detection of leakage past the stem seal 225. The stem 220 has an elongated extension STE.

[0070] The valve 220 further comprises a disk 222 which is arranged at the end portion 221a of the stem 220. As best illustrated in FIGS. 3a-b, the disk 222 is arranged at the end portions 221a of the stem 220 at an angle which is greater than zero in relation to the elongated extension STE of the stem 220. The disk 222 is movable from a closed position P1, as illustrated in FIG. 3a, to an open position P2, as illustrated in FIG. 3b. The disk 222 is moved by rotating the stem 220 approximately 180. The stem 220 may be rotated in different ways, such as 160-200, preferably 170-190, more preferably 175-185, even more preferably 179-180.

[0071] The stem 200 may be the only structure that holds the disk 222. This may mean that there is, in the valve body 210, only one through hole or opening that is used for the purpose of providing support for the disk 222.

[0072] As further illustrated in FIGS. 3a-b, the valve body 210 further comprises a void space 302. The void space 302 surrounds the stem 220 and extend from the stem seal 225 to the product flow channel 213. Thereby, the product flow channel 213 is in direct contact with the stem seal 215. Put differently, the stem seal 215 is fluidly connected to the product flow channel 213 via the void space 302. The void space 302 is further illustrated and discussed in connection with FIGS. 4 and 6.

[0073] The disk 222 is arranged in the closed position P1 in which the disk 222 abuts the valve seat 226. In this position, the product flow channel 213 is blocked by the disk 222 in order to prevent product to flow through the valve 200. When the disk 222 is arranged in the closed position P1 and abuts the valve seat 226, it is arranged to seal the valve closure area 2227 such that the valve 200 is tight between the disk 222 and the valve body 210.

[0074] The disk 222 has a thickness DT as seen along the product flow channel 213, when the disk 222 is in the closed position P1. The main sealing element 216 has an extension SEE along the product flow channel 213. Preferably, the main sealing element 216 has an extension which is at least three times the thickness of the disk 222.

[0075] With reference to FIG. 3b, further to what have been discussed above, the disk 222 of the valve 200 is arranged in the open position P2. As illustrated, when the disk 222 is in the open position P2, a main extension MED of the disk 222 is arranged in parallel to the product flow channel 213. In other words, a main extension MED of the disk 222 is arranged in parallel to a principal product flow at a location of the disk 222.

[0076] As further illustrated in FIG. 3b, the valve seat 226 has a seating area. In this context, the valve seat 226 is arranged to define a valve closure area 227 having the same angle relative to the elongated extension STE as the valve disk 222. The angles and may be equal, which is the preferred design. This is true in the case when angles , are 45. In other cases, the angles , may be different degrees but should together preferably be 90.

[0077] In FIG. 4, showing section 400 of FIG. 3a, the void space 302 as introduced in FIG. 3a is illustrated in further detail by way of examples. The void space 302 surrounds the stem 220. The void space 302 extends from the stem seal 225 to the product flow channel 213 such that the stem seal 225 is fluidly connected to the product flow channel 213 via the void space 302. The void space 302 facilitates cleaning of the valve 200, wherein cleaning fluid is able to be flushed to the stem seal 225 thereby being in directed contact with the stem seal 225. This provides for an improved cleanability compared to conventional valves.

[0078] The void space 302 has an extension VE of at least 3 mm in a radial direction R of the stem 220. The void space 302 may have other extensions, such as at least 7.5 mm.

[0079] The void space 302 may, in a radial direction R of the stem 220, have an extension VE that has a length that is at least 20% of a thickness DM of the stem 220, where the thickness DM of the stem 220 is measured across the stem 220 in the radial direction R. The extension VE and the thickness DM may be measured at the same longitudinal position on the stem 220, as seen in a direction along the elongated extension STE. The extension VE may be measured on a side of the stem 220 that is opposite the product flow channel 213. The void space 302 may have, in the radial direction R of the stem 220, an extension VE that has a length that is even longer, such as at least 30% or even at least 40% of the thickness DM of the stem 220. Having an extension VE that is at least 20% of the thickness DM is advantageous in that a peripheral part 225a of the stem seal 215 may be more efficiently cleaned.

[0080] As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the void space 302 has a shape of a hollow body 303 with a truncated section 304, at a first end thereof, and a base section 305, at a second opposite end thereof. A first portion 306 of the base section 305 extends into the wall 214. A second portion 307 of the base section 305, which is opposite the first portion 306, is adjacent the product flow channel 213 and thereby being in direct contact with the product flow channel 213. The stem 220 is configured to be introduced through the void space 302. In other words, the void space 302 has the shape of a truncated, hollow cylinder, where the rotatable stem 220 extends through a hollow section 308 of the void space 302.

[0081] When the stem 220 is introduced through the wall 214 of the valve body 210 and the stem holder is arranged to hold the stem 220 in the desired way, in relation to the valve body 210, the peripheral part 225a, seen along an axial direction STE, of the stem seal 215 faces the base section 305 partially defining the void space 302. Once the peripheral part 225a of the stem seal 215 faces the base section 305, the stem seal 215 is defining a ring-shaped area 309 partially defining the void space 302 at which the sealing between the stem holder 224 and the valve body 210 is provided. Thereby, the stem seal 225 is fluidly connected with the product flow channel 213.

[0082] As mentioned, the void space 302 should be understood as a geometrical shape that defines its surrounding, i.e. it is a technical design parameter that gives the valve certain technical characteristics. The void space 302 is therefore created to let its geometrical shape define the shape of the parts of the valve that surround the void space. It can therefore be said the shape of the various valve parts define the shape of the void space 302. More particularly, the shapes of the housing 210, the stem 220, the stem seal 225 and the product flow channel 213 define the shape of the void space 220 (or vice versa).

[0083] With reference to FIG. 5, showing section 500 of FIG. 3a, the main sealing element 216 and the disk 222, when in the closed position P1, is illustrated in further detail. Herein, the disk 222 abuts the main sealing element 216 thereby providing the sealing such that no product may pass the disk 222. There is a gap 502 formed between the main sealing element 216 and the main sealing groove 217, thereby the main sealing element 216 may be able to be pressed towards the main sealing groove 217 once the disk 222 abuts the main sealing element 216. This is advantageous in that a reduced wear and tear is provided on the main sealing element 216 compared to conventional valves. Thereby, an increased gasket replacement interval is facilitated. The leakage passage 218b as discussed above is also illustrated in further detail.

[0084] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method 700 for mixing a liquid food product with a powder food product. The method 700 comprises a first step S702 in which the liquid food product is fed to the tank 19 of the mixing unit 1 as discussed in connection with FIG. 1. The liquid food product has a liquid surface LS inside the tank 19. Thereafter, in a second step S704, a vacuum is applied to the tank 19 by using the vacuum source 70 of the mixing unit 1. In a third step S706, powder food product is feed to the tank of the mixing unit 1 via the valve 200 as discussed above. It should be noted that the liquid surface LS is preferably above the powder inlet 38 such that the powder food product is fed to the tank 19 below the liquid surface LS. In a fourth step S708, the liquid food product is agitated with the powder food product by using the agitator 20 of the mixer.

[0085] Even though illustrated and described in a certain order, other orders may also be used.

[0086] From the description above follows that, although various embodiments of the invention have been described and shown, the invention is not restricted thereto, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject-matter defined in the following claims.