A METHOD AND AN APPARATUS FOR METERING A PULVERULENT OR PARTICULATE MATERIAL

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for metering a pulverulent or particulate material one end of a flexible hose length (12) is communicating with a reservoir (10) for the said material, while the other end of the hose length is communicating with a tubing system (17, 19) in which an subatmospheric pressure is provided by means of a pump (18). The end portions of the hose length (12) may be compressed and tightly closed by means of pinch rollers (27) which may be reciprocated by means of pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders (26). When a metered amount of material has been discharged from the measuring chamber (30) defined by the hose length (12), the upper end portion of the hose length is pinched, while the lower end portion of the hose length is open, so that vacuum is present in the measuring chamber. The lower end portion of the hose length is now closed, and the upper end portion is opened, whereby an amount of material is sucked into the measuring chamber substantially without entrainment of air. The upper end portion of the hose length is now pinched, and thereafter the lower end portion of the hose length is opened, whereby an accurately metered amount of material is sucked into the tubing system (17, 19). This metering apparatus permits an accurate metering of pulverulent or particulate material substantially without entrainment of air.

Description: A METHOD AND AN APPARATUS FOR METERING A PULVERULENT OR PARTICULATE MATERIAL. 5 The present invention relates to a method of metering' a pulverulent or particulate material. In metering amounts of pulverulent or particulate material on the basis of the volume of the material it may be difficult to obtain 10 metered amounts of material having substantially the same weight, because when metered in a measuring cup or chamber the material may accidentally contain greater or smaller air volumes . When the metered amount , is to be. used in a production or treating plant, it may also be disadvantageous if the metered amounts of material - D contain substantial volumes of air. As an example, this is true in connection with a plant as that disclosed in applicant's Danish patent application No . 3131/80 , which was filed on 22nd July , 1980 , and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference . In a plant as that *• disclosed- in the said patent application the 0 introduction of substantial air volumes in the plant together with the metered amounts of pulverulent or particulate material would give rise to serious diffifulties due to heavy generation of foam . British patent specification No . 1, 492 , 033 discloses a metering 5 apparatus having a tubular measuring chamber with compressible inlet and outlet end portions , cf which end portions the inlet end portion is communicating with a feeding hopper . The compressible inlet and outlet end portions are surrounded by chambers , and b 7 supply of vacuum and pressurized air, respectively , to these 0 chambers , the said end portions may alternately be opened and closed by compression in such a time sequence that the measuring chamber is alternately filled with the material to be metered through the inlet end portion , and emptied through the outlet end portion . The use of this known metering apparatus involves not 5 only the above-mentioned problem that accidental volumes of air are entrained with the metered material, but also that it cannot be secured that the measuring * chamber is completely filled and/or emptied every time. Both of these problems may substantially influence the metering accuracy which may be obtained. The present invention provides a metering method allowing an especially accurate metering and a substantially airless sluicing of the metered amounts of material into a container or treating plant, or another receiver. The method according to the invention comprises the use of a 10 measuring chamber having compressible inlet and outlet end portions communicating' with an inlet and outlet space, respectively, each of said end portions being alternately closed by compression and opened in such a timed sequence that material is introduced into the measuring chamber, while the inlet end portion is open ~~ and the outlet end portion is closed, that a metered amount of material is thereafter enclosed within the measuring chamber by closing the inlet end portion , and that the metered amount of material is then discharged into the outlet space by opening the outlet end portion of the measuring chamber, and the method 20 according to the invention is characterized in that a pressure substantially lower thaCn the pressure within the inlet space , is generated in the outlet space as well as in one or more spaces or chambers surrounding the compressible waϋ parts of the measuring chamber . 25 " ϊ * -\ - 7 __ r-_ ΓH Λ nra c ι *_ι -lir-_ιτ»_ p-ι ayτ ,, ' η ,-_r -»τ. --^ __ ■• » -' __τ —-^ -Z. ^ Λ .—. , outlet space , respectively , the particles of the material to be metered will be tightly packed together when the material is sucked or pressed into the measuring chamber, and because the 30 inlet end portion of the measuring chamber is tightly closed when the outlet end portion is opened, the metered amount of material will be sluiced from the inlet space to the outlet space substantially free of air . The compressible inlet and outlet end portions of the measuring chamber permits an air-tight closing of the end portions 5 of the measuring chamber in a simple manner without using complicated or vulnerable valve devices . l 4- - ■ In principle, it would be possible to supply pressurized air to the inlet space of the measuring chamber and to supply pressurized air , at a lower pressure or air at atmospheric pressure to the outlet space and to the space or spaces surrounding the compressible wall parts of the measuring chamber. In practice, however, it is normally advantageous to generate a vacuum in the outlet space, while the inlet space is communicating with the atmosphere . Thereby the volume of air entrained by the metered amounts of material wϋl be further reduced. Due to the fact that the pressure in the space or spaces surrounding the compressible wall parts of the measuring chamber is substantially at the same low level as the pressure in the- outlet space, the compressible parts of the measuring chamber may- be made from a highly flexible material, such as rubber or soft plastic , and in the preferred embodiment the measuring chamber is formed by a flexible tube or hose length of such a material. The heavy shaking movements imparted to the compressible parts of the measuring chamber during opening and Closing, secure that all of the material is -discharged from the measuring chamber when its outlet end portion is opened . The invention also relates to a metering apparatus for carrying out the method described above, and the apparatus according to the invention is of the type comprising a measuring chamber having compressible inlet and outlet end portions communicating with inlet and outlet spaces , ' respectively , and means for compressing the inlet and outlet end portions , respectively , and the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that means are provided adapted to generate within the outlet space a pressure which is substantially lower than the pressure within the inlet space , that the measuring chamber and the inlet and outlet end portions thereof are surrounded by an outer chamber, and that means are provided adapted to generate in this outer chamber a pressure which substantially corresponds to the pressure within the outlet space . As explained above, by means of this metering apparatus it is possible to obtain an accurate metering of pulverulent or N a " ~ particulate materials without entraining substantial volumes of air with the metered amounts of material. The measuring chamber is advantageously formed by a flexible tube or hose length, which may be surrounded by a rigid tubular body extending between the end portions thereof, the inner diameter of said body being substantially equal to the outer diameter of the tube or hose length in its non-tensioned condition. As a sxiitably low pressure - for example, in the same order as the pressure within the outlet space - is maintained within the outer chamber surrounding the tube or hose length , this length will assume a shape determined by the inner surface of the rigid . tubular body, even when the tube or hose length is made from a relatively soft material in order to facilitate compression of the end portions of said tube or hose length. The invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment of the metering apparatus according the invention, and wherein Fig. 1 is a side view and partially sectional view of a metering apparatus , Fig. 2 is a side view and partially sectional view in an enlarged scale of part of the apparatus shown in Fig. I , and Fig. 3 is a side view and partially sectional view of a tube or hose length forming the measuring chamber in the apparatus shown in Figs . 1 and 2. The metering apparatus shown in the drawings is adapted to introduce metered amounts of pulverulent or particulate material into a production or treating plant, for example for introducing milk powder into a milk recombining plant as that described in applicant's Danish patent application .To . 31δl/30. The apparatus may, however , also be used for metering other kinds of pulverulent or particulate materials in cases where an accurate metering of amounts of material substantially free of air is desired. The apparatus may also advantageously be used for metering liquid materials , especially when they are relatively viscous or pas t ~ - like . The apparatus shown in the drawings has an upwardly open material feeding hopper or a material reservoir 10 in which the material 11 to be metered is arranged. The lower outlet end of the hopper is tightly connected to the upper end of a flexible tube or hose length 12 having a sealing flange 13 at each end as shown in Fig. 3. The major part of the hose length 12 is surrounded by an outer vacuum chamber 14 having a front wall 15 , which , as shown in Fig. 1 , is removably fastened by means of a plurality of screws IS or similar fastening members , and which is made from a 0 transparent material, such as glass . The lower end of the hose length 12 is tightly connected to a tube bend 17 , which is in turn communicating- with the suction side of a self-priming pump 18 ,- which is inserted in a tubing system 19 forming part of a treating or production plant to which it is desired to supply metered 5 amounts of material without entrainment cf air . The center part of the hose length 12 is surrounded by a rigid tubular body 20 having an inner diameter which subs tan tiaiiv corresponds to the outer diameter of the hose length in the 0 non-tensioned condition thereof , and this od is fastened to the walls of the vacuum chamber by means of radially extending mounting members 21. Rigid tubular supporting bodies 23 corresponding to the body 20 is mounted in the opposite end walls 22 of the vacuum chamber 14, and the ends of the hose length 12 s extend out from the vacuum chamber 14 through these supporting .-. V . -r • * > Opposite side walls of the vacuum chamber 14 are provided with two pairs of aligned, internally threaded mounting sockets 25 for 0 mounting pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders 26 , preferably cylinders actuated by pressurized air . Each pair of cylinders 26 has oppositely directed piston rods each having a rotataoly mounted pinch roller 27 arranged at their free ends . As indicated in Fig . 2, each pinch roller may comprise a shaft and a cylindrical shell of steel, such as stainless steel, and an intermediate layer of plastics material. Each pair of pinch rollers 27 may be moved towards and away from each other by means of the cylinders 25 between a first position, which is indicated with dotted lines in Fig. 2, and in which the rollers are out of engagement with the hose length 12, and a second position, which is shown in solid lines in Fig. 2, and in which the rollers 27 are pinching and tightly close an inlet end portion 28 and an outlet end portion 29 of the hose length 12 positioned between the rigid body 20 and each of the rigid bodies 23. When both pairs of pinch rollers 27 are in the position shown with solid lines in Fig. 2, in which the hose length 12 is tightly pinched by the rollers , a measuring chamber 30 is defined within the hose length 12. During the reciprocating movements of the pinch rollers 27 their ends are guided by stationary guiding rails 31 mounted on the walls of the vacuum chamber 14. The metering apparatus shown on the drawing operates as follows : When the centrifugal pump 18 is operating it creates a substantial subatmospheric pressure at the suction side thereof , and when the outlet end portion 29 of the hose length 12 is not pinched this subatmospheric pressure will be transmitted to the measuring chamber 30 through the tube bend 17. The function of the cylinder 25 is controlled by means of a conventional control system, not shown, in such a manner that the pinch rollers 27 at any time close either the inlet end portion 23 or the outlet end portion 29 of the hose length 12 , and some times both of these end portions . When a metered amount of material has just been discharged from the measuring chamber 30 thereby that the lower pair of pinch rollers 27 has been moved to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, while the inlet end portion 23 of the hose length is still closed, vacuum will be present within the measuring chamber 30. An subatmospheric pressure or vacuum substantially corresponding to the vacuum generated in the measuring chamber 30 by the centrifugal pump 18 , is provided in the outer vacuum chamber 14 by means of a vacuum pump , not shown, and thereby it is secured that the part of the hose length 12 defining the measuring chamber 30 assumes' the extended position shown in the drawings , in which the outer surface of the hose length engages the inner surface of the rigid tubular body 20 , even when vacuum is present within the measuring chamber 30. The lower pair of pinch rollers 27 is now caused to close the outlet end portion 29 of the hose length , and immediately thereafter the upper pair of pinch rollers 27 is moved to their retracted position indicated by dotted lines so that the inlet end portion 28 is opened. As vacuum is present in the measuring chamber 30 , while the upper surface of the material 11 arranged in the feeding hopper 10 is exposed to atmospheric pressure, the measuring chamber 30 will immediately be filled with material from 10 the hopper 10 in a tightly packed condition substantially free of air. Thereafter, the inlet end portion 28 is closed by means of the upper pair of pinch rollers 27, and immediately thereafter the ■ outlet end portion 29 of .the. hose length 12 is opened thereby that the lower pair of pinch rollers are moved back to their retracted -° position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. The metered amount of material will then immediately be sucked out of the measuring chamber 30 and passed through the tube bend 17 into the tubing system 19. The sucking of the metered amount of material out from the measuring chamber 30 causes such a sudden transverse 20 movement of the flexible walls of the chamber that possible sticky , for example moist, residues of the pulverulent or particulate material are released from the walls of the measuring' chamber, whereby the metering apparatus will be sel -cleaning . The operating cycle of the pinch rollers 27 just described may now be repeated a desired number of times and at a desired rate or oo * ,__. ns o * , S J O CΠI __. __? without entraining substantial amounts of air . This may i. a . be of importance if the tubing system 19 forms part of a plant , in which 0 the existence of air might, for example , give rise to foaming or oxidation problems . When the tubing system 19 forms part of a plant as that described in applicant's above-mentioned Danish patent application No . 3 3161/80 , the capacity of the centrifugal pump 13 preferably substantially exceeds the capacity of the plant (for example 3 - β times) , and the pump may , for example , be of the type marketed by Pasilac A/S , Sil eborg, Denmark, under the designation "ZMS 3" . In that case the pressure at the suction side of the pump , and consequently in the measuring chamber 30 , may be about 0.4 atmosphere. It should be understood that the subatmospheric pressure or vacuum in the measuring chamber may be provided in any other suitable manner for other applications of the apparatus according to the invention , for example by means of a conventional vacuum pump . The hose length 12 may suitably be made from a plastic or rubber material having a suitable flexibility and such a strength and wearability that the hose length may resist the repeated mechanical stresses to which it is exposed by the pinch rollers 27. The hose length may, for example, be made from natural rubber of a quality marketed by Schønning & Arve , Horsens , Denmark, under the quality designation "6344" . As mentioned above , the metering apparatus according to the invention may advantageously be used in connection with a plant for recombining milk or other liquid food, products . It should be understood, however, that the metering apparatus according to 'the invention could also advantageously be used for other applications where an accurate metering of material substantially without entrainment of air is desired. In the embodiment described above the total measuring chamber is defined by the flexible hose length 12. However, the measuring chamber itself may, alternatively, have rigid walls provided that the inlet and outlet end portions 23 and 29 are of a material which may be closed by pinching. It should also be noted that the -^in ing means need not necessarily be in the form of rollers but could have any other form allowing a tight closing of the end portion of the measuring chamber . Furthermore , the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders for actuating the pinching means could 'be replaced by other forms of actuating means , such as cams , eccentrics , or the like. The vacuum provided within the outer vacuum chamber 14 need not be the same as that provided at the outlet end portion 29 by the centrifugal pump IS . Thus , the pressure within the chamber 14 may be substantially lower than the subatmospheric pressure provided in the measuring chamber 30. However, in order to secure that the NAL 1 hose length 12 is always extended, the pressure provided within the outer chamber 14 should preferably not be substantially higher than the subatmospheric pressure provided at the suction side of the vacuum pump 18. 10 15 20 __o 0 5 IGINAL

Claims: Claims. 1. A method of metering a pulverulent or particulate material (11) by means of a measuring chamber (30) having compressible inlet and outlet end portions (28, 29) communicating with inlet and outlet spaces (10, 17), respectively, each of said end portions being alternately closed by compression and opened in such a 10 timed sequence that material is introduced into the measuring chamber, while the inlet end portion (23) is open and the outlet end portion (29) is closed, that a metered amount of material (11) is thereafter enclosed within the measuring chamber (30) by closing the inlet end portion (28), and that the metered amount of 15 material is then discharged into the outlet space (17) by opening the outlet end portion (29) of the measuring chamber, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a pressure which is substantially lower than the pressure within the inlet space (10), is generated in the outlet space (17) as well as in one or more spaces or 20 chambers (14) surrounding the ccmpressible wall parts (12) of the measuring chamber. 2. A method according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that vacuum is generated within the - ■D outlet space (17) and in the space or spaces (14) surrounding the ccmpressible wall parts of the measuring chamber, while the inlet space • ' .! *■ ) is maintained in communication with the atmosnhere. 3. A metering apparatus for carrying the method according to 30 claim 1 or 2 and comprising a measuring chamber (30) having compressible inlet and outlet end portions (23, 29) communicating with inlet and an outlet spaces (10, 17), respectively, and means , (26, 27) for compressing the inlet and outlet end portions, respectively , 35 c-h a. r a c t e r i z e d in that means (IS) are provided adapted to generate within the outlet space (17) a pressure which is sub¬ stantially lower than the pressure within the inlet space (10), that • - ^ 11 the measuring chamber (30) and the inlet and outlet end portions (28, 29) thereof are surrounded by an outer chamber (14), and that means are provided adapted to generate in this outer chamber a pressure which substantially corresponds to the pressure within the outlet space (17). 4. A metering apparatus according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the total measuring chamber (30). is formed by a flexible tube or hose length (12). 10 5. A metering apparatus according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in a rigid tubular body (20) surrounding said tube or hose length (12) and extending between the end portions thereof, .the inner diameter of said body being 15 substantially equal to the outer diameter of the tube or hose length in its non-tensioned condition. S. A metering apparatus according to any of the claims 3 to 5, c a r a c t e r i z e d in that the inlet space (10) is ~r. communicating with the atmosphere, and that the outlet space (17) and the outer chamber (14) are communicating with a vacuum pump (13). 5 0 5

Inventors: ERHALD F, FREDSGAARD E, HENRIKSEN J
Applicants: ASKOV MEJERI AS, ERHALD F, FREDSGAARD E, HENRIKSEN J
Application year: 1981
Main classification: G01F11
IPC codes: G01F11