RU2787773C2 - Device and method for separation of slag - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: food industry.

SUBSTANCE: proposed group of inventions relates to methods and devices for separation of excess slag from a mixture of products and slag, which is coating of a food product. A hopper for removal of excess slag from a mixture of product and slag contains the first flap made with the possibility of movement between open and closed positions and a retaining wall. The first flap has such a configuration that, when it is in the open position, the first outlet from the hopper for the content, which is a mixture of a product and slag, is provided, and, when it is in the closed position, the first outlet is blocked by the first flap, so that the product remains in the hopper. The second outlet from the hopper for slag is provided, different from the first outlet, in which there is a lateral offset between the place, where the content of the hopper exits the hopper along the first outlet, and the place, where slag exits the hopper along the second outlet. The hopper is additionally configured in such a way that, when the first flap is in the closed position, the first flap and the retaining wall are inclined to each other, while the retaining wall stops near the first flap, forming a gap, and the first flap extends beyond the place, where the first flap and the retaining wall would otherwise intersect, so that a distal end of the first flap is shifted sideways relatively to a lower end of the retaining wall. In the hopper, according to the second embodiment, the retaining wall contains the second flap. In this case, the hopper is configured in such a way that, when the first and the second flaps are in their respective closed positions, the first and the second flaps are inclined to each other. Hoppers are used in a device for separation of excess slag, containing the first chute located in such a way that to receive the content exiting the hopper along the first outlet, when the first flap is in the open position, and the second chute located in such a way that to receive slag exiting the hopper along the second outlet, when the first flap is in the closed position.

EFFECT: reduction in the amount of freely moving slag in a final package, as well as increase in the quality of a product.

37 cl, 7 dwg

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The invention relates to methods and apparatus for separating excess slag from a mixture of product and slag.

The slag can be, for example, a coating of a food product.

In particular, aspects of the invention relate to a bin for separating excess slag from a mixture of product and slag, to a device for separating excess slag from a mixture of product and slag, containing said bin, to a packaging device containing said bin, and to a method for removing excess slag from the mixture. product and slag.

State of the art

Some products are packaged with additional material, which in this document will be referred to as slag. The slag, which is usually in a substantially solid or liquid form, may be mixed with the solid product before the mixture is placed in a package.

Such slag can be used to protect the product in some way, such as from degradation due to exposure to certain chemicals or due to movement of the product within the package. Alternatively or additionally, the slag may be used to enhance the product in some way, for example, food products may be provided with a loose shell of sugar, breadcrumbs, or herbs to improve one or more of their taste, texture, appearance, or smell.

In some processes, such as coating processes, it may be necessary to mix more slag with the product than is desirable in the final packaged product, for example, to ensure a uniform coating. However, there is a problem of separating excess slag from the product before packaging.

In some processes, if excess slag is separated from the product/slag mixture prior to packaging the product, the excess slag can be fed back into the production line at the point where product and slag are mixed, reducing processing losses.

For some products, it is undesirable for excess slag to move freely within the package. For example, if excess breadcrumbs are in a package of a breaded food product intended to be cooked in an oven, then the excess dross may end up burning on the baking sheet. Eliminating excess slag before packaging helps to solve this problem.

Another problem may arise if the mixture of product and slag falls into the package, which is then sealed from its top end. If the slag falls more slowly than the product, such as when the product is a jelly-sweet product and the slag is a sugar coating, the sealing quality may be compromised due to the slag getting inside the seal. To avoid this problem, the sealing step can be delayed in time to allow the slag to settle before sealing, but this will naturally slow down the process.

What is needed is an alternative method and apparatus for separating the excess slag that contributes to solving one or more of the problems discussed above and/or provides one or more of the advantages described above.

Disclosure of invention

In a first aspect of the invention, a bin is provided for removing excess slag from a mixture of product and slag. The hopper has a damper movable between open and closed positions. The gate is configured such that when it is in the open position, a first path is provided to exit the hopper for the contents of the mixture of product and slag. In addition, the gate is configured such that when the gate is in the closed position, the first path is blocked by the gate so that the product remains in the hopper, and a second path, different from the first path, is provided for the slag to exit the bin. This design means that the product can be separated from the excess slag by opening and closing the damper, as will be described in more detail below.

The first path may include a first opening sized to allow both product and slag to be discharged, for example into a package. The second path may contain a second opening, the size of which allows the release of slag (for example, for its collection and reuse), but not the product.

The hopper may further comprise a retaining wall, wherein the hopper is configured such that the second opening is a gap between the shutter, when it is in the closed position, and the lower end of the retaining wall.

In a preferred embodiment, the first path and the second path run in different directions. For example, the bin may be further configured such that when the shutter is in the open position, the first path directs the contents of the bin by gravity in a first direction. The hopper can be further configured such that when the shutter is in the closed position, the second path directs the slag out of the hopper by gravity in a second direction, at an angle to the first direction.

The retaining wall may be at an acute angle to the vertical such that when the gate is in the open position, the contents of the bin pass over the retaining wall and exit the bin in a first direction.

The hopper may be configured such that when the shutter is in the closed position, it is at an acute angle to the vertical so that slag flows out of the hopper over the shutter in a second direction.

The silo may be configured such that there is a lateral offset between where the contents of the silo exit the silo via the first path and where the slag exits the silo via the second path. In this way, the product and excess slag can be sent to separate containers.

The hopper may be configured such that when the gate is in the closed position, the distal end of the gate is offset sideways from the lower end of the retaining wall. Thus, excess slag can be directed to a container separate from the product.

The hopper can be configured so that when the flapper is in the closed position, the flapper and retaining wall are tilted towards each other, with the retaining wall stopping near the flapper, forming a gap, and the flapper continuing beyond where the flapper and retaining wall would otherwise be. retaining wall could have crossed. Thus, excess slag can be directed to a container separate from the product.

The hopper may include a hinge, wherein the shutter is movable between open and closed positions by pivoting around the hinge.

The hopper may be a scale hopper, a storage hopper, an auxiliary hopper, a synchronization hopper, an output hopper, or an outfeed hopper.

Modifications of the first aspect provide a hopper containing two gates: a first gate as described above and an additional second gate.

In particular, such double gate bins may have the features of any of the embodiments described above, and a second gate movable between open and closed positions such that:

when the first and second shutters are in their respective open positions, the first path continues between the first and second shutters; and

when the first and second shutters are in their respective closed positions, the first path is blocked and the second path continues between the first and second shutters.

Thus, the first opening is formed between the first and second shutters in their respective open positions, and the second opening is formed between the first and second shutters in their respective closed positions.

In a preferred embodiment, the lower end of the retaining wall is the lower end of the second shutter.

In a preferred embodiment, the hopper is configured to move the first and second gates between their respective closed and open positions substantially simultaneously. Such examples, in which the first and second hopper shutters open simultaneously (ie, together or in unison), are characterized by violent shaking of the contents of the hopper as it is released along the first path. This is particularly useful when handling sticky products or sticky combinations of product and slag that might otherwise stick or stick to the inside of the hopper. Thus, dual gate hoppers can be more predictable in product discharge and more reliable.

The hopper may be configured such that when the first and second shutters are in their respective closed positions, the distal end of the first shutter is offset laterally relative to the distal end of the second shutter.

The hopper may be configured such that when the first and second gates are in their respective closed positions, the first and second gates are tilted towards each other, with the second gate stopping near the first gate, forming a gap, and the first gate extending beyond that location. where the flaps might otherwise cross.

The hopper may be configured such that the length of the first gate is at least 1.2 times the length of the second gate, more preferably at least 1.5 times the length.

The hopper may further comprise a second hinge, wherein the second flap is movable between open and closed positions by pivoting around the second hinge.

In a second aspect, a device is provided for separating excess slag from a mixture of product and slag. The device includes: the hopper described above; a first chute positioned to receive the contents of the hopper exiting the hopper via the first path when the shutter is in the open position; and a second chute positioned to receive slag exiting the hopper via the second path when the shutter is in the closed position.

The first chute may be positioned relative to the hopper retaining wall such that when the gate is in the open position, the contents of the hopper are smoothly transferred by gravity from the hopper retaining wall to the receiving surface of the chute. This reduces the chance that some of the slag covering the product will peel off the product, given the fact that the product does not need to be shaken as it passes from the hopper to the first chute.

The first chute may be a filter configured to allow slag entering the first chute to exit through the first chute to the second chute, but not allowing product entering the first chute to exit through the first chute to the second chute. This allows even more excess slag to be separated from the product prior to packaging, including any slag that separates from the product as it enters or travels down the first chute.

The second chute may be arranged concentrically around the first chute. This increases the likelihood that excess slag will reach the second chute, even if the product is loose inside the first chute and/or there is significant air movement in the first chute that causes the excess slag to move in different directions from the product.

In a third aspect, a packaging device is provided, comprising: the device described above and a device for filling the package located at the lower end of the first chute. The package filling device is arranged in such a way that the contents of the hopper received by the first chute move smoothly under the action of gravity along the receiving surface of the chute into the package. The packaging device further comprises a sealing device configured to seal the package after the contents of the hopper received by the first chute have passed down the receiving surface into the package. This arrangement reduces the chance of any slag covering the product separating as there will be no dangling of the product as it slides over the receiving surface of the trough into the package. The absence of any chatter should also reduce the amount of airborne slag particles (as opposed to those particles that slide along with the product on the receiving surface of the trough), which reduces the risk of airborne particles entering the seal and degrading its quality.

In a fourth aspect, a method is provided for removing excess slag from a mixture of product and slag. The method includes:

a) loading a mixture of product and slag into the hopper with a gate movable between open and closed positions, with the gate in the closed position, blocking the first exit path from the bin and thereby keeping the product in the bin but allowing the slag to exit from the bunker along the second path;

b) subsequent movement of the shutter to the open position so that the contents of the hopper exit the hopper along the first path; and

c) subsequently moving the shutter to the closed position so that the first path is blocked and excess slag remaining in the hopper exits the hopper via the second path.

In some embodiments, the bin may include a second gate movable between open and closed positions, and step a) may be performed when the first and second gates are in their respective closed positions, blocking the first exit path from the bin and thereby retaining product. in the silo, but allowing the slag to exit the silo via the second path.

Step b) may involve moving the first and second gates to their respective open positions so that the contents of the hopper exit the hopper along the first path, and step c) may include moving the first and second gates to their respective closed positions such that the first path is blocked, and the excess slag remaining in the hopper leaves the hopper via the second path.

In a preferred embodiment, step b) involves essentially simultaneously moving the first and second shutters to their respective open positions. Opening both flaps at the same time or in unison reduces the chance of the contents of the hopper sticking to the flaps or the inside of the bin. Thus, the product can be unloaded more accurately and reliably.

These steps involve opening and closing both gates to discharge product and slag from the hopper. However, in some alternative cases, product and slag may also be discharged from the silo via the first path in step b) by opening one of the first and second gates (i.e., by moving either the first gate or the second gate to the appropriate open position). In this case, only the corresponding damper opened in step b) must be returned in step c) back to the corresponding closed position.

The method may further include sequential repetition of all steps a) to c), wherein the second iteration of step b) occurs with a delay of at least 400 ms after the first iteration of step c). The pause allows time for excess slag to exit the hopper.

The method may further comprise after step a):

(i) obtaining a plurality of consecutive time measurements of the weight of the contents of the bin; and

(ii) determining, based on a plurality of successive measurements, the weight of the fact that the weight of the contents of the bin has stabilized;

wherein step b) is performed only after said determination of whether the weight has stabilized. This ensures that any excess slag that may exit the silo via the second path is expelled before the gate opens to allow the remaining contents of the silo to exit via the first path.

The method may further include:

I. Simultaneously with step b), ensuring that the contents of the bin leaving the bin along the first path smoothly pass under the action of gravity from the bin into the package; and

II. Subsequent sealing of the package. This reduces the chance of any slag covering the product coming off as there will be no jarring of the product as it moves from the bin to the packaging.

The method may further include filtering the slag from the contents of the hopper exiting the hopper along the first path.

The bunker used in said method may be the bunker described above. The method can be carried out using the apparatus described above.

Brief description of the drawings

Aspects of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The drawings show:

in fig. 1A is an example of a device for use in the packaging process;

in fig. 1B are details of the hopper shown in FIG. 1A;

in fig. 1C is a schematic sectional view of a fragment of the exemplary device shown in FIG. 1A with exemplary weigh bin closed;

in fig. 1D is a similar view with an exemplary scale hopper open;

in fig. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary process for separating excess slag from a mixture of product and slag;

in fig. 3A is a schematic sectional view of an exemplary apparatus for use in a packaging process, shown with the shutters of an exemplary hopper closed; and

in fig. 3B is a schematic sectional view of the exemplary device shown in FIG. 3A with the flaps of the exemplary bin open.

Implementation of the invention

The following description is presented in the context of a specific application to enable any person skilled in the art to create and use the said system. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

A silo will now be described which can be used to separate excess slag from a mixture of product and slag. The hopper has a flap that can be opened and closed. When the gate is open, any product and/or slag contained in the hopper is free to exit through the first path. When the damper is closed, it blocks the first path, but there is a second path available from the silo that allows any slag contained in the silo to escape. The second path is configured so that it cannot be used by the product and is for slag only. In this way, excess slag can be separated from the mixture of product and slag.

In FIG. 1A shows an example of how such a hopper can be used in a packaging process.

In the exemplary apparatus 1000 shown, collection hoppers (not shown in the drawings) drop a mixture of product and slag, such as sugar coated jelly beans, into a ring of weigh hoppers 1100.

Hoppers-scales 1100 contain sensors (not shown) to measure the weight of the contents of the bins. In this way, several weigh bins can be selected, for example by computer control, to combine their contents into a package having a weight as close as possible to the target weight, for example 250 g.

After several weigh hoppers 1100 have been selected, their gates (not shown) are opened to allow the contents of these selected hoppers to descend through the discharge chute 1200 (shown in dotted lines to illustrate its hidden location) into the synchronization hopper 1300.

The synchronization hopper 1300 then dumps its contents into a packaging bag (not shown), which is then sealed. The process can then be repeated.

In this example, both weigh bins 1100 and discharge chute 1200 are used to separate excess slag from the mixture of product and slag created by the storage bins into the slag chute 1400. The slag is then removed from the chute 1400 through the piping 1410 and fed back to the storage bins to reduce processing losses.

The discharge chute 1200 is concentrically surrounded by a slag chute 1400, with both chute 1400 spaced far enough apart that slag can pass between them.

The discharge chute 1200 is made of a mesh having openings smaller than the average product size so that product cannot pass through the mesh, but larger than the average slag particle size so that slag can pass through the mesh into the slag chute 1400. Thus, the discharge chute 1200 acts as a slag filter.

The whole arrangement is such that the last shock of the slag-coated product before it enters the package occurs when the product falls into the weigh bins 1100. Thus, the amount of coating separating from the product beyond this point is minimized. This reduces the risk of free-flowing slag preventing sealing of the bag and reduces the amount of free-flowing slag in the final package.

Hopper scales 1100 shown in FIG. 1A and how they separate excess slag from the mixture of product and slag charged therein will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 1B-1D. In FIG. 1B is a 3D drawing of an exemplary weigh bin 1100. FIG. 1C is a schematic sectional view of a portion of the exemplary device 1000 shown in FIG. 1A with an exemplary weigh bin 1100 in a closed state. In FIG. 1D shows a similar diagram of an exemplary weigh bin 1100 in an open state.

In FIG. 1B shows the weigh bin 1100 with the shutter 1110 in the closed position. The shutter 1110 is operably movable between a closed position and an open position around the hinge 1120 as shown in FIG. 1C and 1D.

In the closed position, the gate 1110 is inclined relative to the vertical, which is indicated by the line V. The retaining wall 1130 of the hopper is also inclined relative to the vertical and slopes down to the gate 1110, ending a little earlier to leave a gap 1140, large enough to allow slag to pass through, but not enough large enough to allow product to pass through. Edge 1111 of shutter 1110 extends beyond retaining wall 1130.

When the mixture of product and slag (P+S in FIG. 1C) is loaded into the closed hopper 1100, the product is held between the gate 1110 and the retaining wall 1130. However, excess slag (S) exits over the edge 1111 and enters the slag chute 1400.

To allow time for the contents of the hopper to settle, and thus for the weight of the contents of the hopper to stabilize, a time delay, for example 800 ms, can be introduced between the closing and opening of the shutter 1110.

Alternatively or additionally, the weight of the contents of the weigh hopper can be constantly monitored, so that the selection of suitable weigh hoppers and the opening of their respective shutters can be carried out as soon as the weight of the entire contents of the weigh hopper has stabilized, but not before. For example, measurements of the weight of the contents of each of the weigh bins may be made on a periodic basis, such as every 10 ms. The weight of the contents of a particular bin can be considered to have stabilized if three consecutive measurements give the same weight value or are within a certain range, for example, 0.15 g.

When shutter 1110 is open, as shown in FIG. 1D, the entire contents of the bin smoothly slide off the retaining wall 1130 onto the receiving surface of the discharge chute 1200, which is at substantially the same angle to the vertical as the retaining wall 1130, to reduce the risk of separation of slag from the product during this transition.

In some alternative embodiments, instead of both the shutter and retaining wall being at an acute angle to vertical when the shutter is closed, the retaining wall may be vertical with the discharge chute directly below it.

In some alternative examples, the edge of the shutter may be folded in such a way that the slag is directed away from the edge in a direction different from the direction in which the remainder of the shutter extends.

In some alternative examples, the gap may be filled with a mesh to filter out excess slag. In such examples, the gap may be larger because the mesh prevents the product from falling out through it.

In some alternative examples, instead of pivoting, the shutter may slide back towards the top of the discharge chute to open the hopper.

In some alternative examples, instead of gravity, suction may be used to remove excess slag. For example, the slag exit gap may not be located at the lower end of the hopper, but higher, on one of the walls of the hopper, and may be connected to a vacuum pump so that excess slag can be sucked out of the hopper.

In all of the above examples, a bin is provided to remove excess slag from the mixture of product and slag. The hopper has a damper movable between open and closed positions. The gate is configured such that when it is in the open position, a first path is provided for the contents of the bin, which is a mixture of product and slag, to exit the bin. When the gate is in the closed position, the first path is blocked by the gate so that the product remains in the hopper and a second path is provided for the slag to exit the bin, different from the first path.

The first path may include a first opening that is sized to allow both product and slag to exit, and the second path may contain a second opening (such as gap 1440 in the example of FIG. 1) that is sized to allow only slag and not product to exit.

The first and second holes may be positioned so that product and/or slag can fall through them under the action of gravity, as in the example of FIG. 1.

Alternatively, the product and/or slag can be removed from the silo in other ways, for example by suction, for example the slag can be allowed to settle in the silo with the product, but can then be sucked from above. In this case, depending on the type of product and slag, the hole through which the slag is sucked out may be large enough that the product could also pass through it, but given that the vacuum is weak enough, it is not able to suck the product and is able to suck up the slag.

The hopper may include a retaining wall, the hopper being configured such that the second opening is a gap between the shutter, when in the closed position, and the lower end of the retaining wall, as in the example of FIG. 1.

The hopper may be configured such that, when the gate is in the open position, the first path directs the contents of the hopper by gravity in a first direction; and when the shutter is in the closed position, the second path guides the slag out of the hopper by gravity in a second direction at an angle to the first direction. The first direction may be vertical. Alternatively, both the first and second directions may be at an angle to the vertical, as in the examples in FIG. 1.

The retaining wall may be at an acute angle to the vertical such that when the gate is in the open position, the contents of the bin flow out of the bin over the retaining wall in a first direction, as in the examples in FIGS. 1. Depending on the type of content in the bin, it may slide, leak, or roll over the retaining wall.

The hopper can be configured such that when the shutter is in the closed position, it is at an acute angle to the vertical so that slag flows out of the hopper over the shutter in the second direction, as in the examples in FIG. 1.

The silo may be configured such that there is a lateral offset between where the contents of the silo exit the silo via the first path and where the slag exits the silo via the second path. (This is the case in the example of FIG. 1, although these need not necessarily be examples in which excess slag is removed by suction).

The hopper may be configured such that when the shutter is in the closed position, the distal end of the shutter is offset laterally relative to the lower end of the retaining wall, forming an edge, as in the examples in FIG. 1.

The hopper can be configured such that when the flapper is in the closed position, the flapper and retaining wall are tilted towards each other, with the retaining wall stopping close to the flapper, forming a gap, and the flapper extending beyond where the flapper and retaining wall would otherwise be. the retaining wall would intersect, as in the example of FIG. 1.

The hopper may include a hinge, such as hinge 1120 in FIG. 1, wherein the shutter is movable between open and closed positions by pivoting around a hinge, as in the example of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the damper can be configured to slide between open and closed positions.

The hopper may be a scale hopper, that is, a hopper capable of weighing its contents, but this is not required. In some examples, the hopper may additionally or alternatively be a collection hopper, an auxiliary hopper, a synchronization hopper, an exit hopper, or an outfeed hopper.

A device for separating excess slag from a mixture of product and slag may include: any of the bins described above; a first chute positioned to receive the contents of the hopper exiting the hopper via the first path when the shutter is in the open position, such as the discharge chute 1200 in the example of FIG. 1; and a second chute positioned to receive slag exiting the hopper via the second path when the shutter is in the closed position, such as the slag chute 1400 in the example of FIG.

The first chute may be positioned relative to the hopper retaining wall such that when the gate is in the open position, the contents of the hopper are smoothly transferred by gravity from the hopper retaining wall to the receiving surface of the chute, as in the example of FIG. 1.

The first chute may be in the form of a filter configured to allow slag entering the first chute to exit through the first chute to the second chute, but not allowing product entering the first chute to exit through the first chute to the second chute, as described above. with respect to the example shown in FIG. 1.

The second chute may be located concentrically around the first chute, as in the example of FIG. 1.

The packaging device may include: the device described above; a package filling device installed at a lower end of the first chute and disposed such that the contents of the hopper received by the first chute flow smoothly under gravity along the receiving surface of the chute into the package; and a sealing device configured to seal the package after the contents of the hopper received by the first chute have passed down the receiving surface into the package. Alternatively, instead of providing a first chute to transport the product into the package, the contents of the hopper can be dropped directly into the package before it is sealed.

In FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 200 for removing excess slag from a mixture of product and slag, with dotted lines indicating optional steps. In step 210, the mixture of product and slag is loaded into a bin containing a gate operable between open and closed positions, with the gate in the closed position, blocking the first exit path from the bin and thereby retaining product in the bin but allowing slag to exit. from the bunker along the second path.

Then, at step 220, the shutter is moved to the open position so that the contents of the hopper exit the hopper via the first path.

Then, at step 230, the shutter is moved to the closed position so that the first path is blocked and excess slag remaining in the hopper exits the hopper via the second path.

If necessary, these steps can be repeated.

Optionally, between steps 210 and 220, steps 211 to 215 may be further provided to obtain a plurality of consecutive weight measurements of the contents of the bin and determine, based on the plurality of consecutive weight measurements, that the weight of the contents of the bin has stabilized. In the illustrated example, this is achieved by setting the integer m to zero in step 211, getting the bin weight measurement W(m) in step 212, incrementing m by one in step 213, getting the additional bin weight measurement W(m) in step 213, getting additionally measuring the weight of the bin W(m) at step 214 and determining at step 215 whether the values of W(m) and W(m-1) are equal. If the answer is yes, then the weight of the bin has stabilized and proceeds to step 220. If the answer is no, the process returns to step 213.

Simultaneously with step 220, the contents of the hopper leaving the hopper along the first path may, if necessary, smoothly pass under the action of gravity from the hopper into the package, and the package, if necessary, can be sealed at step 240.

If necessary, the slag can be filtered from the contents leaving the hopper through the first path.

The method 200 may additionally use the apparatus of the example shown in FIG. 1.

Similarly, method 200 may use the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 having a hopper 2100 with two shutters 2110, 2132. These shutters 2110, 2132 can be opened and closed together to open and block the first path. These double gate examples are particularly well suited for use with sticky products (e.g. marinated meats, sticky sweets) that may otherwise stick to a fixed retaining wall, especially in bins with sloped retaining walls 1130, as shown in fig. 1.

In more detail, in FIG. 3A and 3B show a silo 2100 with a movable first gate 2110 and an opposite movable second gate 2132. The second gate 2132 forms a bottom portion of the retaining wall which further comprises an upper fixed portion 2134. Thus, the features of the lower end of the retaining wall described above are, respectively, inherent lower end of the second shutter 2132.

Hopper 2100 shown in FIG. 3 can also be used to separate excess slag from a mixture of product and slag. When the shutters 2110, 2132 are in their respective open positions, any product and/or slag contained in the hopper 2100 is free to exit the hopper 2100 via the first path. When the shutters 2110, 2132 are in their respective closed positions, they collectively block or close the first path, keeping the product in the hopper 2100. However, when the shutters 2110, 2132 are in their respective closed positions, a second path is provided from the hopper 2100 through which the slag (which is usually a liquid and/or relatively small relative to the product) can exit the hopper 2100. The second path is configured such that it cannot be used to remove product, but only to remove slag. In this way, excess slag can be separated from the mixture of product and slag.

In FIG. 3A and 3B also show a discharge chute 2200 concentrically surrounded by a slag chute 2400, both of which are spaced apart so that slag can pass between them. Discharge chute 2200 is preferably formed by a mesh having openings smaller than the average product size so that product cannot pass through the mesh, but larger than the average slag particle size so that slag can pass through the mesh into the slag chute 2400. Thus, such discharge chute 2200 acts as a slag filter.

In FIG. 3A shows bin 2100 in a closed position when each of the first and second gates 2110, 2132 is in a respective closed position. As shown in the drawing, in this corresponding closed position, the first shutter 2110 is inclined relative to the vertical. In this case, the second gate 2132 of the hopper 2100 is also inclined relative to the vertical and slopes down to the first gate 2110, terminating very close to it, in order to leave a gap 2140 (i.e. the second opening), large enough for slag to pass through it, but not large enough, so that the product can pass through it. The first gate 2110 is longer than the second gate 2132 and extends beyond the point where the first gate 2110 and the second gate 2132 would otherwise intersect.

When the mixture of product and slag (P+S in FIG. 3A) is loaded into the closed hopper 2100, the product is retained by the first and second gates 2110, 2132. However, excess slag (S) exits through the gap 2140 remaining between the first and second gates 2110, 2132 This gap 2140 between the gates 2110, 2132 through which the second path extends is less than the average minimum product size but larger than the average largest slag size. Thus, the slag passes through the gap 2140 and is separated from the product.

The separated slag S passes over the longer first gate 2110, through an opening 2200a (eg, passage or slot) in the discharge chute 2200, and into the slag chute 2400. In additional embodiments where the discharge chute 2200 is made of mesh, the slag S can pass through the discharge chute 2200 without the need for any additional openings. In some cases, the slag entering the discharge chute 2200 may be collected and reintroduced into the line at an earlier stage.

In FIG. 3B shows the bin 2100 in such a position that the first and second shutters 2110, 2132 are in their respective open positions. These open positions 2110, 2132 are substantially vertical, which would be the case if the first and second shutters 2110, 2132 were allowed to fall freely under gravity. However, shutters 2110, 2132 may be held in alternative positions.

In this open position, the contents of the hopper 2100 (i.e. product P and any remaining slag S) are discharged by gravity along a first path into the discharge chute 2200 as shown by arrow P + S. This first path passes between the open gates 2110, 2132, between which defines an opening (ie, the first opening) that is sized to allow both product and slag to exit, since the minimum distance between the shutters 2110, 2132 is greater than the maximum size of both product and slag.

As discussed above, the product P which has passed through said first path can then be packaged using a packaging machine having a reduced slag content S.

The first and second shutters 2110, 2132 rotate around hinges 2120a, 2120b to move between their respective closed and open positions (as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3A). However, this is not required, and one or more shutters 2110, 2132 may move in an alternative manner (eg, slide).

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second shutters 2110, 2132 open substantially simultaneously, that is, at the same time or in unison, rather than sequentially. Simultaneous movement of both shutters 2110, 2132 results in significant shaking of the contents of the hopper 2100, which prevents sticky product from sticking to the inner surface of the hopper 2100 and not being discharged. However, in additional embodiments, the shutters 2110, 2132 may be opened sequentially (for example, to avoid unnecessary shaking of the dry products, which can lead to the formation of more slag).

As is clear from FIG. 3A and 3B, the first path, in which the product and slag can pass, and the second path, in which only the slag passes, are transversely offset and continue in different directions. However, this is not mandatory (for example, in cases where the slag is removed from the hopper by suction).

The hopper can be monitored and weighed as described above with reference to FIG. 1 and 2. For example, a time delay, eg 800 ms, may be introduced between closing and opening the gate to allow the contents of the hopper to stabilize before being weighed. Alternatively, the weight of the bin can be continuously or periodically monitored and a final weight measurement can be taken when the weight of the contents has stabilized.

Similarly, in additional embodiments, the bin 2100 shown in FIG. 3 may further be characterized by any of the additional or preferred features discussed above with reference to FIG. 1 and 2. For example, the first shutter 2110 may have a curved or sloped edge so that when the first shutter 2110 is closed, the slag moving along the second path will be directed or deflected in the desired direction.

Other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the description and practice of the embodiments discussed herein. The foregoing description and examples are intended to be regarded as merely illustrative.

The terms "top", "bottom", "side", "front", "rear", "front", "rear" and other terms describing the orientation of the elements are not intended to limit the invention and are used solely to facilitate the description of the relative position of these elements in the context of the accompanying drawings. During operation or storage, the elements may be located in a different orientation.

In addition, where an application describes a certain order of the steps of a method or procedure, it is possible or even desirable under certain circumstances to change the order in which certain steps are performed, and it is assumed that the claims set forth herein relating to specific steps of the method or procedures should not be construed as being tied to a specific order in which they are performed, unless such specific order is explicitly stated in the claims. That is, the operations/steps may be performed in any order unless otherwise noted, and embodiments may include additional or fewer operations/steps than those disclosed herein. In addition, it is assumed that the performance or implementation of a particular operation/step before, simultaneously with or after another operation is in accordance with the described options for implementation.

Claims (74)

1. A hopper for removing excess slag from a mixture of product and slag, comprising a first valve movable between open and closed positions and a retaining wall, the first valve being configured such that: when the first gate is in the open position, a first exit path is provided from the hopper of the contents, which is a mixture of product and slag; and when the first gate is in the closed position, the first path is blocked by the first gate, so that the product remains in the hopper, and a second path different from the first path is provided for the slag to exit the hopper; and wherein there is a lateral offset between where the contents of the hopper exit the hopper via the first path and where the slag exits the hopper via the second path; wherein the bin is further configured such that when the first gate is in the closed position, the first gate and the retaining wall are inclined towards each other, wherein the retaining wall stops near the first gate to form a gap, and the first gate extends beyond where otherwise, the first shutter and the retaining wall would intersect, so that the distal end of the first shutter is offset laterally relative to the lower end of the retaining wall. 2. The hopper according to claim 1, in which the first path contains a first opening, the size of which allows the release of both product and slag, and the second path contains a second opening, the size of which allows the release of slag, but not the product. 3. The hopper according to claim 2, having such a configuration that the second opening is a gap between the first gate, which is in the closed position, and the lower end of the retaining wall. 4. The bunker according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3 configured so that: when the first shutter is in the open position, the first path directs the contents of the hopper out of the hopper by gravity in the first direction; and when the first gate is in the closed position, the second path directs the slag out of the silo by gravity in a second direction at an angle with respect to the first direction. 5. The silo according to claim 4 dependent on claim 3, wherein the retaining wall is at an acute angle to the vertical such that when the first shutter is in the open position, the contents of the bin pass out of the hopper over the retaining wall in a first direction. 6. A hopper according to any one of the preceding claims, configured such that when the first shutter is in the closed position, it is at an acute angle to the vertical so that slag flows out of the hopper over the first shutter in a second direction. 7. The hopper according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first hinge, in which the first shutter is movable between open and closed positions by pivoting about the first hinge. 8. The hopper according to any one of the preceding claims, which is a scale hopper, a storage hopper, an auxiliary hopper, a synchronization hopper, an output hopper, or a discharge hopper. 9. A hopper for removing excess slag from a mixture of product and slag, comprising a first valve movable between open and closed positions and a retaining wall, the first valve being configured such that: when the first gate is in the open position, a first exit path is provided from the hopper of the contents, which is a mixture of product and slag; and when the first gate is in the closed position, the first path is blocked by the first gate, so that the product remains in the hopper, and a second path different from the first path is provided for the slag to exit the hopper; and wherein the retaining wall comprises a second shutter movable between open and closed positions such that: when the first and second shutters are in their respective open positions, the first path extends between the first and second shutters; and when the first and second shutters are in their respective closed positions, the first path is blocked and the second path passes between the first and second shutters; wherein there is a lateral offset between where the contents of the hopper exit the hopper via the first path and where the slag exits the hopper via the second path; wherein the hopper is further configured such that when the first and second gates are in their respective closed positions, the first and second gates are inclined towards each other, with the second gate stopping near the first gate, forming a gap, and the first gate extending beyond that locations where the flaps would otherwise intersect, such that the distal end of the first flap is offset laterally relative to the distal end of the second flap. 10. The hopper according to claim 9, in which the first path contains a first opening, the size of which allows the release of both product and slag, and the second path contains a second opening, the size of which allows the release of slag, but not the product. 11. The hopper of claim. 10, having such a configuration that the second opening is a gap between the first gate, which is in the closed position, and the lower end of the second gate. 12. The bunker according to any one of paragraphs. 9-11 configured so that: when the first shutter is in the open position, the first path directs the contents of the hopper out of the hopper by gravity in the first direction; and when the first gate is in the closed position, the second path directs the slag out of the silo by gravity in a second direction at an angle with respect to the first direction. 13. The hopper according to claim 12 dependent on claim 11, in which the retaining wall is located at an acute angle to the vertical, so that when the first shutter is in the open position, the contents of the hopper pass from the hopper over the retaining wall in the first direction. 14. The bunker according to any one of paragraphs. 9-13, configured such that when the first shutter is in the closed position, it is at an acute angle to the vertical so that the slag flows out of the hopper over the first shutter in the second direction. 15. The bunker according to any one of paragraphs. 9-14 configured to move the first and second shutters substantially simultaneously between their respective closed and open positions. 16. The bunker according to any one of paragraphs. 9-15, wherein the length of the first flap is at least 1.2 times the length of the second flap, more preferably at least 1.5 times that. 17. The bunker according to any one of paragraphs. 9-16, comprising a first hinge, wherein the first flap is movable between open and closed positions by pivoting about the first hinge. 18. The bunker according to any one of paragraphs. 9-17 comprising a second hinge wherein the second flap is movable between open and closed positions by pivoting about the second hinge. 19. The bunker according to any one of paragraphs. 9-18, which is a scale hopper, a storage hopper, an auxiliary hopper, a synchronizing hopper, an output hopper, or an unloading hopper. 20. A device for separating excess slag from a mixture of product and slag, comprising: a hopper according to any one of the preceding claims; a first chute positioned to receive contents exiting the hopper along the first path when the first shutter is in the open position; and a second chute positioned to receive slag exiting the hopper via the second path when the first gate is in the closed position. 21. The device according to claim 20, directly or indirectly dependent on claim 5 or 13, in which the first chute is located relative to the retaining wall of the hopper in such a way that, when the first shutter is in the open position, the contents of the hopper smoothly pass under the action of gravity from retaining wall of the bunker onto the receiving surface of the chute. 22. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 20 or 21, wherein the first chute is in the form of a filter configured to allow slag entering the first chute to exit through the first chute into the second chute, but not allowing product entering the first chute to exit through it into the second chute. . 23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the second chute is arranged concentrically around the first chute. 24. Packaging device, containing: device according to any one of paragraphs. 20-23; a packaging filling device disposed at a lower end of the first chute so that the contents of the hopper received by the first chute flow smoothly under gravity along a receiving surface of the chute into the package; and a sealing device configured to seal the package after the contents of the hopper received by the first chute have passed down the receiving surface into the package. 25. A method for removing excess slag from a mixture of product and slag, including: a) loading a mixture of product and slag into the hopper according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8 with the first gate in a closed position, blocking the first exit path from the silo and thereby keeping the product in the silo, but allowing the slag to exit the silo via the second path; b) subsequently moving the first gate to an open position so that the contents of the hopper exit the hopper along the first path; and c) subsequently moving the first gate to a closed position to block the first path and allow excess slag remaining in the hopper to exit the hopper via the second path. 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising sequentially repeating all steps a) to c), wherein the second iteration of step b) occurs at least 400 ms after the first iteration of step c). 27. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 25-26, further providing for the following after step a): (i) obtaining a plurality of consecutive time measurements of the weight of the contents of the bin; and (ii) determining, based on a plurality of successive measurements, the weight of the fact that the weight of the contents of the bin has stabilized; wherein step b) is carried out only after the fact of said weight stabilization has been detected. 28. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 25-27, additionally providing: I. concurrently with step b) allowing the contents of the bin exiting the bin along the first path to flow smoothly under gravity from the bin into the package; and II. subsequent sealing of the package. 29. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 25-28, additionally providing for filtering the slag from the contents of the hopper leaving the hopper along the first path. 30. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 25-29, performed using the device according to any one of paragraphs. 20-24. 31. A method for removing excess slag from a mixture of product and slag, including: a) loading a mixture of product and slag into the hopper according to any one of paragraphs. 9-19, with the first and second gates in their respective closed positions, blocking the first exit path from the silo and thereby retaining product in the silo, but allowing the slag to exit the silo via the second path; b) subsequently moving the first and second shutters to their respective open positions so that the contents of the hopper exit the hopper via the first path; and c) subsequently moving the first and second gates to their respective closed positions so that the first path is blocked and excess slag remaining in the hopper exits the hopper via the second path. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein step b) substantially simultaneously moves the first and second shutters to their respective open positions. 33. The method of claim 31 or 32, further comprising sequential repetition of all steps a) to c), wherein the second iteration of step b) occurs at least 400 ms after the first iteration of step c). 34. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 31-33, further providing for the following after step a): (i) obtaining a plurality of consecutive time measurements of the weight of the contents of the bin; and (ii) determining, based on a plurality of successive measurements, the weight of the fact that the weight of the contents of the bin has stabilized; wherein step b) is carried out only after the fact of said weight stabilization has been detected. 35. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 31-34, additionally providing: I. concurrently with step b) allowing the contents of the bin exiting the bin along the first path to flow smoothly under gravity from the bin into the package; and II. subsequent sealing of the package. 36. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 31-35, additionally providing for filtering the slag from the contents of the hopper leaving the hopper along the first path. 37. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 31-36, performed using the device according to any one of paragraphs. 20-24.

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