Patent Application
20180312281
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for filling a container with a shaped foodstuff product, for example, filling a canning container with fish, including tuna or salmon.
In current systems and methods for canning fish and other food items, a conveyor belt carries the fish or food product to a canning station. At the canning station, the leading end(s) of the fish fillets or food items are fed into a receiving chamber. Thereafter, the portion of the fillet/food item inserted into the receiving chamber is sheared from the rest of the fillet/food item. Next, the fish/food item is transferred into a compression chamber from receiving chamber with a sliding plunger. The compression chamber includes one or more cavities sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of containers to be filled. The cavities are oriented transverse to a direction of movement of the sliding plunger. The plunger pushes against the fish/food to force the fish/food item into these cavities. Thereafter, ejection pistons push the fish/food out of the compression chamber cavities and into cans or other containers positioned in registry with the cavities. Once the cans have been filled with fish/food items, they are transported to other locations for further processing, for example, for adding oil, water, or other liquid to the cans and then applying a cover to the cans.
One drawback of existing apparatus and methods for filling cans with fish or other foods is that the fish/food may be compressed several times before it is actually placed within the cans. This occurs because leftover pressed fish/food remains in the compression chamber after the cans have been filled. The amount of fish/food loaded into the compression chamber by necessity is greater than the volume needed to fill the cans. This is to ensure that there is sufficient fish/food in the compression chamber to fill the cans.
The amount of leftover fish/food in the compression chamber increases with each filling cycle and is added to the leftover fish/food from prior compressions of the fish/foods into the compression chamber. Thus, as the amount of leftover fish/food in the compression chamber grows with each cycle, the fish/food may have been compressed at least several times before being placed into the cans. By the time the fish/food has been subjected to several compressions and eventually placed into a can, the appearance of the fish/food has been significantly compromised. In this regard, the compression cycles applied to the fish cause loss of the texture and natural appearance of the fish. Also, the ability of the fish to receive and absorb oil, water, or other liquids when within the can is affected. The present apparatus and method seeks to address the foregoing shortcomings of existing fish/food canning apparatus and methods.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
An apparatus for filling canning containers with fish or other foodstuff comprises: a receiving channel for receiving the foodstuff; a compression chamber in registry with the receiving channel, the compression chamber having one or more foodstuff receiving cavities; a plunger for advancing movement of the foodstuff from the receiving channel into the compression chamber and into the compression chamber cavities; ejectors slidably engageable into the compression chamber cavities for ejecting the foodstuff from the cavities and into a canning container position in registry with the one or more cavities; a monitoring system for monitoring the movement of the plunger relative to the receiving channel and compression chamber; and a control system to control movement of the plunger relative to the compression chamber and receiving channel and stop the advancing movement of the plunger at a desired location relative to the compression chamber.
In a further aspect, the control system includes a linear displacement measurement device extending along the direction of travel of the plunger.
In a further aspect, the linear displacement measurement device comprises: a stationary signal generator extending along the direction of travel of the plunger; and a sensor mounted to travel with the plunger to produce an output signal corresponding to the location of the plunger relative to the receiving channel and the compression chamber.
In a further aspect, a control system is adjustable to set the end point location of travel of the plunger relative to the compression chamber.
In a further aspect, the control system is adjustable to stop the movement of the plunger relative to the compression chamber so that a minimum amount of foodstuff remains in the compression chamber at the end of the plunger stroke.
In a further aspect, the control system is operable to control the amount of foodstuff that is fed into the infeed chamber depending upon the stop location of the plunger relative to the compression chamber.
In a further aspect, the plunger is powered by a brushless linear actuator wherein the travel of the plunger and/or the force imposed on the plunger by the linear actuator can be monitored and controlled.
In a further aspect, the linear actuator is in the form of a brushless linear actuator.
An apparatus for canning foodstuff, such as fish, comprises: a receiving channel for receiving sliced pieces of the foodstuff; a compression chamber in registry with the receiving channel, the compression chamber comprising one or more foodstuff receiving cavities; a plunger for transferring the foodstuff from the receiving channel into the compression chamber, including into the one or more compression chamber cavities; the plunger being powered to travel in a compression stroke through the compression chamber to force the foodstuff into the one or more foodstuff receiving cavities; an ejector slidably engageable into the one or more compression chamber cavities for ejecting the foodstuff from the one or more cavities into a canning container positioned in registry with the one or more cavities; and a control system to control the end of the movement of the plunger during the compression stroke.
In accordance with a further aspect, the control system comprises a linear displacement measurement device.
In accordance with a further aspect, the linear displacement measurement device extends along the direction of travel of the plunger to monitor the movement of the plunger during the compression stroke.
In accordance with a further aspect, the linear displacement measurement device comprises: a stationary signal generator extending along the direction of travel of the plunger; and a sensor mounted to travel with the plunger to produce an output signal corresponding to the location of the plunger relative to the receiving channel of the compression chamber.
In a further aspect, the control system is adjustable to set the end point location of the travel of the plunger relative to the compression chamber.
In accordance with a further aspect, a cycle of the apparatus comprises: loading the receiving chamber with the foodstuff, advancing the plunger to transfer the foodstuff into the compression chamber and to fill the receiving cavities with the foodstuff, ejecting the foodstuff from the cavities with the ejectors to transfer the foodstuff into the canning containers, and then retracting the plunger relative to the compression chamber and receiving chamber; and the control system is adjustable to set the travel end point of the plunger relative to the compression chamber resulting in setting the amount of foodstuff that remains in the compression chamber at the end of the cycle of the apparatus.
In a further aspect, the control system is adjustable to stop the movement of the plunger relative to the compression chamber so that a minimum amount of foodstuff remains in the compression chamber at the end of the plunger stroke.
In a further aspect, the control system is operable to control the amount of foodstuff that is fed into the infeed chamber depending on the stop location of the plunger relative to the compression chamber.
In a further aspect, the control system comprises a linear transducer, wherein as the plunger moves, the sensor moves along the linear transducer and the linear transducer produces an output signal related to the position of the sensor along the linear transducer.
In a further aspect, the control system is adjustable to stop the movement of the plunger relative to the compression chamber at a desired location so that a desired amount of foodstuff remains in the compression chamber at the end of the plunger travel toward the compression chamber.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Similarly, any steps described herein may be interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in order to achieve the same or substantially similar result.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that many embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of the specific details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein.
The present application may include references to directions, such as “forward,” “rearward,” “front,” “back,” “upward,” “downward,” “right-hand,” left-hand,” “in,” “out,” “extended,” “advanced,” “retracted,” “proximal,” “distal,” “central,” etc. These references and other similar references in the present application are only to assist in helping describe and understand the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention to these directions or locations. Also, references to “container,” “can,” or similar items are understood to be interchangeable and are not meant to be limiting in nature.
The present application may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The term “about,” “approximately,” etc. means plus or minus 5% of the stated value.
The present apparatus and method is applicable to various types of food that is placed into containers, such as cans. Such foods can include fish, meats, poultry, vegetables, etc. With respect to fish, various types can be processed via the previous disclosure, including, for example, tuna and salmon. The following description is in the context of canning fish. However, the apparatus and method of the present disclosure is not limited to fish.
The present application refers to “foodstuff,” “foodstuff product,” “food,” “food products,” and “food items.” There is no differentiation among any of these terms, which are generic references to one type of work product with which the present apparatus and method are operable.
Referring initially to
The compression chamber 18 includes two circular cavities or lobes 20 disposed transversely to the travel direction of the plunger 16, into which the fish is pushed by the plunger 16 thereby to fill the cavities/lobes 20 with fish. Curved die cutters 22 shear the fish to form two cakes 24. A thin separating wedge 26 extends downwardly between the cavities/lobes 20 to cut the fish 17 into two separate cakes 24. Thereafter, a wall that initially closes off the front of the cavities/lobes 20 is retracted, and then pistons 28 are advanced into the cavities/lobes from behind to eject the formed cakes 24 out of the cavities/lobes 20 and into container cans 30 positioned in front of the cavities/lobes 20. Once filled, the container cans 30 may be transferred to subsequent processing stations, including for adding oil, water, or other liquid to the cans and then applying a cover to the cans.
Next, discussing aspects of the apparatus 10 in greater detail, the plunger 16 is generally rectangular in shape with a thickness that corresponds to the thickness of the infeed channel or chamber 12. The plunger 16 is constructed with a bottom connecting bracket 40 depending downwardly from the lower edge portion of the plunger 16. The connecting bracket 40 includes an upper bar portion 42 that is fixedly attached to the lower edge of the plunger 16. A pair of parallel arms 44 extend downwardly from bar portion 42 to terminate at a round collar portion 46 that receives a close-fitting pin 48 that extends through the collar portion 46 as well as through an upper distal circular eye 50 affixed to the upper end of rod 52 extending upwardly from an exterior cylindrical housing 54. The cylindrical housing 54 is pinned to the clevis portion 56 of the pivot arm 58 that oscillates about a pivot axis 60 by a power source, not shown. Also, in the interior of the cylindrical housing, a compression spring acts between the rod 52 and the housing 54 so that an adjustable maximum compression force can be applied to the fish 17 in the channel 12 by the plunger 16. Other ways of attaching the rod 52 to the plunger 16 can be utilized: for example, a ball joint may be employed.
Next, referring to
At the end of the second cycle, an additional quantity of extra fish will have accumulated, which is designated in
It can be appreciated that this accumulated fish may have been compressed several times before it is eventually loaded into the cans/containers 30. This means that the fish at the top of the infeed channel at cycle N may have originated from two cycles ago, or perhaps even earlier than that. As a consequence, such fish may be overly compressed by the time it finally is loaded into a can. As such, the fish may have lost its naturally appearing and appealing texture or appearance. Moreover, the overly compressed fish will absorb oil, water, or other liquid differently. As a result, the quality of the fish offered to the consumer may not be to a standard that is desired.
As shown in
The end stroke of the plunger 16 is detected and then set through the use of an elongate linear transducer 80 disposed stationary and parallel to the travel direction of the plunger 16, as shown in
As the magnetic sensor 82 moves along the transducer unit 80, the output voltage signal (or perhaps a current signal) generated by the transducer changes indicates the precise location of the magnetic sensor along the length of the transducer. Such output signal can be used to set the stroke of the plunger 16, including its initial (bottom) end point, and end (top) point set point. Thus the linear transducer can be set up to control the stroke of the plunger. The output from the transducer is used to control the operation of the fish feed system 14 so that a desired quantity of fish 17 is delivered from the infeed belt into the infeed channel 12. Further, it will be appreciated that because the sensor 82 is separate and sealed relative to the transducer 80, the transducer can enjoy a very long life cycle, perhaps virtually indefinite if properly utilized. Moreover, linear transducers, such as linear transducer 80, are designed to operate in wide temperature ranges and are able to withstand high vibration and shock levels. Further, such transducers have low hysteresis and excellent repeatability. Linear transducers, such as linear transducer 80, are articles of commerce.
Also, the apparatus 10 can be controlled to load the chamber 12 with a desired quantity/volume of fish from belt 13 to be pushed upwardly into the compression chamber 18 by the plunger 16 thereby to load the lobes 20. This quantity of fish is determined by the operation of the fish feed system 14. Thus, it is possible to limit or control the extent to which the fish is compressed by the plunger 16 during the process of filling the can containers. In this regard, it is desirable to not over-compress the fish so that the fish retains a natural appearance when placed within the can containers.
As will be appreciated, the use of the linear transducer 80 enables the quantity of fish that remains within the compression chamber 18 to be calculated when the plunger 16 has reached the end of its stroke. As noted above, it is desirable that a bare minimum amount of fish remains within the compression chamber 18 at the end of a fill cycle. This information is used to determine how much fish is to be loaded from the belt 13 into the infeed chamber 12 for the next loading operation. Such amount of fish is set so that at the end of the fill cycle, the plunger 16 always stops at the same elevation or location relative to the compression chamber 18. The amount of fish placed within the containers by the apparatus 10 is always the same (determined by the fish volume times the fish density). In this manner, the texture and appearance of the fish can be controlled, since the fish is not being compressed multiple times before being placed into the canning containers.
While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although two cavities or lobes 20 are shown and described above, it is to be understood that a different number of cavities or lobes can be utilized, for example, 1, 3, 4, etc.
Also, the above arrangement may be replaced with an actuator wherein the rod 52 is directly powered to advance and retract up and down. In this regard, an actuator can be used that employs a brushless piston to power the rod 52. Such brushless actuators are articles of commerce. The use of a brushless piston system will enable the stroke of and force applied by the plunger to be accurately controlled as desired since the position of the plunger 16 and the force being applied to the plunger will always be known. Thus, the use of the brushless piston eliminates the need for the linear transducer described above. Nonetheless, the linear transducer can be used to provide redundancies to apparatus 10.
