Micrometering device

• US 8,367,946 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2007
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Buhler AG (Buhler Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Buhler AG (Buhler Holding AG)
• Inventors: Inauen, Claude, Brand, Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W
• Application Number:
  US12/443,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20100089667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,993 Days
• Field of Search: 222/55, 222/56, 222/77, 177/50, 177/60, 177/116
• US Class Current: 177/50
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 11/086 of the loss-in-weight feeding type
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 13/024 by gravity

Abstract

A micrometering device for metering and weighing free-flowing bulk materials, such as, for example, flour, powder or fine-grain granules, is described. A reliable weighing with small batch sizes may be achieved, by arranging a weighing container for the weighing device separate from a reservoir for the product for weighing.

Claims

1. A micrometering device configured for metering, weighing, and regulating a continuous flow of a bulk material product, comprising:

a reservoir for the bulk material product, said reservoir having a base opening, and containing a base clearing device and a further element configured to deflect the bulk material product; and

a weighing device including a weighing container and a discharge device;

wherein the weighing device is arranged downstream of the reservoir, and wherein the reservoir and the weighing container are decoupled in terms of weighing technology; and

wherein the further element is positioned such that a pressure of the bulk material product is reduced so as to prevent an uncontrolled refilling of the weighing container.

2. The micrometering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base opening is disposed over the weighing container.

3. The micrometering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further element is arranged so as to deflect the bulk material product away from the base opening.

4. The micrometering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the region of the base opening of the reservoir, the weighing container is provided with a flexible sleeve which extends without a gap up to the base of the reservoir.

5. The micrometering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reservoir includes a substantially greater volume than the weighing container.

6. The micrometering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weighing device further comprises a single measuring cell upon which the weighing container is disposed.

7. The micrometering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the discharge device includes a discharge screw.

8. The micrometering device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the discharge screw is a double helical screw without a core.

9. The micrometering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weighing container comprises a negatively conical shape.

10. The micrometering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base opening is positioned at a downstream-most end of the reservoir.