DOSING OR METERING DEVICE FOR HOT FLUID

Abstract

A device (1) for metering a hot fluid, comprising a rotating base (2) which supports a melting tank (3) coupled with heating elements (4A, 4B), the rotating base (2) also supporting a plurality of metering units (5), the metering units being arranged in a ring around the melting tank (3).

Claims

1. A dosing device (1) for a hot fluid, comprising a rotating base (2) which supports a melting tank (3) associated with heating elements (4A, 4B), the rotating base (2) also supporting a plurality of metering unit (5), the metering units being arranged in a ring around the melting tank (3).

2. The device according to claim 1, in which each dispenser (5) provides at least one metering element (8) equipped with a dispensing opening (19), the dispensing openings (19) being aligned along a circle (C).

3. The device according to claim 2, in which each metering unit (5) comprises a channel (6) equipped with an inlet (6A) and an outlet (6B) in communication with the melting tank (3), on the channel (6) being provided at least one pump (7) positioned downstream of the inlet (6A), the metering element (8) being movable between a dispensing position in which it delivers the hot fluid through the opening (19) and a closing position in which it prevents the delivery of said fluid from said opening (19), and a valve element (9), the metering element (8) being positioned between the pump (7) and said valve element (9), the valve element (9) being configured to assume a dosing position in which it isolates said inlet (6A) from said outlet and a recirculation position (6B) in which it puts said inlet (6A) in communication with said outlet (6B).

4. The device according to claim 1, in which each metering unit is associated with at least one further heating element (10), or in which the heating element is common for all the metering units (5) and comprises a metal disk to which the metering unit (5) are fixed, the metal disk (5) being associated with heating means (10A).

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein each metering unit comprises a base (20) which defines said channel (6) and which supports at least said pump (7) and said metering element (8).

6. The device according to claim 3, in which said pump (7) is electric of the gear type, or in which the pump (7) is driven by a motor (7A) controlled by an encoder (7B).

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said metering element (8) comprises a first shutter (21) configured to seal against a seat (22) associated with said opening (19), the shutter (21) being preferably moved by a first pneumatic actuator (23).

8. The device according to claim 3, wherein the valve element (9) comprises a second rotating shutter (30) equipped with a cavity coaxial to the flow, preferably controlled by a second pneumatic actuator (25) synchronized with the first pneumatic actuator (23).

9. The device according to claim 3, wherein the melting tank (3) comprises a bottom (3A) in proximity of which a plurality of passages (F) are provided, the passages (F) being at least two for each metering unit (5), of the two passages (F) provided for each dispenser (5) one being in communication with said inlet (6A) and one being in communication with said outlet (6B), or in which the bottom (3A) is domed and the plurality of passages (F) is located below the vertex of said dome.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the melting tank (3) comprises at least one stirrer (32) or at least one lid (30) equipped with at least one loading opening (31).

11. The device according to claim 2, wherein, under each dispensing opening (19), a support (50) is provided for an element (51) to be filled, the support (50) being rotatable in synchronous with the base (2), preferably integral with the base (2).

12. The device according to claim 11, comprising a loading system (60), on the supports (50), of the elements (51) to be filled and a discharge system (61), from the supports (50), of the filled elements (51), at least one between the loading and unloading system comprising a rotary table (60A, 60B) which houses said elements (51).

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the discharge system (61) comprises a dynamic scale (62).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] Further features and advantages of the innovation will become clearer in the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device, illustratedby way of a non-limiting examplein the drawings appended hereto, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a simplified top-down perspective view of a part of the device according to the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the device according to the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a simplified sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a simplified sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 6A;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a simplified sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 6B;

[0015] FIG. 6A is a simplified sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4;

[0016] FIG. 6B shows the sectional view in FIG. 6A in a different operating mode according to the invention; and

[0017] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the part highlighted in the bottom right-hand side of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] With reference to the figures stated, reference number 1 is used to denote, as a whole, a metering device for hot fluid.

[0019] The fluid that can be metered by the device 1 can be a fluid that is heated, for example to above a preset temperature (e.g. 50 C.), that has a fluid consistency and is easily processed using metering machinery. The said fluid, once cooled and then brought to room temperature (e.g. 25 C.), has a paste-like or solid consistency.

[0020] An example of a meterable fluid is the fluid which is used for making stick deodorants (which is essentially solid at room temperature but must be heated until it reaches a liquid consistency to be appropriately metered into the containers in which it will be marketed).

[0021] Other examples of meterable fluids include wax-based fluids. For example for making candles. Or waxes with suspended components that must not separate, scrubs, waxes for polishing with abrasives, and waxes in general for the cosmetic or chemical sector. Furthermore, normal or special soaps with bulking agents, solid deodorants, hot cream products, hot gels.

[0022] Fluids formed from a suspension, which must be continuously moved to prevent sedimentation, can also be metered.

[0023] The metering device 1 for hot fluid includes a rotating base 2 which supports a melting tank 3 associated with heating elements 4A, 4B.

[0024] The melting tank 3 can be filled with a pre-heated fluid (e.g. from a preparation melter) connected to the tank via a loading opening 31.

[0025] The melting tank 3 is preferably made of stainless steel and can include a lid 30 which sealingly closes the tank. The loading opening 31 can be made in the lid 30.

[0026] The lid 30 can feature a hole with a nozzle 80 for restoring the atmospheric pressure inside the tank.

[0027] The tank 3 can feature, preferably on the lid 30, a safety valve 81 (for example pre-calibrated at 0.45 bar relative) which prevents the tank from reaching an over-pressure.

[0028] The lid 30 can also feature a level sensor 82 and, possibly, a second level sensor 83 for safety purposes. The level sensors can control a system that enables the intake of the hot fluid into the tank, so as to maintain essentially constant head inside the said tank.

[0029] For tank 3 cleaning, the lid 30 can feature two rotary spray balls 84. These can enable the entire tank to be washed without having to open the lid 30.

[0030] At the bottom of the tank, a drain nozzle 85 can be featured, possibly with a valve.

[0031] The melting tank 3 can feature a stirrer 32 thereinside. Advantageously, the stirrer 32 has a rotary movement which is independent of that of the base 2, with the result that the said stirrer can remain in motion even when the base 2 is stationary.

[0032] Indeed, the melting tank 3 has the function of guaranteeing a constant hydraulic head upstream of the metering unit 5 (which will be described later), regardless of the level of product present in a preparation melter (not shown) connected thereto.

[0033] The melting tank 3 can comprise a bottom 3A in proximity to which a plurality of passages F are featured, the usefulness of which will be clarified later on.

[0034] There can be at least two passages F for each metering unit 5.

[0035] In the embodiment described, the channels are mutually distinct (therefore, although side by side, they open into the tank 3 at different, separate points). But it is also possible that the two channels are made with any other configuration, for example as concentric channels, i.e. one is external and the other internal, to reduce overall dimensions, etc.

[0036] The bottom 3A of the melting tank 3 can be dome-shaped (convex towards the inside of the tank) and the plurality of passages F can be located below the vertex of the said dome.

[0037] The heating elements 4A, 4B coupled with the melting tank are advantageously of the electrical kind, operating by conduction, but they can also be other kinds, for example operating by means of the circulation of hot fluid (liquid or gaseous) or electrical, operating by induction.

[0038] Advantageously, two groups of heating elements are featured, namely those 4A featured on the bottom of the melting tank 3 and those 4B featured on the perimeter wall of the melting tank 3.

[0039] The rotating base 2 supports a plurality of metering units 5.

[0040] The metering units are arranged around a closed perimeter, for example in a ring, preferably in a circle, around the melting tank 3, or rather around the perimeter of the melting tank 3.

[0041] The metering units 5 are arranged along the said closed perimeter inside which the melting tank 3 is housed.

[0042] Each metering unit can feature a metering element 8 equipped with a dispensing opening 19; the dispensing openings 19 can also be aligned around a circle C. Each metering unit 5 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) can comprise a channel 6 endowed with an inlet 6A and an outlet 6B in communication with the melting tank 3; there can be at least one pump 7 (for each metering unit) featured on channel 6, positioned downstream of inlet 6A.

[0043] Of the two passages F featured for each metering unit 5 in the melting tank 3, one can be in communication with the said inlet 6A and one can be in communication with the said outlet 6B.

[0044] The metering element 8 features a dispensing position, in which the said element dispenses the hot fluid through an opening 19, and a closing position, in which the said element prevents the dispensing of the said fluid via the said opening 19.

[0045] The channel 6 can also have a valve element 9 and the metering element 8 is positioned between the pump 7 and the said valve element 9.

[0046] The valve element 9 can be configured to assume a metering position, in which the said element isolates the said inlet 6A from the said outlet 6B, and a recirculation position in which the said element connects the said inlet 6A with the said outlet 6B.

[0047] So, in FIG. 6A and in FIG. 4, a metering unit 5 is shown in a metering configuration, where the metering element 8 is in the dispensing position and the opening 19 is in communication with the channel 6. The valve element 9 is in a metering position and isolates the inlet 6A from the outlet 6B. In this position all the flow of hot fluid coming from the pump 7 is directed towards the opening 19.

[0048] In FIGS. 5 and 6B, the metering unit 5 is in recirculation configuration. The metering element 8 is in the closed position (and isolates the opening 19 from the channel 6) while the valve element 9 is in the recirculation position, in which the said valve element connects the channel 6 inlet 6A with the outlet 6B.

[0049] In this way, the fluid inside the melting tank 3 is kept continuously recirculating (when the element is in the closed position and the pump 7 active) by each metering device 5, thereby preventing blockages of the supply channels or sedimentation of the hot fluid to be metered.

[0050] Advantageously, each metering unit 5 comprises a base 20 which delineates the said channel 6 (with inlet 6A and outlet 6B) and which supports at least the said pump 7 and the said metering element 8.

[0051] The pump 7 is preferably electric, of the geared kind, but can also be of the pneumatic or hydraulic kind.

[0052] The pump 7if of the electrical kindis controlled by a motor 7A monitored by an encoder 7B.

[0053] The metering element 8 can comprise a first shutter 21 configured to abut sealingly on a seat 22 coupled with the said opening 19, delineated by a nozzle.

[0054] The shutter 21 is preferably moved by a first pneumatic actuator 23 (but any kind of actuator can be used).

[0055] The valve element 9 can comprise a second rotating shutter 30 (for example a cylindrical or spherical one) endowed with a cavity which is coaxial to the flow (when in the open position).

[0056] The valve element 9 is preferably controlled by a second pneumatic actuator 25 synchronised with the first pneumatic actuator 23.

[0057] Obviously, the valve element 9 actuator can be of any kind, but as already mentioned, with a motion that is synchronised with the motion that controls the opening of the element. Specifically, as already described, when the metering element 8 is open, the valve element 9 is closed, while when the metering element 8 is closed, the valve element 9 is open (recirculating).

[0058] At least one further heating element 10 can be coupled with each metering unit 5.

[0059] The heating element 10 can be specific for each metering unit 5 or for groups of metering units, or, as in the embodiment described, the said heating element can be common to all metering units 5.

[0060] In this configuration, the heating element 10 can comprise a metal disk to which the metering units 5 are fastened directly (or rather to which the base 20 of each metering unit is fastened).

[0061] The metal disk 10 is advantageously coupled with electrical resistors/heating means 10A, but obviously other heating methods can be used, such as those already described for the melting tank 3.

[0062] It should also be underlined that, underneath each dispensing opening 19, a support 50 can be featured for an element 51 to be filled (for example, a container to be filled with the hot fluid dispensed from each opening 19).

[0063] Each support 50 rotates synchronously with the base 2 and is preferably integral with the base 2.

[0064] The device 1 can also feature an automatic system 60 (on the supports 50) for loading the elements 51 to be filled (containers) and an automatic system 61 for unloading filled elements 51 from the supports 50.

[0065] At least one of the loading and unloading systems (but preferably both) can comprise a rotary table 60A, 60B, which houses the said elements 51 (containers).

[0066] The rotation of the loading and unloading rotary tables is preferably synchronised with that of the base 2.

[0067] Advantageously then, the unloading system 61 comprises a dynamic weighing scale 62.

[0068] A device 1 has been described for metering hot products via multiple heads arranged in a ring configuration, suitable for installation on a rotary filling machine.

[0069] The parts of the device, such as the tank, the base, etc. can be made of any metal or polymeric material.

[0070] The pump 7 (fitted on each metering unit 5) can be of the geared kind, lobe kind, vane kind, or any other kind driven by an actuator, which can be electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, etc.

[0071] Each metering unit 5 can comprise at least one metering element 8 equipped with a system for closing the opening 19, which can be a shaped plunger which abuts on a dedicated seat and is moved pneumatically or magnetically, or a rotating pin or ball, etc.

[0072] The valve 9 (or valve element) that closes the recirculation channel 6 can also be of the plunger kind, driven by pneumatic or magnetic means or with a rotating pin or ball.

[0073] The melting tank 3 can be a common supply for all the metering units 5 and can be made of any material, preferably AISI 316 L stainless steel, and mirror-polished in the parts in contact with the fluid.

[0074] The heating elements 4A and 4B for, respectively, the bottom 3A of the tank and the shell 3B, can also comprise a cavity externally to the tank in which a liquid or gaseous heating medium circulates or can comprise electrical induction systems.

[0075] The lid 30 can also be made of metal or a polymeric material, with a seal to prevent the product from leaking out when the said lid is resting on the melting tank 3.

[0076] The level sensor(s) 82, 82 can be feature any technology for example vibration, capacitance, ultrasound, floats, etc. able to control a valve for supplying the product (via the passage 31) to keep the level inside the melting tank 3 constant.

[0077] It must be reiterated that the metering unit 5 can be made of AISI 316 L stainless steel, preferably with each geared pump 7 driven by an electric motor 7A with an encoder 7B to guarantee greater precision of the metering, which can be based on pulses rather than by rotation time.

[0078] The metering element 8 can feature a pneumatic plunger 21, with a ball head, which abuts on a tapered seat 22. This guarantees greater resistance to products that are very liquid when hot.

[0079] A product recirculation channel 6 connects the metering element 8 with the melting tank 3 to allow the continuous recirculation of products that contain elements that tend to deposit.

[0080] A rotating pin valve 9, advantageously controlled by the same solenoid valve that drives the opening of the shutter 21, closes the recirculation passage 6 (isolating the inlet 6A from the outlet 6B) during the metering stage to allow the entire flow of the pump to be conveyed towards the container to be filled.

[0081] FIG. 6A shows the positioning of the rotating pin valve 9 during the metering stage and FIG. 6B shows the positioning thereof during the recirculation stage.

[0082] The pump gears 7, the shutter 21, and the recirculation valve element 9 can be made of hardened N690 stainless steel and treated with a chromium nitride anti-corrosion coating. The part of the metering element 8 that delineates the opening 19 (nozzle) can be made of AISI 316 L steel.

[0083] Heating of the metering units 5 can be performed by conduction via the aluminium ring 10 supporting the said metering units, in which the electrical resistors can be installed. The metering units 5 can be screwed to the ring 10 to facilitate heat transmission by contact between the surfaces.

[0084] The inlet 6A and the outlet 6B of each metering unit can be connected to the respective hole F arranged radially in the lower part of the melting tank 3, using tri-clamp plates.

[0085] Heating of the convex bottom 3A can be achieved by means of a disk heated by resistors 4A, while heating of the jacket 3B will be achieved by means of a band resistor 4B.

[0086] The heating systems can be heat-regulated with an accuracy of +/2 C.

[0087] To complete the description, it must be underlined that the base 2 can be mounted on an appropriate monoblock 100 capable of rotating the said base, managing the arrival and spacing between the containers 51 to be filled via the loading system 60A and the exit thereof once they have been filled by the 60B loading system.

[0088] This configuration allows high productivity to be achieved easily.

[0089] Furthermore, by means of the dynamic weighing scale 62 which can weigh the outgoing containers 51, it is possible to allow a control unit (which manages the device 1) to associate the weighed containers 51 with the metering units 5 that filled them, increasing or decreasing the number of pulses that control the metering pumps 7 dynamically, so as to guarantee continuous correction (through feedback) of the filling weights.

[0090] Various embodiments of the innovation have been disclosed herein, but further embodiments may also be conceived using the same innovative concept.