Material or article handling – Apparatus for moving material between zones having different... – For carrying standarized mechanical interface type
Patent
1986-10-17
1988-03-29
Spar, Robert J.
Material or article handling
Apparatus for moving material between zones having different...
For carrying standarized mechanical interface type
222368, B01J 302
Patent
active
047340045
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for establishing a passage for objects between zones having different environmental conditions for instance pressure and/or temperature. Objects of special interest in this context are such that shall undergo heat stabilization, for instance food products or pharmaceutical compounds.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The term heat stabilization involves a number of general processes such as sterilization, pasteurization, cooling, etc.
The heat stabilization thought at first hand in the present context comprises known concepts for refining and improving the efficiency of general processes.
In a stabilization process there may for instance be included a method for fast pre-heating to a temperature distribution in the product suited for microwave treatment. A two-step process comprising contact by a hot medium directly followed by a short contact with a cooler medium may precede or start the microwave treatment.
It is also possible to adjust the temperature profile in advance such that the microwave treatment gives a uniform temperature profile within the product.
A further possibility is to carry out the microwave treatment in water or other liquid and control the water temperature such that the surface temperature increase is suppressed.
Heat stabilization according to the present definition involves a qualified process technology and it is of importance that the physical conditions for the stabilization/process are the correct ones.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The problem according to the invention is to accomplish a sluice device to be inserted between zones having different environments and useful for a desired qualified process from a sealing point of view as well as in view of rational production. Such stipulations mean for instance also flexibility regarding pressure at a respective side of the sluice and also placement of the sluice in the actual process line.
The object of the present invention is to offer a sluice device which meets the requirements of the problem definition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a sluice device for use in a device for heat stabilization and insertable between zones having different environmental conditions, for instance pressure and/or temperature, comprising a drum that is rotatable in an opening in a housing. The sluice device is distinguished by radially displaceable flaps arranged at uniform mutual distances along the periphery of the drum, in that each flap has a first portion for sealing against the housing, and in that a second portion of the flap, adjacent to the drum, co-operates with a sealing device arranged between said second portion and the drum.
In one embodiment of the invention a joint device interconnects each flap with the drum such that a rotational movement controlled by the joint comprises a radial component of movement of the flap relative the drum. In another embodiment the movement of each flap is controlled by substantially radial grooves in the flange of the drum.
In that case where the sluice device is arranged for allowing passage of a conveyor, there is a conveyor inlet gap arranged between the drum and the housing. Each flap has recesses in said first portion and the conveyor comprises links where joints of the conveyor are arranged for sealing engagement in the recesses.
Preferably the combination of links and drum constitutes the transmission to the conveyor of a driving force from a drive motor driving the drum, preferably by dog members on the links that co-operate with driving members on the drum.
The sealing against the drum is obtained basically by forming a longitudinal groove in said second portion of each flap such that the groove is open towards the drum and arranging a longitudinal sealing member in the groove such that at least a portion thereof may be moved between two positions in the groove.
A pressure difference between spaces on the two sides of the flap brings the longitudinal sealing member in such a sealing position that the pressure difference mo
Malmgren Torsten
Stenstrom Lennart
Wahlstrom Lennart
Alfastar AB
Millman Stuart J.
Spar Robert J.
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