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Claims  |
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I claim:
1. Apparatus for the processing of a material mixture containing flowable
and non-flowable components, particularly in the preparation of
foodstuffs, by separating said flowable components from said mixture, said
apparatus comprising
a driven drum defining a
a pressure belt enclosing part of said circumferential surface and forming
an entry wedge with said drum;
at least one pressure roller positioned so as to press said belt onto said
circumferential surface;
supply means for supplying said mixture to be processed into said entry
wedge formed between said drum and said pressure belt,
said circumferential surface includes at least one non-perforated
circumferential zone passing completely around a circumference of said
drum and at least one perforated circumferential zone, axially adjacent
said non-perforated circumferential zone and passing completely around
said circumference of said drum.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supply means includes
means for feeding said mixture to at least an axially central region of
said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone and for preventing
direct feeding of said mixture to at least one of said perforated
circumferential zones.
3. Apparatus accordng to claim 2, wherein:
said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone is axially centered
in said drum;
said at least one perforated circumferential zone being at least first and
second perforated circumferential zones;
said first perforated circumferential zone being disposed adjacent a first
edge of said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone; and
said second perforated circumferential zone being disposed adjacent a
second opposed edge of said at least one non-perforated circumferential
zone.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone is axially centered
in said drum;
said at least one perforated circumferential zone being at least first and
second perforated circumferential zones;
said first perforated circumferential zone being disposed adjacent a first
edge of said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone; and
said second perforated circumferential zone being disposed adjacent a
second opposed edge of said at least one non-perforated circumferential
zone.
5. Apparatus for the processing of a material mixture containing flowable
and non-flowable components by separating said flowable components from
said mixture, said apparatus comprising:
a driven drum defining a circumferential surface;
a pressure belt enclosing part of said circumferential surface and forming
an entry wedge with said drum;
at least one pressure roller positioned so as to press said belt onto said
circumferential surface; and
supply means for supplying said mixture into said entry wedge;
at least one non-perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
at least one perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface; and
said pressure belt has a thickness decreasing from its center toward its
edges.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said circumferential surface of
said drum is provided with grooves in the region of said at least one
non-perforated circumferential zone, said grooves extending substantially
parallel to a longitudinal axis of said drum, and into said at least one
perforated zone.
7. Apparatus for the processing of a material mixture containing flowable
and non-flowable components by separating said flowable components from
said mixture, said apparatus comprising:
a driven drum defining a circumferential surface;
a pressure belt enclosing part of said circumferential surface and forming
an entry wedge with said drum;
at least one pressure roller positioned so as to press said belt onto said
circumferential surface; and
supply means for supplying said mixture into said entry wedge;
at least one non-perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
at least one perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
said supply means includes means for feeding said mixture to at least an
axially central region of said at least one non-perforated circumferential
zone;
said pressure belt has a thickness decreasing from its center toward its
edges.
8. Apparatus for the processing of a material mixture containing flowable
and non-flowable components by separating said flowable components from
said mixture, said apparatus comprising:
a driven drum defining a circumferential surface;
a pressure belt enclosing part of said circumferential surface and forming
an entry wedge with said drum;
at least one pressure roller positioned so as to press said belt onto said
circumferential surface; and
supply means for supplying said mixture into said entry wedge;
at least one non-perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
at least one perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone is axially centered
in said drum;
said at least one perforated circumferential zone being at least first and
second perforated circumferential zones;
said first perforated circumferential zone being disposed adjacent a first
edge of said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone; and
said second perforated circumferential zone being disposed adjacent a
second opposed edge of said at least one non-perforated circumferential
zone;
said pressure belt covering at least one of said at least on non-perforated
circumferential zone and said at least one perforated zone, has a
thickness decreasing from an axial center thereof toward its edges.
9. Apparatus for the processing of a material mixture containing flowable
and non-flowable components by separating said flowable components from
said mixture, said apparatus comprising:
a driven drum defining a circumferential surface;
a pressure belt enclosing part of said circumferential surface and forming
an entry wedge with said drum;
at least one pressure roller positioned so as to press said belt onto said
circumferential surface; and
supply means for supplying said mixture into said entry wedge;
at least one non-perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
at least one perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface; and
said drum has a shape of a double cone having a maximum diameter in an
axial centre of said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said circumferential surface
of said drum is provided with grooves in the region of said at least one
non-perforated circumferential zone, said grooves extending substantially
parallel to a longitudinal axis of said drum, and into said at least one
perforated marginal zone.
11. Apparatus for the processing of a material mixture containing flowable
and non-flowable components by separating said flowable components from
said mixture, said apparatus comprising:
a driven drum defining a circumferential surface;
a pressure belt enclosing part of said circumferential surface and forming
an entry wedge with said drum;
at least one pressure roller positioned so as to press said belt onto said
circumferential surface; and
supply means for supplying said mixture into said entry wedge;
at least one non-perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
at least one perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
said supply means includes means for feeding said mixture to at least an
axially central region of said at least one non-perforated circumferential
zone;
said drum has a shape of a double cone, said double cone having a maximum
diameter in an axial centre of said at least on non-perforated
circumferential region.
12. Apparatus for the processing of a material mixture containing flowable
and non-flowable components by separating said flowable components from
said mixture, said apparatus comprising:
a driven drum defining a circumferential surface;
a pressure belt enclosing part of said circumferential surface and forming
an entry wedge with said drum;
at least one pressure roller positioned so as to press said belt onto said
circumferential surface; and
supply means for supplying said mixture into said entry wedge;
at least one non-perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
at least one perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone is axially centered
in said drum;
said at least one perforated circumferential zone being at least first and
second perforated circumferential zones;
said first perforated circumferential zone being disposed adjacent a first
edge of said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone; and
said second perforated circumferential zone being disposed adjacent a
second opposed edge of said at least one non-perforated circumferential
zone;
said pressure belt covering at least one of said at least one
non-perforated circumferential zone and said at least one perforated zone,
and has a thickness decreasing from an axial centre thereof toward its
edges.
said drum has a shape of a double cone, said double cone having a maximum
diameter in an axial centre of said at least on non-perforated
circumferential region.
13. Apparatus for the processing of a material mixture containing flowable
and non-flowable components by separating said flowable components from
said mixture, said apparatus comprising:
a driven drum defining a circumferential surface;
a pressure belt enclosing part of said circumferential surface and forming
an entry wedge with said drum;
at least one pressure roller positioned so as to press said belt onto said
circumferential surface; and
supply means for supplying said mixture into said entry wedge;
at least one non-perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
at least one perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface; and
said circumferential surface of said drum includes grooves in the region of
said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone, said grooves
extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said perforated
drum, and into said at least one perforated zone.
14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further includes radial grooves at
least in a region between said at least one non-perforated circumferential
zone and said at least one perforated zone.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said grooves substantially
parallel to the longitudinal axis are deeper than said radial grooves.
16. Apparatus for the processing of a material mixture containing flowable
and non-flowable components by separating said flowable components from
said mixture, said apparatus comprising:
a driven drum defining a circumferential surface;
a pressure belt enclosing part of said circumferential surface and forming
an entry wedge with said drum;
at least one pressure roller positioned so as to press said belt onto said
circumferential surface; and
supply means for supplying said mixture into said entry wedge;
at least one non-perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
at least one perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
said supply means includes means for feeding said mixture to at least an
axially central region of said at least one non-perforated circumferential
zone;
said circumferential surface of said drum includes grooves in the region of
said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone, said grooves
extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said perforated
drum, and into said at least one perforated zone.
17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, further including radial grooves at
least in a region between said at least one non-perforated circumferential
zone and said at least one perforated zone.
18. Apparatus for the processing of a material mixture containing flowable
and non-flowable components by separating said flowable components from
said mixture, said apparatus comprising:
a driven drum defining a circumferential surface;
a pressure belt enclosing part of said circumferential surface and forming
an entry wedge with said drum;
at least one pressure roller positioned so as to press said belt onto said
circumferential surface; and
supply means for supplying said mixture into said entry wedge;
at least one non-perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
at least one perforated circumferential zone in said circumferential
surface;
said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone is axially centered
in said drum;
said at least one perforated circumferential zone being at least first and
second perforated circumferential zones;
said first perforated circumferential zone being disposed adjacent a first
edge of said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone; and
said second perforated circumferential zone being disposed adjacent a
second opposed edge of said at least one non-perforated circumferential
zone;
said circumferential surface of said drum includes grooves in the region of
said at least one non-perforated circumferential zone, said grooves
extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said perforated
drum, and into said at least one perforated zone.
19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, further including radial grooves at
least in a region between said at least one non-perforated circumferential
zone and said at least one perforated zone.
20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said grooves substantially
parallel to the longitudinal axis are deeper than said radial grooves. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus for separating the flowable
constituents from a mixture of flowable and non-flowable constituents
particularly for the preparation of foodstuffs, the apparatus comprising a
driven perforated drum having a perforated circumferential surface, a
pressure belt enclosing part of the circumference thereof and pressable
onto the same by means of at least one pressure roller, as well as a
supply mechanism for supplying the product to be treated into an entry
wedge formed between the perforated drum and the pressure belt.
2. Prior Art
The basic concept of such apparatus is that of a separator type, as
disclosed, for example, in East German Pat. No. 96 155. The substance
mixture introduced into such an apparatus and formed from flowable and
non-flowable constituents is, after feeding and drawing into the wedge
between the perforated drum and the pressure belt first pressed onto the
perforated drum as a result of the radial pressure derived from the axial
tension of the belt and in this way is supplied to the actual pressing
point. This is formed by a pressure roller supporting the pressure belt
and settable against the perforated drum, so that a pressure gap can be
adjusted, in which, as a result of the elasticity of the pressure belt,
the outflow of the flowable constituents through the perforations of the
perforated drum into the interior thereof is effected through
quasi-hydraulic pressure. In contrast thereto, the non-flowable
constituents pass through the pressure gap accompanied by elastic
embedding in the pressure belt and are subsequently stripped from the
outer circumference of the perforated drum, if they have not been dropped
already after release through the pressure gap.
Such apparatuses permit, in an uncomplicated manner, the separation of meat
from tissues, bones and skin, so that they are mainly used in the
production of sausages. However, as a function of the working product,
particularly in the case of meat portions mixed, for example, with bone
fragments, it has been found that when a small proportion of such
fragments or other hard parts can, as a result of the particle size
thereof pass in unhindered manner through the openings of the perforated
drum. This also occurs in the case of longish particles, if they pass into
the separator with a radial alignment with respect to the perforated drum.
Even in the case of an obvious use of such apparatuses for the unpacking
and recovery of incorrectly packed flowable foods, such as cheese, butter,
etc., accompanied by the simultaneous separation thereof from the packing
material residues similar problems occur. These are manifested by an
inadequate degree of purity of the recovered material. The reason for this
is that the openings act as a punching die with respect to the pressure
belt and the normally metallic, plastic or paper packaging or separating
films or foils, as a function of the characteristics of the material
thereof are punched out at least over single openings, so that said parts
are floated out together with the outflowing material into the interior of
the perforated drum. However, this phenomenon also occurs
disadvantageously in the case of stronger films or foils, because, as a
result of the pressure action, they are forced into the openings of the
perforated drum, the packing material membranes formed over said openings
at least partially bursting or splitting. The resulting perforations in
the foils admittedly do not initially bring about a separation of foil
particles, because the foils' tips forming at the perforation points with
the flow of the outflowing food material are merely drawn into the
openings without tearing off. However, when the packing material residues
have left the pressing zone subsequently, then they remain in this state
due to the positive anchoring in the openings, as well as to the generally
effective adhesive forces on the circumferential surface of the perforated
drum, so that constrained stripping is necessary. The equipment provided
to this end comprises a stripping blade which scrapes over the
circumferential surface of the perforated drum. Part of the foils' tips
drawn into the openings are sheared-off, so that during the next
revolution they are floated into the interior of the perforated drum
together with the freshly squeezed out food material and lead to the
soiling of the recovered material.
An apparatus disclosed in German Pat. No. 32 11 625 aims at eliminating
this disadvantage. It is based on the idea that shearing is avoidable if,
through the moving back of the material filling the openings in the
perforated drum and which can be looked upon as a hydraulic medium, there
is a floating back of the packing parts which have entered the openings
prior to stripping by means of the stripping blade. The highly elastic
inner roller provided for this purpose led to this effect, but this has
led to a deterioration in output and yield, so that this apparatus has not
become widely used for reasons of economy.
3. Objects of the Invention
It is therefore a major problem of the present invention to overcome these
disadvantages by suggesting an apparatus permitting a better separation of
flowable and nonflowable constituents from a mixture thereof. It is a
further object of the invention to provide an apparatus which, in
particular, permits the recovery of incorrectly packed viscous materials.
It is yet another object of the invention to propose such apparatus which
achieves a high output or yield and without impairing the purity of the
resulting product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an apparatus comprising a driven perforated drum having a perforated
circumferential surface, a pressure belt enclosing part of the
circumference thereof and pressable onto the same by means of at least one
pressure roller, as well as a supply mechanism for supplying the treatment
product into an entry wedge formed between the perforated drum and the
pressure belt, this problem is solved, according to the present invention,
in that the circumferential surface of the perforated drum has a
non-perforated circumferential zone in its effective region.
Advantageously, the supply mechanism should be positioned so as to be
directed towards at least the central area of the non-perforated
circumferential zone. It is particularly expedient with regard to the
throughput if the perforated drum is designed such that the non-perforated
circumferential zone covers the central portion of the perforated drum, on
either side of which central portion the perforated marginal zones will
follow. It is favourable for the outflow of the material if the pressure
belt covering the non-perforated circumferential zone and the perforated
marginal zones has a thickness decreasing from the centre towards the
edges. This effect can also be achieved if the effective region of the
perforated drum is designed as a double cone, whose largest diameter is
provided in the centre of the non-perforated circumferential zone.
When using the apparatus for the recovery of incorrectly packed viscous
materials, it is advantageous if the circumferential surface of the
perforated drum facing the pressure belt is, in the vicinity of its
non-perforated circumferential zone, provided with grooves running
substantially parallel to the perforated drum axis and extending into the
perforated marginal zones, because in this way it can be ensured that no
material film builds up on the circumferential surface of the perforated
drum on which film the packing material would be able to slide in the
vicinity of the perforated marginal zones. As a result, it is achieved
that the packing material foils or films remain in the region of the
non-perforated circumferential zone, so that the risk of punching through
and therefore impurification is prevented.
This effect can be improved further in that at least in the transition
region between the non-perforated circumferential zone and the perforated
marginal zones, radial grooves are provided, the depth of the grooves
perferably being deeper than that of the radial grooves.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from
the following description and claims and are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, which by way of illustration schematically show
preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof
and what now are considered to be the best modes contemplated for applying
these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or
equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as
desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present
invention and the scope of the appended claims. In the drawings
FIG. 1 shows an overall view of the apparatus in an axonometric
representation with a supply mechanism in an exploded arrangement;
FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through the perforated drum along section line
II;
FIG. 3 shows a cross-section corresponding to FIG. 2 with a modified
pressure belt;
FIG. 4 shows a cross-section corresponding to FIG. 2 with a modified
perforated drum; and
FIG. 5 shows a detail of the perforated drum in an axonometric
representation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In a not shown frame of a press-passing or mincing machine constructed in
known per se manner, there are provided between not shown side walls a
perforated drum 1 having openings 4 passing through cylindrical zones of
its circumferential surface 2, a pressure roller 5 adjustable with respect
to its position relative to the circumferential surface 2, as well as a
deflection roller 6 and a tension roller 7. Whilst the latter are arranged
as idler rollers, i.e. so as to revolve loosely, the perforated drum 1 and
the pressure roller 5 are driven to rotate at an at least approximately
equal circumferential speed. The rollers 5, 6 and 7 carry a flexible
pressure belt 8 revolving in playfree manner between the side walls and
which encloses the perforated drum 1 over part of its circumference. The
pressure belt 8 can be compressed to a fraction of its thickness by the
pressure roller 5, the belt's outer surface 9, which is designed with a
good grip, e.g. by knurling, being held under the pressure against the
circumferential surface 2 of the perforated drum 1. Downstream of the
pressure roller 5, when seen in the rotation direction of the perforated
drum 1, there is positioned a stripping mechanism 10 with at least one
stripping blade, which stripping mechanism is adjustable to the narrowest
gap with respect to the circumferential surface 2 of the perforated drum
1. Above an entry wedge formed by the pressure belt 8 and the perforated
drum 1, there is provided a supply or feeding device 11, which allows the
supply of pressing material into a circumferential zone 12 arranged
centrally and not provided with openings 4.
The function of the apparatus is as follows:
The material to be treated or processed is introduced into the entry wedge
between pressure belt 8 and perforated drum 1 by means of supply mechanism
11 and is drawn into the enclosing or looping area between perforated drum
1 and pressure belt 8 as a result of the revolution of these two parts.
The material is pressurized initially by the radial pressure component
resulting from the tension of the pressure belt 8. Due to the lack of
perforations of the circumferential surface 2 in the charging or supply
region of the perforated drum 1, the material to be treated is shaped into
a material band, whose flowable constituents start to flow in the
direction of the only remaining way out, namely along the generatrixes
(circumferential lines) of the perforated drum 1. Grooves 13, located, as
shown in FIG. 5, in the region of the non-perforated circumferential zone
12 of the perforated drum 1 facilitates the outflow of the material into
perforated marginal zones 3, so that the building-up of a sliding film is
avoided, because such a film would lead to the risk of packing material
films or foils passing into the area of the perforated marginal zones 3,
where it could be punched over the openings 4 by the pressure belt 8. This
risk is also counteracted by radial grooves 14, which bring about a
positive adhesion between the packing foils and the perforated drum 1,
without the outflow of squeezed out material being prevented due to the
greater depth of the grooves 13. Thus, while the clamping force acting
between the perforated drum 1 and the pressure belt 8 ensures that the
solid particles of the material to be treated are held clamped and
consequently secured, the flowable constituents flow towards the
perforated marginal zones 3 and, at the latest on reaching the actual
pressure zone in the region of pressure roller 5, flow out through the
openings 4 into the interior of the perforated drum 1.
To assist the outflow of the flowable constituents and simultaneously to
retain the solid constituents, the pressure belt 8 can have a thickness
which decreases from the centre line to the marginal areas. The outer
surface 9 of the pressure belt 8 coming into contact with the material to
be treated is preferably flat and the inner surface facing the rollers 5,
6 and 7 is preferably roof-shaped. In this case, the cylindrical
configuration of the pressure roller 5 is retained, whilst the deflection
roller 6 and the tension roller 7 are given a circumferential surface
design adapted to the shape of the inner surface of the pressure belt 8.
Therefore, a higher pressure zone forms in the central region of the
pressure belt 8, which pressure decreases towards the marginal areas
thereof.
The same effect is obtained if the perforated drum 1 is designed as a
double cone with maximum diameter in the middle of its working surface.
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