GB2551590A

GB2551590A - Modular depositing systems

Info

Publication number: GB2551590A
Application number: GB1611099.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Deans Terence
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-06-26
Filing date: 2016-06-26
Publication date: 2017-12-27
Also published as: GB201611099D0

Abstract

A modular depositor using a vertical rotary valve for an improved use of space when dispensing items such as food products. A modular depositor comprises: a vertical rotary valve (figs 1A-1D); a vertical rotary valve housing (figs 2A-D); and a mounting plate (fig 1). The modular element of the device allows the development of flexible manufacturing systems for industries such as the food industry. The single drop depositor may further comprise a piston, valve block and rotary pneumatic cylinders. The vertical rotary valve allows for a modular design wherein twin machines and multi-head fillers can be assembled using standard parts. The rotary valve may comprise an annular dished formation 4 and be located in square member 20. The mounting plate may have a channel section 1 and a slot (2, fig 1) to mount various components.

Description

MODULAR DEPOSITING SYSTEMS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a modular single drop depositor.

Background to the Invention

Single drop depositors are well known machines In the food Industry, they comprise of a product cylinder, piston, valve block, rotar/ valve and two pneumatic cylinders.

It's a simple positive displacement pump used for metering precise quantities of product. The machines that are used by industry today have a rotary valve that operates in a horizontal sense. This presenting a problem when machines are placed next to each other as the operating mechanism adds to the width of a machine.

Depositors using horizontal valve designs are not capable of modular assembly thus if a twin depositor is required a special machine has to be designed. The same rule applies to any multiple depositor or multi - head filler.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a modular single drop depositor incorporating a distinctly different ‘rotary valve' which operates in a ‘vertical sense' allowing a modular design. Twin machines and multi-head fillers can now be assembled using standard parts. The cost savings are considerable.

The present invention has several advantages over the state of the art technology or rigid manufacturing systems as it provides a more flexible manufacturing system which is capable of a wide range of applications that will allow a greater use of conveyor or factory space. The current invention will allow the development of flexible manufacturing systems For industry in the future. A brief description of the drawings

Figure 1, shows an isometric view of a mounting plate forming part of this invention; Figures lAf IB, IC and ID are respectively, a front elevation, a side elevation, an isometric view NE and an isometric view SE, of a ’vertical rotary valve'.

Figure IE is an isometric view of a vertical rotary valve 'bearing'.

Figure IF is an isometric view of a vertical rotary ’valve actuator lever'.

Figures 2AS 2B, 2C and 2D are respectively, a front elevation, a rear elevation, an isometric view ΝΞ and an isometric view SW, of a vertical rotary valve ‘housing’.

Figure 3 is an isometric view of a ‘product cylinder.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of a 'piston'.

Figure S is an isometric view of a half section of a valve housing and product cylinder and a full section of a vertical rotary valve assembly and a piston assembly, viewed from below.

Figure 6 is an isometric SW view of a modular depositor in two positions.

Figure 7 is a front elevation of a set of components for a single, twin and six across modular depositor.

Figure 8 is an isometric view SW of a set of components for a single, twin and six across modular depositor.

Detaiied Description of the IHustreted Embodiments

Referring first to Figure 1, the mounting plate comprises a channel section 1 with a slot 2 and a series of holes to mount various components.

Referring to Figures ΙΑ IB 1C ID,, the vertical rotary' valve comprises a cylindrical member 3 which is made from stainless steel the outside diameter of which is chromed and ground to provide a bearing surface,, the top or first face of which has an annular dished formation 4 with a hole S that pass through the cylindrical member at an angle into the dished formation. A second hole 6 of a smaller diameter passes through the cylindrical member at 90 degrees to the centre line, the top edge of this hole also has an angled deformation 7. There is also provided a cylindrical groove 8 to accommodate an Ό’ ring seal. The bottom face of the cylindrical member has a cylindrical protrusion 9 of a smaller diameter to the main body which also has a smaller slotted hole 10 passing through at 90 degrees. This hole is to provide actuation of the valve and several designs can be used for this.

Figure IE, the rotary valve bearing comprises a cyiindricai member 11 which is made from a bearing material such as nylon, there is a cylindrical groove 12 that cooperates with the slot 2 in the mounting plate 1, a hole 13 that cooperates with S.

Figure IF, the actuator lever comprises a cylindrical member 14, on the second face a cylindrical protrusion 15 with two flatted areas 16 to cooperate with 10, on the first face of which stands another cylindrical protrusion 17 which has two flatted areas 18 and a hole 19 to cooperate with a standard clevis block and pin.

Figures 2A 28 2C 2D, the vertical rotary valve housing comprises a square member 20 which is made from stainless steel with a hole 21 that passes through vertically, a hole 22 passing through the front face (2A) at 90 degrees to the centre line Into 21, an annular groove 23 to accommodate a resilient Ό' ring to provide a fluid tight seal. The rear face (2B) has an oval shaped hole 24 passing through the member at 90 degrees to the centreline into 21, a recessed area 25, an annular dished formation 26, an annular groove 23, two diametrically opposed holes 27 pass through the member at 90 degrees to the centre line.

The first or top face (2C) has a hole 21 that passes through the member, a recessed area 28, an annular groove 23. (2D) The oval shaped hole 24 also has a small deformation 29 at the top of the intersection of hole 21.

Figure 3, the product cylinder comprises a tubular member 30 which is made from stainless steel with a thicker flange 31 at each end, the first and last face have a flat area 32, and an angled deformation 33, the bore 34 must be a smooth fine finish. The flange 31 is made to cooperate with 25 (Figure 2B) and form a seal with a resilient Ό' ring. Figure 4, the piston comprises a cylindrical member 35 which is made from stainless steel, the piston has two cylindrical groves 36 to cooperate with two resilient 'll' seals 37, one cylindrical groove 38 to cooperate with a PTFE bearing 39, 39 has a slot 40 through to allow assembly.

Figure 5, this view Is to show the necessary piston (Fig 4) and valve (Fig 1A) movements to achieve the accurate metering of product.

The first movement, product is drawn into the product cylinder 30 by a vacuum that is created by the 'Ll' seals when the piston 35 is pulled in the direction of arrow 'a' by pneumatic actuator (l), the product enters through hole 5 in valve 3 in the direction of arrow 'b', second movement, valve 3 is rotated through 90 degrees by pneumatic actuator (2) in the direction of arrow 'c'; third movement, the piston 35 is pushed in the direction of arrow'd' by pneumatic actuator (1) the product is thus squeezed out by this return action In the direction of arrow 'e', forth movement, the valve 3 is rotated through -90 degrees to its start position by pneumatic actuator (2), the cycle is now repeats.

Figure 6, Is an isometric SVV view of a complete depositor, to Introduce some minor components, pneumatic actuator (1) 41, supply line or hopper mounting 42. an outlet valve in the closed position 43, in the open position 44, tie bars 45, hand clamps 46, back stop 47, timing belt 48, fulcrum screws 49, actuator 50, product enters the machine in the direction of arrow T and leaves in the direction of arrow 'g'.

Figure 1, Is an isometric view of (Figure 5) from below, to introduce the remaining components, pneumatic actuator (1) 41, pneumatic actuator (2) 51, volume adjuster 52. Figure 8, Is a front elevation is to show the modular design Idea, a single machine, arrow 'h', a twin machine, arrow Y a six across machine, arrow 'j', as It can be seen there is no limit to the number of machines that can be assembled using this modular design idea, the components can be scaled up and clown to suit all product requirements.

Figure 9, Is an isometric view is to show the modular design Idea, a single machine, arrow 'k', a twin machine, arrow T a six across machine, arrow'm', as it can be seen there Is no limit to the number of machines that can be assembled using this modular design idea, the components can be scaled up and down to suit all product requirements.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A modular depositor, comprising: a) a vertical rotary valve, b) a vertical rotary valve housing, c) a mounting plate.

2. The current invention will allow the development of flexible manufacturing systems for industry in the future.