CH722013A1 - Device for creating a multi-component mass and method for producing a multi-component mass - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing a multi-component mass M comprising a first feeder 11 for feeding particles P, a first vacuum system 20, wherein the first vacuum system 20 is configured to extract gases between the fed particles P, and a throat chamber device 70 with a conveying device 73, which is configured to produce a multi-component mass M from the metered particles P in the evacuated state with at least one liquid component K. The invention further relates to a method for producing a multi-component mass M.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for creating a multi-component mass and a method for producing a multi-component mass.

Technological background

[0002] In the production of gelatin-containing confectionery, often also called “fruit gum”, a casting mass is produced in the prior art along a typical mogul plant or mogul line, which is then poured into the molds in a subsequent casting station using the casting machine.

[0003] The problem with known Mogul processes is that at the high temperatures typically exceeding 100°C used during cooking, and at the still high temperatures of 60 to 90°C at which the casting compounds are stored before casting, temperature-sensitive ingredients are damaged or even inactivated. Therefore, there is a need for a gentler process that can be carried out at lower temperatures.

[0004] Another problem arises from the batch process, which is common in the production of the casting compound known from the prior art. This process negatively impacts the consistency and uniformity of the products, as they then have an individual history due to the different holding times of the respective casting compound, with fluctuations in the products occurring particularly in the case of sensitive ingredients.

[0005] On the other hand, continuous processes are generally more uniform, easier to control, easier to document, easier to automate, and ultimately also more cost-effective in terms of production costs. These advantages are of particular importance for high-quality products containing active ingredients. Therefore, there is a need for a continuous process.

[0006] WO 2007/128150 A1 of the same applicant describes a low-temperature mogul process in which particulate starch is used in the casting compound, i.e., the casting compound is not boiled. The starch particles in the casting compound swell over time and are only present in a swollen form in a phase after casting.

[0007] The described methods are not continuous; although continuous mixing of the particulate starch is mentioned as a further possibility, it is not discussed how this is to be implemented in practice.

[0008] The examples are further demonstrated using fractionated powders of particulate starch, i.e., starch powders with narrow particle size distributions. This is technically complex because sieving processes must be employed, and expensive because the fractions outside the desired particle size range cannot be used. The particulate starches used in the examples are extruded and contain short-chain starches and/or plasticizers such as glycerin and/or an additional hydrocolloid such as xanthan gum. However, such products are not commercially available and must be specially manufactured, which results in comparatively very high costs.

[0009] WO 2010/072847 A2 of the same applicant also describes a low-temperature mogul process where particulate starch is used in the casting compound. A key aspect of the process concerns the residence time spectrum of the particulate starch in the continuous process, i.e., the time the starch particles are in contact with the liquid phase, which should be as short as possible. This is because, as soon as the starch particles come into contact with the liquid, water-containing phase, they begin to swell, causing the viscosity to increase and eventually become so high that the casting compound is no longer pourable.

[0010] Even with this method, the products are still too firm for market needs. While active ingredients are mentioned, the necessary characteristics of the formulations are not disclosed. Like the application mentioned above, this application is geared towards confectionery and filled products that, for example, have a more or less liquid filling inside.

[0011] Although the described method degasses the mixture of starch powder with the liquid phase, i.e., with the liquid sugar mass or with the syrup, it is not sufficient to extract the air bubbles that inevitably form when conveying or mixing the powder into the liquid, especially not in large-scale industrial processes. Furthermore, the throughputs required for cost-effective production cannot be achieved with the described method.

[0012] When conveying or mixing the particles into the multi-component mass, gases such as air are mixed in. At the low temperatures of the process, where the viscosity is comparatively high and no water can be boiled off (which would help to remove the air bubbles from the mass), this gas can no longer be extracted from the mass to the required extent. Thus, the otherwise advantageous low-temperature process has the consequence that a larger number of air bubbles are present in the products, which is unacceptable.

[0013] There is therefore a general need for improvements in this area.

[0014] The present invention aims to at least partially overcome the challenges and disadvantages of prior art mogul devices or apparatuses for creating a multi-component mass, while simultaneously maintaining the advantages of this technology and enabling additional benefits, in particular the time-constant and air-bubble-free incorporation of particles into a multi-component mass. The invention discloses a new apparatus and a new method for creating a multi-component mass, with which the throughputs required for the cost-effective production of multi-component masses are achieved.

Description of the invention

[0015] One object of the invention is to provide devices and methods for producing multi-component masses which counteract at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages and/or other disadvantages.

[0016] These and other problems are solved by a device for producing a multi-component mass, a method for producing a multi-component mass, and a system for creating a multi-component mass according to the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

[0017] The solution according to the invention can be further improved by various embodiments, each advantageous in itself and, unless otherwise stated, combinable with one another, and variations known to those skilled in the art. These embodiments and their associated advantages are discussed below.

[0018] A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for creating a multi-component mass comprising a first feed for feeding particles, a first vacuum system, wherein the first vacuum system is configured to extract gases between the fed particles, and a throat chamber device with a conveying device configured to create a multi-component mass from the particles in the evacuated state with at least one liquid component.

[0019] The device enables the production of a multi-component mass in a low-temperature mogul process, which is free of air bubbles, wherein the particles can be introduced into the multi-component mass at a constant rate by falling into the throat assembly. The device according to the invention enables a continuous process that is fundamentally more uniform, easier to control, easier to document, easier to automate, and ultimately also more cost-effective in terms of production costs.

[0020] The conveying device can comprise a screw with which the multi-component mass can be continuously discharged from the pharyngeal device. Alternatively, the conveying device can be a nozzle which acts on the multi-component mass with a nozzle jet pressure and discharges it from the pharyngeal device. For example, the conveying device can be a pump to efficiently discharge the multi-component mass from the pharyngeal device. Known pumps are efficient and cost-effective.

[0021] Before entering the first vacuum system, the particles are mixed with gases, such as air. These gases are separated from the particles in the first vacuum system, so that virtually no gases remain between the particles, at the latest in the conveying unit. The resulting powder thus consists only of evacuated particles, which are then conveyed with the liquid component in the throat section of the conveying unit, which is also under vacuum, so that a gas bubble-free and therefore non-foaming multi-component mass can be produced.

[0022] The first feeder can include a conveying system for feeding the particles, such as a screw conveyor, a belt conveyor, or a pneumatic conveyor. The pneumatic conveyor allows for the rapid feeding of the particles into the first vacuum system. The first vacuum system can then be evacuated without significant time loss. This makes it easy to overcome, for example, a height difference between a particle storage location and the first feeder and the first vacuum system. Furthermore, the first feeder can include a flow meter to monitor the quantity of particles being fed, ensuring that a sufficient quantity of particles can be fed into the first vacuum system in a controlled manner. In particular, the first vacuum system has a fill level measurement function, thus preventing overfilling of the first vacuum system with particles.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, a mixing device is provided which is configured to create a mixed multi-component mass from the particles in the evacuated state with at least the liquid component. This allows the production of a homogeneous multi-component mass that is virtually free of gas bubbles. The mixing device can be arranged outside the mouth chamber device, with the conveying device conveying the multi-component mass into the mixing device. This allows the introduction of the evacuated particles into the liquid component to be spatially separated from the homogeneous mixing process, thus reducing the structural complexity of the device and enabling the production of a cost-effective device.

[0024] In the present case, distributive mixing is preferably used, whereby the exchange of positions of the particles with the liquid component in the multi-component mass takes place until a uniform distribution of the components is achieved. The resulting mixing flows are of primary importance, so that a desired homogenization in the multi-component mass is achieved.

[0025] In particular, the conveying device includes the mixing device and is configured to create a mixed multi-component mass from the particles in the evacuated state with the liquid component in the throat device. The conveying and mixing of the evacuated particles with the liquid component can take place entirely in the throat device. Since the mixing device also has the vacuum of the first vacuum system, the gas bubble-free multi-component mass can be produced reliably.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the mixing device is arranged in a chamber of the chamber assembly and has at least one filling zone and one compression zone. In the filling zone, the evacuated particles and the liquid component are transferred from the first vacuum system. During the production of the multi-component mixture, the chamber is less than 70% filled, so that the mixing of the evacuated particles with the liquid component already takes place efficiently in the filling zone. The chamber has essentially the same negative pressure as the first vacuum system. Advantageously, the chamber is only 30% filled during the production of the multi-component mixture, thus improving the mixing process. In the compression zone, the multi-component mixture is compressed and thereby thoroughly mixed, with increased mixing pressures present there. These pressures improve the mixing process and also simplify the discharge of the multi-component mixture from the chamber assembly. The chamber should be large enough to contain a sufficient amount of multi-component mixture to be mixed. This prevents the liquid component or the multi-component mixture from entering the feeder of the evacuated particles. This would lead to undesirable contamination of the feeder. Advantageously, the evacuated particles can be dosed freely into the pharynx, thus improving the production of a homogeneous multi-component mixture.

[0027] In particular, the homogeneously mixed multi-component mass can be discharged from the throat assembly in the compression zone. The multi-component mass is discharged from the compression zone into a stator zone and then conveyed into a connecting line towards a casting station or another processing unit, or directly packaged. The stator zone can be spatially separated from the throat assembly. The rotor-stator in the stator zone essentially has the form of a spindle, which enables improved transport of the finished multi-component mass. For example, an eccentric screw pump is arranged in the stator zone, which efficiently discharges the multi-component mass with high pumping efficiency. The connecting line for conveying the multi-component mass is designed as a flexible hose with force decoupling.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the mixing device comprises a screw pump. This enables, in principle, both the mixing and transport of the multi-component mass. Preferably, the screw pitch of the last screw turn is steeper than the screw pitch of the other screw turns, so that a high filling pressure is achieved in the compression zone. This allows the evacuated particles to be better mixed into the multi-component mass to be blended. For this purpose, a wall is advantageously arranged in the region of the compression zone, which is positioned at a minimal distance from the last screw turn of the screw pump. The multi-component mass is pressed by the last screw turn toward the wall and then pressed back into the multi-component mass by the wall.

[0029] In particular, the axis of the screw pump is arranged between two universal joints, with the screw flights advantageously extending over the area of the universal joints to ensure optimal pressure build-up in the compression zone and to improve the mixing of the multi-component mass, and to prevent undesirable deposits of the evacuated particles in the filling zone. In the area of the universal joints, the screw flight no longer rests on the axis. This design promotes longitudinal mixing (leakage) in the mixing device. Additionally, the dead space in the throat assembly is minimized. The screw pump can have connections for cleaning the throat assembly, which can be connected to water supplies.

[0030] In particular, the walls in the housing of the screw pump are essentially rounded, so that there are no dead spaces. A rounded wall in the housing has no corners, but is smoothly flowing to eliminate as many dead spaces as possible. This allows the mixing unit to be cleaned efficiently and makes it essentially self-cleaning. This is advantageous for ensuring continuous operation and also for enabling the mixing unit to be cleaned automatically as effectively as possible after production.

[0031] In particular, a gap is provided between the screw flights and the wall in the throat chamber assembly, wherein the minimum gap is less than 15 mm, advantageously less than 10 mm, particularly less than 5 mm, and most preferably less than 1 mm. A minimal gap between the last screw flight and the wall in the compression zone improves the pumping action of the mixing device. A minimal gap between the screw flights in the filling zone improves the homogeneous mixing of the multi-component mixture between the individual screw flights.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, a metering device is provided which is designed to meter the quantity of particles in the evacuated state. These gases are separated from the particles in the first vacuum system, so that virtually no gases remain between the particles at the latest in the metering device. The metered powder thus consists only of evacuated particles, which are then metered into the mouthpiece assembly of the conveying device, which is also under vacuum, together with the liquid component, so that a gas bubble-free and therefore non-foaming multi-component mass can be produced.

[0033] In particular, the metering device includes a conveyor so that the evacuated particles can be metered continuously. The conveyor specifically comprises a single-shaft feeder. The simple adjustment of the rotational speed of the single-shaft feeder and the low backlash of the shaft enable precise metering of the evacuated particles into the multi-component mixture. The metering device can be arranged directly within the first vacuum system, so that the same vacuum level is present in the metering device as in the first vacuum system. The single-shaft feeder can include a spiral screw or a solid-foil screw as the conveying element. A solid-foil screw is particularly suitable for conveying fine particles, and a spiral screw for coarser particles up to granules.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, at least one first decoupling unit is arranged between the metering device and the throat device. This allows the metering device to be mounted virtually completely decoupled from the throat device under the same negative pressure conditions, thus ensuring that the metering of the particles is not affected by the vibrations of the mixing device. In the filling zone of the mixing device, the evacuated particles and the liquid component are taken over by the metering device.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, a first airlock unit is provided to at least temporarily isolate the first feed from the first vacuum system with respect to pressure. During operation of the device, the first vacuum system is largely isolated from the ambient pressure by means of the first airlock unit.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, at least one second vacuum system is provided, which is connected to the first vacuum system. A second airlock unit is provided to at least temporarily isolate the first vacuum system from the second vacuum system with respect to pressure. During operation of the device, the first vacuum system is largely isolated from ambient pressure by means of the second airlock unit, so that a vacuum can be created in the first vacuum area and the second airlock unit is open to the second vacuum system, allowing the evacuated particles to fall continuously into the second vacuum system. The first airlock unit is only opened when the second airlock unit is closed and new particles are being fed into the first vacuum system. This occurs in batches, so that particle quantities of predefined sizes are conveyed into the first vacuum system within a few seconds. During this time, there is no vacuum in the first vacuum system, which causes the weight of the vacuum systems to change significantly due to the variable weight of the air and during the process of refilling with particles. In this phase, the particles are volumetrically metered. This means there is a relationship between the rotational speed of the dosing unit and the weight loss of the vacuum system, allowing the rotational speed to be adjusted so that the multi-component mixture can be produced with the desired formulation. The second airlock unit is then closed again, and gravimetric dosing can resume. The volumetric dosing phase should be short, advantageously less than 5 minutes, and even more advantageously less than 2 minutes.

[0037] The metering device can be arranged directly in the second vacuum system, so that a vacuum in the same vacuum range is present in the metering device as in the second vacuum system. The gases are separated from the particles in the first vacuum system and in the second vacuum system, so that virtually no gases remain between the particles, at the latest in the metering device. The powder formed in this way therefore consists only of evacuated particles, which are then conveyed in the mixing device, also under vacuum, in the mouth assembly with the liquid component, so that a gas bubble-free and therefore non-foaming multi-component mass can be produced.

[0038] In particular, at least one second decoupling unit is arranged between the first feeder and the first airlock unit. This allows the second airlock unit to be mounted virtually completely decoupled from the first feeder, thus ensuring that the metering of the particles is not affected by the vibrations of the first feeder during particle feeding.

[0039] In particular, the second decoupling unit has a pressureless surface. The first feed is minimally spaced from the second locking unit. The distance can be in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm, so that contact between the two feeds is prevented. To maintain the prevailing vacuum, a flexible seal is provided, which is attached to and seals the first feed and the second locking unit. The distance should be small so that the vacuum does not pull the flexible seal too tightly into the gap.

[0040] The first vacuum system can be evacuated with a first vacuum pump and includes a first pressure sensor and a venting unit with a venting valve, so that the first vacuum system can be easily vented. The first vacuum system has a funnel shape, so that the particles introduced fall towards at least one further vacuum system simply due to gravity. To facilitate the particles sliding down the funnel, a vibrator unit is provided, which is activated, in particular, when the second airlock unit is open.

[0041] The second vacuum system can be evacuated with another vacuum pump and has another pressure sensor as well as another venting unit with a vent valve, so that the second vacuum system can be easily vented. The second vacuum system has a funnel shape, so that the particles filled in fall towards the metering device simply by gravity.

[0042] For example, with a multi-component mass throughput of approximately 1500 kilograms, evacuated particles are dosed at a rate of 280 kilograms per hour. If the second vacuum system can hold 70 kilograms of evacuated particles, then the first vacuum system must be refilled four times per hour. Ideally, refilling should be minimized, as volumetric dosing is then preferable. The bulk density of the particles is approximately 0.5 kilograms per liter for swelling particles. In an advantageous embodiment, the vacuum systems can hold at least as many particles as are consumed in 5 minutes, even more advantageously than in 10 minutes, and still more advantageously than in 15 minutes.

[0043] Advantageously, the vacuum pumps are designed as rotary vane pumps, which are operated with oil and, even more advantageously, have a gas ballast valve. Such vacuum pumps generally run at full load, i.e., the vacuum cannot be regulated via the vacuum pumps by drawing more or less vacuum.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the second vacuum system has at least one loosening unit for loosening the particles in the evacuated state. The loosening unit has a rotatable screw which keeps the evacuated particles in motion in the at least one vacuum system. This ensures that the evacuated particles do not become trapped in the subsequent vacuum system. The loosening unit ensures that the conditions during discharge remain consistent and that tunneling or bridging cannot occur. Advantageously, a vibrating unit is also provided, which vibrates the at least one vacuum system in order to, for example, convey the particles adhering to the wall of the at least one vacuum system towards the metering device.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure in the first vacuum system and, in particular, in the second vacuum system, is, in mbar absolute, essentially less than 300, more advantageously essentially less than 200, even more advantageously essentially less than 150, even more advantageously essentially less than 100, even more advantageously essentially less than 80, even more advantageously essentially less than 60, even more advantageously essentially less than 50, and even more advantageously essentially less than 40. These vacuum ranges define the negative pressure with which the particles, referred to here as evacuated particles, are subjected.

[0046] In other words, an evacuated particle or an evacuated powder, a particle or powder which is conveyed or mixed with at least one liquid component and pre-dosed in the devices disclosed herein at a pressure in mbar absolute essentially less than 300, more advantageously essentially less than 200, even more advantageously essentially less than 150, even more advantageously essentially less than 100, even more advantageously essentially less than 80, even more advantageously essentially less than 60, even more advantageously essentially less than 50, and even more advantageously essentially less than 40, in the devices disclosed herein.

[0047] When both vacuum systems are evacuated, the vacuum of the first vacuum system and the at least one further vacuum system should advantageously match to an accuracy better than 5 mbar, even more advantageously better than 3 mbar, even more advantageously 2 mbar, and even more advantageously 1 mbar. This allows the continuous or time-constant replenishment of particles from the first vacuum system to the at least one further vacuum system to proceed reliably, so that a sufficient quantity of evacuated particles is constantly available to the dosing device.

[0048] In particular, a pressure equalization line is provided between the first vacuum system and the at least one further vacuum system, which includes an automatic valve to enable pressure equalization. For pressure equalization, the valve is opened and then the respective pressure sensors are calibrated so that they measure exactly the same pressure when the pressure is the same.

[0049] The second airlock unit, through which the evacuated particles are conveyed, ensures that the respective vacuum areas of the first vacuum system and the at least one further vacuum system can communicate with each other, so that nominally the same vacuum is present in both vacuum areas.

[0050] Advantageously, the second lock unit is designed as a slide valve. In an advantageous embodiment, the slide valve is sealed by at least one pneumatic seal, wherein this seal is advantageously designed as a tubular seal that seals towards the slide valve when pressurized and whose diameter decreases when the pressure is released, so that the slide valve can then be moved.

[0051] The slide gate comprises a horizontally movable metal surface which, when closed, can be moved into a connecting line between the first vacuum unit and at least one further vacuum unit. To open, the metal surface is moved to the side, and the particles then fall down into the second vacuum unit. The seal of the slide gate is designed as a circular tube. When the second airlock unit is closed, the circular tube is pressurized and thus seals. To open the slide gate, the pressure is released from the circular tube, causing the sealing tube to collapse. In particular, the first decoupling unit has a pressureless surface. The feed from the metering device is minimally spaced from the feed to the pharyngeal chamber device. The distance can be in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm, so that contact between the two feeds is prevented. Alternatively, the feed from the metering device extends into the feed to the pharyngeal chamber, with the two feeds not touching, thus providing advantageous force decoupling. To maintain the vacuum, a flexible seal is attached to both inlets, sealing them. The gap between the inlets should be small to prevent the vacuum from pulling the flexible seal too tightly into the gap.

[0052] The remaining force transmission is very low due to the flexible seal. The force in grams transmitted between the metering device and the throat device fluctuates chaotically over time, but during a period of 1 minute, it remains at a value less than W, and for W in grams, the following applies: advantageously less than 100g, even more advantageously less than 70g, even more advantageously less than 60g, even more advantageously less than 50g, even more advantageously less than 40g, even more advantageously less than 30g, and even more advantageously less than 20g.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, at least the first vacuum system and, in particular, the second vacuum system are mounted in a force-decoupled manner from the throat chamber assembly. This prevents vibrations that may occur during the conveying of the multi-component mass from being transmitted to the vacuum systems, thus improving, for example, the metering of the evacuated powders.

[0054] In particular, the first vacuum system is arranged vertically above the at least one further vacuum system. This provides a compact vacuum unit with a small footprint and short connecting lines between the first vacuum system and the at least one further vacuum system. Furthermore, the evacuated particles can fall from the first vacuum system into the second vacuum system purely by gravity, thus simplifying the transport of the evacuated particles.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, at least one first measuring device is provided for detecting the weight of the first vacuum unit and the second vacuum unit. The detected weight is used as the basis for determining the quantity of dosed and evacuated particles. In particular, the first measuring device is a weighing device for determining the quantity of dosed and evacuated particles gravimetrically. The weight of at least the dosing unit and the at least one further vacuum unit, including the evacuated particles located therein, is determined. The weight loss that occurs when the evacuated and dosed particles leave the dosing unit in the direction of the throat chamber device is measured. The quantity dispensed from the at least one further vacuum unit is determined gravimetrically. When the measured minimum weight of the particles in the at least one further vacuum unit is reached, the second airlock unit is opened, and further evacuated particles fall from the first vacuum unit located above it into the at least one further vacuum unit. This enables improved, time-constant dosing.

[0056] Advantageously, the weighing device has several load cells which are arranged on the housing of the dosing device or of the at least one further vacuum system. The individual load cells measure the weight of the dosing device or of the at least one further vacuum system and together determine the weight and from this the quantity of the dosed evacuated particles.

[0057] For example, the dosing accuracy of the gravimetric measurement as an average within 1 min is: substantially less than 10%, more advantageously less than 7%, more advantageously less than 5%, more advantageously less than 4%, more advantageously less than 3%, more advantageously less than 2%, more advantageously less than 1% and more advantageously less than 0.7%.

[0058] Alternatively or additionally, the dosing device includes a flow control device, wherein the feeder of the dosing device is operated with a constant conveying motion, e.g., a constant rotational speed. This determines the volumetric quantity of evacuated particles discharged into the throat device, thus enabling a time-constant supply of the evacuated particles into the multi-component mass. This increases process reliability and enables the continuous production of the multi-component mass and the finished products to be manufactured from it.

[0059] Advantageously, at least one further measuring device is provided for recording the weight of the pharyngeal device. This allows the weight of the

[0060] The pharyngeal chamber and the multi-component mixture arranged therein can be measured in order to determine the quantity of the multi-component mixture produced. Knowing the quantity of multi-component mixture in the pharyngeal chamber can be particularly relevant for controlling the efficiency of mixing the multi-component mixture. If the pharyngeal chamber is filled with an undesirably high quantity of the multi-component mixture, the efficiency of mixing and transport decreases. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous if the pharyngeal chamber is consistently filled with less than 50%, preferably 30%, of the multi-component mixture.

[0061] In particular, the second measuring device is a weighing device for determining the quantity of the produced multi-component mass. The weight of the mouthpiece assembly and the multi-component mass are determined. If the weight of the mouthpiece assembly without the multi-component mass is known, the quantity of the multi-component mass can be determined. Advantageously, the weighing device has several load cells arranged on the housing of the mouthpiece assembly.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, a further feed is provided which supplies at least the liquid component and which is arranged, in particular, between the further vacuum system and the pharyngeal chamber assembly. This allows the liquid component to be fed into the pharyngeal chamber and the mixing unit in a targeted and continuous manner, enabling improved mixing of the multi-component mixture with the evacuated particles also dosed into it. Since at least the pharyngeal chamber has essentially the same vacuum as the second vacuum system, efficient, bubble-free mixing of the multi-component mixture is achieved. With a coordinated supply of the evacuated particles and the liquid component into the pharyngeal chamber, the multi-component mixture can be produced foam-free or without air bubbles according to a desired recipe.

[0063] In an advantageous embodiment, the further feed is equipped with a force decoupling, wherein this force decoupling is advantageously implemented as a flexible hose, so that no forces can be transmitted from the further feed to one of the vacuum systems above it.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, at least one bypass connection is provided between the pharynx and the at least one further vacuum system.

[0065] This allows for the compensation of small, unexpected differences in vacuum between the throat chamber and the at least one other vacuum system, which can arise due to the mass flow of the particles. These small differences can negatively affect the dosing accuracy of the particle dosing, and this effect can be eliminated by the bypass connection.

[0066] In particular, the at least one bypass connection is decoupled from the at least one further vacuum system. The bypass connection is designed to be force-decoupled, with the bypass connection having a flexible hose at least in sections, so that no forces can be transmitted from the mixing device to one of the vacuum systems above it.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, a control unit is provided which is connected at least to the mixing unit and the metering unit. The control unit is connected to the mixing unit and the metering unit for the exchange of control data. Furthermore, the control unit is connected to the vacuum pumps of the first vacuum system and the at least one further vacuum system, as well as to their vent valves, for controlling the vacuum systems. The control unit has a processing unit which is configured to generate control data based on measurement data from the first and second measuring units and to use this data in the process to control the respective components.

[0068] Advantageously, the control unit is connected to a drive unit of the first airlock unit in order to control the movement of the first airlock unit. Furthermore, the control unit is connected to the first and the second airlock units for opening and closing them by means of control data. This enables a process-reliable and time-constant metering of the evacuated particles into the multi-component mass.

[0069] In particular, the control device is connected to a first control valve of the first vacuum system, which can regulate the vacuum in the first vacuum system practically steplessly. With this control valve, it is thus made difficult for the vacuum pump to draw more vacuum when the control valve is only slightly open. The valve is controlled by a PID controller, and the pressure can be set to an accuracy of 0.1 mbar. The pressure in mbar is advantageously set to an accuracy of 5, even more advantageously to 3, even more advantageously to 2, even more advantageously to 1, even more advantageously to 0.7, even more advantageously to 0.5, even more advantageously to 0.3, and even more advantageously to 0.2. If the pressure remains constant to this accuracy, pressure changes are minimized, since pressure changes have a significant effect on gravitational weight measurement and thus a substantial influence on precise dosing. In particular, the control device is connected to a drive unit of the second airlock unit in order to control the movement of the second airlock unit reproducibly.

[0070] To obtain a mogul product gently at low temperatures, the macromolecules of the texturizing component are not used in dissolved form in the multi-component mixture, but rather as a swellable component containing swellable particles of the macromolecules. The particles of the swellable component are suspended in the casting mixture. If the macromolecules are dissolved, they determine the viscosity, and the higher the molecular weight of the macromolecules, the higher the viscosity. It even increases disproportionately with molecular weight. However, if the macromolecules are not dissolved but bound in particles, the viscosity of the casting mixture is little affected by the presence of the particles, and the viscosity is independent of the molecular weight.

[0071] Thus, macromolecules of high and very high molecular weight, which are very advantageous for the product properties, can also be used and processed in the bound form, whereas such macromolecules would be difficult or impossible to process in dissolved form due to excessive viscosity.

[0072] Therefore, a previously unknown method, which experts did not consider possible, was used in which the particles are continuously dosed from a vacuum into a vacuum and mixed in under vacuum. This is because if the air is not introduced in the first place, it does not need to be extracted.

[0073] In an advantageous embodiment, the proportion of the powder with a particle size of less than 0.050 mm in wt.% is less than 40%, even more advantageously less than 35%, even more advantageously less than 30%, even more advantageously less than 25% and even more advantageously less than 20%.

[0074] Limiting small particles leads to a significant improvement in viscosity stability during processing of the multi-component compound, i.e., the pouring window of the multi-component compound is extended. This is advantageous for a stable process.

[0075] In an advantageous embodiment, the particle size distribution has an upper limit, wherein the upper limit in mm is 0.700, preferably 0.600, even more advantageously 0.500, even more advantageously 0.400, even more advantageously 0.350, and even more advantageously 0.300.

[0076] The quantity of particles can form a powder. In an advantageous embodiment, the proportion of the powder with a particle size of more than 0.200 mm in wt.% is less than 25%, even more advantageously less than 20%, even more advantageously less than 17%, even more advantageously less than 14%, even more advantageously less than 12% and even more advantageously less than 10%.

[0077] In an advantageous embodiment, the particle size distribution comprises a range extending at least from PA to PB. The value for PA in mm is 0.060, more advantageously 0.050, 0.040, 0.030, 0.020, and 0.010. The value for PB in mm is 0.150, 0.170, 0.180, 0.190, 0.200, 0.210, and 0.220.

[0078] A broad particle size distribution results in a uniform texture, good storage stability, and good dosing.

[0079] In particular, the multi-component mass is a casting compound. To enable a process in which the cooking of the casting compound is omitted, and the method for producing a confectionery can therefore be carried out at a low temperature, the macromolecules are used in the form of a swellable component. The swelling behavior of the swellable particles of the swellable component is determined by the parameters of the overall recipe, with the proportion of the swellable component and the water content being of particular importance.

[0080] With boiled casting compounds, the formulation has hardly any significant influence on further processing. This is different with the low-temperature process, i.e., the formulation must also be adapted as optimally as possible with regard to the process. For example, there are formulations that would yield good products, but because the swellable component swells too quickly, e.g., because the proportion of swellable particles is too high, such formulations are not suitable for industrial processing. This means that the formulation must also take the requirements of the process into account and, in particular, enable the slowest possible increase in viscosity. This also makes the process robust. If continuous production stops due to any disruption, the casting compound should remain pourable for as long as possible.

[0081] In particular, the liquid component is a syrup, such as those typically used in the confectionery industry for the production of Mogul products. Specifically, these are, on the one hand, sugar-containing syrups obtained from a combination of dissolved sugar and glucose syrup. The ratio of sugar to glucose syrup can be varied over a wide range, and the glucose syrup can exhibit a broad range of oligosaccharide spectra. Glucose syrup is generally understood to be a syrup that, in addition to glucose, also contains a more or less significant proportion of oligosaccharides. On the other hand, sugar-free syrups can also be used, such as those typically used in Mogul products. This category includes, for example, sugar alcohol syrups such as those containing sorbitol, mannitol, isomalt, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol, or erythritol, and mixtures thereof. Maltitol syrup is a particularly suitable sugar-free syrup. Combinations of sugar-containing and sugar-free syrups are also possible. Isomaltulose and fructose syrups, and mixtures thereof with other syrups, are also suitable.

[0082] With regard to the Brix value in °Brix, the syrups preferably have a value in the range of 60 to 90, more advantageously from 65 to 85, more advantageously from 70 to 80, and more advantageously from 72 to 79.

[0083] Another aspect of the invention relates to a mixing device for a device described herein, which is designed to create a mixed multi-component mass from metered particles with at least one further component, wherein the mixing device is arranged in a throat chamber of the throat chamber device and has at least one filling zone and one compression zone.

[0084] This mixing device enables improved mixing of a multi-component mass, wherein the first component, for example swellable particles or color pigments, is supplied in the area of the filling zone and a liquid component, for example water, varnish or a solvent, is added in the area of the filling zone. The components are conveyed by the mixing device towards the compression zone and mixed there in a more effective manner.

[0085] In particular, the homogeneously mixed multi-component mass can be discharged from the pharyngeal device in the area of the compression zone. Thus, the mixed multi-component mass can be easily discharged from the pharyngeal device.

[0086] Further embodiments of the pharyngeal device and the mixing device arranged therein have already been disclosed previously.

[0087] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for creating a multi-component mass with a device, in particular a device described herein, comprising the following steps:

a)

Filling the first vacuum system with particles,

b)

Closing and evacuating the first vacuum system,

c)

Directing the evacuated particles into a throat room device,

d)

Continuous filling of a throat chamber of the throat device with the evacuated particles and a liquid component,

e)

Conveying the evacuated particles with the liquid component using a conveying device of the throat device, and

f)

Discharge of the multi-component mass from the pharyngeal device.

[0088] When the particles are conveyed into a viscous mass, air is always mixed in with the powder, which is very difficult and time-consuming to remove, and often impossible to the required extent. Therefore, in the inventive method, the particles are added from a vacuum, so that the interfering air is not introduced in the first place. Implementing this principle then solved a whole series of problems.

[0089] The method enables the production of a multi-component mass in a low-temperature mogul process, which is free of air bubbles, whereby the particles can be introduced into the multi-component mass at a constant rate over time. The method according to the invention enables a continuous process that is fundamentally more uniform, easier to control, easier to document, easier to automate, and ultimately also more cost-effective in terms of production costs. These advantages are of particular importance for high-quality products containing active ingredients.

[0090] The vacuum section of the first vacuum system is supplied with particles batchwise via a feeder at normal pressure. That is, the first vacuum system is refilled with particles until an upper fill level is reached.

[0091] In a preferred embodiment, in step e) the evacuated particles are mixed with the liquid component in a mixing device of the throat device. This allows a largely homogeneous multi-component mass to be created.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment, the evacuated particles are dosed after step c) using a metering device, so that the particle quantity in the multi-component mass can be adjusted. In step d), the liquid component is continuously dosed into the throat space of the particles and liquid component, where the two continuously arriving components are homogeneously mixed. This allows the multi-component mass to be produced reproducibly according to a desired recipe.

[0093] In a preferred embodiment, for the dosing of the evacuated particles, at least the first vacuum system is weighed by means of at least one weighing device as the first measuring device.

[0094] This makes it possible to obtain a multi-component compound, for example casting compounds, that is effectively free of air bubbles. A robust, highly automated, continuous and industrially applicable process with a throughput in the range of 900 to 5,000 kilograms per hour is provided, enabling low production costs.

[0095] The inventive method is therefore novel in many respects because new requirements had to be taken into account. It is not a variant of known methods, but rather something fundamentally new. The patent applications by the same applicant described in the prior art are to be understood as preliminary stages of this method.

[0096] Various components for producing the casting compound and the casting compound itself are conveyed continuously. Continuous means that within a short period of one minute, the mass flow rate averaged over this period has a deviation from the target value of advantageously less than 16%, even more advantageously less than 13%, even more advantageously less than 10%, even more advantageously less than 7%, even more advantageously less than 5%, and even more advantageously less than 3%.

[0097] In an advantageous embodiment, during the phase when the particles fall from the first vacuum system into the second vacuum system and when the first vacuum system is not at the same vacuum as the vacuum in the at least one further vacuum system, i.e., at the times when the first vacuum system is being refilled with particles, the particles are dosed in volumetric mode.

[0098] In a preferred embodiment, the particles are fed into the second vacuum system in an evacuated state before step c). This provides two separable vacuum systems, enabling continuous operation of the process with a logistically sound coordination of the airlock units. This allows for improved, time-constant conveying of the particles without breaking the vacuum in the second vacuum system. The first vacuum system is closed, and its vacuum is regulated to the same level as that in the second vacuum system. When a lower particle level is reached in the second vacuum system, the second airlock unit is opened, and the particles fall from the first vacuum system into the second vacuum system, after which the second airlock unit is closed again.

[0099] In particular, the first vacuum system is arranged vertically above the at least one further vacuum system. This allows the evacuated particles to simply fall into the second vacuum system by means of gravity.

[0100] In a preferred embodiment, for the metering of the evacuated particles in step d), at least the first vacuum system and the second vacuum system are weighed by means of at least one weighing device as a first measuring device.

[0101] In a preferred embodiment, at least the throat assembly is weighed before step f) using at least one weighing device. The weight of at least the metering device and at least one further vacuum unit, including the evacuated particles located therein, is determined. The weight loss that occurs when the evacuated and metered particles leave the metering device towards the throat assembly is measured. The quantity dispensed from the at least one further vacuum unit is determined gravimetrically. When the measured minimum weight of the particles in the at least one further vacuum unit is reached, the second airlock unit is opened, and further evacuated particles fall from the first vacuum unit located above it into the at least one further vacuum unit. This enables improved, time-constant metering.

[0102] In a preferred embodiment, the mixing device comprises a screw pump, wherein the screw pitch of the last screw turn is steeper than the screw pitch of the other screw turns, so that a high filling pressure is achieved in the compression zone. This allows the evacuated particles to be better mixed into the multi-component mass to be mixed.

[0103] A computer program product according to the invention comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a computing unit of the device, cause the computing unit of the device to execute the method described herein.

[0104] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings.

[0105] The list of reference numerals, like the technical content of the claims and figures, forms part of the disclosure. The figures are described in a coherent and comprehensive manner. Identical reference numerals denote identical components; reference numerals with different indices indicate functionally identical or similar components.

[0106] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in the following figures. The list of reference numerals forms part of the disclosure.

[0107] Positional references such as "above", "below", "right", or "left" refer to the corresponding illustrations and are not to be understood as limiting. Although the invention is illustrated and described in detail by means of the figures and the accompanying description, this illustration and this detailed description are to be understood as illustrative and exemplary and not as limiting the invention. It is understood that those skilled in the art may make changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the following claims. In particular, the invention also includes embodiments with any combination of features mentioned or shown above with regard to various aspects and/or embodiments.

[0108] The invention also includes individual features in the figures, even if they are shown there in connection with other features and/or are not mentioned above. Furthermore, the expression "comprises" and derivatives thereof does not exclude other elements or steps. Likewise, the indefinite article "a" or "an" and derivatives thereof does not exclude a plurality. The functions of several features listed in the claims can be fulfilled by a single unit. The terms "essentially," "about," "approximately," and the like, in conjunction with a property or value, also define precisely that property or value. All reference numerals in the claims are not to be understood as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0109] Further aspects of the advantageous production of advantageous casting compounds, for which the present device can be advantageously used, are disclosed in the Swiss patent application entitled “Dosage form based on starch and method for its production” by the same applicant and with the same filing date as the present patent application.

[0110] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to advantageous devices and methods for producing a multi-component mass from at least one powdered component and at least one liquid component, as disclosed in the Swiss patent application entitled “Device and method for producing a multi-component mass, and a system with the device” by the same applicant and with the same filing date as the present patent application.

[0111] The disclosure content of the two aforementioned patent applications is hereby included in the description in its entirety by reference.

Brief description of the drawings

[0112] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made below to the drawings. These show only exemplary embodiments of the invention. The same reference numerals are used in the following figures and the accompanying description for identical or similarly functioning parts.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention in a schematic view.

Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention in a schematic view.

Figure 3 shows a pharyngeal cavity device according to the invention.

Implementation of the invention

[0113] Figure 1 shows the first embodiment of the device 10 for producing a multi-component mass M. The device essentially comprises a first feeder 11 for feeding particles P, a first vacuum system 20, which is connected to a second vacuum system 40, the second vacuum system 40 comprising a metering device 50, and a throat chamber device 70. The first vacuum system 20 is arranged vertically above the second vacuum system 20. The first vacuum system 20 and the second vacuum system 40 are configured to extract gases, such as air, from between the fed particles P in order to create a powder of particles P that is gas-free or air-free.

[0114] The first feeder 11 is connected to a conveying system 12, which here comprises a pneumatic conveyor, thus enabling the rapid feeding of particles P to a locking unit 15 in smaller batches. The locking unit 15 isolates the first feeder 11 from the first vacuum system 20, at least temporarily, from atmospheric pressure. The locking unit 15 is designed as a slide gate 16. The slide gate 16 is sealed by a pneumatic seal 17 and has a horizontally movable metal surface 18. The seal 17 is a tubular seal that seals against the slide gate 16 when pressurized and decreases in diameter when the pressure is released, allowing the slide gate 16 to move. When closing, the horizontally movable metal surface 18 is moved into a connecting line between the first feeder 11 and the first vacuum system 20. To open, the movable metal surface 18 is moved horizontally to the side, whereby the particles P then fall into the first vacuum system 20.

[0115] A decoupling unit 13 with a pressureless surface 14 is provided between the first feed 11 and the lock unit 15. The first feed 11 is minimally spaced from the lock unit 15. The distance can be in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm, so that contact is prevented and vibrations from the first feed 11 cannot be transmitted to the first vacuum system 20.

[0116] Directly connected to the lock unit 15 is the first vacuum system 20. The first vacuum system 20 can be evacuated by a first vacuum pump 21 and has a first pressure sensor 22 as well as a venting unit 23 with a venting valve 24. The vacuum pump 21 is designed as a rotary vane pump, which is oil-operated and has a gas ballast valve.

[0117] The first vacuum system 20 has a funnel shape, so that the filled particles P fall towards the second vacuum system 40 simply due to gravity. A vibrator unit 25 is provided to facilitate the sliding of the particles P in the funnel shape. Furthermore, a level sensor 26 is provided to measure the level of the particles P arranged in the first vacuum system 20.

[0118] A lock unit 30 is arranged between the first vacuum system 20 and the second vacuum system 40, connecting the first vacuum system 20 to the second vacuum system 40. The lock unit 30, through which the evacuated particles P are conveyed, ensures that the respective vacuum zones of the first vacuum system 20 and the second vacuum system 40 can communicate with each other, thus maintaining nominally the same vacuum in both vacuum zones. The lock unit 30 is designed as a slide valve 31. The slide valve 31 is sealed by a pneumatic seal 32 and has a horizontally movable metal surface 33. The seal 32 is a tubular seal that seals against the slide valve 31 when pressurized and decreases in diameter when the pressure is released, allowing the slide valve 31 to move. When closing, the horizontally movable metal surface 33 is moved into a connecting line between the first vacuum unit 20 and the second vacuum unit 40. To open, the movable metal surface 33 is moved horizontally to the side, causing the particles P to fall into the second vacuum unit 40.

[0119] During operation of the device 10, the first vacuum system 20 is largely separated from the ambient pressure by means of the airlock unit 15, so that a vacuum can be created in the first vacuum area and the airlock unit 30 to the second vacuum system 40 is open, allowing the evacuated particles P to fall continuously into the second vacuum system 40. The airlock unit 15 is only opened when the airlock unit 30 is closed and new particles P are fed into the first vacuum system 20 via the first feed 11.

[0120] The second vacuum system 40 can be evacuated with a second vacuum pump 41 and includes a second pressure sensor 42 and a venting unit 43 with a venting valve 44. The vacuum pump 41 is designed as a rotary vane pump, is oil-operated, and has a gas ballast valve. The second vacuum system 40 has a funnel shape, so that the filled particles P fall towards the metering device 50 simply by gravity. A vibrator unit 45 is provided to facilitate the sliding of the particles P in the funnel shape. Furthermore, a level sensor 46 is provided to measure the level of the particles P arranged in the second vacuum system 40. The level sensor 46 is designed as a vibrating fork 47. In addition, a temperature sensor 48 is provided to measure the temperature inside the second vacuum system 40.

[0121] The pressure in the first vacuum system 20 and the second vacuum system 40 is essentially less than 40 mbar. When both vacuum systems 20, 40 are evacuated, the difference in vacuum between the first vacuum system 20 and the second vacuum system 40 is better than 1 mbar. This allows the continuous or time-constant refilling of particles P from the first vacuum system 20 to the second vacuum system 40 to proceed reliably.

[0122] A pressure equalization line 34 is provided between the first vacuum system 20 and the second vacuum system 40. This line includes an automatic valve 35 to enable pressure equalization. For pressure equalization, the valve 35 is opened, and then the respective pressure sensors 22, 42 are calibrated so that they measure exactly the same pressure when the pressure is the same.

[0123] The second vacuum system 40 has a loosening unit 49 for loosening the particles P in the evacuated state. The loosening unit 49 has a rotatable screw 49a which keeps the evacuated particles P in motion in the second vacuum system 40 by means of the drive 49b. The loosening unit 49 ensures that the conditions remain constant during the discharge of the particles P from the second vacuum system 40 and that tunneling or bridging cannot occur.

[0124] The second vacuum system 40 is directly connected to a metering device 50, which is arranged in the lower region of the second vacuum system 40, so that the particles P arrange themselves in the region of the metering device 50 due to gravity. The metering device 50 has a single-shaft feeder 52 as a conveyor 51, so that the evacuated particles P can be metered continuously. The single-shaft feeder 52 has a spiral screw 53 as a conveying element, which is driven by a drive 54.

[0125] The device 10 comprises a first measuring device 60 for detecting the weight of the first vacuum system 20 and the second vacuum system 40. This makes it possible to dose the particles P from the second vacuum system 20 into the pharyngeal chamber device 70 in a gravimetrically controlled manner. The detected weight is used as the basis for determining the quantity of dosed and evacuated particles P. The first measuring device 60 is a weighing device 61 for gravimetrically determining the quantity of dosed and evacuated particles P. The weight of at least the dosing device 50 and the vacuum systems 20, 40, including the evacuated particles P arranged therein, is determined. The weight loss that occurs when the evacuated and dosed particles P leave the dosing device 50 in the direction of the pharyngeal chamber device 70 is measured. The quantity dispensed from the second vacuum system 40 is determined gravimetrically. The weighing device 61 comprises several load cells 62, which are arranged on the housing of the dosing device 50 or the second vacuum unit 40. The individual load cells 62 measure the weight of the dosing device 50 or the second vacuum unit 40 and together determine the weight and, from this, the quantity of the dosed evacuated particles P. The dosing accuracy of the gravimetric measurement is less than 0.7% as an average value within 1 minute. Downstream of the dosing device 50, the throat unit 70 is arranged with a throat chamber 71 and with a mixing device 75, which is designed to create a homogeneously mixed multi-component mass M from the dosed particles P in the evacuated state with at least one liquid component K.

[0126] The liquid component K is supplied via a further feeder 74. This allows the liquid component K to be fed directly into the throat chamber 71 and the mixing device 75, thus enabling improved mixing of the multi-component mass M with the evacuated particles P, which are also dosed into the throat chamber 71. Since at least the throat chamber 71 has essentially the same vacuum as the second vacuum system 40, efficient, bubble-free mixing of the multi-component mass M is achieved. The further feeder 74 is also implemented as a flexible tube, so that no forces can be transmitted from the further feeder 74 to either of the vacuum systems 20, 40 above it.

[0127] A decoupling unit 90 is provided between the metering device 50 and the throat chamber device 70. This allows the metering device 50 and the vacuum systems 20, 40 to be mounted virtually force-decoupled from the throat chamber device 70, thus ensuring that the gravimetric metering of the particles is not affected by the vibrations of the mixing device 75. The decoupling unit 90 has a pressure-free surface 91. The feed from the metering device 50 extends into the feed to the throat chamber 70, with the two feeds not touching, thus providing force decoupling. To prevent the prevailing vacuum from being broken, a flexible seal 92 is provided, which is attached to and seals both feeds. The force transmission is very low due to the flexible seal 92. The force in grams transmitted between dosing device 50 and throat chamber device 70 fluctuates chaotically over time, but remains below 20 grams for a total of one minute. Valve 93 is only engaged when starting device 10 to prevent particles P from being unintentionally drawn out of the second vacuum system 40.

[0128] A bypass connection 72 is provided between the pharyngeal cavity 70 and the second vacuum system 40. This allows for the compensation of small, unexpected differences in vacuum between the pharyngeal cavity 70 and the second vacuum system 40, which may arise from the mass flow of the particles P. The bypass connection 72 is decoupled from the second vacuum system 40 by virtue of the bypass connection consisting, at least in part, of a flexible hose.

[0129] The mixing device 75 has a filling zone 76 and a compression zone 78. In the filling zone 76, the evacuated particles P and the liquid component K are transferred from the metering device 50 into the throat chamber 71, with the liquid component K being metered externally via the further feeder 74 and a metering device 77. During the production of the multi-component mass M, the throat chamber 71 is only 30% filled with the multi-component mass M, so that the mixing of the evacuated particles P with the liquid component K can take place efficiently in the area of the filling zone 76. The throat chamber 71 has essentially the same negative pressure as the second vacuum system 40.

[0130] In the compression zone 78, the multi-component mass M is compressed and thereby mixed, with increased mixing pressures present there, which on the one hand result in improved mixing and on the other hand simplify the discharge of the multi-component mass M from the throat chamber device 70.

[0131] The mixing device 75 includes a screw pump 80, which mixes and transports the multi-component mass M. For improved mixing, the screw pitch of the last screw turn 81 is steeper than the screw pitch of the other screw turns 82, resulting in a high filling pressure in the compression zone 78. A wall 83 is present in the compression zone 78, positioned at a minimal distance from the last screw turn 81 of the screw pump 80. The multi-component mass M is forced by the last screw turn 82 toward the wall 83 and pushed back by the wall 83. The walls 83 in the housing of the screw pump 80 are essentially rounded, so that no dead spaces are present. The screw pump 80 is driven by a drive 84.

[0132] The multi-component compound M is discharged from the compression zone 78 through a stator opening 86 into a stator zone 85 and subsequently conveyed into a connecting line 87 towards a casting station. The rotor-stator 88 in the stator zone 85 is spatially separated from the throat chamber 71 and essentially comprises a rotor-stator arrangement of a progressive cavity pump, which enables improved transport of the ready-mixed multi-component compound M. The connecting line 87 for conveying the multi-component compound M is designed as a flexible hose with force decoupling. The stator zone 85 is essentially at normal pressure or ambient pressure.

[0133] The pharyngeal device 70 has a further measuring device 95 for detecting the weight of the pharyngeal device 70. This allows the weight of the pharyngeal device 70 and the multi-component mass M arranged therein to be detected in order to determine the quantity of the produced multi-component mass M. The further measuring device 95 is a weighing device 96 for determining the quantity of the produced multi-component mass M. The weight of the pharyngeal device 70 and the multi-component mass M are determined. If the weight of the pharyngeal device 70 without the multi-component mass M is known, the quantity of the multi-component mass M can be determined. The weighing device 96 has several load cells 97, which are arranged on the housing of the pharyngeal device 70.

[0134] The finished multi-component mass M is discharged from the throat chamber device 70 in the region of the rotor-stator 88. A flow meter 67, designed as a Coriolis flow meter, is provided to determine the quantity of the discharged multi-component mass M. In an advantageous embodiment, the Coriolis flow meter is equipped with at least two measuring tubes and is operated with at least two excitation frequencies.

[0135] The device 10 comprises a control unit 65, which is connected to the mixing unit 75 and the metering unit 50. The control unit 65 is connected to the mixing units 75, 90 and to the metering unit 50 for the exchange of control data. Furthermore, the control unit 65 is connected to the vacuum pumps 21, 41 of the first vacuum system 20 and the second vacuum system 40, as well as to their vent valves 24, 44, for controlling the vacuum systems 20, 40, which regulate the vacuum in the first vacuum system 20 and the second vacuum system 40, respectively, in a virtually stepless manner. The vent valves 24, 44 are controlled by a PID controller in the control unit 65, whereby the pressure can be adjusted to an accuracy of 0.1 mbar.

[0136] The control unit 65 is connected to the drive units 19, 36 of the airlock units 15, 30 to control the movement of the airlock units 15, 30. Furthermore, the control unit 65 is connected to the airlock units 15, 30 for opening and closing them by means of control data or control commands. This enables a process-reliable and time-constant metering of the evacuated particles into the multi-component mass M. The control unit 65 is also connected to the loosening unit 49, to the drive of the single-shaft feeder 52, and to a drive of the screw pump 80 for the exchange of control data.

[0137] The control device 65 has a processing unit 66, which is configured to generate control data or control commands based on measurement data from the first and second measuring devices 60 and 95, respectively, and to use these in the process to control the respective components. The processing unit 66 is configured to generate control data for the loosening unit 49. The processing unit 66 comprises a computer program with commands that were generated from control data and which, when the program is executed by the processing unit of the device, cause the processing unit of the device to execute the method described herein. The control lines and connecting lines are not shown.

[0138] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a device 110 according to the invention, wherein the device 110 is essentially structurally and functionally identical to the device 10 according to Figure 1. The device 110 differs from the device 10 in that it does not have a first measuring device for determining the weight of the first vacuum unit 20 and the second vacuum unit 40. Therefore, the quantity of metered and evacuated particles P of the device 10 cannot be determined gravimetrically. Instead of the first measuring device, a flow control device 160 is arranged in the area of the metering unit 150, which determines the metering of the particles volumetrically. This determines the quantity of evacuated particles dispensed into the throat chamber device 70, thus enabling a time-constant supply of the evacuated particles P into the multi-component mass M. For example, the rotational speed of the doser of the dosing device 150 is set to a preset value in order to achieve a desired dosage of particles P.

[0139] Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a device 210 according to the invention, wherein the device 210 is essentially structurally and functionally identical to the device 10 according to Figure 1. The device 210 differs from the device 10 in that a mixing device 275 is provided that is decoupled from the throat chamber device 70. The throat chamber device 70 comprises a screw as a conveying device 73, which conveys the evacuated particles P and the liquid component K through the stator zone 85 into the mixing device 275. In the mixing device 275, the multi-component mass M is further mixed by means of a screw pump and conveyed via the connecting line 87 to a casting station. The mixing device 275 is arranged in a force-decoupled manner from the throat chamber device 70.

[0140] Figure 4 shows a mixing device 75 which is designed to create a homogeneously mixed multi-component mass M from metered particles P with at least one further component K, wherein the mixing device 75 is arranged in a throat chamber 71 of the throat chamber device 70 and has at least one filling zone 76 and a compression zone 78.

[0141] The mixing device 75 comprises a screw pump 80. The shaft of the screw pump 80 is arranged between two universal joints, with the screw flights 81, 82 advantageously extending over the area of the universal joints to ensure optimal pressure build-up and improve the mixing of the multi-component mass M. In the area of the universal joints, the screw flight 82, 81 no longer rests on the shaft. This design promotes longitudinal mixing (leakage) in the mixing device. Additionally, the dead space in the compression zone 78 is minimized.

[0142] An embodiment of a method according to the invention for creating a multi-component mass with a device 10 is described with reference to Figure 1 and comprises the following steps:

a)

Filling the first vacuum system 20 with particles P,

b)

Closing and evacuating the first vacuum system 20,

c)

Transfer of the evacuated particles P to a second vacuum system 40,

d)

Closing the second vacuum system 40 and evacuating the second vacuum system 20,

e)

Dosing the evacuated particles with a dosing device 50,

f)

Forwarding the dosed and evacuated particles into a throat device 70,

G)

Continuous filling of the pharyngeal cavity 71 with the dosed and evacuated particles P and a liquid component K,

h)

Mixing the metered and evacuated particles P with the liquid component K in a mixing device 75 of the throat device 70, and

i)

Discharge of the multi-component mass M from the pharyngeal chamber device 70.

[0143] The vacuum section of the first vacuum system 20 is supplied with particles P batchwise at normal pressure via the first feeder 11. That is, the first vacuum system 20 is replenished with particles P until an upper fill level is reached.

[0144] Then the first vacuum system 20 is closed and its vacuum is regulated to the same vacuum as that present in the second vacuum system 40. When a lower fill level of particles P is reached in the second vacuum system 40, the airlock unit 30 is opened and the particles P fall from the first vacuum system 20 into the second vacuum system 40, after which the airlock unit 30 is closed again, or may remain open.

[0145] During the phase in which the particles P fall from the first vacuum system 20 into the second vacuum system 40 and in which the first vacuum system 20 is not at the same vacuum as the vacuum in the second vacuum system 40, i.e. at the times when the first vacuum system 20 is being refilled with particles P, the particles P are dosed into the throat chamber 71 in volumetric mode.

[0146] In step h) the liquid component K is continuously dosed into the throat space 71 of particles and liquid component K, where the two continuously arriving components P, K are homogeneously mixed.

[0147] In step c), the particles are introduced into the second vacuum system 40 in an evacuated state. For the metering of the evacuated particles in step d), the first vacuum system 20 and the second vacuum system 40 are weighed using a weighing device 61. The throat chamber device 70 is weighed before step i) using at least one weighing device 96.

[0148] The present invention is not limited in scope to the specific embodiments described herein. Rather, the description and the accompanying figures will reveal to the person skilled in the art various further modifications of the present invention in addition to the examples disclosed herein, which also fall within the scope of the claims. In addition, various references are cited in the description, the disclosure content of which is hereby incorporated into the description in its entirety by reference.

Reference symbol list

[0149] 10 Device 11 First feed 12 Conveyor 13 Decoupling unit 14 Pressureless area 15 Lock unit 16 Slide 17 Seal 18 Metal surface 19 Drive unit 20 First vacuum system 21 First vacuum pump 22 First pressure sensor 23 Venting unit 24 Vent valve 25 Vibrator unit 26 Level measurement 30 Lock unit 31 Slide 32 Seal 33 Metal surface 34 Pressure equalization line 35 Valve 36 Drive unit 40 Second vacuum system 41 Second vacuum pump 42 Second pressure sensor 43 Venting unit 44 Vent valve 45 Vibrator unit 46 Level measurement 47 Vibrating fork 48 Temperature measurement 49 Loosening unit 49a Screw 49b Drive 50 Metering device 51 Conveyor 52 Single-shaft feeder 53 Spiral screw 54 Drive 60 Measuring device 61 Weighing device 62 Load cells 65 Control device 66 Computing unit 67 Flow meter 70 Throat chamber device 71 Throat chamber 72 Bypass connection 73 Conveying device 74 Feeder 75 Mixing device 76 Filling zone 77 Metering device 78 Compression zone 80 Screw pump 81 Screw flights 82 Last screw flight 83 Walls 85 Stator zone 86 Stator opening 87 Connecting line 88 Rotor-stator 90 Decoupling unit 91 Pressureless area 92 Flexible seal 95 Measuring device 96 Weighing device 97 Load cells 110 Device 150 Metering device 160 Flow control device 210 Device 275 Mixing device M Multi-component mass P Particles K Liquid component

Claims (27)

1. Device (10; 110; 210) for producing a multi-component mass (M) comprising a first feeder (11) for feeding particles (P), a first vacuum system (20) wherein the first vacuum system (20) is configured to extract gases between the fed particles (P), and a throat chamber device (70) with a conveying device (73) which is configured to produce a multi-component mass (M) from the particles (P) in the evacuated state with at least one liquid component (K). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that its mixing device (75; 275) is provided, which is configured to create a mixed multi-component mass (M) from the particles (P) in the evacuated state with at least the liquid component (K), wherein in particular the conveying device (73) comprises the mixing device (75) and is configured to create a mixed multi-component mass (M) from the particles (P) in the evacuated state with at least the liquid component (K) in the throat chamber device (70). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the mixing device (75) is arranged in a throat chamber (71) of the throat chamber device (70) and has at least one filling zone (76) and one compression zone (78), wherein the homogeneously mixed multi-component mass (M) can be discharged from the throat chamber device (70), particularly in the area of the compression zone (78). 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the mixing device (75; 275) comprises a screw pump (80), wherein preferably the screw pitch of the last screw turn (82) is steeper than the screw pitch of the remaining screw turns (81). 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its metering device (50; 150) is provided, which is designed to meter the quantity of particles (P) in the evacuated state. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the metering device (50; 150) comprises a conveyor (51), in particular a single-shaft metering device (52), and/or a flow control device (160). 7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that at least a first decoupling unit (90) is arranged between the dosing device (50; 150) and the throat device (70). 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its first lock unit (15) is provided to separate the first feed (11) from the first vacuum system (20) at least temporarily by pressure. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a second vacuum system (40) is provided which is connected to the first vacuum system, wherein in particular a second airlock unit (30) is provided in order to at least temporarily separate the first vacuum system (20) from the second vacuum system (40) by pressure and the metering device (50; 150) is in particular arranged in the second vacuum system (40). 10. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the second vacuum system (40) has at least one loosening unit (49) for loosening the particles (P) in the evacuated state. 11. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that at least a first decoupling unit (13) is arranged between the first feed (11) and the first lock unit (15). 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure in the first vacuum system (20) and in particular in the second vacuum system (40) is substantially less than 300 mbar absolute, more advantageously substantially less than 200, more advantageously substantially less than 150, more advantageously substantially less than 100, more advantageously substantially less than 80, more advantageously substantially less than 60, more advantageously substantially less than 50, and more advantageously substantially less than 40. 13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the first vacuum system (20) and in particular the second vacuum system (40) are mounted in a force-decoupled manner from the throat chamber device (70), wherein the first vacuum system (20) is arranged in particular vertically above the at least one further vacuum system (40). 14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a first measuring device (60) for recording the weight of the first vacuum system (20) and in particular the second vacuum system (40) is provided. 15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one further measuring device (95) for detecting the weight of the pharyngeal device (70) is provided. 16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a further feed (74) is provided which feeds at least the liquid component (K) and the further feed (74) is arranged in particular between the further vacuum system and the throat chamber device (70). 17. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one bypass connection (72) is provided between the pharyngeal cavity (71) and the first vacuum system (20), which is in particular decoupled from the first vacuum system (20), and in particular from the second vacuum system (40). 18. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its control device (65) is provided which is connected at least to the mixing device (75) and the metering device (50; 150). 19. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the control device (65) is connected to a drive unit (36) of the second lock unit (30) to control the movement of the second lock unit (30) and in particular is connected to a drive unit (19) of the first lock unit (15) to control the movement of the first lock unit (15). 20. Mixing device (75) for a device according to one of claims 1 to 19, which is configured to produce a mixed multi-component mass (M) from metered particles (P) with at least one liquid component (K), wherein the mixing device (75) is arranged in a throat chamber (71) of the throat chamber device (70) and has at least one filling zone (76) and one compression zone (78), wherein the homogeneously mixed multi-component mass (M) can be discharged from the throat chamber device (70), particularly in the area of the compression zone (78). 21. Mixing device (75) according to claim 20, characterized in that the mixing device (75) comprises a screw pump (80), wherein preferably the screw pitch of the last screw turn (82) is steeper than the screw pitch of the remaining screw turns (81). 22. Method for producing a multi-component mass (M) with a device, in particular a device (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, comprising the following steps: a) filling the first vacuum system (20) with particles, b) closing and evacuating the first vacuum system (20), c) transferring the evacuated particles into a throat chamber device (70), d) continuously filling a throat chamber (71) of the throat chamber device (70) with the evacuated particles (P) and a liquid component (K), e) conveying the evacuated particles (P) with the liquid component (K) using a conveying device (73) of the throat chamber device (70), and f) discharging the multi-component mass (M) from the throat chamber device (70). 23. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that in step e) the evacuated particles (P) are mixed with the liquid component (K) in a mixing device (75) of the pharyngeal device (70). 24. Method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the evacuated particles (P) are dosed after step c) using a metering device (50; 150). 25. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that, for the metering of the evacuated particles (P), at least the first vacuum system (20) is weighed by means of at least one weighing device (61). 26. Method according to one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that the particles (P) are introduced into at least one second vacuum system (40) in an evacuated state before step c), wherein in particular the first vacuum system (20) is arranged vertically above the at least one further vacuum system (40). 27. Method according to one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that at least the pharyngeal cavity device (70) is weighed before step f) by means of at least one weighing device (96).