DE10243525A1 - Device for producing an item to be consumed - Google Patents

Abstract

In a device for producing a food item from a flowable mass, in particular from the confectionery sector, the flowable mass being able to be introduced into a mold from a metering unit (2) and the metering unit (2) being arranged movably in a machine frame (1) , in which there is also a drive unit for the metering unit (2), the metering unit (2) and drive unit should be thermally separated from one another.

Description

The invention relates to a device for the production of food from a flowable mass, especially from the confectionery sector, where the flowable mass can be introduced into a mold from a dosing unit and the dosing unit can be moved is arranged in a machine frame.

A large number of devices and methods are known for the production of chocolate articles. For example, after the DE 33 19 687 C2 a substance with a substantial content of meltable or fusible masses entered into a mold and solidified in it. Molds have the disadvantage that in a further work step the shaped chocolate articles have to be removed from the mold and subjected to further processing. To automate this process, for example, in EP 0 156 314 A proposed that a facility for turning and swinging the form is available in the system. However, this can damage the food consumed.

The DE 43 14 753 A1 shows a device for pouring chocolate masses with a plurality of pistons, all of which are moved together. In a suction stroke, chocolate mass is sucked in from a supply and fed into a nozzle plate in the extension stroke. Such piston-working devices pose problems when sucking the chocolate mass. Furthermore, they have a complicated structure and their cleaning is a problem. Especially when changing to a different praline, the machine as a whole has to be cleaned thoroughly.

In the DE 198 11 403.6 A device of the above-mentioned type is described, in which the flowable mass is located in a container which is preferably designed as a funnel. Two rollers are arranged in the outlet of the funnel, which form a roller gap between them, through which the flowable mass arrives on a carrier. The funnel, together with the rollers, is freely suspended on a slide or the like, which is assigned to a machine frame and opposite this at least in one plane in the x and / or y axis and preferably also perpendicular to this plane in the z -Axis is movable.

The present invention lies based on the task, the sensitive drive units and measuring systems of the machines both from temperature influences and from environmental influences, such as For example, to protect splash water or the flowable mass itself.

solution

The solution to this task is that Dosing unit and drive bar thermally separated from each other are. In particular, leads that the metering unit sits in a central plate, which between a wall and guides is movable in a vertical plane.

This configuration is between the Dosing unit or essential parts of the dosing unit and Drive units built a bulkhead, which the drive units from the warmth isolates the dosing unit. It also prevents Splashing water or other impurities on the drive units and the corresponding guides reach. It must be considered that usually a metering bar of the metering unit is heated so that the flowable Mass on a desired Temperature is maintained. However, it is undesirable that this heat of the Dosing bar is delivered to the drive units.

In one embodiment of the invention a front wall and a back wall provided between which the central plate moves.

In an improved embodiment of the However, invention is the front wall or the back wall only by strips replaced, so that between the central plate and the strips just a little wide space that extends, for example, from impurities can be filled. This space is essential for a flat wall greater.

So that the dosing unit move a window is provided in the front panel. Will last as guides selected enough it to form the distance between the strips accordingly, so that the dosing unit can move.

The dosing unit also has above-mentioned Dosing bars usually also have piston drive bars on one or both sides, with which a delivery movement for appropriate dosing piston is carried out. It means that the central plate itself must have windows, the one allow such movement of the piston drive beam. With that through these windows in turn have no heat or contaminants can penetrate into the interior of the device, corresponding shut-off rails are assigned to the piston drive beams, the in guides guided on the central plate become.

Another idea of the invention relates to the arrangement of guides between the metering bar and the drive mounting plate. The problem is that the metering bar is made of aluminum and is heated or cooled differently depending on the material to be processed. The linear actuator plate is made of steel and is not heated. Due to the different expansion coefficients of steel and aluminum, if two fixed linear guides were used, the linear guides would become unduly distorted. For this reason, a play-free linear guide is provided on one side and a flat guide, that is, a guide rail, is provided on the opposite side. Differences in expansion are compensated for using the flat guide.

The flat guide is preferred over two lower ones and two upper rollers. According to the length of the path is at least a wide pair of rollers at a certain distance required.

To make the rolls absolutely even load, the lower and upper pairs of rollers are each on one Mounted rocker. about an eccentric of the upper rocker, the rollers are set free of play for flat guidance. For example, a three-point bearing creates an absolutely even load achieved all roles.

A simpler solution is that the lower two bearings are fixed and the opposite ones via eccentrics can be set without play.

Another thought of the present Invention, for protection, which is also requested separately, refers to the Connection between the piston drive bar and the metering piston. The piston drive bar itself is not heated during the Insert the metering plunger in the heated metering bar and accordingly heated become. Due to the different expansion, misalignments occur, the according to the invention be balanced by a gimbal. The gimbal Joint has a connecting element which is bone-shaped is. It consists of a median strip with welt sections molded on both sides. The piping sections are from receptacles in the piston drive beam or recorded in the dosing piston, on the one hand these recordings a convex inner surface has to open to the other funnel-shaped. This is for the connecting element enough Free space to compensate for misalignments can.

Another part of the invention, for the Protection is also sought separately, refers to the cooling of the Interior. All hydraulic drive elements are located in the interior, such as swivel cylinders and linear cylinders with usually attached Servo control valves and the hydraulic unit. By technically due to the relatively high pressure drop in the hydraulic servo system a lot of thermal energy issued. In particular, the hydraulic unit acts like a heating furnace. According to the invention therefore the hydraulic unit in the vertical cooling channel accommodated. about a fan blows air at room temperature through the cooling duct.

This arrangement makes the warm Hydraulic unit thermally decoupled from the interior. Through infrared radiation would however, the cooling channel walls always still warmth take up. This is due to the additional installation of thermal covers or thermal shield packs avoided, so that optimal insulation is achieved.

Another heat build-up inside the machine frame, caused by the hydraulic components listed above, To prevent protection is still sought for that on the ceiling the machine frame is a hydraulic oil cooler with a built-in fan is arranged, which fresh air through slots in the floor or the side walls of the machine frame. The slots are dimensioned accordingly. With this arrangement, all hydraulic components are supplied with fresh air lapped. With the construction, heat builds up prevented in the machine room. The large amount of air in the fan will flow past only slightly warmer on the hydraulic components, so that the oil cooler with cooled in the same air can be.

Are used to drive the device Servomotors used, it should be noted that this is also Give off heat. In this case, but also in the case mentioned above, the oil cooler could for example also replaced by other cooling elements which are in the ventilation slots are used. There should be no limit to the invention here.

Other advantages and features and Details of the invention will be explained with reference to the drawing; this shows in

1 a side view of an opened device according to the invention for producing a consumable;

2 a plan view of the open device according to 1 ;

3 a partially shown front view of the device according to 1 ;

4 a side view of a section of the front view according to 3 ;

5 a front view of another embodiment of an inventive device similar 1 ;

6 an enlarged section from 1 in the area of a metering bar;

7 a section rotated by 90 ° from the in 6 shown area in a further embodiment;

8th a section similar 6 in another embodiment;

9 an enlarged side view shown in the area of the connection between a piston drive bar and a metering bar;

10 a cross section through the connection point according 9 along line XX.

According to 1 is in a machine frame 1 a dosing unit 2 arranged. According to 2 a metering bar 3 on, in the dosing piston 4 are arranged. Every dosing piston 4 is about a connector 5 with a piston drive beam 6.1 respectively. 6.2 connected. In 2 are just two dosing pistons 4 shown, but of course there are many more dosing pistons 4 and on both sides of the metering bar 3 intended.

The entire metering unit can be driven via drives, not shown 2 are moved in the x or y direction. Add to that the in 1 indicated stroke movement z.

For dispensing the flowable mass from the metering bar 3 is in 1 a nozzle 7 indicated, the corresponding dash-dotted shape 8th is assigned to absorb the flowable mass. Of course there are on the metering bar 3 other nozzles 7 , provided there are also additional dosing pistons 4 are provided. The corresponding dosing rooms are indicated by a funnel, which is also only indicated by dash-dotted lines 9 fed.

The dosing unit 2 enforced, especially in 2 recognizable, a bulkhead 10 which are vertical in the machine frame 1 stands. The bulkhead 10 has a back wall 11 and a front wall 12 on. Between the back wall 11 and front wall 12 is a central plate 13 slidably arranged. On or in the central plate 13 are the device elements of the dosing unit 2 , The metering bar penetrates 3 the central plate 13 , as in 3 indicated, with little play. This is enough for the metering bar 3 can be moved in the y direction.

For the piston drive beam 6.1 and 6.2 are larger windows 14.1 and 14.2 in the central plate 13 provided because the piston drive beam 6.1 and 6.2 must be able to perform an infeed movement in the direction x. As a result of the infeed movement, the flowable mass, which is located in the metering spaces (not shown in more detail), becomes by means of the metering piston 4 through the nozzles 7 expressed. For this reason, the piston drive beam 6.1 respectively. 6.2 in the area of the window 14.1 respectively. 14.2 from a cover slide 15 embrace that in a guide rail 16 slides.

For the rest, is off 3 recognizable that the front wall 12 a window 17 has in the area of the metering unit 2 can move.

According to the embodiment in 5 are two strips instead of a front wall 18.1 and 18.2 provided which is at the end of the back wall 11 are fixed. In the back wall 11 is a window-like recess 19 molded in the area of the strips 18.1 and 18.2 from the back wall 11 are spaced. This creates guide channels for guiding the central plate 13 out.

According to 6 becomes the metering bar 3 moving in the y direction on a base plate 20 guided. On the one hand, a linear guide is provided for this, on the other hand, is in the metering bar 3 a guide rail 22 used. The guide rail 22 is on both sides of an eccentrically positioned role 23.1 respectively. 23.2 attacked. Here are the roles 23.1 and 23.2 over a wave stub 24 eccentric with a turntable 25 connected, which rotates on a mounting plate 26 are fixed.

It is also conceivable, as in 8th hinted that a lower role 23.1 on a mounting plate 26.1 is centered while an upper roller 23.2 can be adjusted eccentrically.

In 7 can be thought of defining several roles together or moving them together eccentrically. An upper roller carriage 27 is about an eccentric 28 movable while a lower roller carriage 29 fixed.

In the 9 and 10 is the connection between the piston drive beam 6.1 and 6.2 and the dosing piston 4 via the connecting element 5 indicated. The connecting element 5 consists of a median 30 , the bilateral piping 31.1 and 31.2 are molded.

The piping 31.1 and 31.2 sit in recordings 32 and 33 in the dosing piston 4 or in the piston drive beam 6.1 respectively. 6.2 , An inner surface 34 of these shots 32 respectively. 33 is domed. The recordings also open 32 and 33 funnel-shaped, as in 9 recognizable to each other.

According to 1 is located in the machine frame 1 a hydraulic unit shown only schematically 36 , whose hydraulic pump, not shown, is a motor 35 assigned. The hydraulic unit 36 sits in a cooling jacket 37 , which surrounds the hydraulic unit. Using a cooling fan 38 can cool air from outside into the cooling jacket 37 introduced and the hydraulic unit 36 be cooled.

Furthermore, the hydraulic unit 36 still from thermal blinds 39 sealed off at a distance a from the cooling jacket 37 are arranged.

In an interior 40 of the machine frame 1 , in which the main drive units are arranged, there is a cooler 41 , for example a lamella cooler with a radial fan. By means of this cooler 41 can cooler supply air from outside through in 2 indicated floor openings 42.1 and 42.2 be sucked in.

The operation of the present invention is as follows:
For filling a form 8th with the flowable mass this form 8th under the dosing unit 2 brought, then the dosing unit 2 aligned with the shape, the alignment by means of a generally designated 43 lifting drive in the direction z and by means of a cross slide guide 44 in the x and y direction. The elements of the metering unit move, namely in particular the metering bar 3 and the piston driving beam 6.1 and 6.2 , in openings in the central plate 13 and together with the central plate 13 between the back wall 11 and the front wall 12 or the strips 18.1 and 18.2 , Through the bulkhead 10 but is the entire interior 40 insulated from the heat emanating from the flowable mass, from splash water or other environmental influences with the drive elements.

The entire further devices according to the invention serve for heat compensation. On the one hand, the isolation of the hydraulic unit is worth mentioning. The drive elements of the dosing unit are to be sealed off from the heat of the hydraulic unit. This is done by sheathing the hydraulic unit and cooling the hydraulic unit within this cooling jacket 37 by supplying cooler room air with the cooling fan and sealing it off with the thermal covers.

Furthermore, the drive elements are cooled by means of the cooler 41 , through the continuous room air through the floor openings 42.1 and 42.2 is sucked into the room and cooled again.

The connection between the piston metering unit and its drives, in particular the linear drive, is also problematic 43 , The piston metering unit is usually made of aluminum and is heated so that the flowable mass does not cool or only cools down slightly when it is applied. For example, there is a linear actuator mounting plate 26 however made of steel and is unheated. To compensate for the different expansion between the heated aluminum and the unheated steel, the guide rail is 22 provided that is attacked by the eccentrically mounted rollers.

Claims (17)

Device for producing a food item from a flowable mass, in particular from the confectionery area, the flowable mass from a metering unit ( 2 ) can be placed in a mold, and the dosing unit ( 2 ) movable in a machine frame ( 1 ) is arranged in which there is also a drive unit for the metering unit ( 2 ), characterized in that the dosing unit ( 2 ) and the drive unit are thermally separated. Device for producing a food item from a flowable mass, in particular from the confectionery area, the flowable mass from a metering unit ( 2 ) can be placed in a mold, and the dosing unit ( 2 ) movable in a machine frame ( 1 ) is arranged in which there is also a drive unit for the metering unit ( 2 ), characterized in that the dosing unit ( 2 ) in a central plate ( 13 ) sitting between a wall ( 11 ) and guided tours ( 12 . 18.1 . 18.2 ) is movable in a vertical plane. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide from a further wall ( 12 ) which is a window ( 17 ) for the movement of the dosing unit ( 2 ) inside the window ( 17 ) having. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the guides consist of at least two spaced strips ( 18.1 . 18.2 ) which end up on the wall ( 11 ) are attached and with the wall ( 11 ) a guide channel for the central plate between its two ends ( 13 ) train. Device according to one of claims 2-4, characterized in that in the central plate ( 13 ) at least one window ( 14.1 . 14.2 ) for a piston drive beam ( 6.1 . 6.2 ) is provided, which is adjacent to the central plate ( 13 ) a cover slide ( 15 ) assigned. Device for producing a food item from a flowable mass, in particular from the confectionery area, the flowable mass from a metering unit ( 2 ) can be placed in a mold, and the dosing unit ( 2 ) movable in a machine frame ( 1 ) is arranged, characterized in that the dosing unit ( 2 ) is guided along at least one guide rail. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the guide rail ( 22 ) on one or both sides of roles ( 23.1 . 23.2 ) is attacked. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one roller ( 23.1 . 23.2 ) is eccentrically movable. Device for producing a food item from a flowable mass, in particular from the confectionery area, the flowable mass from a metering unit ( 2 ) can be placed in a mold, and the dosing unit ( 2 ) movable in a machine frame ( 1 ) is arranged and a metering bar ( 3 ) with dosing piston ( 4 ), and at least one piston drive bar assigned to it ( 6.1 . 6.2 ), characterized in that metering pistons ( 4 ) and piston drive beam ( 6.1 . 6.2 ) are connected to each other via a cardan joint. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that metering pistons ( 4 ) and / or piston drive bar ( 6.1 . 6.2 ) a recording ( 32 . 33 ) for a connecting element ( 5 ), the recordings ( 32 . 33 ) open in a funnel shape. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized ge indicates that an inner surface ( 34 ) of the recordings ( 32 . 33 ) is at least partially cambered. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the connecting element ( 5 ) bone-shaped from a median strip ( 30 ) with keder sections on both sides ( 31.1 . 31.2 ) is formed Device for producing a food item from a flowable mass, in particular from the confectionery area, the flowable mass from a metering unit ( 2 ) can be placed in a mold, and the dosing unit ( 2 ) movable in a machine frame ( 1 ) is arranged and a hydraulic unit ( 36 ) is provided, characterized in that the hydraulic unit ( 36 ) is thermally insulated. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the hydraulic unit ( 36 ) in a cooling jacket ( 37 ) sits, into which air can be introduced by means of a fan Device according to claim 14, characterized in that in the cooling jacket ( 37 ) to the dosing unit ( 2 ) towards thermal covers ( 39 ) are provided. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the thermal screens ( 39 ) from the cooling jacket ( 37 ) are spaced. Device according to at least one of claims 1-16, characterized in that in the machine frame ( 1 ) a cooler ( 41 ) for sucking cool circulating air into the machine frame ( 1 ) is provided.