The invention relates to an apparatus for moving a working medium in the food or chemical industry, in particular for use in the production and/or modification of confectionery products, for example in a chocolate molding or decorating machine.
In many sectors of the food or chemical industry it is necessary to move a given working medium in space, it being desirable for the working medium to be able to approach any given position in space. By way of example only, reference is made to DE 198 11 403 A1, which discloses an apparatus for producing confectionery goods. In the cited document, spreader units for a pourable mass are moved along an X, Y, and Z direction by pneumatic or hydraulic means or by use of electric motors.
Another working medium is disclosed in DE 297 06 282 U, wherein a number of pumps are provided in a pump support by means of which a filling for chocolates may be delivered from a feed hopper into an appropriate mold by means of a nozzle.
The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the above-referenced type in which the movement of the working medium is significantly improved.
The object is achieved by the fact that the working medium is moved in at least one direction by means of a linear drive.
This linear drive is preferably a specialized drive which has not been used heretofore in the food or chemical industry. The linear drive operates inductively by means of a magnetic field which acts on a magnetic plate on the working medium to be moved or rotated, and moves the magnetic plate, and therefore the working medium. By controlling the magnetic field it is possible to make a very precise and repeatable approach to a desired position. Because the drive operates in a contactless manner, there is no abrasion or need for lubricant or the like, thus preventing soiling of the surroundings. This has proven to be very advantageous, in particular when such a linear drive is used in the production of confectionery products.
Three linear drives are preferably provided, thus allowing the working medium to be moved in the X, Y, and Z directions so that any given position in space may be assumed.
The working medium is preferably guided over runners in carriages, with either the carriages traveling along the runners, or the runners sliding in carriages by means of ball bearings.
Further advantages, features, and particulars of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings, which show the following:
According to
An independent linear drive 8 in the housing 1 is associated with the lifting column 2;
This magnetic plate 9 rests securely against the lifting column 2.
The lifting column 2 is guided in the direction of the double arrow Z by means of runners 10.1. and 10.2, which in turn slide in carriages 11.
The lifting column 2 rests on a sliding cradle 12, which in turn has carriages 13.1. and 13.2, except that in this case the carriages slide [in] runners 14.1 and 14.2. The sliding cradle 12 is moved in the direction of the double arrow X, once again by means of a linear drive 15 which has the design of linear drive 5 or linear drive 8.
The pump support 3 may be moved to any desired position in space by means of the three linear drives 5, 8, and 15.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2006 004 655.2 | Jan 2006 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP07/00798 | 1/31/2007 | WO | 00 | 11/19/2008 |