Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A DEPOSITING APPARATUS
Field of the Invention
[001] The present invention relates to depositing apparatus, and in
particular, to
depositing apparatus for depositing food fillings, such as pie fillings.
Background
[002] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or
information derived
from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as
an
acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior
publication (or
information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general
knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.
[003] Industrial depositing machines for injecting pie fillings are often
large, complicated
and difficult to clean. The pie filling itself is inherently sticky and often
adheres to the
components of traditional filling depositors. For example, in depositors that
employ the use
of pistons, pie filling often adheres to the depositing end of the pistons.
This may lead to
inconsistent amounts of filling being deposited, with some pies having more
filling than
others. It is clear how this may be a problem for pie vendors looking to
deliver a consistent
high quality product.
[004] The present invention seeks to address at least some of the problems
associated
with existing depositing apparatus.
Summary of the Invention
[005] In one broad from the present invention provides a depositing apparatus
for
depositing a filler substance, the apparatus including: a housing including a
filler inlet and
a filler outlet; a rotor member configured to rotate within the housing, the
rotor member
including at least one passage extending therethrough, between at least two
passage
openings, such that rotation of the rotor member moves at least one of the at
least two
passage openings into and out of alignment with the filler inlet and filler
outlet; and a
piston member positioned within the at least one passage that moves with
rotation of the
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rotor member.
[006] In one form, the piston member moves to allow space for filler substance
to enter
the passage and to expel received filler substance from the passage.
[007] In one form, the rotor member is substantially barrel shaped.
[008] In one form, the at least one passage extends substantially
perpendicular to the axis
of rotation of the rotor member between two opposite passage openings.
[009] In a further form, the at least one passage extends along a diameter of
the rotor
member between two opposite passage openings.
[0010] In one form, the two opposite passage openings of are offset by 180
around the
rotor member.
[0011] In another form, the housing has a cylindrical inner cavity configured
to fit the
barrel shaped rotor member.
[0012] In one form, the filler inlet and outlet are formed of one or more
openings in the
housing that lead into the cavity.
[0013] In a further form, the housing is of substantially tubular shape.
[0014] In one form, the rotor member includes a plurality of passages
extending
therethrough, each including a respective piston member therein.
[0015] In another form, the at least one passage and piston member therein are
shaped to
allowing sliding movement of the piston member within the passage and limit
rotational
movement of the piston member within the passage.
[0016] In a further form, the piston member is substantially elongate having
two ends.
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[0017] In one form, the piston member is substantially cylindrical.
[0018] In another form, the piston member is substantially cylindrical but has
at least one
edge extending in the axial direction along its curved surface.
[0019] In one form, the at least one passage and piston member therein have
corresponding axial cross-sections the shape of a major segment of a circle.
[0020] In another form, the at least one passage and piston member therein
have
corresponding axial cross sections the shape of a circle having one or more
minor
segments removed.
[0021] In a further form, the ends of the piston member are curved.
[0022] In another form, the ends of the piston member are arcuate and have a
radius of
curvature that corresponds to the radius of curvature of the rotor member.
[0023] In one form, the ends of the piston member move into and out of
alignment with
the at least two passage openings to intermittently occupy the passage
openings.
[0024] In one form, the ends of the piston member are shaped such that when an
end of the
piston member aligns with a passage opening, the piston end and surface of the
rotor
member form a substantially smooth continuous surface.
[0025] In a further form, the filler inlet is upward facing and the filler
outlet is downward
facing such that as a first of the passage openings aligns with the filler
inlet, gravity acts to
move the piston member downward towards a second of the passage openings,
opposite
the first, to allow space for filler substance to enter the passage via the
first opening.
[0026] In one form, the piston member in the at least one passage moves to
simultaneously
allow space for filler substance to enter the passage at a first of the at
least two passage
openings and to expel received filler substance from a second of the at least
two passage
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openings, opposite the first.
[0027] In one form, the apparatus further includes a support to hold the
housing such that
the filler inlet is substantially upward facing and the filler outlet is
substantially downward
facing.
[0028] In another form, the apparatus further includes a drive means
configured to rotate
the rotor member.
[0029] In one form, the depositing apparatus includes a control system for
controlling the
drive means in accordance with a pre programmed rotation sequence.
[0030] In another form, the pre-programmed rotation sequence includes a wipe
rotation
sequence.
[0031] In one form, the wipe rotation sequence includes rotation of the barrel
in a back and
forth movement.
[0032] In a further form, the wipe rotation sequence includes, after aligning
a passage
opening with the filler outlet, rotating the barrel in a first direction until
the passage
opening is at least partially misaligned with the filler outlet, and then
rotating the barrel in
a second direction, opposite the first direction.
[0033] In one form, the wipe rotation sequence includes, after aligning a
passage opening
with the filler outlet, rotating the barrel in a first direction until the
passage opening is at
least completely misaligned with outlet, and then rotating the barrel in a
second direction,
opposite the first direction.
[0034] In another form, the apparatus further includes a hopper connected to
the filler inlet
to receive and feed filler substance to the filler inlet.
[0035] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a piston member
for use in a
depositing apparatus as described in the above forms, the piston member being
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substantially cylindrical but having the cross section of the major segment of
a circle.
[0036] In another broad form, the present invention provides piston member for
use in a
depositing apparatus as described in the above forms, the piston member having
an axial
cross section the shape of a circle having one or more minor segments removed.
[0037] In one form, the ends of the piston member are curved.
[0038] In another form, the ends of the piston member are arcuate.
[0039] In one form, the ends of the piston member have a radius of curvature
of about 60
to 80 mm.
[0040] In another form, the ends of the piston member have a radius of
curvature of about
75mm.
[0041] It will be appreciated the term rotor member would be understood in the
context of
this specification to be relating to any part that rotates during operation of
an apparatus,
machine, device or the like.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0042] This invention may be better understood with reference to the
illustrations of
embodiments of the invention in which:
[0043] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a depositing apparatus according to one
example of
the invention;
[0044] Figure 2a is a perspective view of a piston member according to one
example;
[0045] Figure 2b is a top view of the piston member in figure 2a;
[0046] Figure 2c is a side view of the piston member in figure 2a;
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[0047] Figure 3a is a top view of a further example of a piston member;
[0048] Figure 3b is a side view of the piston member in figure 3a;
[0049] Figure 4a is a top view of a rotor barrel suitable for use with the
piston member
shown in figure 3a; and
[0050] Figures 4b and 4c show end views of the rotor barrel in figure 4a.
Detailed Description
[0051] Embodiments of the invention provide a depositing apparatus suitable
for
depositing a filler substance such as, for example, a food filling. The
depositing apparatus
may be used, for example, to consistently deposit a set amount of food filling
onto a
conveyer line. It will however be appreciated that the depositing apparatus
may also be
used for other purposes, such as the deposition of other
materials/substances/compositions.
[0052] The depositing apparatus includes a housing with a filler inlet and a
filler outlet,
and a rotor member configured to rotate within the housing. The rotor member
includes at
least one passage extending therethrough, between at least two passage
openings. Rotation
of the rotor member moves at least one of the at least two passage openings
into and out of
alignment with the filler inlet and filler outlet. The rotor member is
typically barrel shaped
or substantially barrel shaped.
[0053] A piston member positioned within the at least one passage moves with
rotation of
the rotor member. Generally, the piston member moves to allow filler substance
to enter
the passage when one of the passage openings align with the filler inlet and
to expel
received filler substance from the passage when one of the passage openings
align with the
filler outlet.
[0054] In most instances, this happens simultaneously as the at least one
passage typically
extends between two opposite openings offset by 180 around the rotor member.
As such
as one of the passage openings is aligned with the filler inlet, the other of
the openings is
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aligned with the filler outlet. Intake/expulsion of filler substance is thus
simultaneous as
when the piston member moves to allow space in the passage for filler
substance to enter
from the filler inlet, filler substance is pushed from the opposite passage
opening out the
filler outlet.
[0055] The rotor member (barrel shaped or otherwise) typically includes a
plurality of
passages extending therethough, each including a respective piston member.
This increases
productivity as multiple filling deposits can be made simultaneously as the
barrel rotates.
[0056] Typically, the filler inlet is substantially upward facing and the
filler outlet is
substantially downward facing and the piston member/s slide along the
passage/s under the
force of gravity as the rotor member rotates. Although, it will be appreciated
that in
alternate forms, the piston members may be moved by means other than gravity.
[0057] The piston members are specially shaped to minimize adherence of filler
substance
during filler deposition. For example, the piston member/s are typically
shaped to allow
sliding movement of the piston member within the passage yet limit rotational
movement
of the piston member within the passage. This helps to avoid filler substance
getting
trapped between the inner wall of the passages and the pistons. In one
example, the piston
members generally have an axial cross section the shape of a circle having one
or more
minor segments removed. The piston members also typically have curved end
surfaces
which encourages filler adhered to end of the piston/s is wiped off (e.g.
against the filler
outlet) as the barrel rotates.
[0058] Figure 1 shows one example of a depositing apparatus in accordance with
the
invention. The apparatus (1) is for depositing fillings into pies. However, it
will be
appreciated that the depositing apparatus in accordance with the invention may
be used for
other purposes.
[0059] The apparatus (1) includes a housing (2) having a filler inlet (3) and
a filler outlet
(4/not shown). A barrel/rotor member (5) fits and rotates within the housing
(2). The
housing (2) has a substantially cylindrical inner cavity (12) to accommodate
the barrel (5).
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The filler inlet (3) and outlet (4) are openings in the housing that lead into
the cavity (12).
[0060] In the example of figure 1, the barrel includes four passages (6a, 6b,
6c and 6d)
extending therethrough. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the
barrel may
include any number of passages. Each passage (6a-d) extends between two
passage
openings (7a/8a, 7b/8b, 7c/8c, 7d/8d) in the curved surface of the barrel. The
barrel (5)
rotates within the housing (2) such that the passage openings (7a-d, 8a-d)
move into an out
of alignment with the filler inlet (3) and the filler outlet (4).
[0061] Within each passage (6a-d) is a piston member (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) that
moves within
the passage with rotation of the barrel (5). The pistons (9a-d) are typically
of a length
shorter than the passages such that they slide within the passages, between
passage
openings, as the barrel (5) is rotated. This provides space for filler
substance to enter the
passages (6a-d) through the filler inlet (3).
[0062] In this example, the passages (6a-d) extend perpendicular to the axis
of rotation of
the barrel along a diameter of the barrel (5). This configuration allows that
filler substance
can be received from the passage openings (e.g. 7a-d) on one side of the
barrel (5) whilst
filler substance is simultaneously expelled from the passage openings (e.g. 8a-
d) at the
opposite side of the barrel (5).
[0063] The filler inlet (3) is substantially upward facing and the filler
outlet (4) is
substantially downward facing. Therefore, as the passage openings on one side
of the
barrel (e.g. 7a-d) align with the filler inlet (3), gravity acts to move the
piston members
(9a-d) downwards towards the other passage openings on the opposite side of
the barrel
(e.g. 8a-d). This allows space for the filler substance to enter the passage
via the passage
openings (e.g. 7a-d) near to the filler inlet (3).
[0064] At the same time, any filler substance in the passages on the other
side of the
pistons, near to the filler outlet (4), is expelled by the pistons. In this
way, the piston
members move with rotation of the barrel to simultaneously allow the filler
substance to
enter the passages via the passage openings on one side of the barrel while
expelling filler
substance via the passage openings on the other side of the barrel.
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[0065] It will be appreciated that each set of passage openings (e.g. 7a-d, 8a-
d) repeatedly
align with the inlet to receive filler substance and then align with the
outlet for expulsion
(4). The pistons always moving downward with gravity at the beginning of the
intake/expulsion stage in the deposition cycle when they are at relative upper
position in
the barrel, near to the inlet. Generally, there is a pause in rotation to
allow intake/expulsion
of filler substance.
[0066] It will be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the pistons may
not move
under the force of gravity but may be controlled by other means, such as
mechanical/electrical/pneumatic/hydraulic means.
[0067] A retainer plate (10) sits within the filler outlet (4) dividing the
outlet (4) to into
multiple openings (1 la-d). The openings (1 la-d) of the retainer plate are
sized to stop the
pistons (9a-d) falling from the passages out of the filler outlet (4). For
example, the retainer
plate (10) typically includes openings having a circumference or cross
sectional area
slightly less than the pistons. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in
the art that the
filler inlet (3), outlet (4), and retainer plate (10) may have a variety of
configurations. For
example, each may include a single or multiple openings. Furthermore, in some
forms, a
retainer plate may not be included with the outlet itself shaped to prevent
escape of the
pistons.
[0068] Furthermore, the length of the pistons, passages and/or diameter of the
barrel may
be variable to allow for different amounts of filler substance to be received
by the passages
with each deposition cycle. In this way the amount of deposited filling may be
adjusted.
[0069] Although the passage and piston members positioned therein are shaped
to allow
sliding movement of the piston members within the passages, they are typically
shaped to
limit rotational movement of the piston members within the passages. This
helps to stop
filler substance from getting stuck between the pistons and inner walls of the
passages. In
the example of figure 1, the passages and piston members have a cross-section
the shape of
a major segment of a circle (see figures 2a-2c). The edges between the flat
face (21) and
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curved surface (22) of the pistons engage with the passage walls to
substantially prohibit
rotational movements of the pistons.
[0070] In addition the ends (13, 14) of each piston member (9a-d) are curved.
They are
arcuate and have a radius of curvature that corresponds to the radius of
curvature of the
rotor member/barrel. This ensures that when a piston end moves toward and
occupies a
passage opening (e.g.7a-d, 8a-d), such as shortly after expelling filler
substance from the
passages, the end of the piston member and barrel outer surface form a
substantially
continuous smooth surface. This helps to ensure that minimal if any filler
substance
remains adhered to the end of the piston after deposition as any adhered
filler substance is
wiped against the rim of the filler outlet or retainer plate as the barrel
rotates.
[0071] To the contrary, if the ends of the pistons were flat, any filler
substance adhering to
the piston end would sit just below the outer surface of the barrel and would
not get wiped
away with subsequent rotation of the barrel. This can lead to inconsistencies
in deposited
filling amounts.
[0072] In one particular example, the radius of curvature of the ends of the
pistons is
between 60 and 80mm. In another example, the radius of curvature is about
75mm.
[0073] A support or frame (15) supports the housing (2) such that the filler
inlet (3) is
substantially upward facing and the filler outlet (4) is substantially
downward facing. In
some embodiments the support (15) may include wheels to move the apparatus
into and
out of a working position, such as, for example, over a conveyer belt carrying
pie
pastry/bases.
[0074] Generally, a drive means is configured to rotate the rotor barrel and
may, for
example, include a motor. The operation of the drive means may be controlled
using a
control/processing system (e.g. including controller, microcontroller,
computer system,
suitably designed circuitry etc.). The control/processing system is typically
configured
such that the barrel is automatically rotated in accordance with one or more
pre
programmed rotation sequences. It will be appreciated that control/processing
system may
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control the barrel/rotor member rotation in a variety of ways such as, for
example, rotation
direction, speed, and/or time. It will also be appreciated that in basic forms
or modes of
operation the barrel rotated using handle (20).
[0075] A hopper (17) is included to aid in loading filler substance and is
connected above
the filler inlet (3) such that filler substance moves into the passages under
the force of
gravity. A safety grate (18) may also be included on top of the hopper (17).
The apparatus
may be configured that opening the safety grate cuts power to the drive means
stopping
rotation of the barrel (5). This ensures that the barrel (5) is not rotating
when a user has the
safety grate removed and therefore, reduces the chance of injury to workers.
[0076] It will be appreciated that the rotor member/barrel (5) may be rotated
in accordance
with a variety of operation modes or rotation sequences. For example, the
barrel may be
rotated in one direction only with pauses when the passage openings (7a-d, 8a-
d) align
with the filler inlet (3) and outlet (4) to allow for intake and expulsion of
filler substance
from the passages (9a-d).
[0077] Another example may have the barrel (5) continuously moving in a back
and forth
movement, with a half revolution (e.g. 180 ) in one direction and a half
revolution in the
other direction. In this mode of operation, the passage openings would be
aligned to
receive/expel filler substance, the barrel rotated 180 in one direction (e.g.
to move the
passage openings in line with the inlet to be in line with the outlet and vice
versa), more
filler substance receive/expelled, and then the barrel rotated 180 in the
other direction and
so on in an overall back and forth movement.
[0078] The rotation sequence of the barrel may also include an additional wipe
sequence
wherein, each time filler substance is deposited, the barrel is rotated in a
first direction
such that the passage openings are partially or completely offset/misaligned
from the outlet
and then rotated in the opposite direction passing over the outlet until the
passage openings
are again partially or completely offset/misaligned from the filler outlet.
The wipe
sequence thereby encourages any excess filler substance adhered to the end of
the pistons
to be scraped from the surface of the piston ends by the edge of the filler
outlet or retainer
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plate. It will be appreciated that the wipe sequence may include any number of
back and
forth movements of the barrel to encourage removal of adhered filler
substance.
[0079] For example, if the barrel was set to move in an overall clockwise
direction, with
pauses to receive/deposit filler substance when the passage openings align
with the
inlet/outlet, a wipe sequence may initiate after each filler deposition. In
the wipe sequence,
the barrel may rotate counter-clockwise until the passage openings are
completely offset
from the filler outlet and then continue in the overall clockwise direction.
This would
ensure that any filler substance adhered to the depositing end of the piston
would be wiped
against the edge of the outlet/retainer plate. It will be appreciated that the
wipe
functionality would be further aided by the curved shape of the piston end,
which keeps
filler substance in line with the circumference of the outer surface of the
barrel.
[0080] It will also be appreciated that in other embodiments, the passage
openings may not
be offset by 180 , and correspondingly, the rotational movements of the barrel
may not be
in 180 steps. The passages themselves may also have bends or corners therein
to, for
example, inherently slow the flow of filler substance therethrough.
[0081] Furthermore, it will also be appreciated that the passages and pistons
may take
alternate forms from that described in figures 1 and 2. For example, each
passage within
the barrel may be such that it has more than two openings. For example a
passage may
have four openings and the piston may be of a cross type shape. Alternatively,
a passage
may only have a single opening for receiving/expelling filler substance, with
second
opening simply for allowing air intake/outtake into the passage such that the
piston is able
to slide within the passage.
[0082] One particular variant on piston shape is shown in figures 3a and 3b.
The piston is
substantially cylindrical but (300) has two flat faces (301, 302) in its
curved surface that
result from two secant/chord cuts (i.e. the axial cross section of the piston
is a circle with
two minor segments removed). It will be appreciated that the piston may be any
shape that
limits rotation but allows sliding movement within the passages. For a
substantially
cylindrical piston this typically requires at least one edge in its curved
surface in the axial
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direction. Preferred piston shapes have an axial cross section the shape of a
circle with one
or more minor segments removed.
[0083] Figure 4 shows one example of a rotor barrel (400) suitable for use
with the piston
member (300) of figure 3. The cross sections of the passages (401a-d) are
configured to fit
the shape of the piston (300) (i.e. the passages have a cross section the
shape of a circle
with two minor segments removed).
[0084] It will be appreciated that the passages of the rotor barrel are
typically configured
to match the required piston shape. It will also be appreciated that the
piston shape may not
always have a substantially cylindrical base form. For example, they may be
prism shaped,
such as, for example, square or triangular prism shaped. The pistons may also,
for
example, have an axial cross section the shape of a circle with one or more
sectors
removed.
[0085] The depositing apparatus as described herein has significant advantages
over
conventional depositing devices. In particular, the apparatus is simple with
minimal
moving parts, which allow it to be easily disassembled for cleaning purposes
or
maintenance. Furthermore, the configuration/shape of the piston, rotor member
and
housing allow for a high level of consistency of deposited amounts of filler
substance.
[0086] Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to
broadly consist
in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein,
individually or
collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements
or features,
and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known
equivalents in the
art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be
incorporated
herein as if individually set forth.
[0087] Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should
be
understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by
one of
ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
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[0088] It will be appreciated that various forms of the invention may be used
individually
or in combination.
