Apparatus for sorting granulated products, particularly in the mill grinding field

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for sorting granulated products particularly in the mill grinding field according to the first part of claim 1. Such products are, for example, incoherent loose products, and in particular flour products from break-up equipment.

[0002] As is known, for sifting, sorting, and grading granulated products in general, several types of apparatus have been made available commercially. As an example, known are sifters which comprise essentially a hollow cylinder having its wall perforated with holes of a desired size for product screening, and plansifters comprising freely oscillating flat sifters.

[0003] These and other apparatus have the serious disadvantage of being complex and expensive constructions on account of the large masses which are to be set in motion therein for sorting the product being processed.

[0004] To obviate such drawbacks affecting prior apparatus, as well as to attenuate their bulkiness, this same Applicant has already disclosed an apparatus for sifting, sorting, and grading granulated products in general, which is fully described in the Italian Patent Application No. 25,387 A/80. Said apparatus marks an improvement over prior apparatus through its decreased bulk and above all reduced moving masses. However, said apparatus still includes moving means, in particular a paddle rotor for moving the product to be sorted onto a screening layer.

[0005] Also known from DE-A-3 138 430 is an apparatus for sorting granulated products which include a forced air circulation. The forced air circulation is created by a suction device and a device for generating a pressurized air flow, and defines at a screening layer, a forced flow of air mixed with the product being treated.

[0006] Accordingly, an aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for sorting granular products which is not susceptible to clogging of the screening member, even when granulated products have to be sorted which contain substances which are difficult to remove.

[0007] Within the above-cited aim, an object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for sorting granulated products which can be easily serially combined together with similar apparatuses to fulfill special sorting application requirements.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for sorting granular products, wherein the screening layers are fully utilized and the formation of "dead pockets" is thus avoided.

[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for sorting granular products which has a greatly reduced bulk.

[0010] Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for sorting granular products which is very easy to clean, even upon the screening member becoming contaminated by substances which are difficult to remove.

[0011] A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which can solve the technical problem of a reduction of the moving members for sorting granulated products in general.

[0012] An even further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus which is specially versatile, in that it may be constructed in a number of versions to meet varying applicational requirements.

[0013] A not least object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus which is quite simple construction-wise and can be readily formed from commercially available elements and materials, as well as being highly competitive from a purely economical standpoint.

[0014] A further object of this invention is to provide particular embodiments of the apparatus which are advantageous per se and lead to technical advance, and embodiments which, while using moving parts of greatly reduced mass, can achieve important results even in the presence of such contaminants as paper or the like.

[0015] These and other objects, such as will be apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1 for sorting granulated products as defined in the characterizing clause of claim 1.

[0016] Further features and advantages will be more clearly understood from the following exemplary description of an embodiment of the inventive apparatus for sorting granulated products, as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a schematical sectional view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; and

Figure 2 is a perspective detail view of the same apparatus of Figure 1.

[0017] Making reference to the drawing figures the embodiment of the invention is generally designated with the reference numeral 101 and comprises essentially a casing 102 wherein is mounted a screening member 103 including one, and preferably several substantially cylindrical containers 104a, 104b, 104c, inserted coaxially within one another and having walls 105a, 105b, 105c, respectively, which are partially pervious to the flow of air and granulated material fed thereto bordering corresponding retaining chambers.

[0018] The means for feeding air and material to the screening member comprise feeder members 106 of conventional design and provided, for example with a fan 107 the delivery pipe 108 whereof is connected to a feeder device 109, e.g. of the spider valve type, and, after passing through the casing 102 in sealed relationship therewith, opens to the interior of the first container 104a.

[0019] The processing chambers are thus separated from the cylindrical containers whose walls define the screening layers, thereby a first chamber half will coincide with the second chamber half of the container directly inside it.

[0020] The containers 104a, 104b, 104c cooperate with a rotary drive 110, e.g. a gear motor, optionally driving each container at a different angular velocity, such as through the use of a gear motor having several coaxial shafts acting each on one of the cited cylindrical containers and being connected to the motor at different drive ratios. On the gear motor side, or preferably on the remote side from it, the casing 102 is provided with an access door 111 for optionally cleaning the cylindrical containers manually, which are open at the door side end for optional emptying thereof.

[0021] At the open ends of the containers discharge ducts are provided which constitute the discharging means for the screened and/or non-screened materials, respectively indicated at 112a, 112b, 112c along which valving means 113a, 113b, 113c are inserted, e.g. as comprising spider valves of the same type as previously indicated at 109.

[0022] To further clarify the above description, the door(s) 111 can be opened at the casing to make for easier inspection of the screening member, and in a preferred embodiment, wiping members 115 are mounted on the latter which comprise, as an example, for all these cylindrical containers which are inserted coaxially within at least another, brushes 116a and 116b which are mounted on the external surfaces of the corresponding containers 104a and 104b in a helical or auger-like arrangement and act on the internal surface of the directly adjacent container where- into the former is inserted. An additional helical brush 116c is mounted inside the cylinder 104a so as to produce a relative movement between the cited cylinder and brush 116c, e.g. by mounting it onto an open support, not shown and connected to a shaft of the gear motor.

[0023] A second wiping member acting on the screening surface 105c may be formed, for example, from a bank of stationary brushes 117 carried on the interior of the casing 102 and acting on the external surface of the screening cylinder 105c. One possible alternative contemplates the use of perforated tubes, not shown, which are effective to direct compressed air jets onto the screening surface of the cylinder 105c.

[0024] This affords the evident advantage of conveying the separated material from each screening surface to the ducts 112 so as to allow it to be discharged from the apparatus 101.

[0025] For that reason, and as outlined hereinabove, it is preferable that each cylinder be rotated at a different speed from the cylinders directly adjacent it.

[0026] The fan 107 is located upstream of the material infeed by way of example only, as the same machine operation may be implemented by connecting the fan 107 suction side to an inlet duct 120 of the casing 102 wherethrough air and product of a sufficiently fine grain size are flown to pass through the screening surfaces of the member 103, to trigger vacuum operation of the apparatus.

[0027] Of preference, the screening surfaces of the various containers are shaped to hold back material in decreasing grain size from the innermost container 104a to the outermost container 104c.

[0028] With this embodiment, the product to be screened is introduced into the container 104a of the sorting machine as fed in by the feeding members 106 such that a mixture of pressurized air and product to be screened is conducted to the interior of the cited container.

[0029] The containers are rotatively driven by the gear motor 110 preferably at different speeds from one another such that the brushes 116a, 116b, 116c can effect, in wiping the screening surfaces clean, the discharge of the product which has not been moved through the respective containers via the ducts 112, which are regulated by the valving members 113, said residual product being conveyed toward the cited ducts owing to their motion relatively to the walls on which they act as well as to their auger-like shape.

[0030] Thus, the product is passed through the first screening surface 105a to only deposit inside the first container that coarse grain size material which is either picked up by occasionally opening the door 111 or discharged through the ducts 112a, 112b, 112c by the combined rotary motion of the brushes and cylinders and owing to the air thrust, since the duct 108 will preferably extend over a significant distance through the container 104a and create a labyrinth passageway.

[0031] In going through the screening surfaces, the product leaves behind deposits of materials having different grain sizes, and just the material which has a desired grain size will be able to go through the screening surface 105c to discharge through the duct 120 along with the air forced in by the fan 107.

[0032] The provision of doors 111 greatly facilitates the maintenance and occasional cleaning operations of the containers where the latter are not provided with the members 115.

[0033] Thus, any forms of clogging of the screening member are effectively prevented, even where the product is contaminated by substances which are hard to remove with conventional wiping members.

[0034] For special application requirements, it would also be possible to serially combine together a number of machines, with one or more containing cylinders.

[0035] Thus, the invention fully achieves its objects. It should be pointed out that not only the high interia moving masses have been virtually removed and volume requirements reduced, but also the screening layers can be fully utilized because they have no dead pockets. Also quite easy is the arrangement of several screening layers for sorting to a desired grading level.

[0036] Lastly, it is important to observe that the apparatus is also advantageous in its specific technical aspects as deducible from the specification and drawings and apparent to a skilled person in the art.

[0037] The invention is susceptible of many modifications and variations, without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sorting granulated products, particularly in the mill grinding field, comprising a stationary casing (102) defining on its interior at least one processing chamber having at least a screening member (103) whereto means (106) for feeding the product to be sorted and discharging means (112), adapted for discharging the non-screened product and/or screened product are connected members (107) for generating a forced air circulation being interposed between said feeding means (106) and said discharging means (112) thereby defining, at said at least one screening member (103), a forced flow of air mixed with the product being treated, characterized in that said screening member (103) is carried rotatably in said casing (102) and adapted for cooperating with a rotary drive (110).

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said screening member (103) comprises a plurality of containers (104a-104c) mutually associated coaxially with one another and being provided with a screening wall (105a-105c) adapted to hold back particles of the material to be treated with decreasing cross- section from the innermost container (104a) to the outermost container (104c).

3. An apparatus according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that associated with each said containers (104) is a wiping member (115).

4. An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said containers (104a-104c) have a substantially cylindrical shape and are inserted coaxially within one another, said wiping members including brushes (116a-116c) acting on the screening walls (105) of said containers (104).

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said screening member (103) comprises at least one cylindrical container (104) having a screening surface (105) cooperating with helical brushes (116), adapted to convey the product held back on said screening surface (103) toward discharging means (112).

6. An apparatus according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that adjacent containers (104) are driven rotatively at different angular velocities.

7. An apparatus according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that, at least at one end of said containers (104), inspection doors (111) are provided in said casing (102).

8. An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that said discharging means (112) comprise discharge ducts (112a-112c) provided, at least at one end of said containers (104), said discharge ducts (112a-112c) being located on said casing and intercepted by valving means (113).

9. An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wiping members (115) comprise a brush element (117) adapted for acting on the screening surface (105c) of the outermost container (104c) and being carried on said casing (102).

10. An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said brushes (116a-116c) comprise helical brushes each mounted on external surfaces of a container (104a-104c) and adapted to act on an internal surface of an adjacent container.

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung zum Sortieren von körnigem Material, insbesondere für Mühlen, bestehend aus einem stationären Gehäuse (102), das in seinem Inneren wenigstens eine Aufbereitungskammer mit wenigstens einem Siebkörper (103) definiert, an welchen Einrichtungen (106) zur Zufuhr von zu sortierendem Material und Austragseinrichtungen (112) zum Austrag des nicht gesiebten Materials und/oder gesiebten Materials angeschlossen sind und wobei zwischen den Zuführungseinrichtungen (106) und den Austragsinrichtungen (112) Einrichtungen (107) für die Erzeugung einer Zwangsluftzirkulation eingeschaltet ist, um dadurch an wenigstens dem einen Siebkörper (103) einen Zwangsluftstrom, vermischt mit dem zu behandelnden Material, zu schaffen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der genannte Siebkörper (103) drehbar im Gehäuse (102) gelagert ist und mit einem Drehantrieb (110) zusammenwirkt.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Siebkörper (103) aus einer Vielzahl von Behältern (104a-104c) besteht, die gegenseitig einander koaxial zugeordnet und je mit einer Siebwand (105a-105b) zur Zurückhaltung von Teilchen des zu behandelnden Materials mit abnehmendem Querschnitt vom innersten Behälter (104a) aus bis zum äußersten Behälter (104c) versehen sind.

3. Vorrichtung nach den Ansprüchen 1 und 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jedem der Behälter (104) ein Wischer (115) zugeordnet ist.

4. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Behälter (104a­104c) eine im wesentlichen zylindrische Form besitzen und koaxial ineinander eingesetzt sind, wobei die Wischer Bürsten (116a-116c) aufweisen, welche auf die Siebwände (105) der Behälter (104) wirken.

5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Siebkörper (103) aus wenigstens einem zylindrischen Behälter (104) mit einer Siebfläche (105) besteht, die mit schraubenförmigen Bürsten (116) zusammenwirkt, um das auf den Siebflächen (103) zurückgehaltene Material zu den Austragseinrichtungen (112) hin zu befördern.

6. Vorrichtung nach den Ansprüchen 2, 3, 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß benachbarte Behälter (104) mit verschiedenen Winkelgeschwindigkeiten in Drehung angetrieben werden.

7. Vorrichtung nach den Ansprüchen 2, 3, 4, 5 oder 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß wenigstens an einem Ende der Behälter (104) Schautüren (111) im Gehäuse (102) vorgesehen sind.

8. Vorrichtung nach einem der mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Austragseinrichtungen (112) aus Austragsleitungen (112a-112c) bestehen, die an wenigstens einem Ende der Behälter (104) vorgesehen sind, wobei die Austragsleitungen (112a-112c) am Gehäuse angeordnet und durch Ventile (113) gesperrt sind.

9. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Wischer (115) aus einem Bürstenteil (117) bestehen, der auf die Siebfläche (105c) des äußersten Behälters (104c) wirkt und am Gehäuse (102) gehaltert ist.

10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Bürsten (116a-116c) aus schraubenförmigen Bürsten bestehen, von denen jede an Außenflächen eines Behälters (104a­104c) montiert ist und auf eine Innerfläche eines benachbarten Behälters wirkt.

Revendications

1. Appareil pour trier des produits en grains, en particulier dans le domaine de la meunerie, comprenant un carter stationnaire (102) définissant à l'intérieur au moins une chambre de traitement ayant au moins un élément de tamisage (103) auquel sont raccordés des moyens (106) pour amener le produit à trier et des moyens d'évacuation (112) adaptés pour évacuer le produit non tamisé et/ou le produit tamisé, des éléments (107) pour produire une circulation d'air forcée étant interposés entre ces moyens alimenteurs (106) et ces moyens d'évacuation (112) définissant ainsi, au niveau de l'élément de tamisage (103) uncourant forcé d'air mélangé avec le produit à traiter, caractérisé en ce que cet élément de tamisage (103) est monté à rotation dans le carter (102) et est adapté pour coopérer avec un entraînement de rotation (110).

2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que cet élément de tamisage (103) comprend une multiplicité de récipients (104a-104c) mutuellement associés coaxialement l'un avec l'autre et comportant une paroi de tamisage (105a-105c) adaptée pour retenir les particules de produit à traiter avec une section décroissante depuis le récipient le plus à l'intérieur (104a) jusqu'au récipient le plus à l'extérieur (104c).

3. Appareil selon les revendications 1 et 2, caractérisé en ce qu'un élément d'essuyage (115) est associé avec chaque récipient (104).

4. Appareil selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les récipients (104a-104c) ont une forme pratiquement cylindrique et sont introduits coaxialement l'un à l'intérieur de l'autre, les éléments d'essuyage étant des brosses (116a-116c) coopérant avec les parois de tamisage (105) des récipients (104).

5. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de tamisage (103) comprend au moins un récipient cylindrique (104) ayant une surface de tamisage (105) coopérant avec des brosses hélicoîdales (116) adaptées pour transporter le produit retenu sur cette surface de tamisage (103) en direction des moyens d'évacuation (112).

6. Appareil selon les revendications 2, 3, 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce que des récipients adjacents (104) sont entraînés en rotation à des vitesses angulaires différentes.

7. Appareil selon la revendication 2, 3, 4, 5 ou 6, caractérisé en ce que, au moins au niveau d'une extrémité de ces récipients (104), il est prévu des portes d'inspection (111) dans la carter (102).

8. Appareil selon ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les moyens d'évacuation (112) comportent des conduits d'évacuation (112a-112c) prévus, au moins à une extrémité de ces récipients (104), les conduits d'évacuation (112a-112c) étant disposés sur le carter et comportant des moyens de vannes (113).

9. Appareil selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les éléments d'essuyage (115) comportent une brosse (117) adaptée pour coopérer avec la surface de tamisage (105c) du récipient le plus à l'extérieur (104c) et portée sur le carter (102).

10. Appareil selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que ces brosses (116a-116c) sont des brosses hélicoîdales montées chacune sur la surface extérieure d'un récipient (104a-104c) et adaptées pour coopérer avec une surface intérieure d'un récipient adjacent.

Drawing