阅读说明：本技术 用于配量食物产品的配量阀和灌装机 (Dosing valve and filling machine for dosing food products ) 是由 B·梅勒 阿明·基布勒 安德里亚斯·基布勒 于 2020-12-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于配量液体或膏状物质的配量阀(1),特别是用于配量食物产品的配量阀(1),配量阀(1)具有能够移动的阀元件(2),阀元件(2)使供一部分排出的阀开口(3)打开和关闭,其中阀元件(2)在其端部区域(2b)包括弹性材料(6),当沿关闭方向(S)观察时,端部区域(2b)是前端区域。(The invention relates to a metering valve (1) for metering a liquid or pasty substance, in particular a metering valve (1) for metering a food product, the metering valve (1) having a movable valve element (2), the valve element (2) opening and closing a valve opening (3) for a partial discharge, wherein the valve element (2) comprises an elastic material (6) in an end region (2b) thereof, the end region (2b) being a front end region when viewed in a closing direction (S).)

1. A dosing valve (1) for dosing a liquid or pasty substance, in particular a dosing valve (1) for dosing a food product, the dosing valve (1) having a movable valve element (2), the valve element (2) opening and closing a valve opening (3) for a partial discharge, characterized in that the valve element (2) comprises an elastic material (6) in its end region (2b), the end region (2b) being a front end region when viewed in a closing direction (S).

2. The dosing valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the dosing valve (1) further comprises a valve housing (5), an elastic material (6) being arranged on an inner side of the valve housing (5) where a finger is pressed by the valve element moving in the closing direction (S), in particular,

the finger is pressed in the edge area (9a) surrounding the valve opening (3), or

The fingers are pressed against the side surface (12) of the valve opening (3), or

The fingers are pressed in the transition region from the supply line (7) to the tubular pipe section (9), wherein the valve element (2) is moved in the pipe section (9) in order to close the valve opening (3).

3. Dosing valve (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that a diameter (d) of the valve element (2) in the end region (2b) of the valve element (2) decreases in the closing direction (S), in particular,

the end region of the valve element (2) has a circumferential side contact surface (2a), the side contact surface (2a) being inclined in the closing direction or formed convex.

4. The dosing valve (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a side contact surface (2a) of the valve element (2) which is inclined in the closing direction (S) of the valve element (2) and a side contact surface (9a) of the valve housing (5) which is inclined towards the closing direction (S) of the valve element (2) define a pressing region (4), wherein the surfaces are arranged opposite one another or are arranged laterally offset from one another on opposite sides of the pressing region (4).

5. Dosing valve (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the valve housing (5) has a side contact surface (9a) on its inner side, which side contact surface (9a) extends obliquely with respect to the closing direction of the valve element (2) and is intended to be abutted by a pressed finger when pressed by the valve element, preferably,

the side contact surface (9a) is arranged in an edge region surrounding the valve opening (3) and, in the closed state of the metering valve, the side contact surface (9a) is arranged opposite the end region (2b) of the valve element, or

The side contact surface (9a) is a side surface of the valve opening, or

The side contact surface (9a) is formed in a transition region (9a) between a supply line (7) and a cylindrical pipe section (9) in which the valve element (2) is moved, in particular the side contact surface (9a) is in the form of a lower pipe surface of the supply line, wherein the lower pipe surface opens at an angle of <90 ° to the pipe section (9), in particular the lower pipe surface opens at an angle of 15 ° to 60 ° to the pipe section (9), or the side contact surface (9a) is in the form of a cutting edge (9a) with a bevel.

6. Dosing valve (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is actuatable by control means in such a way that the closing force is limited to a predetermined value, in particular to a value smaller than 135N.

7. Dosing valve (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises as the valve element (2) an axially movable discharge piston which opens and closes the valve opening (3).

8. The metering valve (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the metering valve (1) is configured as a seat valve and comprises, as the valve element (2), an axially movable plunger which closes the valve opening (3) arranged at the lower end of a conically tapering nozzle.

9. Dosing valve (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the dosing valve (1) is configured as a rotary piston valve and comprises a rotary piston as the movable valve element (2), which by rotation opens and closes the valve opening (3).

10. The dosing valve (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic material (6) is in particular a material selected from the group of elastomers.

11. The dosing valve (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the elastic material has a hardness of 30 shore a to 80 shore a.

12. Dosing valve according to at least one of claims 1 to 11 (c)1) Characterized in that the pressure applied to the object to be pressed is not more than 60N/cm²。

13. Dosing valve (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the elastic material closes the valve opening (3).

14. Filling machine having a dosing valve (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, which is arranged at a discharge end of the filling machine.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a dosing valve (dosing valve) for dosing liquid or pasty substances, in particular food products, and to a filling machine having such a dosing valve.

Background

In the food industry, such valves are installed in production systems and machines (e.g. vacuum filling machines) for dosing liquids and pasty substances that may also contain coarse pieces. Such metering valves are used for filling containers such as bowls, deep-drawn trays and the like.

Such a metering valve is opened by means of a drive at the beginning of the discharge process of the conveyed product and is closed after the end of the discharge section. At the valve, the product is confined, separated and separated. In principle, the valve is used as far as possible at the end of the pipe, just at the outlet of the filling machine.

Different valve types are used depending on the product and application.

For example, as disclosed in EP2215912, valves with a discharge piston are generally used. Product is fed into the valve from the side in the T-piece. The piston is moved axially along the vertical axis, thereby opening or closing the inlet.

Valves with a taper at the outlet (nozzle) are usually configured as seat valves. To close the valve, the plunger is moved axially until it abuts the edge of the nozzle, thereby closing the valve.

In another variant, the piston does not move axially, but radially (rotary piston valve). Due to the arrangement of the inlet and outlet in the housing and the connecting channel in the rotary piston, the valve can be opened or closed by rotating the piston.

Typically, the diameter of the outlet opening of the valve is large enough to enable e.g. a finger to reach into the outlet opening. The valve is configured to be pinched and severely crushed or pinched off when a finger has been extended to the hazardous area. The reason for this is the high closing force and the configuration of the closing edge. Therefore, fingers must be prevented from reaching the hazardous area (i.e., the pinch area) by means of safety gaps, mechanical stops, protective covers, safety sensors, and the like.

However, these security measures have a negative impact on the workflow for various reasons; in particular, such measures have an adverse effect on production speed, operability, accessibility, product flexibility (geneleness), and the like. It is generally not structurally possible to provide mechanically separate protection devices.

For example, fig. 6 shows a metering valve with a piston 2 which can be moved downwards in a tube 9 to close a valve opening 3. The edge K moves downwards in the tube 9 and a finger can be inserted through the opening 3 into the inlet tube 7. Thus, fingers may be squeezed between the movable valve element 2 and the housing 5, i.e. may be squeezed by a cutting edge in the transition area from the inlet tube 7 to the tube 9, wherein the cutting edge and the edge K adjoining the lower surface of the inlet tube 7 are arranged on opposite sides of the squeezing area, but are laterally offset from each other, so that the fingers may be subjected to shear forces. Fig. 7 shows a valve configured as a seat valve, wherein the plunger 2 is moved in the direction of the valve opening 3. There, fingers may be pinched between the front end of the valve element 2 and the housing 5 tapering towards the valve opening 3, so that serious injuries are likewise possible.

Disclosure of Invention

Starting from the above, the invention is based on the following objects: a dosing valve for dosing a food product is provided which ensures sufficient safety for the operator in a simple manner.

According to the invention, this object is met with the following features.

A dosing valve for dosing a liquid or pasty substance, in particular for dosing a food product, having a movable valve element which opens and closes a valve opening for a partial discharge, wherein the valve element comprises an elastic material in its end region which is a front end region when viewed in a closing direction.

The metering valve according to the invention comprises a movable valve element which opens and closes a valve opening for a portion of the discharge.

The valve element comprises an elastic material at its end region, which is the front end region when viewed in the closing direction.

This means that if, for example, a finger extends through the valve opening into the interior of the valve housing when the valve element is moved in the closing direction, the elastic material can easily adapt to the geometry of the finger when in contact with the finger, whereby the force can be evenly distributed. Thus, according to the invention, the dosing valve is designed and constructed such that there is no risk of serious injury to the fingers when it has been extended to the hazardous area. Due to the fact that the elastic material is arranged in the front end region, the elastic material can also advantageously be used as a sealing material for sealing the valve opening.

Preferably, the front end region extends at least 5mm-20mm upwards from the lower end in the axial direction.

Alternatively or additionally, the elastic material can also be arranged inside the valve housing, i.e. in a region where a finger may be pressed by the valve element moving in the closing direction. In particular, in the case of a seat valve, the elastic material is arranged in the edge region around the valve opening, i.e. in the nozzle region, or in the case of a valve with a valve-closing piston, in the transition region from the inlet line to the cylindrical tube section, in which the valve element is moved to close the valve opening.

In the case of a rotary piston valve, the elastic material can be arranged in the region of the side surface of the valve opening, i.e. the side surface facing the direction opposite to the closing direction.

It is advantageous to increase the possible contact area in the squeeze area in order to maximize the force distribution acting on the finger, thereby minimizing the surface pressure. This means that there are no sharp edges that could pinch off the finger.

This is carried out in particular in the following manner: the diameter of the valve element in the end region of the valve element decreases in the closing direction. In particular, it is then possible to produce a side contact surface which is inclined towards the closing direction of the valve element, which in the event of a squeezing will lie flat against the finger, whereby the pressure acting on the finger can be minimized. Alternatively, the end region of the valve element can also be formed convex. The surface opposite the side contact surface of the valve element (e.g. the nozzle-like edge region surrounding the valve opening) can then be concave.

According to a preferred embodiment, the side contact surfaces of the valve element which are inclined in the closing direction of the valve element and the side contact surfaces of the valve housing which are inclined in the closing direction of the valve element define a pressing region, wherein these two surfaces are arranged opposite one another or are arranged offset from one another in the transverse direction on opposite sides of the pressing region. The pressure on the finger can be minimized by the side contact surfaces.

Due to the fact that e.g. a squeezed finger is bounded by two surfaces, the pressure on the finger can be minimized compared to a sharp edge.

A squeeze region is understood to mean a region between the valve element and the valve housing, in which region an elongate finger can be squeezed as a result of the movement of the valve element. The point of squeezing can be configured such that a finger is squeezed between the front region of the valve element and the oppositely arranged region, or between the front region of the valve element and a region of the valve housing which is laterally offset from the front region (for example, the lower surface of the supply line or a cutting edge with a bevel) such that the finger will be exposed to a shearing action.

In particular, the valve housing can have on its inner side a side contact surface which extends obliquely with respect to the closing direction of the valve element and against which a finger is pressed when the finger is pressed by the valve element, wherein the side contact surface can be arranged, for example, in the following regions:

arranged in an edge region around the valve opening, i.e. the side contact surfaces are arranged in the form of nozzles around the valve opening; in the closed state of the metering valve, the side contact surfaces are arranged opposite the end regions of the valve element,

a side surface arranged at the valve opening, i.e. for example a surface of the valve opening which in the case of a rotary piston valve points to the side opposite to the direction of rotation or the closing direction,

in the transition region between the supply line and the cylindrical tube section, in which the valve element is moved, i.e. for example in the lower tube surface of the supply line, wherein the lower tube surface opens into the tube section at an angle of less than 90 ° (in particular 15 ° -60 °), or the lower tube surface opens into the cutting edge with a bevel.

The dosing valve can be advantageously controlled by the control means in such a way that the closing force is limited to a predetermined value, in particular a value < 135N. In particular, this in combination with the aforementioned measures also serves substantially to protect against injury.

According to a preferred embodiment, the metering valve is configured as a seat valve and comprises, as a valve element, an axially movable plunger which closes a valve opening arranged at the lower end of the conically tapering nozzle. The valve configuration in which the side contact surface is increased by the conically tapering nozzle of the valve is particularly advantageous. Injury can be prevented if the end of the movable plunger then also comprises an elastic material, in particular configured as a rubber end. If the tip of the plunger then also tapers downwardly, then the contact surface is also increased at this time, which further minimizes pressure.

In another embodiment, the valve element is configured in the following manner: the valve element has an axially movable discharge piston in the inlet pipe which opens and closes the valve opening. If a finger enters through the valve opening up to the inlet tube, the occurrence of injuries can be prevented, for example, by an elastic material at the front end of the discharge piston (i.e. the elastic piston end). This further increases the protection if the end region of the discharge piston then has an inclined side contact surface (in particular, a side contact surface as described above) and the transition region from the inlet pipe to the cylindrical pipe also has a chamfer.

It is also possible that the metering valve is configured as a rotary piston valve and comprises a rotary piston as a movable valve element, which rotary piston opens and closes the opening by rotating. The use of an elastic material here also prevents significant injuries during closing of the finger inserted through the valve opening according to the invention.

Particularly advantageously, the elastic material is a material selected from the group of elastomers.

In particular, the elastic material has a hardness of 30 shore a to 80 shore a according to DIN ISO 7619-1.

Advantageously, the pressure acting on the object to be pressed (in particular, the finger) should not be greater than 60N/cm²。

Advantageously, the elastic material closes the valve opening, thereby resulting in a particularly good seal. This means that the elastic material can also be used as a sealing material.

The invention also relates to a filling machine having a dosing valve as described above, wherein the dosing valve is arranged at the end of an outlet pipe of the filling machine.

Drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the following figures.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 2a to 2c show the embodiment of fig. 1 in different closed positions.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 4a to 4c show the embodiment of fig. 3 in different closed positions.

Fig. 5a to 5c show another embodiment according to the invention in different closed positions.

Fig. 6 and 7 show a metering valve according to the prior art.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2a, 2b, 2c show an embodiment of a dosing valve 1 according to the invention.

The dosing valve 1 is configured as a seat valve and comprises an inlet pipe 7, the inlet pipe 7 being connected, for example, to a pipe of a filling machine that conveys a flow of food product (a strand of food product). In particular, the metering valve 1 is used for metering liquids and also pasty substances which may contain chunks (chunky bits). In particular, such a metering valve 1 is used for filling containers such as bowls, deep-drawn trays and the like.

The inlet tube 7 opens towards the tube 9, which tube 9 comprises at its lower end a valve opening 3 for the discharge of the food product in separate portions. The metering valve 1 comprises a movable valve element 2, which valve element 2 can be moved up and down in a pipe 9 and can close a valve opening 3 in a closing direction S. The valve element 2 is moved by means of an actuator in the direction opposite to the closing direction to open the valve opening 3. After the conveyed product has been discharged, the valve element 2 is then moved downwards again.

The inlet or inlet pipe 7 opens towards the tube 9 at an angle alpha <90 deg. (in particular, at 15 deg. -60 deg.).

Preferably, the valve opening 3 has a range of 50mm²-2000mm²I.e. sufficiently large to enable the finger 8 to extend into the opening.

In particular, as can be taken from fig. 1, the valve element 2 comprises an elastic material 6 at its end region 2b, which end region 2b is a front end region when viewed in the closing direction S. The elastic material is for example a material selected from the group of elastomers. In particular, the elastic material has a hardness of 30 shore a to 80 shore a according to DIN ISO 7619-1.

Preferably, the front end region 2b extends from the lower end at least over a length of 5mm-20mm upwards in the axial direction (i.e. in the direction opposite to the closing direction).

This dimension is sufficient for protecting the fingers 8 reaching the pinch area 4 between the valve element 2 and the housing 5.

This means that if, for example, a finger 8 (here a test finger 8) extends through the valve opening 8 into the interior of the valve housing 5, the elastic material 6 can easily adapt to the geometry of the finger 8 when in contact with the finger 8, whereby the force can be evenly distributed. Thus, there is no risk of serious injury to the fingers 8 when the fingers 8 have been extended to the hazardous area. Due to the fact that the resilient material is arranged at the front end region, the resilient material can additionally and advantageously be used as a sealing material for sealing the valve opening 3. The elastic material 6 can be adhered to the valve element 2 or fastened in a removable manner to the upper part of the valve element 2 by means of fastening means 13, so that the elastic material 6 can be replaced when worn.

The possible contact surface in the squeeze area 4, i.e. between the valve element 2 and the valve housing 5, is advantageously increased in order to maximize the force distribution acting on the finger 8 and thus minimize the pressure acting on the finger.

As can be seen from fig. 1 and 2, it is achieved that the diameter d of the valve element 2 (i.e. in particular here the diameter of the elastic material 6) decreases in the closing direction S, i.e. the outer contour tapers downwards. In particular, an increased circumferential side contact surface inclined towards the closing direction S of the valve element 2 can then be produced, which, in the event of a squeezing, abuts flat against the finger 8, whereby the pressure acting on the finger can be minimized.

The diameter d is then reduced, for example, from 20mm to 50mm to 0mm to 30 mm. The height k of the inclined circumferential side contact surface is, for example, in the range of 10mm-30 mm.

Preferably, the angle β between a plane perpendicular to the closing direction or longitudinal axis L and the side contact surface 2a is in the range of 15 ° -60 °. Alternatively, the elastic material 6 can also extend convexly downward in the direction of the valve opening 3.

The thus configured end of the valve element 2 provides very good protection.

As in the present case here, the lower region of the metering valve 1 is configured such that the housing 5 extends in a nozzle-like manner towards the valve opening 3, producing an inclined side contact surface 9a in the edge region around the valve opening 3 against which the finger bears when pressed. Preferably, the surface can be formed concave. This means that the pressing region 4 is defined by a side contact surface 2a of the valve element 2 which is inclined in the closing direction S of the valve element 2 and a side contact surface 9a of the valve housing 5 which is inclined in the closing direction S of the valve element 2, wherein these two side contact surfaces are arranged opposite one another here.

The metering valve 1 is controlled by a control device (not shown) which limits the closing force of the valve element 2 to a predetermined value, in particular to a predetermined value<135N. The above configuration brings about not more than 60N/cm to an object (e.g., finger) to be pressed²The pressure of (a).

Although not shown in the figures, the valve housing can also be additionally or alternatively fitted with an elastic material in the pinch region, for example in the embodiment of fig. 1 and 2 in the region of a nozzle-shaped tapered edge surrounding the valve opening. Such a material can for example be adhered or vulcanized to the inside of the valve housing 5.

Fig. 2a, 2b and 2c show the dosing valve in different closed positions. In fig. 2a, the metering valve 1 is open. A finger 8 can extend into the interior of the valve through the valve opening 3. If the valve is then closed, as shown in fig. 2b, the finger 8 will be squeezed. However, due to the aforementioned configuration, the risk of injury can be reduced. In fig. 2c, the metering valve 1 is closed, wherein the elastic material 6 is placed in the valve opening 3 in the lower end region. The valve element is configured to be slightly wider in the area above the elastic material and projects beyond the elastic material in the transverse direction, thereby forming a sealing point for the valve housing 5 for sealing the valve opening 3.

Fig. 3 and 4a, 4b, 4c show a further embodiment according to the invention, which corresponds substantially to the first embodiment, so that corresponding details will not be explained again. The only difference between the embodiments is that the metering valve is configured to provide an axially movable discharge piston as the valve element 2 and to open and close the valve opening 3.

Similar to the first embodiment, the valve element 2 comprises an elastic material 6 in its end region 2b, which end region 2b is a front end region, here in the form of an elastic piston tip, when viewed in the closing direction S.

It can be seen in fig. 3 that the diameter d of the valve element 2 (i.e. here in particular the diameter of the elastic material 6) decreases in the closing direction S, i.e. the outer contour tapers downwards. An increased circumferential side contact surface 2a can then be produced which is inclined towards the closing direction S of the valve element 2, which circumferential side contact surface 2a will, in the event of a pressing, lie flat against the finger 8, whereby the pressure acting on the finger can be minimized.

The diameter d is reduced, for example, from 20mm to 50mm to 0mm to 30 mm. The height k of the inclined circumferential side contact surface is, for example, in the range of 10mm-30 mm.

The angle β between a plane perpendicular to the closing direction or longitudinal axis L, respectively, and the side contact surface 2a is in the range of 15 ° -60 °. Alternatively, the elastic material 6 can also extend convexly downward in the direction of the valve opening 3.

The discharge piston closes the valve opening 3 by moving into the area in the tube section 9 located below the supply line 7. During the downward movement, the discharge piston can pinch off or cut off the filled substance.

Similarly to the previous embodiments, the fingers are pressed in the pressing region by, for example, two side contact surfaces 9a, 2a, wherein the side contact surfaces 9a, 2a are arranged here on opposite sides of the fingers, but are offset from one another in the transverse direction.

In the embodiment of fig. 3, the transition area between the supply line 7 and the cylindrical tube section 9, over which the valve element 2 moves, is configured to be flat in the circumferential direction, i.e. here in the form of a cutting edge 9a with a bevel, the cutting edge 9a preferably having at least a dimension p of 10mm-30mm and extending at an angle of 15 ° -60 ° relative to the longitudinal axis L of the valve.

However, as shown in fig. 4a, 4b, 4c, the inlet pipe 7 can also open not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the valve, but at an angle of 15 ° -60 ° to the pipe section 9. This results in a side contact surface 9a for the finger 8 against the pressing area 4 in the lower region of the surface of the inlet tube 7.

Fig. 4a shows the dosing valve in an open position. Fig. 4b shows how the valve element 2 is moved in the closing direction S and presses the finger 8.

Figure 4c shows the valve in the closed position. As can be seen from fig. 4c, the valve element 2 is moved downwards until the area of the valve element 2 which is arranged above the elastic material 6 and is made of, for example, metal is able to seal the tube 9 which is located below the supply line 7.

Also in this embodiment, even though not shown, the side contact surfaces 9a can be provided with an elastic material, which can additionally protect the fingers.

Fig. 5a, 5b and 5c show a further embodiment according to the invention, which corresponds substantially to the previous embodiment, wherein the metering valve is constructed here as a rotary piston valve and comprises a rotary piston as the movable valve element 2, the valve opening 3 being opened and closed by rotating the rotary piston back and forth. Exactly like in the above described embodiment, an elastic material 6 is then arranged in the front end region 2b of the valve element 2.

The elastic material is here for example wedge-shaped, i.e. the width I decreases towards the centre. The width I is approximately in the range between 0mm-20mm and can have a maximum dimension at the outer edge of between 5mm and 20mm, the width I decreasing towards the centre, in particular to 0.

Similar to the previous embodiment, the side contact surface 12 of the opening 3 facing the side in the direction opposite to the closing direction S can be additionally provided with an elastic material in order to minimize the pressure acting on the fingers.

Fig. 5a shows the dosing valve in an open position, in which a finger 8 has been inserted into the valve opening 3. Figure 5b shows how the valve is closed and the finger 8 is squeezed. Fig. 5c shows the valve in the closed position.

The invention also relates to a filling machine (not shown) having a dosing valve according to the invention, wherein the dosing valve is arranged at the discharge end of the filling machine, i.e. at the beginning or end of a pipe. Such a filling machine may be a vacuum filling machine having a hopper for filling a substance (e.g., a food product) and a transfer pump.

According to the invention, the risk of injury can now be significantly reduced by using the elastic material 6. Since the pressed finger also preferably does not abut against a sharp edge but against a circumferential surface, the pressure and the risk of injury can be further reduced. Limiting the closing force further reduces the risk of injury.