BACKGROUND

The invention relates to an arrangement for manufacturing extrudate .

The invention further relates to a use of the arrangement.

Making dough, pastes and any compositions having a tenden cy to stick to manufacturing apparatuses thereof may be very demanding. Especially in batch-type processes clean ing of the manufacturing apparatuses may be a painstaking and time-consuming step of manufacturing process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Viewed from a first aspect, there can be provided an ar- rangement for manufacturing extrudate, the arrangement comprising a cylinder, the cylinder being provided with an end wall,

- a piston, arranged in the cylinder for creating a mixing space therein, the piston arranged to move inside the cyl inder in a longitudinal direction thereof for decreasing and extending the mixing space, the piston comprising

- a piston aperture extending through the piston in the longitudinal direction - an agitator, comprising

- a rotating agitator member arranged to be arrangeable to extend in the mixing space through the piston aperture and simultaneously sealing said aperture,

- an end rod being removably arrangeable in the mixing space through an end wall aperture extending through the end wall in the longitudinal direction, wherein

- the arrangement comprises a mixing state of work and an extrusion state of work such that in the mixing state: - the rotating agitator member and the end rod are ar ranged side by side in the mixing space,

- the agitator is arranged to rotate said rotating agita tor member on a circular path and simultaneously the pis ton in respect of the cylinder, and in the extrusion state:

- the end rod is arranged to locate out from the mixing space,

- the piston is arranged to move in the longitudinal di rection towards the end wall, and

- the end wall aperture is functioning as a nozzle that shapes the extrudate.

Thereby an arrangement for batch-type processes that is easy and quick to clean may be achieved.

Viewed from a further aspect, there can be provided a use of the arrangement defined above.

Thereby batch-type processes that are quick may be achieved.

The arrangement and the method are characterised by what is stated in the independent claims. Some other embodi ments are characterised by what is stated in the other claims. Inventive embodiments are also disclosed in the specification and drawings of this patent application. The inventive content of the patent application may also be defined in other ways than defined in the following claims. The inventive content may also be formed of sever al separate inventions, especially if the invention is ex amined in the light of expressed or implicit sub-tasks or in view of obtained benefits or benefit groups. Some of the definitions contained in the following claims may then be unnecessary in view of the separate inventive ideas. Features of the different embodiments of the invention may, within the scope of the basic inventive idea, be ap plied to other embodiments.

In one embodiment, the end wall has a flat inner surface.

An advantage is that the height of the unit can be reduced for same volume.

In one embodiment, the end wall has a conical inner sur face.

An advantage is that a flow pattern better to certain ma terials may be achieved, static zones may be reduced, and an extrusion pressure required may be decreased.

In one embodiment, the cylinder has an open end opposite to the end wall.

An advantage is that the mixing space is easy to fill with starting materials, as well as inspection, cleaning and service of the mixing space is easy.

In one embodiment, an opening is arranged through a wall of the cylinder.

An advantage is that starting materials or additives may be added in the mixing space without removing the piston from the cylinder, materials can be added at different stages of mixing without interruption, and an atmosphere of the mixing space may be easy to control.

In one embodiment, the arrangement comprises plurality of rotating agitator members, and corresponding piston aper tures.

An advantage is that an effective mixing may be reached. In one embodiment, the arrangement comprises plurality of end rods and corresponding end wall apertures. An advantage is that an effective mixing may be reached as well as plurality of extrudates produced; also force need ed for extrusion may be reduced and a higher volume output reached. In one embodiment, in the extrusion state of work of the arrangement, the rotating agitator member(s) is/are ar ranged in the mixing space.

An advantage is that transition from the mixing state of work to the extrusion state of work may be immediate since no time is needed for removing the rotating agitator mem ber (s) from the mixing space.

In one embodiment, in the extrusion state of work of the arrangement, the rotating agitator member is/are arranged to have been removed from the mixing space such that said member (s) close(s) the piston aperture(s).

An advantage is that a disruption or influence on flow pattern of extruded material may be avoided.

In one embodiment, the arrangement comprises a cutting system arranged to cut the extrudate created by the end wall aperture.

An advantage is that handling of pieces of extrudate is simpler than handling of uncut extrudate, and pellets, sticks etc. type of extrudates may be created. In one embodiment, the arrangement comprises a receiving base arranged movable in relation to the cylinder. An advantage is that capacity of the receiving base for receiving extrudates may be increased. In one embodiment, the arrangement is used for manufactur ing a food product.

An advantage is that mixing, moulding and shaping may be done in a simple and quick way with low waste and with lower effort required for cleaning. Further, batch-type production as well as recipe and product changes may be easier.

In one embodiment, the food product is a dough-based prod- uct, such as bread dough, and the extrudate is post- processed by heating.

An advantage is that the dough-based product may be manu factured in a simple and quick way.

In one embodiment, the arrangement is used for manufactur ing industrial pastes, compounds, and mixtures.

An advantage is that said products may be manufactured in a simple and quick way.

In one embodiment, the arrangement is used for manufactur ing pharmaceutical products or pharmaceutical R&D material compositions.

An advantage is that precious materials often present in pharmaceutical activities may be preserved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Some embodiments illustrating the present disclosure are described in more detail in the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an arrangement for manufacturing extrudate,

Figure 2a is a schematic perspective view of the arrange- ment shown in Figure 1,

Figure 2b is a schematic side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 in partial cross-section, Figure 2c is a schematic perspective view of the arrange ment shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3a is a schematic perspective view of the arrange ment shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3b is a schematic side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 in partial cross-section,

Figure 3c is a schematic perspective view of the arrange- ment shown in Figure 1,

Figure 4a is a schematic perspective view of the arrange ment shown in Figure 1, Figure 4b is a schematic side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 in partial cross-section,

Figure 4c is a schematic perspective view of the arrange ment shown in Figure 1, Figure 5a is a schematic side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 in partial cross-section,

Figure 5b is a schematic perspective view of the arrange ment shown in Figure 1,

Figure 6a is a schematic perspective view of the arrange ment shown in Figure 1, and

Figure 6b is a schematic perspective view of the arrange ment shown in Figure 1.

In the figures, some embodiments are shown simplified for the sake of clarity. Similar parts are marked with the same reference numbers in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an arrangement for manufacturing extrudate.

The arrangement 100 comprises a frame 18 in which a cylin der 1 is arranged. In one embodiment, such as shown in Figure 1, the cylinder has a circular wall 11.

A piston 3 is arrangeable in the cylinder 1 so that a mix ing space 4 is created therein.

The piston 3 is able to move inside the cylinder 1 in a first and a second direction in a longitudinal direction L thereof. Thus, the volume of the mixing space 4 may be de creased and extended.

The arrangement 100 comprises an agitator 6 rotated by a rotating motor 14. The motor may be e.g. an electric mo tor. The agitator 6 comprises an agitator plate 17 and at least one rotating agitator member 7 attached to the agitator plate 17. The agitator 6 extends through the agitator plate 17 via an agitator aperture 20 and is fixedly at tached to the piston 3.

In one embodiment, such as shown in Figure 1, there are three rotating agitator members 7. In one embodiment, the rotating agitator member 7 is a rod-like element that has a round cross-section and arranged parallel with the lon gitudinal direction L. The cross-section of the rotating agitator member 7 may also have a shape of polygonal, such as triangle or square, roundish, such as oval or ovoid, star-like, shape of a profile bar, such as H-, L-, T- or U-profile, etc.

The rotating agitator member 7 is made of e.g. suitable metal. The rotating agitator member 7 may be moved in and away from the mixing space 4. In Figure 1 the rotating ag itator members 7 are completely removed from the cylinder 1 and the mixing space 4.

It is to be noted that in one embodiment all the agitator members 7 may have an identical shape and dimensions. In another embodiment, there are differently shaped and/or dimensioned agitator members 7 in the arrangement 100.

The rotating agitator member 7 extends through a piston aperture 5 (shown in Figures 2a, 2b) that extends through the piston 3 in the longitudinal direction L into the mix ing space 4.

The agitator 6 is arranged to move in longitudinal direc tion L along a linear movement guide 16. The linear move ment guide 16 is known per se. The movement is caused by a linear movement motor 15, such as an electric motor. The longitudinal direction L is typically arranged in ver tical direction. However, other directions are also possi ble. Thus, the arrangement may be positioned optimally in terms of e.g. space and layout requirements.

At least one end rod 8 is removably arrangeable in the mixing space through an end wall 2 of the cylinder. Said end wall (shown in Figures 2a, 2b) is a bottom of the cyl- inder in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. The end rod 8 can move in the longitudinal direction L for accommodating to movements of the piston 3.

In one embodiment, such as shown in Figure 1, there are three end rods 8 in the arrangement. The end rod 8 is a rod-like element that has a round cross-section, made of e.g. suitable metal. The cross-section of the end rod 8 may also have a shape of polygonal, such as triangle or square, roundish, such as oval or ovoid, star-like, shape of a profile bar, such as H-, L-, T- or U-profile, etc.

It is to be noted that in one embodiment all the end rods 8 may have an identical shape and dimensions. In another embodiment, there are differently shaped and/or dimen- sioned end rods 8 in the arrangement 100. Further, all the end rods 8 and the agitator members 7 may have identical shapes and dimensions.

The number, the mutual placement as well as the placement in relation to the cylinder of the end rods 8 and the agi tator members 7 may vary. Practically the only prerequi site for said placement is that the agitator members 7 can rotate in the mixing space 4. In some embodiments, the ag itator members 7 have to be arranged for scraping the cyl- inder wall 8 and/or the end rods 8. In one embodiment, the number of the agitator members 7 as well as the number of the end rods 8 is three, and one of the end rods 8 is ar ranged in the middle of the mixing space 4.

In one embodiment, the cylinder 1 has a simple structure, being just a wall that defines the mixing space 4. In an other embodiment, the cylinder 1 comprises temperature regulation means, such as an electric resistance element for heating the cylinder, and/or a channel system for heat transfer fluid for heating and/or cooling the cylinder.

In one embodiment, the end wall 2 is provided with temper ature regulation means, such as an electric resistance el ement for heating the end wall aperture(s) 9, and/or a channel system for heat transfer fluid for heating and/or cooling the end wall aperture(s) 9. In one embodiment, the end wall aperture(s) 9 may be heated so that the extruded material can be melted at least partly.

It is to be noted that the apparatus may comprise seals, gaskets and washers e.g. isolating the mixing space 4 from its surroundings that are not shown in Figures for clarity reasons.

Figure 2a is a schematic perspective view of the arrange ment shown in Figure 1, Figure 2b is a schematic side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 in partial cross- section, and Figure 2c is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1. In these Figures, the agitator 6 and the rotating agitator members 7 as well as the piston 3 are retracted from the cylinder 1.

In one embodiment, the end rods 8 are attached to a lower support 19 that is movable in the longitudinal direction L. Thus, the end rods 8 can be pushed into the mixing space 4 and retracted away from the mixing space 4 by mov ing the lower support 19 through end wall apertures 9. The lower support may be moved e.g. by a motor, such as an electric motor or by a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator (not shown).

In one embodiment, a cutting system 12 is connected to the lower support 19. In one embodiment, the cutting system 12 comprises a cutting blade as shown in Figure 2a. The cut ting system is used for cutting extrudates exiting from the mixing space into suitable pieces. It is to be noted, however, that the arrangement 100 may also be realized without any cutting system 12.

The agitator plate 17 is not fixedly attached to the agi tator 6. Instead, the agitator 6 is arranged in an agita tor aperture 20 provided in the middle of the agitator plate 17. The agitator 6 may move to and fro in the agita tor aperture 20. In one embodiment, the cross-sections of the agitator 6 and the agitator aperture 20 are polygonal so that the rotation of the agitator 6 is transmitted to the agitator plate 17 for rotating said plate and the ro tating agitator members 7. In the embodiment shown in Fig ures, the cross-sections of the agitator 6 and the agita tor aperture 20 are square.

In another embodiment, the rotational movement of the agi tator 6 is transmitted to the agitator plate 17 and the rotating agitator members 7 by the piston 3. In this em bodiment, the agitator 6 and the agitator aperture 20 may have round cross-sections.

In one embodiment, such as shown in Figure 2b, the end wall 2 has a flat inner surface. In this embodiment, the surface of the piston 3 is also flat. In another embodi ment, the end wall 2 has a conical inner surface tapering away from the piston. In this embodiment, also the surface of the piston 3 has preferably a corresponding conical in ner surface.

In one embodiment, such as shown in Figures, the cylinder 1 is provided with an open end opposite to the end wall 2. This open end or opening 10 can be used for filling start ing material(s) to be mixed in the mixing space 4. The open end is then closed by the piston 3.

The open end may also be used for inspection, cleaning and service of the cylinder, for instance.

In one embodiment, the wall 11 of the cylinder is provided with at least one opening 10 (shown by dashed line in Fig ure 2a) through which starting material(s) can be inserted in the mixing space 4. This possibility may be especially relevant if the cylinder is arranged horizontally.

Figure 3a is a schematic perspective view of the arrange ment shown in Figure 1, Figure 3b is a schematic side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 in partial cross- section, and Figure 3c is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1.

The arrangement 100 comprises a mixing state of work and an extrusion state of work. In Figures 3a - 3c the ar rangement is shown in the mixing state. Preceding the mix ing state, the starting material(s) to be mixed have been added in the in the mixing space 4. It is to be noted, however, that some of material(s) to be mixed can be added in the mixing space at any point of the mixing state. This is especially simple to do if the wall 11 of the cylinder is provided with at least one opening 10.

In the mixing state of work, the rotating agitator members 7 and the end rods 8 are arranged side by side in the mix- ing space 4. The agitator 6 is rotated by the rotating mo tor 14 and following this, the rotating agitator members 7 and the piston 3 are also rotated in respect of the cylin der 1. The rotating agitator members 7 that are not on the axis of rotation are rotating on a circular path in the mixing space 4 between the end rods 8 and/or the cylinder wall 11.

In one embodiment, such as shown in Figures, the agitator plate 17 rests against the cylinder 1 and constitutes a lid over the cylinder 1.

In one embodiment, the length of the rotating agitator member 7 is selected so that it ends close to the end wall 2 but does not touch said end wall during the mixing state of work. In another embodiment, at least one of the rotat ing agitator members 7 is touching the end wall 2 during the mixing state of work.

In one embodiment, the length of the end rod 8 is selected so that it ends close to the piston 3 but does not touch it during the mixing state of work. In another embodiment, at least one of the end rods 8 is touching the piston 3 during the mixing state of work.

In one embodiment, an elastic element, such as a spring 21 shown in Figure 1, is arranged for pressing and forcing the rotating agitator member 7 towards the piston 3. In stead of or together with the elastic element, an actively functioning actuator may be used.

Rotational speed and its variations (if any) of the agita tor 6 as well as the duration of the mixing state of work are selected according to the nature of the mixing work. Figure 4a is a schematic perspective view of the arrange ment shown in Figure 1, Figure 4b is a schematic side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 in partial cross- section, and Figure 4c is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1.

Figures 4a - 4c are showing a transition phase of the ar rangement 100 from the mixing state of work to an extru sion state of work. In the transition phase, the rotation of the agitator 6 is stopped and the end rods 8 are pulled away from the mixing space 4. The end wall aperture 9 wipes and cleans the end rod 8 so that a mixed material stuck to the end rod will come loose and stay in the mix ing space 4.

In one embodiment, the end rods 8 are pulled away so that their ends (top end in Figures 4a - 4c) lie close to an outer surface of the end wall 2. As the end rods are moved sideways, the ends are scraped clean against said outer surface. This way the ends may be cleaned effectively, es pecially when the ends are flat.

Figure 5a is a schematic side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 in partial cross-section, and Figure 5b is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1.

In Figures 5a - 5b the arrangement is shown in the extru sion state. In this state the end rods 8 are arranged to locate out from the mixing space 4, and the piston 3 is arranged to move in the longitudinal direction L towards the end wall 2. The movement of the piston 3 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) and realized by moving the agitator 6 with the linear movement motor 15 and guiding the movement by the linear movement guide 16. The piston 3 wipes and cleans the cylinder wall 1 - as well as the piston aperture 5 wipes and cleans the rotat ing agitator member 7 - so that a mixed material stuck to said cylinder wall and said member will come loose and stay in the mixing space 4.

As the piston 3 comes closer the end wall 2, the material in the mixing space 4 exits through the end wall apertures 9. In other words, the end wall apertures 9 are function ing as nozzles that form and shape the extrudate. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, three extrudates are formed. The cutting system may then cut the extrudate into products P.

In one embodiment, such as shown in the Figures, the ro tating agitator members 7 are kept in the mixing space 4 during the extrusion state of work. In another embodiment, the rotating agitator members 7 are first removed from the mixing space 4 such that said member close the piston ap ertures 5, and the extrusion is then started.

As soon as the piston 3 reaches the end wall 2 or some an other limit of its maximum movement, the piston 3 is stopped and pulled away from the cylinder 1. Then, a new batch of starting materials may be added in the mixing space 4.

In one embodiment, the arrangement 100 comprises a cutting system 12 that is arranged to cut the extrudate exited from the end wall apertures 9. The cutting system 12 is discussed more detailed later in this description.

In one embodiment, the arrangement 100 comprises a receiv ing base 13 that is arranged movable in relation to the cylinder 1. The receiving base 13 is arranged for receiv- ing the products P exiting from the end wall apertures 9. The receiving base 13 may comprise e.g. a conveyor belt.

In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 comprises means for moving the receiving base 13 not only linearly in one di rection but in two directions or in three-dimensionally. Thus, it is possible to create products that has a special two- or three-dimensional appearance. Said means for mov ing the receiving base may comprise e.g. motor(s) and ac tuator (s).

Figure 6a is a schematic perspective view of the arrange ment shown in Figure 1, and Figure 6b is a schematic per spective view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1.

In one embodiment, the cutting system 12 comprises a cut ting blade that is adapted to move along a rotational movement over the end wall apertures 9 and cut the extru- date into products. However, the cutting system 12 may be realized many alternative ways. It may have e.g. a linear ly moving blade, a two-sided cutting blade that moves back and forth, etc.

The arrangement 100 may be used in many applications. In one embodiment, the arrangement is used for manufacturing a food product. The food product may be e.g. a dough-based product. The dough-based product may then post-processed by heating, e.g. baked into final product, such as a bread or breadsticks. In one embodiment, the food products are batch-type food products that are personalized according to consumer's wishes, for example snack products, such as bread sticks that are customized by the order.

In one embodiment, the arrangement 100 is used for manu facturing pharmaceutical products or R&D material composi tions. In other embodiments, the arrangement 100 is used for mak ing industrial or R&D materials, such as pastes, compounds and mixtures, that are first mixed and then dispensed or extruded into suitable portions of material. This kind of use includes making of paints, sealing compounds, multi- component chemicals, etc.

The invention is not limited solely to the embodiments de- scribed above, but instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims below. Within the scope of the inventive concept the attributes of different embodiments and applications can be used in conjunction with or replace the attributes of another embodiment or application.

The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. The invention may vary in detail within the scope of the inventive idea de- fined in the following claims.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 cylinder

2 end wall 3 piston

4 mixing space

5 piston aperture

6 agitator 7 rotating agitator member 8 end rod

9 end wall aperture

10 opening 11 cylinder wall 12 cutting system 13 receiving base

14 rotating motor

15 linear movement motor

16 linear movement guide 17 agitator plate 18 frame

19 lower support

20 agitator aperture 21 spring 100 arrangement

L longitudinal direction

P product

R rotation