JPH0562689B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a device for weighing products, in particular foodstuffs. More specifically, the present invention relates to a measuring device capable of dispensing products in predetermined volumes.

In certain foodstuffs, the product to be metered may consist of a single component consistency or a mixture of different substances in a liquid medium of varying viscosity.

Accurate weighing and packaging of such items requires that they be weighed as accurately as possible and placed directly into the specialized containers for storage (especially cans, jars, or similar containers). must be drained.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the prior art, in particular in the food industry, several devices are already known which are designed for delivering metered quantities of product.

These known devices generally take the form of metering pumps having the action of a metering piston driven in reciprocating motion.

A metering pump of that type is often associated with a box whose rotation can open and close a piston chamber, in order to respectively ensure the supply, subsequent transfer and discharge of the product to be metered.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In such a case, the piston chamber must necessarily be supplied with product intermittently, resulting in several disadvantages. One of the major ones is that the packaging speed of the product is limited. Furthermore, a type of metering pump with a metering piston is
This generally results in a hammering phenomenon, making it difficult, if not impossible, to maintain stable weighing.
This is especially true in the case of products made of different substances, products containing air bubbles, or products containing both.

An object of the present invention is to reliably solve the above problems. A further object of the present invention is to provide a weighing device which can continuously supply the product to be weighed and which can be designed so that high pressure is not applied to the product at any point in the device or at any point in the weighing process. It is about providing.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The weighing device of the present invention is a weighing device capable of dispensing a fixed amount of a product, particularly food products, in a predetermined volume at a time, and includes: (a) a circular shape with a substantially horizontal axis; A weighing chamber of cylindrical cross-section, having at its upper part an opening opening to a storage chamber provided on the weighing chamber and filled with the product to be weighed, and through which a slide valve is mounted. a metering chamber communicating with an outlet passage movable periodically between a closed position and a lower metering end position; a metering chamber extending radially along a shaft concentric with the metering chamber and having a controlled size; a vane whose free end slides along the cylindrical inner circumferential surface of said metering chamber; a flap that periodically extends into the metering chamber to partition the metering chamber by tangential contact with the shaft and is then withdrawn to permit complete rotation of the vane; and the movement of the slide valve are controlled in a mutually dependent manner.

The flap, vane and slide valves are controlled interdependently by a powered reduction gear, preferably itself managed by a microprocessor type computer.

[Operation] The interaction of the flap, vane, and slide valve of the metering device of the present invention is controlled as follows.

In other words, at the start of weighing, vane 2
6 is in a starting position facing the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 32 of the metering chamber 10. The flap 34 is located in a lower position and extends tangentially to the shaft 28 to contact the shaft 28, thereby opening the metering chamber 1.
0 is closed. The slide valve 20 is in a high position, and the metering chamber 10 and the outlet passage 1
After the passage 24 connecting them between the outlet passage 18 and the outlet passage 18, a portion of the outlet passage 18 at the level directly above the passage 24 is closed.

During metering, the flap 34 remains in the low position and the slide valve 20 remains in the high position. The vanes 26 are then driven with a predetermined amount of rotation, and a corresponding amount of product is discharged through the outlet passageway 18.

At the end of weighing, the flap 34
remains in a low position, leaving the vane 26 stationary until its end of rotation. and,
The slide valve 20 moves to a lower position and discharges the metered product residue present in the outlet passage 18.

During a subsequent metering operation, the flap 34 is pulled out of the metering chamber 10 and placed in a raised position. Then, the vane 26 continues to rotate so as to return to the starting position. The flap 34 is then lowered to a lower position. The slide valve 20 is then returned to the high closed position.

[Example] The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, particularly by referring to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing an embodiment of a measuring device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 1,
Figures 3a to 3d are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the apparatus of the present invention, and Figures 4a to 4c are illustrations of the apparatus of the present invention with a simpler configuration and a time required to weigh the same amount of product. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of returning to the start state between a metering start state, a metering end state, and two metering operations, respectively, in another embodiment in which the weight can be decreased.

In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same parts.

The metering device of the invention first has a cylindrical metering chamber 10 of circular cross-section and a substantially horizontal axis. The weighing chamber 10 is completely filled with the product 12 to be weighed during all steps of the weighing process. The upper part of the metering chamber 10 is formed with an opening 14 opening into a storage chamber 16 provided above the metering chamber 10 . The storage room 16 is also the product 12 to be calculated.
completely filled with. The reservoir 16 can then be mounted in a leak-tight manner on the metering chamber 10 by suitable means (for example bolted through a gasket or an O-ring).

The metering chamber 10 also communicates with an outlet passage 18, within which is a slide valve 20.
can be slid periodically between a high closed position and a low metering end position.

In the device of the invention, the upper end 22 of the outlet passageway 18 preferably also opens into the storage chamber 16. The outlet passage 18 is preferably formed vertically and is preferably located in the immediate vicinity of the metering chamber 10.

Communication between the metering chamber 10 and the outlet passage 18 is provided by a duct 24, which is preferably inclined with respect to the horizontal in the direction of rotation of the vane 26.

The vanes 26 extend radially along a shaft 28 that is coaxial with the metering chamber 10 and can be driven in a controlled rotational motion. During rotation, the free end 30 of the vane 26 sweeps along the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 32 of the metering chamber 10.

The metering device of the present invention also includes a flap 34 which is capable of translational movement and which can be periodically moved into and out of the metering chamber 10.

If the flap 34 is in its lower position on the metering chamber 10, it will contact the shaft 28 tangentially and close the metering chamber 10. The flap 34 is then arranged to be withdrawn again from the metering chamber 10 so that the vane 26 can make a complete rotation back to its starting position.

In the particular embodiment, the lower end 36 of the flap 34
are beveled to form cutting edges and are formed substantially beyond the line of tangential contact with the shaft 28 at a lower point of the flap 34. Therefore, the cutting edge is shaft 28
It becomes possible to cut up any produce that comes into contact with it while moving towards it. Similarly, the slide valve 20 is formed into a piston shape with a cutting edge 38 at its lower end surface. The slide valve 20 is thus adapted to crush product mass stationary in the vicinity of the connecting duct 24 during its downward or upward movement.

The slide valve 20 is also controlled in translation by a rod 40 which passes through the storage chamber 16 filled with the product 12 to be metered.

Further advantageously, the cross-section of the control rod 40 of the slide valve 20 is such that the outlet passage 12 can be forced back into the storage chamber 16 when the slide valve 20 occupies a lower position.
The cross section is smaller than that of 8. Further, at the lower position, the lower end of the slide valve 20 is connected to the discharge passage 8.
beyond the lower open end of , so that the product to be counted remaining in the discharge channel 18 can be completely discharged.

Also, a rod 42 controls the movement of the flap 34.
The rods also pass through the storage chamber 16 in the same way as the rods 40. Rod 40 and rod 42 are moved to storage room 16.
The product 12 being filled into the metering chamber 10 will be mixed, thereby facilitating continuous gravity feeding of the metering chamber 10.

Control rods 40, 42 pass through a cover 44 in which a gasket or O-ring 46 is fitted;
It also passes through the storage chamber 16. Rod 40,4
2 extend beyond the cover 44 into the sterile chamber 48 to protect the product from contamination that may occur due to their movement. The sterile chamber 4
On the outside of 8, the upper ends of said rods 40, 42 are connected, for example, to a suitable conventional motorized gearbox (not shown).

The storage chamber 16 is thereby continuously supplied with products from a buffer tank 50 located at a higher position. The storage chamber 16 and buffer tank 50 are connected by a connecting duct 52. The buffer tank 50 containing the product to be metered must be placed sufficiently high to ensure proper filling of the storage chamber 16. In practice, it is also possible to provide an additional device above the buffer tank for applying a slight pressure to the product to be metered in order to provide a better supply to the storage chamber 16.

FIG. 2 shows a specific embodiment of the metering device of the invention,
It is shown with two metering chambers 10 adjacent to each other. Of course, it is entirely possible to further increase the metering chamber 10 depending on requirements. As shown in FIG. 2, two adjacent weighing chambers 10 are separated by a plurality of cheek portions 54 integrally provided on the shaft 28, depending on the number of chambers. and shaft 2
8 is fitted in the body of the metering device with the aid of sealing rings 56 arranged on both sides of a sterile annular chamber 58 through which sterile air is flowing in a duct 60. The seal ring 56 is biased by the force of a spring 62.

In order to understand more clearly the working state of the above-mentioned metering device, the positions of the main parts of the device during the main metering steps are shown in FIGS. 3a to 3d.

FIG. 3a corresponds to the start of weighing. In that state, the vane 26 is always in its starting position facing the inner circumferential surface 32 of the metering chamber 10. The starting position may be, for example, the position shown in FIG. 3a,
In other words, the vane 26 may be at the level of the opening 14 of the metering chamber 10. In its initial position, flap 34 is in a lowered position and closes metering chamber 10 by contacting shaft 28. Then, the slide valve 20 is in the high closed position, and the chamber 10
Communication with Storage Room 16 has been completely severed.

FIG. 3b corresponds to the end position of the metering operation. Between these two conditions (between FIGS. 3a and 3b), the flap 34 remains in a lowered position and the vane 26 rotates a predetermined angle to displace a fixed amount during that rotation. The product is discharged from the outlet passage 18. During the metering, the slide valve 20 remains in the high position, preventing product from returning to the storage chamber 16.

After the vane 26 has come to rest in the end-of-metering position, the slide valve 20 moves to a lower position in order to drain the product remaining in the outlet passage 18.
During the final product discharge step, the flat 34 remains in a low position.

Figure 3C shows each element returning to its starting position for the next metering operation. First of all, the flap 34 is naturally placed in the metering chamber 1 so that the vane 26 can continue to rotate and return to the starting position.
Must be drawn from 0. At that stage, the slide valve 20 remains in the lower position. Thereafter, the flap 34 is lowered again to separate the weighing chamber 10, and during its movement the quantity of product to be weighed in the chamber 10 is displaced. Also, since the slide valve 20 is still in the lower position, the metering chamber 10 and the storage chamber 16 are in communication. As a result, the product 12 to be metered that is displaced by the flap 34 is not compressed and can escape through the duct 24 and be collected in the storage chamber 16.

Next, when the flap 34 is in the lower position and partitions the metering chamber 10, and when the vane 2
6 begins to rotate, the slide valve 20 returns to the high closed position.

As described above, the measuring device of the present invention has a decisive advantage over the conventional one. In other words, the metering device of the invention can be fed continuously without any difficulties. The pasty metered product is then delivered without any significant pressure being applied to any part of the device. Moreover,
Produce inherently moves under the force of gravity, and certain types of products cannot be weighed with virtually any precision with conventional equipment, such as water-containing products or non-uniform products of the fruit salad type. It becomes possible to measure the products.

From the above description of the operation of the device, the following can be seen. That is, in the storage chamber 16 the product 12 is mixed by the movement of the various movable elements, and the product is circulated so that a portion of the product to be metered is returned to the storage chamber 16 through the outlet passage 18. will be done. Therefore, the products to be weighed are replaced one after another. It is also important to avoid creating depressions or blind holes where products may accumulate. Such retention phenomena are as problematic in non-sterile products as they are in sterile products. In the latter case, this is because deterioration occurs, especially due to bacterial sources.

The practical design of the device according to the invention is such that it is possible to vary the product dosage to be delivered without any difficulty and also to change from one type of product to another.

When cleaning the entire device, and in particular the metering chamber 10, the flap 34 is returned to a raised position and the shaft 28 supporting the vane 26 is then rotated continuously while supplying a suitable cleaning liquid into the device. Just drive it.

The metering device of the invention can in fact be designed in such a way that it makes it possible to always deliver the same amount of product with very high reliability. Of course, the metering can be easily adjusted by changing the amount of rotational displacement of the vane 26. The maximum rotation of the vane 26 depends on the two positions shown in Figures 3a and 3b. Any intermediate position may then be chosen to deliver only a portion of the maximum dose.

The metering with the device according to the invention can be adjusted very easily if the density of the product to be metered can be varied during the metering. In fact, the weighed product is dispensed and dispensed into containers 64, which can be placed directly on automatic scales or transported to such devices. All weight changes recorded in such a way as a result of changes in density are then transmitted directly to the control computer, where correction values are calculated and the corresponding information is used to control the rotation of the shaft 28. It is sent to the attached reduction gear. Such corrections can, of course, change the effective amount of rotation of the vanes 26 within the metering chamber 10.

According to another interesting variant of the invention, the flap and the slide valve are formed in one single variable element, which is capable of cyclic movement in the vertical direction. When the single movable element is in the high closed position, its vertical surface is in tangential contact with the shaft moving the vane, and when it is in the low end-of-metering position, the subsequently rotating vane passes through it. The shape of the single movable element is such that it can be returned to its starting position.

Preferably, the single movable element has a substantially cylindrical internally curved surface connected to a vertical plane, on which the free end of the vane slides in a sweeping manner as it returns to its starting position. It's getting old.

It is also preferred that said vane has a working surface tangentially connected to the support shaft, said working surface being essentially a vertical surface so as to extend the corresponding surface of the outlet passageway at the end of metering.

In order to completely discharge the entire amount of product, the single movable element should go beyond the level of the opening of the outlet passage in its lower position.

Preferably, the control rod of said single movable element is adapted to pass through the product storage chamber so as to protect the product against any contamination.

In order to perform metering with accurate repeatability in high-speed production, the vane, the single moving element, and a powered reduction gear controlled by a microprocessor type computer are preferably operated appropriately.

In a more preferably designed device, interdependent control of the vanes and said single movable element is effected as follows.

First, at the start of metering, the vane is at a predetermined starting position facing the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the metering chamber. The single movable element is then in a raised closed position in tangential contact with the shaft, ensuring precise partitioning of the metering chamber and communication between the metering chamber and the outlet passage.

Also, during metering, the single movable element remains in the high closed position, while the vane is driven with a predetermined amount of rotational movement. Then, an amount of product corresponding to this rotation is discharged from the outlet passage.

At the end of metering, the single movable element, remaining stationary in the end position of the vane rotation, slides to a lower position, thereby completing the discharge of the product and allowing the vane to rotate to the start position.

In certain cases, at the end of the metering, the vane comes to rest in a position with its working surface vertical, after which the single movable element can slide over its working surface and move to a lower position. ing.

However, in the particular case where the single movable element does not return to the high closed position until the vane has reached the predetermined starting position, a very good metering accuracy is obtained.

In this variant of the metering device according to the invention, a cylindrical metering chamber 110 of circular cross-section with an approximately horizontal axis is also provided. The weighing chamber 110 is completely filled with the product 112 to be weighed during weighing. An opening 114 is provided in the upper part of the measuring chamber 110 so as to open into a storage chamber 116 provided on the measuring chamber 110. Its storage chamber 116 is also completely filled with the product 112 to be metered. The reservoir 116 is sealed and fitted to the body of the metering chamber 10 by suitable means (eg bolted through a gasket). The storage chamber 116 is also continuously supplied with product from a buffer tank (not shown) which is located above and communicates with it via a connecting duct 152 (in which case the product to be metered onto the buffer tank). (Additional devices can be provided that can apply a slight pressure to the storage chamber 116 to facilitate feeding into the storage chamber 116).

The metering chamber 110 also communicates with an essentially vertical outlet passageway 118 formed below the device. The vanes 126 are disposed to extend radially along a shaft 128 coaxial with the metering chamber 110 and can be driven in a controlled magnitude rotational motion. During that rotation, the free end 130 of the vane 126 slides against the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 132 of the metering chamber 110.

In this embodiment, based on its essential structure, a single movable element 100 is provided instead of the flap and slide valve in the previous embodiments, which greatly simplifies the construction of the metering device and allows for the following: It brings other benefits such as:

The single movable element 100 can be moved periodically between a high closed position (FIG. 4a) and a low metering end position (FIG. 4b), in which the vertical plane of the single movable element 100 102 is vane 126
is in tangential contact with the shaft 128 that supports it.

The single movable element 100 is further shaped such that when in said lower position, the vane 126 continuing its rotation can pass through and return to its starting position, preferably in said vertical plane 1.
an essentially cylindrical internally curved surface 104 continuous with 02;
and the inner curved surface 104 of the vane 12
vane 126 when 6 returns to its starting position.
It has a shape that is slid in a sweeping manner by the free end 130 of.

The single movable element 100 then has a section of upwardly tapered cross-section, the upper end 108 of which is connected to the control rod 142. The movement of the parts mixes the product to a certain extent, thereby ensuring a suitable continuous gravity feeding into the metering chamber 110. A control rod 142 passes through the reservoir 116 and through a top cover 144 in which a gasket (O-ring) 146 is mounted. Furthermore, the control rod 142 extends beyond the top cover 144 into the sterile chamber 14 to protect the product from any type of contamination introduced by its sliding movement.
It extends into 8. Outside the sterile chamber 148, the end of the control rod 142 is connected, for example, to a suitable conventional motorized speed reducer (not shown). The powered speed reducer is preferably controlled by a microprocessor type computer, as is the motor that drives the shaft supporting the vanes.

In order to clearly understand the mode of operation of the device improved by the method, FIGS. 4a to 4c show the position of the main elements of the device during the essential metering process.

FIG. 4a corresponds to the start of weighing. Vane 126 is then in a predetermined starting position facing inner circumferential surface 132 of metering chamber 110. Its position is directly related to the desired amount of product to be weighed. In FIG. 4a, the position corresponds to the maximum dispense volume at the level of the opening 114 in the metering chamber 110. single moving element 100
is in a high position, and the contact between the vertical surface 102 and the shaft 128 (the lower end of said vertical surface is preferably lower than the axis of the shaft, so that accurate closure can be more ensured) It is in charge of chamber 110.

The vane 126 is then rotated by a predetermined angle,
Come to the position shown in Figure 4b. The single movable element 100 then slides downwards and in this way the metered product passes completely through the outlet passage 118 into the container 1.
64. Complete evacuation is further ensured by ensuring that the bottom surface 106 reaches a level below the level of the exit orifice.

Said vane 126 is preferably provided with an active surface 127 connected tangentially to the support shaft 128, which active surface engages the corresponding wall surface 119 of the outlet passage 118 at the end of metering, as shown in FIG. 4b. Extends in an essentially vertical direction, so as to elongate it. Then, as soon as the vane 126 has come to rest in the end-of-metering position, the single movable element 100 is slid downwards, and the working surface 126 and the inner surface 119 of the outlet passage 118 are moved downwards until the lowest possible position of the single movable element 100 is reached. can be removed in one pass. A complete evacuation of the desired amount of product is thereby achieved.

The vane 126 can immediately continue to rotate, with the free end 130 of the vane 126 scraping the internally curved surface 104 of the single movable element 100 (intermediate positions are shown in dashed lines). This prevents the product from sticking to the curved surface 104, and the metering cycle time is reduced by the device shown in FIG. (you have to wait for it to go up).

Rotation of the vane 126 occurs when its predetermined angular position is achieved (see FIG. 4c) and the single movable element 100 is raised to its higher position, leaving only a certain quantity to be metered, and the next Vertical surface 102 excludes excess product as preferably defined during the weighing cycle. Furthermore, the height of the vertical surface 102 should be sufficient to close the exit passage of the metering chamber 110 when the single movable element 100 is raised. The device is then switched again to the 4th a.
The state shown in the figure is reached, and the weighing operation can be started again.

As in the previous embodiment, several adjacent metering chambers are integrated into a central shaft supporting cooperating vanes (see Figure 2).
It is obvious that it can be separated by

When using the device according to the invention, the product to be weighed is replaced one after another. It is also important to avoid creating depressions or blind holes where products may accumulate. Such retention phenomena are as problematic in non-sterile products as they are in sterile products. This is because in the latter case also deterioration occurs, especially deterioration due to bacterial sources.

The practical design of the device according to the invention is such that it is possible to vary the product dosage to be delivered without any difficulty and also to change from one type of product to another.

In fact, metering with the device according to the invention can be adjusted very easily if the density of the product to be metered can be varied during metering. The weighed product is placed in container 16
4 and the container 164 is placed directly on an automatic scale or transported to such a device. All weight changes recorded in such a manner as a result of changes in density are then transmitted directly to the control computer, where correction values are calculated and the corresponding information is transmitted to the motor controlling the rotation of the shaft 128. sent to the reducer. Such corrections can, of course, change the effective rotation value of the vanes 126 within the metering chamber 110.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] The weighing device of the present invention can continuously supply products to be weighed, such as foodstuffs, and can feed products to be weighed, such as foodstuffs, at any point in the device or at any point in the weighing process. High pressure is not applied to the Therefore, the hammering phenomenon hardly occurs, and high-speed weighing of products made of different substances or products containing air bubbles can be continued stably.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing an embodiment of the measuring device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3a to 3d are the devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, respectively. Explanatory diagrams showing the operation of , Figures 4a to 4c
The figures show the weighing start position,
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a measurement end position and an operation of returning to a start position between two measurement operations. (Main symbols in the drawing), 10, 110: Metering chamber, 14, 114: Opening, 16, 116: Storage chamber, 18, 118: Outlet passage, 20: Slide valve, 26, 126: Vane, 28, 128:
Shaft, 34: flap, 100: single movable element, 102: vertical surface, 104: internal curved surface, 12
7: Action surface.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A measuring device capable of dispensing a product, in particular a food product, in predetermined volumes, comprising: (a) a cylindrical measuring chamber of circular cross section with a substantially horizontal axis; an opening provided on the metering chamber and opening to a storage chamber filled with the product to be metered, through which a slide valve is cyclically moved between a high closed position and a low metering end position; (b) a metering chamber extending radially along a shaft concentric with the metering chamber and capable of being driven in a rotary motion whose magnitude is controlled; (c) movable in parallel and in tangential contact with the shaft; a flap that periodically enters the metering chamber to partition the metering chamber and then withdrawn to allow complete rotation of said vane, the movement of said flap, vane and slide valve being relative to each other. A weighing device that is controlled in a dependent manner. 2. The interdependent movement of said flap, vane and slide valve is such that: (a) at the start of metering, the vane occupies a starting position facing the cylindrical inner circumference of the metering chamber, and the flap the slide valve occupies a low position which closes the metering chamber by tangential contact with the metering chamber, and the slide valve occupies a high position just above the level of communication between the metering chamber and the outlet passage so as to close said outlet passage. (b) during metering, the flap remains in the low position, the slide valve remains in the high position, and the vane is driven in a predetermined and limited rotational movement; (c) at the end of metering, the flap remains in a lower position and the vane remains at rest at the end of its rotation; 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the slide valve is controlled to slide to a lower position to discharge the metered product remaining in the outlet passage. 3. between two subsequent weighing operations, the flap occupies a higher position outside the lightweight chamber, the vanes are subsequently rotated back to their starting position, the flap is returned to its lower position, and 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the slide valve is controlled to return to a high closed position. 4. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the outlet passage runs vertically and is preferably arranged in the immediate vicinity of the metering chamber. 5. The communication between the metering chamber and the outlet passage is constituted by a duct, and the duct is preferably inclined with respect to the horizontal in the direction of rotation of the vane. The device according to item 3 or 4. 6. The device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the slide valve is in the shape of a piston with a cutting edge on its end face. 7. The cross section of the control rod of the slide valve is
Claims 1 and 2 are made smaller than the outlet passage so that the product can be forced back towards the storage chamber when the slide valve occupies a lower position. Section 3, Section 4,
Apparatus according to clause 5 or 6. 8 When the slide valve is in a low position,
Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 extending beyond the level of the opening to the outlet passage
7. The device according to paragraph 6 or paragraph 7. 9. The lower end of the flap is beveled so as to constitute a cutting edge substantially beyond the line of tangential contact with the shaft at the lower point of the flap, The device according to paragraph 2, paragraph 3, paragraph 4, paragraph 5, paragraph 6, paragraph 7, or paragraph 8. 10. Claims 1, 2 and 3, in which the control rod of the flap and the control rod of the slide valve pass through the product storage chamber.
The device according to paragraph 4, paragraph 5, paragraph 6, paragraph 7, paragraph 8 or paragraph 9. 11. Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, wherein the storage chamber is continuously supplied with products from a buffer tank located at a higher level than the storage chamber. Section, Section 6, Section 7, Section 8
10. The apparatus according to paragraph 9, paragraph 10. 12. Claims 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein the movement of the flap, vane, and slide valve is dependent on a powered reduction gear controlled by a microprocessor type computer.
Section, Section 5, Section 6, Section 7, Section 8, Section 9,
The device according to item 10 or 11. 13. The flap and the slide valve are constructed as a single movable element, the single movable element having a high position in which its vertical surface is in tangential contact with the shaft for supporting the vane and a low end-of-metering position. said single movable element is shaped in such a way that, when in its lowered position, said single movable element can be returned to its starting position through which a vane interrupts its rotation. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: 14. said single movable element has a cylindrical, internally curved surface connected to said vertical surface, said internally curved surface being swept by the free end of the vane as it returns to its starting position; 14. The apparatus of claim 13. 15 Patent in which said vane has a working surface connected tangentially to the support shaft, said working surface being essentially perpendicular so as to extend the corresponding wall of the outlet passage at the end of metering. Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14. 16. A device according to claim 13, 14 or 15, in which the single movable element in its lower position exceeds the level of the opening of the outlet passage. 17. Claim 13, wherein the control rod of the single movable element passes through the product storage chamber,
Apparatus according to clause 14, 15 or 16. 18 The movement of said vane and single movable element is
18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17 which relies on a powered reduction gear controlled by a microprocessor type computer. 19 The interdependent control of the movement of said vane and of the single movable element is such that: (a) at the start of metering, the vane occupies a predetermined starting position facing the cylindrical inner circumference of the metering chamber; a movable element occupying a raised closed position which on the one hand delimits the metering chamber by being in tangential contact with the shaft and on the other hand ensures communication between the metering chamber and the outlet passage; (b) metering; (c) the single movable element assumes a high occlusion position and the vane is driven with a rotational movement of a predetermined magnitude to discharge a corresponding amount of product through the outlet passage; and (c) termination of metering. Sometimes the vane is stationary at the end of its rotation,
Claim 13, wherein the single movable element is slid to a lower position to complete the product discharge and to allow the vane to continue its rotation to the starting position. 1st
Section 4, Section 15, Section 16, Section 17 or Section 1
The device according to item 8. 20. At the end of metering, said vane comes to rest in a position with its working surface vertical, so that when said single movable element slides into a lower position, it is possible to sweep off the working surface with said single movable element. 20. The device according to claim 19. 21 Between two subsequent weighing operations,
21. Apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, in which the single movable element does not return to its high closed position until the vane reaches a predetermined starting position.