Dosing or metering device for hot fluid

Abstract

A device (1) for metering a hot fluid, comprising a rotating base (2) which supports a melting tank (3) coupled with heating elements (4A, 4B), the rotating base (2) also supporting a plurality of metering units (5), the metering units being arranged in a ring around the melting tank (3).

1 . A dosing device ( 1 ) for a hot fluid, comprising a rotating base ( 2 ) which supports a melting tank ( 3 ) associated with heating elements ( 4 A,  4 B), the rotating base ( 2 ) also supporting a plurality of metering unit ( 5 ), the metering units being arranged in a ring around the melting tank ( 3 ). 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , in which each dispenser ( 5 ) provides at least one metering element ( 8 ) equipped with a dispensing opening ( 19 ), the dispensing openings ( 19 ) being aligned along a circle (C). 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , in which each metering unit ( 5 ) comprises a channel ( 6 ) equipped with an inlet ( 6 A) and an outlet ( 6 B) in communication with the melting tank ( 3 ), on the channel ( 6 ) being provided at least one pump ( 7 ) positioned downstream of the inlet ( 6 A), the metering element ( 8 ) being movable between a dispensing position in which it delivers the hot fluid through the opening ( 19 ) and a closing position in which it prevents the delivery of said fluid from said opening ( 19 ), and a valve element ( 9 ), the metering element ( 8 ) being positioned between the pump ( 7 ) and said valve element ( 9 ), the valve element ( 9 ) being configured to assume a dosing position in which it isolates said inlet ( 6 A) from said outlet and a recirculation position ( 6 B) in which it puts said inlet ( 6 A) in communication with said outlet ( 6 B). 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , in which each metering unit is associated with at least one further heating element ( 10 ), or in which the heating element is common for all the metering units ( 5 ) and comprises a metal disk to which the metering unit ( 5 ) are fixed, the metal disk ( 5 ) being associated with heating means ( 10 A). 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein each metering unit comprises a base ( 20 ) which defines said channel ( 6 ) and which supports at least said pump ( 7 ) and said metering element ( 8 ). 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 3 , in which said pump ( 7 ) is electric of the gear type, or in which the pump ( 7 ) is driven by a motor ( 7 A) controlled by an encoder ( 7 B). 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said metering element ( 8 ) comprises a first shutter ( 21 ) configured to seal against a seat ( 22 ) associated with said opening ( 19 ), the shutter ( 21 ) being preferably moved by a first pneumatic actuator ( 23 ). 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the valve element ( 9 ) comprises a second rotating shutter ( 30 ) equipped with a cavity coaxial to the flow, preferably controlled by a second pneumatic actuator ( 25 ) synchronized with the first pneumatic actuator ( 23 ). 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the melting tank ( 3 ) comprises a bottom ( 3 A) in proximity of which a plurality of passages (F) are provided, the passages (F) being at least two for each metering unit ( 5 ), of the two passages (F) provided for each dispenser ( 5 ) one being in communication with said inlet ( 6 A) and one being in communication with said outlet ( 6 B), or in which the bottom ( 3 A) is domed and the plurality of passages (F) is located below the vertex of said dome. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the melting tank ( 3 ) comprises at least one stirrer ( 32 ) or at least one lid ( 30 ) equipped with at least one loading opening ( 31 ). 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein, under each dispensing opening ( 19 ), a support ( 50 ) is provided for an element ( 51 ) to be filled, the support ( 50 ) being rotatable in synchronous with the base ( 2 ), preferably integral with the base ( 2 ). 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , comprising a loading system ( 60 ), on the supports ( 50 ), of the elements ( 51 ) to be filled and a discharge system ( 61 ), from the supports ( 50 ), of the filled elements ( 51 ), at least one between the loading and unloading system comprising a rotary table ( 60 A,  60 B) which houses said elements ( 51 ). 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the discharge system ( 61 ) comprises a dynamic scale ( 62 ).