EP1602579B1 - Apparatus for filling food product cups - Google Patents

Abstract

Food products are dispended via open nozzles (7) and a pressure reducing means (4a-4d) for preventing the food product dripping from the nozzles is provided in the food product supply lines (2a-2d) in a region separate from the nozzles. The pressure reducing means comprise dosing pumps. The containers (8) are filled simultaneously in a cycle with at least two different paste-consistency food products stored in separate vessels (1a-1d). A pressure generating system (3a-3d) and volume dosing system are connected to the supply lines and nozzles. Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) Multiple nozzle with individual nozzles for the simultaneous cycled dosing of two or more different paste-consistency food products which is free from closure devices in the nozzle openings; and (B) Desert product comprising different food products which are preferably differently coloured inside a container, in which at least three distinct food product phases are present adjacent to each other when the desert product is viewed in cross-section.

Description

The invention relates to a system for the simultaneous clocked filling of food jugs with at least two different pasty flowable food products, in particular dessert products, with at least two storage containers for the at least two different products, Durckerzeugungsmitteln, Volumendosiereinrichtungen, dispensing nozzles and product lines between the reservoirs and the dispensing nozzles. The invention further relates to a method for producing a dessert product.

In the food industry, especially the dairy industry, it is common to fill pasty flowable products in cups, which are usually sealed with a heat sealed aluminum foil. When filling the products usually one or two rows with several, in particular four to eight juxtaposed cups simultaneously clocked filled. More recently, for taste and optical reasons, it has become customary to simultaneously fill various products into a cup, wherein the products in the cup lie side by side and / or one above the other in separate zones. The multi-nozzles used for this purpose are in the form of a nozzle block whose cross-sectional dimensions approximately equal to those of the cup to be filled. In the nozzle block, up to four parallel individual nozzles with respective valve stubs and supply channels are provided. The multiple nozzles are in operative connection with mechanical drive means, which the valve plug for filling in an open position and after completion of the filling process in a Bring closed position. This requires a spatially complex mechanism by which the number of individual nozzles is limited in a nozzle block. As a rule, therefore, only a maximum of two different products are dispensed through four nozzles, with two nozzles available for each product. Thus, the usually conical cups can be filled with four adjacent food fields that can be rotated or untwisted.

Known bottling plants and dessert products are described, for example, in the following publications: EP 0 928 560 A2 . DE 197 35 619 A1 . DE 197 35 621 A1 . DE 197 58 543 A1 . EP 0 897 864 B1 . DE 295 12 257 U1 . FR 2 708 563 A . EP 1 221 409 A1 . EP 0 269 507 A . DE 101 24 020 A1 ,

There is a desire to provide further variations in the appearance and flavor combinations of the food products when filling cups with food products, especially dessert products. It is therefore an object of the invention to create the conditions for it.

The object is achieved by a system having the features of claim 1.
According to the invention, no valves are provided in the region of the nozzles. This eliminates the mechanics for actuating the valves. As a result, a lot of space is gained, which, if desired, can be utilized for the arrangement of further dispensing nozzles over each cup. This in turn allows the output of other product combinations without the previous proven parallel arrangement of several cups needs to be changed during filling. The open nozzles not only have a small footprint, but also allow a cost-effective production of the nozzle assembly and the nozzle block and also a simplified cleaning.

Preferably, the dispensing nozzles are formed by open conduit ends. Thus, the nozzle means for each cup may be formed from a juxtaposition of open line ends. The flow cross section of the dispensing nozzles preferably corresponds essentially to the flow cross section of the feed lines or the product lines in the region of the nozzles. The nozzle openings preferably have an open internal cross section. As a result, the respective food can be issued as a full strand. This is advantageous in comparison to annular gaps in the known arrangements in which an annular dispensing nozzle is formed by movement of a valve plug.

The viscosity of the food products is usually sufficient to prevent the food product from running in conjunction with the pressure reducing agent. In the case of low viscous food products which have a tendency to dribble, subdivisions extending in the nozzle openings parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle may be provided which prevent adhesion of the product to dripping.

As with the known bottling plants, two or more dispensing nozzles may be provided per product in a nozzle device associated with a cup. For this purpose, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in the product lines branches, of which branch lines lead to at least two nozzles of the same product. The branches are preferably provided only shortly before the nozzle openings. The line lengths of the branch lines between the branches and the nozzle openings are preferably the same length and in particular equal in cross section. This ensures that the split food flow through the nozzles of the branch lines at the same time and in the same dosage is issued. The branches can be provided within the nozzle device, in particular within a nozzle block or nozzle block. The distance between the branches and the nozzle openings is preferably shorter than 20 cm, in particular shorter than 10 cm.

According to the invention, valves are provided in the product lines between the pressure generating means and the nozzle openings at a spatial distance from the nozzle openings. Due to the spatially separated arrangement of the valves, the space requirement of the valve devices is not limited. Preferably, the pressure generating means, the negative pressure generating means and optionally existing valves and control devices are arranged so far from the nozzles that the nozzles themselves and the access to the nozzles are spatially not hindered. In general, there is sufficient space above the nozzle means and / or beside the conveyor for the cups to place the pressure generating means, vacuum generating means, valves and control means.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of individual nozzles provided for a nozzle device are combined to form a nozzle block, in particular a nozzle block. In particular, the nozzle device is substantially free, preferably completely free of moving parts. Thus, assembling or disassembling and cleaning eliminates the need to assemble or disassemble the nozzle assembly, which has a favorable effect on operation.

According to the invention, both the pressure generating means and the pressure reducing means are formed by a reversible pump, in particular a metering pump. For this purpose, for example, a piston pump is suitable. The pump can have a specific volume of each Aspirate the food product and dispense through the respective product line into the beaker. By a slight reversal of the pumping movement, a relative negative pressure can be generated in the product line between the pump and the nozzle, which prevents the product from running on the open nozzle. The reversible pump is a shut-off valve, in particular a three-way valve assigned. The shut-off valve is preferably located both in the inlet and in the outlet of the pump, which is the same place in a conventional piston pump. During the intake process of the amount of product to be metered, the valve is open relative to the reservoir and closed relative to the nozzle device. When dispensing the metered product volume, the valve is closed relative to the reservoir and open to the nozzle device. This is also the case with the short-term suck back, through which the pressure reduction in the product line between the pump and nozzle is vorgenomen.

During the filling, a relative vertical movement is preferably carried out between each nozzle device and the cups associated with the respective nozzle device. By approaching the cups to the nozzle means before starting dosing and relative lowering of the cups during product dispensing, the drop height of the product between dispenser and level in the cup can be kept small and substantially constant, which has a positive effect on the filling process. Foreseen lifting devices are already known, it being preferred not to raise and lower the cups but the cups. Likewise, a rotating device for generating a relative rotational movement between the nozzle device and the cup may be provided, wherein again preferably the cups are rotatably mounted. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which a plurality of nozzle devices parallel next to each other and also a plurality of cups to be filled underneath are arranged side by side, are rod bearings, which may preferably be formed simultaneously as a pivot bearing, in each case with at least one gear in operative connection, wherein a toothed belt is provided which engages in the gears of the parallel pivot bearing, so that all parallel juxtaposed pivot bearing and optionally stroke bearings be driven simultaneously by means of the toothed belt. The toothed belt is preferably movable back and forth, for which purpose a push and pull rod is preferably provided, which preferably cooperates with a pressure cylinder which can be pressurized pneumatically or hydraulically. This embodiment can also be realized independently of the design of the nozzle device. It is also possible to drive the toothed belt by means of an electric motor or air motor.

The invention also relates to the production of a dessert product from different, in particular differently colored, foods in a cup by means of a system according to the invention.
Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings and the dependent claims. In this case, the individual features can be implemented individually or in combination with each other.

Figur 1:

eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage mit einer mechanischen Dosierpumpe und

Figur 2:

eine schematische Darstellung von Drehlagern für die zu befüllenden Becher.

IN the drawing show:

FIG. 1:

a schematic representation of an embodiment of the system according to the invention with a mechanical metering pump and

FIG. 2:

a schematic representation of pivot bearings for the cup to be filled.

At the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment of the invention four storage containers 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d are provided for four different pasty flowable products. For simplicity, the function of the system is shown only on the basis of two storage containers 1a and 1b. From the reservoirs, product lines 2a and 2b lead to metering units 3a and 3b consisting of a piston pump 4a and 4b in connection with a three-way valve 5a and 5b. The product line 2a leads through the three-way valve 5a into the piston pump 4a, as shown in the metering unit 3a and from the piston pump through the three-way valve to a nozzle head 6, as shown in the metering unit 3b.

In the nozzle head 6 there are a total of seven nozzles 7, which are formed by open line ends. Corresponding to the circular cross-sectional shape of a cup 8 to be filled, six of the nozzles are arranged on the underside of the nozzle block 6 on a circular peripheral line. The seventh nozzle is located in the center on the underside of the nozzle head and comes from the product line 2b of the metering device 3b. The product line 2a has a branch 9 in the nozzle head 6, from which two equal-length pipe sections 10 of the same diameter lead to the corresponding nozzle openings 7. The reservoir 1c and 1d are connected in a similar manner as the reservoir 1a with the nozzle block and also have corresponding (not shown here) branches whose line sections lead in pairs in the remaining four provided on the circumference of the bottom of the nozzle block nozzle openings. It is thus possible to output four different products at the same time or with a time offset from the nozzle block into the conical cup 8. The cup 8 is during the filling process on a rotating and lifting plate 11 can be placed, which has a conical cup receptacle on the edge, which centers the cup and holds in the rotational movement by frictional forces.

For simultaneous filling 8, 12 or 16 cups are combined into one unit in the form of two arranged transversely to the conveying direction rows, which in turn each comprise 4, 6 or 8 cups. The number of cups is associated with a corresponding number of nozzle blocks. The nozzle blocks are essentially fixed. The cup assembly is moved under the nozzles and conveyed after filling in a capping station. A control device ensures that the total volume of food products corresponds to the filling volume of the cup. The metering devices are matched to one another in a corresponding manner, wherein a temporal offset of the output of individual food products with respect to others is also possible in order to achieve stratification in the vertical direction. The individual metering devices are actuated such that the respective piston pump 4 sucks the volume quantity intended for the food product when the three-way valve 5 is opened relative to the storage container 1 and then discharges into the respective cup 8 at the predetermined time through the three-way valve opened relative to the nozzle block. After reaching the predetermined output volume, the metering not only stops but then pulls back slightly. As a result, the product stream discharged from the nozzle opening 7 breaks off and after-running of the product is prevented. The cup to be filled is raised in each case before the filling so far that the conical nozzle block dips into the cup. In accordance with the rise in the product level in the cup, the cup is again lowered so that it can be moved laterally after the filling process under the nozzle block. If desired, the cup during lowering and filling be rotated simultaneously, whereby so-called turned products are available.

As indicated in the filled cup 8, it is possible with the nozzle block provided here with seven nozzle openings to first output a product through the metering device 3b through the central nozzle, which covers the cup bottom. Thereafter, by the provided on the periphery of the nozzle block six further nozzles in pairs, three further products are issued simultaneously, whereby by turning the cup, a helical product structure is achieved. In turn, a cover layer of the first product can be dispensed through the central nozzle, after which the filling process is completed.

As products are preferably dessert products and dairy products in question such as yogurt products, puddings, jams, cream products, etc., these products can be combined with each other depending on the color and taste in any way.

In FIG. 2 is a common drive for a series of six rotary and elevating plates 11 shown schematically. The rotary and lifting plates are each connected via a spindle-shaped lifting device with a drive, each of which is assigned a central gear 31. The six gears are connected to each other with the interposition of pulleys 32 by a rotating toothed belt 33, the teeth are in operative connection with the gears. A push and pull device 34 serves to reciprocate the toothed belt 33. For this purpose, the free end of a piston rod 35 is connected to the toothed belt 33. By appropriate pressurization of the piston arranged in the associated pressure cylinder 36, not shown, the piston rod 35 is movable back and forth. According to the float the piston rod and the toothed belt, the rotating and lifting plates are rotated back and forth and thereby raised or lowered. If a rotation of the plate and thus the cup to be filled is not desired, the rotational movement can be blocked, so that the cups are only raised and lowered.

For a cup arrangement of two rows of 4, 6 or 8 cups, separate toothed belt drives can be provided for each row. However, it is also possible to make the tape longer and both rows, i. to drive all turning and lifting plates via a common toothed belt.

Claims (9)

1. An apparatus for simultaneously, cyclically filling food-product cups (8) with at least two, mutually differing, pasty, fluid, food products that has at least two storage containers (1a - 1d) for storing the at least two, differing products and a multiplex nozzle having individual nozzles (7) combined into a nozzle device (6) for simultaneously, cyclically dispensing the products, where the nozzle orifices have no closing device and the individual nozzles (7) are connected to product lines (2a, 2b), characterized in that a dispensing device (3a, 3b) that is formed by a reversible pump (4a - 4d), in particular, a dispensing pump, is arranged in each of the product lines (2a, 2b), where each reversible pump (4a - 4d) is assigned to a shutoff valve, in particular, a three-way valve (5a-d), situated in the pump's inlet and outlet ports, the pump (4a - 4d) and the shutoff valve act as a pressure reducer that prevents the product from dribbling by generating an underpressure, and the pumps (4a - 4d) that prevent the product from dribbling by generating an underpressure are provided in the product lines (2a - 2d) at locations therein that are spatially separated from those occupied by the nozzles (7).
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that several nozzles of a nozzle device assigned to a cup are combined into a nozzle staff, in particular, a nozzle block (6), that is essentially free of moving parts, in particular, has no moving parts.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that a device for increasing the relative distance between cups (8) and nozzles (7) during filling is provided, where the nozzles (7) are preferably arranged at fixed heights and the cups (8) are mounted such that they may be raised or lowered.
4. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that several nozzle devices (6) are arranged next to one another in parallel rows and a device for generating a joint relative raising/lowering and/or rotary motion during filling is provided between the rows of cups (8) and nozzle devices (6), where the nozzles (7) are preferably stationary and the cups (8) are supported such that they may be raised/lowered and/or rotated.
5. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that several, in particular, four to eight, parallel supports (11) for the cups are arranged in row, each of which meshes with at least one gear (31) and raising/lowering and/or rotary motions are actuated by a drivable toothed belt (33) that engages with the gear (31) of the parallel of supports (11).
6. An apparatus according to any of claim 5, characterized in that the toothed belt may be driven back and forth by a drive (34), in particular, by a pneumatically or hydraulically actuated impression cylinder (36) having a piston rod (35).
7. A method for manufacturing a dessert product from various, in particular, variously colored, foodstuffs in a cup using an apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, where at least three different foodstuffs are arranged next to one another in at least one cross-section, characterized in that operation of the dispensing device (3a, 3b) is halted once a predetermined dispensed volume has been reached and then is retracted in order that a flow of foodstuff from the nozzle orifices will cease and dribbling of the foodstuff will be prevented.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the cups (8) are rotated in order that a spiraling product structure will be achieved.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein various foodstuffs are combined with one another in distinct, overlying layers and/or distinct cross-sectional patternings.

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