FR2618983A1 - DEVICE FOR COMBINING LONGITUDINAL AND CROSS-SECTIONAL ACCUMULATING CONVEYORS FOR COOKING, TUMING OR COOLING OF FOODS - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for treating together, in a cooking or a refrigerating facility, products to be cooked or refrigerated for different periods of time, comprises a closed compartment (1) into which the products pass through the entrance door (2) on a first longitudinal belt (4a). The products are transferred to another longitudinal belt (4b or 4c or 4d or 4e) appropriate to the duration of treatment, the transfer being effected by a selector (8) with movable partitions (9) which push the products along. On completion of the cooking or refrigerating treatment, each belt conveys the products separately through the appropriate door (6), which opens when the carpet begins to move, to a main transverse collecting belt (7) which conveys the products to the exterior through the main exit door (3).

Description

 Device constituting a combination of longitudinal and transverse storage conveyors for cooking or cooling food.

 I1 is intended to allow, in the same capacity, cooking or refrigeration of various foodstuffs with different cooking or refrigeration times, with automatic evacuation of each foodstuff after the end of its respective cooking or refrigeration time.

 These products or commodities, being intended for immediate or deferred consumption by storage in cold rooms.

 I1 is known to use for cooking food or their refrigeration, linear tunnels or back and forth swings, or even superimpositions of horizontal conveyors making the products go back and forth at different levels. In these devices the products follow one behind the other, and one can not obtain, in a unit of time, different types of cooking or refrigeration, adapted to the nature of the various commodities, one can therefore only cook or refrigerate 'only one kind of product at a time.

And finally, these linear devices require significant dimensions for installations with different applications.

 The device according to the invention which will be described, eliminates these drawbacks and allows, in a cooking or refrigerating capacity, to process different foodstuffs requiring for this treatment different times. It also gives the possibility of ensuring ventilation and pre-cooling to avoid thermal shock on the products before they are refrigerated or frozen for delayed consumption.

 It consists of a closed enclosure having an entry door and a product discharge door.

Inside this device, 5 to 6 conveyor belts, the number of which is not limited) are housed side by side, each mat being motorized in an autonomous manner, and opens out by its own door onto a general and transverse collecting mat, coming to collect on a ball table the outlet of each longitudinal belt to evacuate the products
on the general exit mat.

The first longitudinal entry conveyor, serves as a selector, making it possible to disperse, as appropriate, different durations of time on the other conveyors suitable for the duration of cooking or cooling time of the products, to make this selection:
All products arrive through a general entrance door. When this first mat is filled in all its capacity or its length, by crescents for example, a transverse translation is carried out from left to right by motorized movable partitions, which push these crescents from the first mat to the next mat No. 2, which it is programmed pc; for 1/4 hour of parking of the products for their cooking or cooling. As soon as the first selector mat is moved to another mat, another operation can be performed again for another product.

Once the croissants are cooked, the second mat containing the croissants, powered by its motor, starts up, and evacuates the said croissants through the door of the mat which opens simultaneously, the croissants arriving on the general and transverse collecting mat compared to the others, this collecting mat actuated by its motor, evacuates the products by the general output of the device.

If baguettes of bread, for example have been introduced, and whose cooking requires two 1/4 of an hour, or half an hour, these are translated by the movable partitions on the third belt, to perform the same operation as before . The said movable partitions, are of the same length of the longitudinal belts, in order to be able to translate and push all the products introduced on the carpet, laterally and transversely, on the longitudinal belts and of adequate duration for the products to be cooked or cooled .

Each mat corresponds to a certain cooking or refrigeration time, the second being longer than the first and so on for the others. This is how the products with the longest time to cook or cool, are translated by the movable partitions, on the last carpet.
The movable partitions, translating the products, and whose length is equal to that of the longitudinal belts, are a particular adaptation, as regards their length, particularly suitable for products having a low height, such as: breads, pastry, various cold meats , saussices, cooked dishes etc ...

 However, for this very type of product, a single family of products can be cooked or refrigerated in the device, this device being equipped only with a longitudinal input mat, and a longitudinal output mat, in the center replacing the central mats, a large baking tray or not, receives the products to be treated. The products are therefore introduced over the entire entrance conveyor, then a movable partition running the entire length of this conveyor, translates the said products onto the central sole, then the duration of treatment finished, a movable partition translates them onto the conveyor longitudinal exit, directly through the general exit door, eliminating the transverse collecting mat.

 Another variant of the device, being that the movable partitions, dispersing the products on the belts according to their duration, are not necessarily of the same length as the longitudinal belts, but are much shorter, but of the length of the product to be moved, such as gastronorm containers, this device applying to different requirements: that is to say more important products, such as baskets containing trays or the like, gastronorm containers, patisserie plates, or else hanks which can support smoking or cooking meats hanging from these skeins. Multi-level baskets containing trays of ready meals can also be introduced into the device, all of these containers being non-limiting.

 In this variant, the product is introduced through the general entrance door of the enclosure, and arrives on the first mat, where a selector or movable partition immediately translates it directly onto the mat suitable for its duration of treatment time. And once the treatment has been carried out, each conveyor independently discharges its product, through its own door which opens and the product arrives on another transverse conveyor belt which then discharges it through the general exit door.

 This device is fully automatically directed from the entry of the products on an external console according to the durations which will have been programmed there. We can therefore see by this that we can introduce products and treat them at the same time, and without order of chronological introduction, these products can be totally different from each other.

 For cooking, any system can be adapted to this device, the various cooking operations being traditional such as an oven, for example, or by forced air, steaming steam, superheated steam, more salamander, etc. Different types of cooking can also be obtained by plus ordinary cooking, particularly at slow heat (cooking ham at 75 "c. and other products) with fluent or superheated steam, for all products for which this cooking is suitable, we can also steam, pasteurize and canned canned ready meals etc ...

 This device is also particularly suitable for smoking certain -products such as fish, meats, meats, etc. The device will then be. equipped with large worms, under each carpet which will be stainless and perforated, these worms bringing the sawdust, and evacuating it once it is consumed. The sawdust will be stored in an appropriate reserve juxtaposing the device, and feeding it by the endless screws. Sawdust can be made up of different types of wood, suitable for smoking. The device will be equipped with burners, for igniting the sawdust. Once the smoke spreads throughout the device and processes the products, a network formed by a hood plus piping will evacuate the excess smoke.

 For this treatment of smoking products, the device is particularly suitable and advantageous for its size, accepting a large capacity of products, and for each of these the duration of treatment which can be wettable, and up to even 24 hours, each carpet being managed and programmed by an automaton, as for any other type of treatment, and will evacuate the products at the end of their programmed cycle.

 The thermal energy used for this cooking device is not limiting, any equipment can be adapted: electricity, gas, microwave. A tank with water inlet and security system for control will be placed under the conveyor belts for the production of steam, which can be done either by submerged electric sheaths, or by gas ramps housed under the tank. The conveyor belts will also be perforated to allow the passage of this vapor. This fluid vapor can also be superheated by electric superheaters, placed in the upper part of the enclosure, where fans equipped with baffles and electrical resistances allow the recycling of the forced air in these baffles.

 Electric salamanders or grills can be placed over the carpets to allow grilling of certain products.

 Regarding the refrigeration device, the latter is equipped with a cold compressor, with an evaporator. Forced ventilation constantly recycles the air in the enclosure.

In this refrigeration chamber, the first conveyor belt is located in a ventilation area, to dissipate the calories of the still hot products, and bring the temperature of these down to around 65 "to be able to cool them down entirely. two hours For the second variant, the heat dissipation airlock zone will be located at the entrance of the enclosure at the same time as the dispatching of the products on the longitudinal belts by the selectors or movable partitions.

 It is possible, if necessary, to subject the products only to a ventilation treatment, they are then immediately evacuated at the end of the carpet.

 The device can also be cooled by CO 2 gas, powered by turbines. Dry ice, or liquid nitrogen, can also be used.

 The use of the cooking device and the refrigeration device can be done in a chain, and discontinuously. Between these two devices, at the end of cooking, we can then couple an identical device, or even of lower capacity, but only equipped with the ventilation system, to evacuate the fumes, and dissipate the calories allowing the products to fall in temperature , and to avoid the disadvantages of thermal shock.

Then the products are automatically introduced into the refrigeration chamber, to either be refrigerated or frozen.

This last refrigeration device will then have a greater capacity than that of cooking, because the time of refrigeration of the products is generally greater than that of cooking: 1 calorie == 2 frigories the device will therefore have to continuously absorb more quantity of products , because they will stay there to cool or freeze longer than in the cooking device.

 This device which has just been described, either in cooking or in refrigeration or ventilation, separately or coupled, is entirely removable to allow perfect cleaning, and it is equipped for this purpose with a booster pump with propulsion nozzles steam with detergent products, plus rinsing, in order to obtain perfect hygiene and prevent the development of bacteria.

 This device, in addition to its ability to process together, different products. has the advantage of having a limited size for the capacity introduced.

 The accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention are given without implied limitation of one of the embodiments of the subject of this invention.

 Figure I shows a section in perspective and in elevation of the device, as a whole with the transverse transport of the products by the movable partitions on the mats of longitudinal drive.

 FIG. 2 schematically represents a section, seen from above of the path of the products in the device.

 3 shows in cross section of the device seen on the side, with transverse transport by the movable partitions, making the entire length of the longitudinal belts, this for the specific treatment of products such as for bread making.

 FIG. 4 represents the same device as FIG. 3, but in section seen from the front, with the ventilations, the longitudinal belts and their respective motor, with the movable partitions translating the figured breads.

 FIG. 5 represents the same device as FIGS. 3 and 4, showing in diagram seen from above, the path of the specific products, on the longitudinal belts, by the movable partitions.

 Figure 6 Are schematically the device seen by elevation, with only two longitudinal belts, one inlet and one outlet, and in the center a single surface receiving the products for a single family of cooking time.

 Figure 7 shows the same device as Figure 6, but front view in section.

 FIG. 8 represents the device for steam cooking, seen in side section, with the baskets filled with products, and the ventilation and the superheaters.

 Figure g shows the device in section with the skeins carrying the products and the sawdust reserve for smoking said products.

 The figuret0 represents in section and from the front the same device, with the different longitudinal belts, their motors, the ventilations and the movable partitions. with their drive and movement over the mats.

 The figure shows the device equipped for refrigeration or freezing with compressors, and evaporators.

 FIG. 12 schematically represents a continuous assembly of the device during cooking, ventilation, then refrigeration.

 The device shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a closed enclosure 1 with a general entrance door 2, and a general discharge door 3 Inside are housed side by side, five to six longitudinal belts 4, and their motors 5. The number of belts is not limiting.

Each mat has a door at its end 6, leading to a transverse collecting mat 7 or ball table
The product which is introduced by the first belt 4a comes to stop under the selector 8 with movable partitions 9 which is actuated by a motor 1O and a quail 11.

This selector, for the treatment of certain products which can be the length of the longitudinal belt, and is described in dotted lines 12 in this FIG. 1.

The selector, thus translates the product, onto the mat where it must remain, according to the treatment time which has been programmed for it, once the time has ended, each mat 4 is put into action by its motor 5 and discharges its own product through its door 6 on the cross-sectional conveyor belt 7 with cleats 15 and motorized t6, which discharges it through the general exit door 3
When using refrigeration, ventilation 14 comes, at the entry of the product into the device, to dissipate the calories of the products which will have been introduced there hot in order to be cooled or frozen there.

 The selector 8 with movable partition 9 can operate in elevation above the carpets in the enclosure, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 10 but it can also be installed on the longitudinal carpets 4, the return being made under these carpets as indicated in FIG. 4 .

The evacuation doors 6 of each carpet open simultaneously with the advancement of the carpet and at the end of each cycle programmed for each carpet,
at the entry of each product by a programmable automat, we can cite, without limitation, parking times for the carpets 4 such as: the carpet 4a = fifteen minutes, the 4b = two quarters of an hour, the 4c = three quarters of an hour, the 4d = four quarters of an hour, and the 4th = five quarters of an hour. We can therefore introduce products with different treatment times in the same enclosure, the programmed mats taking care of their evacuation at the desired time.

 We can see in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the device under different cuts, and in use of the selector 8 with movable partitions 9, being of the entire length of the longitudinal carpets, and the return of which is made under these carpets , (Figure 4), this system adapting more particularly to specific products such as breadmaking, given by way of nonlimiting example in these said figures. In FIG. 5, it can be seen that the croissants introduced over the entire capacity of the carpet 4a are translated on the carpet 4b by means of the movable partitions 42. Breads of different size will also have been introduced there and translated on the carpets 4c , 4d, 4th, with longer parking time and then be evacuated.

For this treatment, the device can also be equipped in hot with baffles 23 with electrical resistances 24 with ventilations 26, circulating the hot air, or in cold with a compressor 17.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, the device is shown for a single cooking family, that is to say for a single duration of treatment, and in this case in these figures for bread-making. An introduction door 2, the longitudinal entry carpet 4a, the product 7 introduced over the entire carpet and the movable partitions
9 translate said products on the floor 43 for parking the products, which must undergo their treatment. Then once this is finished, the partitions movable by the chains II and the motor 10 translate the products 7 onto the longitudinal exit conveyor belt 4, which, actuated by its motor 5, evacuates them through the exit door 3, out of the enclosure.

The device is shown in Figure 8, in thermal use, for cooking all kinds of food
For the production of steam, a tank 18 located under the belts 4 having a water inlet 19 at a constant level
The water is brought to the boil by 2O sleeves with electrical resistances placed in the tank, or else by gas ramps 21 placed under the tank, with evacuation of the burnt gases. 22 The longitudinal belts consist of pallet chains, perforated and adequate to let the steam pass through. In the enclosure, on either side of the device, ventilations 26, actuated by their motor 25, circulate the air which penetrates into baffles 23 with electrical resistances 24, these ventilations circulating the hot air, for the forced air, and the electrical resistances of the baffles superheating the vapors, for the use in superheated vapors.

This air flow thus produced, and circulating in the direction of the arrows, (fig.g) is loaded according to the type of cooking chosen, steam or air, making the treatment of products homogeneous.
For the use of the device for smoking, Figure 9, the two movable partition selector systems can be used. An endless screw 28 brings the sawdust under the carpets 4, from a reserve 29. The gas nozzles 30 serve to ignite the sawdust, and then go out. The consumption of sawdust is controlled by air shutters 31, and the ash is removed by another worm 32, which allows the arrival of new sawdust for continuous smoking.

QevaLlt;
The products undergoing the smoking treatment are stacked on hanks 33. The ventilations 26 allow the recycling of the smoking, and the baffles 23 with electric resistances 24, allow to temper and maintain the adequate temperature for this type of cooking Fig.10 another section seen from the front, shows us the device on the output side of the products , with the ventilation 26; the baffles 23 with electrical resistances 24, as well as the selector 8 with movable partitions 9, actuated by the motor 10, by means of the chain 11.

 This selector with movable partitions is located in elevation above the longitudinal belts. The motors 5 actuating the longitudinal belts 4. In this figure, it can be seen that the first product introduction chamber, located on the first carpet 4a, has ventilation 27, to dissipate the calories of the products which have just been cooked and entering the refrigeration chamber.

The device, Figure 11 is equipped for rapid cooling or freezing products, the example is given with a cold compressor 34, with the evaporators 35, but it can also be equipped with CO 2 gas, replacing the evaporators
36 And it can also be cooled by liquid nitrogen in the same way as CO 2 gas.

The air flow or the distribution of gas or liquid nitrogen, actuated by the fans 26 take the same preferential path indicated by the arrows.

However, the forms and means of implementation for refrigeration are not limiting.

 We can therefore see that with this device, a continuous treatment of the products can be done, depending on whether the device is equipped, this is how by juxtaposing, in FIG. 12, a device equipped with hot 37, then a device equipped only in ventilation 38.

where the products only transit, then go to refrigerate or freeze in the device 39 the whole being studied 'to form a compact unit.

whose characteristics of the device described remain the same, with the product entry door 2, the selectors 8 with movable partitions 9, - the belts 4, the individual doors of each carpet 6, the transverse ball collecting belts 7, then the general product evacuation door 3.

In ventilation, the device is equipped with fans 40 with vapor extractors 41 provided with filters.

This part, equipped with ventilation, allows hot products to drop in temperature, in order to avoid thermal shock on food with refrigeration.

All schedules, time selections
temperatures, introductions etc ... being done automatically from an electronic console 42, and programmable.

 However, the shapes, the dimensions, and the means used to make the device which has just been described, may vary within the limit of equivalents.

Claims (4)

RESELL I CATICNS  1 "i Device constituting a combination of longitudinal and transverse storage conveyors for cooking, cooling, smoking of food products, intended to allow in the same capacity, the treatment of different products and family - different cooking, together in this same enclosure, (l) then it makes it possible to independently evacuate each type of product, when the processing time proper to it has elapsed. It is first characterized by a cooking or cooling enclosure (l), having an introduction door (2) and an evacuation door (3) of the products, which once introduced are dispatched on trans rugs - longitudinal carriers (4), with parking time for the products, different from each other, and adapted to the said products. Once this lapse of time has elapsed, this longitudinal belt starts to evacuate the product, on another transverse ball collecting mat (7) which, in turn, evacuates said product towards the general exit door (3). Depending on the number of belts, an inlet, an outlet and a sole (43) in the center of this transverse collecting mat (7) need not exist, the products being directly evacuated by the mat (4 e). exit.  2 / Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a selector (8) with movable partitions (9) comes to translate the products, on the longitudinal belt (4) with duration of treatment in cooking or adequate cooling. This selector (8) is actuated by a motor (10) by means of a chain (ll).  3 / Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable partitions (9). of the selector (8) can be either of equal length (12) to the longitudinal belts (4) according to the specificity of the products to be treated, or shorter of the length of the product to be moved such as gastronorm containers, in the latter case the - said product is dispatched directly from its introduction on the appropriate mat.  5 / Device according to claim 1, characterized in that for a single cooking family, or cooling, that is to say for a single treatment time, the device is composed of a mat (4a) for introducing products, an output mat (4a), and a sole (43) between these two mats, receiving the products for their treatment.  4 / Device according to claim 1 characterized in that each carpet is provided at its end with a door (6) which opens automatically as soon as the programmed time for each carpet is e ended, and that the carpet (4) is starts to evacuate the products it transports to the transverse collecting mat (7) The movable partitions (9) translating these products on the sole (43) then, after the time has elapsed, on the output mat (4th).  6 / Device according to claim 1 characterized in that one can obtain a continuous treatment with a device equipped with heat (37) then another- ventilation (38) to dissipate the calories of the products leaving the cooking 37) and finally a device equipped with cold (39), thus allowing the continuous treatment of the products, without interruption. The general characteristics of the claimed disPosit-if being the same for the continuous assembly, object of this present claim.