초록 ▼

A volumetric apparatus for portioning fluidic material into fractions of predetermined size includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a piston movable in the housing and defining a product portioning chamber and a compression chamber. Fluidic material is fed into the product portioning c

A volumetric apparatus for portioning fluidic material into fractions of predetermined size includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a piston movable in the housing and defining a product portioning chamber and a compression chamber. Fluidic material is fed into the product portioning chamber through the inlet under pressure when the inlet is open and the outlet is closed, the pressurized fluidic material forcing the piston from a first position by a preset distance such that a predetermined volume of the fluidic material is fed into the product portioning chamber. Thereafter, the piston is driven from the second position to the first position when the inlet is closed and the outlet is open so as to deliver the portioned fluidic material from the product portioning chamber through the outlet. A storage chamber is provided which is in communication with the compression chamber so the pneumatic fluid is transferred from the compression chamber to the storage chamber under pressure when the piston is forced from the first position to the second position and is transferred from the storage chamber to the compression chamber under pressure when the inlet is closed and the outlet is open, thus driving the piston to the first position as the fluid is transferred under pressure to the compression chamber. The housing may be lifted from the valve to facilitate cleaning of the valve and housing when the portioning operation is complete, and a method of carrying out the portioning operation is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

A volumetric apparatus for portioning fluidic material into fractions of predetermined size, the apparatus comprising: a housing defining a central axis and including first and second axial ends and an inlet and outlet located adjacent one of the axial ends; inlet opening means for opening and closi

A volumetric apparatus for portioning fluidic material into fractions of predetermined size, the apparatus comprising: a housing defining a central axis and including first and second axial ends and an inlet and outlet located adjacent one of the axial ends; inlet opening means for opening and closing the inlet; outlet opening means for opening and closing the outlet; a piston movable in the housing along the central axis and including first and second surfaces, the first surface defining a product portioning chamber in the housing and the second surface defining a compression chamber in the housing; feeding means for feeding fluidic material into the product portioning chamber through the inlet under pressure when the inlet is open and the outlet is closed, the pressurized fluidic material forcing the piston from a first position adjacent the one axial end of the housing to a second position removed from the first position by a preset distance such that a predetermined volume of the fluidic material is fed into the product portioning chamber; piston driving means for driving the piston from the second position when the inlet is closed and the outlet is open so as to deliver the fluidic material from the product portioning chamber through the outlet; and a valve which forms a part of the inlet and outlet opening means, the valve including upper and lower surfaces separated by a peripheral side surface, and first and second openings, the first opening being provided in the peripheral side surface and extending through the valve to the second opening which is provided in the upper surface, the apparatus further comprising valve operating means for rotating the valve between a feeding position in which the first opening is aligned with the inlet of the housing and the outlet is blocked, and a delivery position in which the first opening is aligned with the housing outlet and the inlet is blocked.