Indexing system for frozen food products

Abstract

The present invention relates to an indexing system for frozen food products, comprising a laminar band arranged for a linear and cyclical movement and displacement of the surface of the band, the band incorporating pushers adapted in the geometry thereof to the usual geometry of frozen products; said pushers being arranged on the surface of the band, and said pushers therefore being integral in their movement with the linear and cyclical displacement of the surface of the band, the pushers in turn being enabled for a displacement of the products integral with the displacement of the band; further comprising a hopper system, a product positioning system, a quality control system, a rejection system and a control unit.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The object of the present invention application is to register an indexing system for frozen food products which incorporates significant innovations and advantages over the techniques used up until now.

[0002] More specifically, the invention proposes the development of an indexing system for frozen food products, which, due to the particular arrangement thereof, allows for certain frozen food products to be deposited or dumped in bulk, and their selection by means of certain quality controls prior to the subsequent treatment or conditioning thereof, and all this without requiring any manual contact with said frozen food products.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is known in the current state of the art of the food sector, particularly in the preparation and packaging of previously frozen foods, the installations for packing, in line, foods such as prepared and deep-frozen hamburgers, which are intended for large distribution, wherein the hamburgers are packaged to be sent to the point of sale, where they are finished.

[0004] Prior to these food packaging or conditioning operations, a certain quality control is required, separating usable hamburgers from those that are not usable according to certain quality parameters, before continuing with procedures, packaging or conditioning in the distribution thereof.

[0005] Furthermore, such quality control operations for frozen hamburgers can become especially delicate if they are carried out manually, by operators in the hamburger processing line itself.

[0006] As it is a task that is carried out in a food processing and freezing facility, the working conditions can be extreme, since they imply, on the one hand, working at low temperatures and, on the other, continuous handling of deep-frozen product, which enhances the feeling of extreme cold of the operators, even despite being protected with different PPE against said conditions, such as gloves, gowns, etc.

[0007] For this reason, in the sector, these types of jobs are especially critical, so that optimisation thereof is sought, so that, in a sense, general production is optimised, amortising human jobs that do not provide added value, as well as, from a purely ergonomic point of view, eliminating jobs in critical conditions.

[0008] The present invention contributes to solving the present problem, since it allows for certain frozen food products to be deposited or dumped in bulk, and their selection by means of certain quality controls prior to the subsequent treatment or conditioning thereof, and all this without requiring any manual contact with the aforementioned frozen food products.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention has been developed in order to provide a system for indexing frozen food products, comprising a predominantly laminar band arranged and enabled for a linear and cyclical movement and displacement of the surface of the band, the band incorporating pushers adapted in the geometry thereof to the usual geometry of frozen products; said pushers being arranged on the surface of the band and being distributed one after another along at least one line, said line being parallel to the direction of the linear and cyclical displacement of the surface of the band, and said pushers therefore being integral in their movement with linear and cyclical displacement of the surface of the band, the pushers in turn being enabled for their individual adaptation to each frozen product and therefore for a displacement of the products integral with the displacement of the band and also in a suitable position of said products on the band; further comprising a hopper system, a product positioning system, a quality control system, a rejection system and a control unit; the hopper system being enabled for the inlet and deposit of the products on the pushers in the initial section of the linear and cyclical path of the pushers on the band; the positioning system being arranged next to the linear path of the pushers and enabled to position the products arranged on the pushers with a removal of products superimposed on the pushers, resulting in a single product on each pusher; the quality control system being arranged next in the linear path of the pushers and the rejection system being arranged in the final section of the path of the pushers, both also being linked in data communication by means of the control unit that has a governance capacity over both; wherein the quality control system is enabled for a measurement and / or detection of certain parameters in the products arranged on certain pushers according to pre-established quality standards and their communication to the control unit, and at the same time the rejection system is enabled for an outlet of the products arranged on the pushers in the final section of the path of the pushers and it is also enabled for a removal of those products on the pushers according to the governance of the control unit following certain parameters measured and / or detected from the quality control system, said removal being prior to the outlet of the products arranged on the pushers in the final section of the path of the pushers.

[0010] Preferably, in the indexing system for frozen food products, the frozen products are frozen hamburgers.

[0011] Preferably, in the indexing system for frozen food products, the hopper system incorporates rails adapted to the initial section of each linear path of the pushers, enabled so that the frozen products deposited in that position are distributed in each linear and parallel path of the pushers in the initial section thereof.

[0012] Preferably, in the indexing system for frozen food products, the band is arranged and enabled for the linear and cyclical movement and displacement of the surface thereof by means of a system of rollers installed on a frame.

[0013] Preferably, in the indexing system for frozen food products, the pushers have a semi-circle or crescent geometry.

[0014] Alternatively, in the indexing system for frozen food products, the initial section of the path of the pushers corresponding to the hopper system is arranged at a lower height than the rest of the path of the pushers, so that the path of the pushers on the band rises before reaching the positioning system.

[0015] Additionally, in the indexing system for frozen food products, the quality control system comprises a detection bridge enabled to detect metallic particles in the product arranged on each pusher, and also comprises at least one artificial vision camera.

[0016] Preferably, in the indexing system for frozen food products, the artificial vision camera is enabled to establish the presence or absence of product on each pusher, and / or to establish the specific geometry of the product arranged on each pusher, and / or the presence or absence of irregularities and / or foreign bodies on the surface of the product placed on each pusher.

[0017] Additionally, in the indexing system for frozen food products, the rejection system comprises transfer means arranged at the outlet of said products from the pushers.

[0018] Additionally, the indexing system for frozen food products incorporates a product stacking system arranged after the rejection system, which is enabled for positioning and stacking the products in a predetermined number of units.

[0019] Preferably, in the indexing system for frozen food products, the stacking system is in the form of a unitary transfer or roller, with the ability to move the stack of products vertically by means of a push means.

[0020] Additionally, in the indexing system for frozen food products, the control unit incorporates a quality control algorithm or programme, enabled to determine and point out, through the data communicated from the quality control system, those products on the pushers that do not comply with pre-established quality standards.

[0021] Due to the present invention, a bulk deposit or dumping of certain frozen food products is achieved, and their selection by means of certain quality controls prior to the subsequent treatment or conditioning thereof, and all this without requiring any manual contact with said frozen food products.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the indexing system for frozen food products will become apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the attached drawings, in which:BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the indexing system for frozen food products of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic view of a pusher of a preferred embodiment of the indexing system for frozen food products of the present invention. Figures 3 to 5 are schematic views from different perspectives of another preferred embodiment of the indexing system for frozen food products of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] As Figure 1 schematically shows, the indexing system for frozen food products comprises a predominantly laminar band 1, arranged and enabled by means of a roller system 2 (indicated in their approximate position) installed on a frame 21 for linear and cyclical displacement of the surface of the band 1, as indicated by the arrows in the same figure 1.

[0025] The band 1 incorporates pushers 3 adapted in the geometry thereof to the usual geometry of the products.

[0026] In this preferred embodiment, as shown in figures 1 and 2, the frozen products are frozen hamburgers 31.

[0027] Said pushers 3 are arranged on the surface of the band 1 and distributed one after another along lines, said lines being parallel to the direction of the linear and cyclical displacement of the surface of the band 1, as can be seen in figure 1.

[0028] Therefore, said pushers 3 are integral in their movement with the linear and cyclical displacement of the surface of the band 1, as can also be seen in figure 1.

[0029] In addition, the pushers 3 are enabled for the individual adaptation thereof to each hamburger 31, as can be seen above all in figure 2. This therefore also implies a displacement of the hamburgers 31 integral with the displacement of the band 1 and also in a suitable position of said products on the band 1, as can also be seen in figure 1.

[0030] Said pushers 3 must be specifically adapted by the geometry thereof to the particular and usual geometry of the frozen food product to be treated, in this case a frozen hamburger 31, as can be seen in figure 2. To do this, in this preferred embodiment, the pushers 3 have a semi-circled or crescent geometry, adapted to the circular geometry of the hamburgers 31, and thus ensure an adequate displacement of the aforementioned hamburgers 31 on the band 1.

[0031] The indexing system for frozen food products of the present invention further comprises a hopper system 4, a product positioning system 5, a quality control system 6, a rejection system 7 and a control unit not shown in the drawings.

[0032] The hopper system 4 is enabled for an inlet and deposit of the hamburgers 31 on the pushers 3 in the initial section of the linear and cyclical path of the pushers 3 on the band 1.

[0033] To do this, in this preferred embodiment, as can be seen in Figure 1, the hopper system 4 is arranged in the initial section of the linear path of the pushers 3, and incorporates rails 41 adapted to the initial section of each linear path of the pushers 3, which means that the hamburgers 31 that are dumped in that position are distributed in each linear and parallel path of the pushers 3 in the initial section thereof.

[0034] The initial section of the path of the pushers 3 that corresponds to the hopper system 4 is arranged at a lower height than the rest of the path of the pushers 3, as can be seen in figure 1.

[0035] The positioning system 5 is arranged next to the linear path of the pushers 3, as can also be seen in figure 1, so that the path of the pushers 3 on the band 1 rises before reaching the positioning system 5.

[0036] The positioning system 5 is enabled for an adequate positioning of the hamburgers 31 on the pushers 3 after the rising section, and particularly for a removal of those hamburgers 31 that would have been eventually superimposed on other hamburgers 31 on the pushers 3 as a result of the earlier depositing in the rails 41.

[0037] The positioning system 5 therefore ensures that a single hamburger 31 is arranged on each pusher 3 in the subsequent path thereof after said positioning system 5.

[0038] Moreover, the quality control system 6 is arranged next in the linear path of the pushers 3 after the positioning system 5.

[0039] In addition, the rejection system 7 is arranged in the final section of the path of the pushers 3.

[0040] Accordingly, the quality control system 6 is enabled to measure and / or detect certain parameters in the hamburgers 31 arranged on certain pushers 3 according to pre-established quality standards. For this, for example, the quality control system 6 may be enabled for metal detection, equipped with a display system, etc.

[0041] At the same time, the rejection system 7 is enabled for an outlet of the hamburgers 31 arranged on the pushers 3 in the final section of the path of the same pushers 3. The same rejection system 7 is also enabled to remove those hamburgers 31 from the pushers 3 according to certain parameters measured and / or detected from the quality control system 6, said removal being prior to the outlet of the hamburgers 31.

[0042] For this, the quality control system 6 and the rejection system 7 are both linked in data communication by means of the control unit, not shown in the drawings, and which has a governance capacity over them.

[0043] Said control unit incorporates a quality control algorithm or programme, with which to determine and point out by means of the data and parameters measured and / or detected and communicated from the quality control system 6 those hamburgers 31 on the pushers 3 that do not meet pre-established quality standards.

[0044] Accordingly, the identification data of the positioning of the hamburgers 31 on the pushers 3 on the surface of the band 1 that have not passed the quality control established and carried out using the quality control system 6, are communicated by means of the control unit up to the rejection system 7, which proceeds to carry out the removal thereof prior to the outlet of the hamburgers 31 in the final section of the linear path of the pushers 3.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the indexing system for frozen food products of the present invention and represented in figures 3 and 4, the quality control system 6 comprises a detection bridge 61, which is enabled for detection of metallic particles on the hamburgers 31 arranged on each pusher 3.

[0046] The same quality control system 6 may also comprise artificial vision cameras 62, in order to thus carry out quality control of different parameters that are completely customisable, such as, for example, the shape or perimeter geometry of each hamburger unit 31 arranged on each pusher 3, the presence or absence of irregularities and / or foreign bodies on the surface of the hamburger 31 or the actual presence or absence of a unit of product on each pusher 3.

[0047] The rejection system 7 may comprise transfer means arranged at the outlet of the hamburgers 31 from the pushers 3.

[0048] Similarly, in this preferred embodiment shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the indexing system for frozen food products of the invention may incorporate a product stacking system 8 arranged after the rejection system 7, and which is enabled for positioning and stacking 9 the products or hamburgers 31 in a predetermined number of units.

[0049] Said product stacking system 8 can be in the form of a unitary transfer 81 or roller, with the ability to move the stack 9 of products vertically by means of a push means 82.

[0050] Due to the provisions explained, the indexing system for frozen food products of the present invention allows a prior selection of those frozen hamburgers that do not pass certain quality controls, separating the usable hamburgers from the non-usable ones according to certain quality parameters, before continuing with the stacking and packing thereof or other procedures, packaging or conditioning comprised in the distribution thereof, and without requiring any manual contact to do so.

[0051] The details, shapes, dimensions and other secondary elements, as well as the materials used in manufacturing the indexing system for frozen food products of the invention, may be suitably replaced with others that are technically equivalent and do not depart from the essential nature of the invention or from the scope defined by the claims included below.

Claims

1. An indexing system for frozen food products, characterised in that it comprises a predominantly laminar band (1) arranged and enabled for a linear and cyclical movement and displacement of the surface of the band, the band (1) incorporating pushers (3) adapted in the geometry thereof to the usual geometry of frozen products; said pushers (3) being arranged on the surface of the band (1) and being distributed one after another along at least one line, said line being parallel to the direction of the linear and cyclical displacement of the surface of the band (1), and said pushers (3) therefore being integral in their movement with the linear and cyclical displacement of the surface of the band (1), the pushers (3) in turn being enabled for their individual adaptation to each frozen product and therefore for a displacement of the products integral with the displacement of the band (1) and also in a suitable position of said products on the band (1); further comprising a hopper system (4), a product positioning system (5), a quality control system (6), a rejection system (7) and a control unit; the hopper system (4) being enabled for the inlet and deposit of the products on the pushers (3) in the initial section of the linear and cyclical path of the pushers (3) on the band (1); the positioning system (5) being arranged next to the linear path of the pushers (3) and enabled to position the products arranged on the pushers (3) with a removal of products superimposed on the pushers (3), resulting in a single product on each pusher (3); the quality control system (6) being arranged next in the linear path of the pushers (3), and the rejection system (7) being arranged in the final section of the path of the pushers (3), both also being linked in data communication by means of the control unit that has a governance capacity over both; wherein the quality control system (6) is enabled for a measurement and / or detection of certain parameters in the products arranged on certain pushers (3) according to pre-established quality standards and their communication to the control unit, and at the same time, the rejection system (7) is enabled for an outlet of the products arranged on the pushers (3) in the final section of the path of the pushers (3) and is also enabled for a removal of those products on the pushers (3) according to the governance of the control unit following certain parameters measured and / or detected from the quality control system (6), said removal being prior to the outlet of the products arranged on the pushers (3) in the final section of the path of the pushers (3).

2. The indexing system for frozen food products according to claim 1, wherein the frozen products are frozen hamburgers (31).

3. The indexing system for frozen food products according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hopper system (4) incorporates rails (41) adapted to the initial section of each linear path of the pushers (3), enabled so that the frozen products deposited in that position are distributed in each linear and parallel path of the pushers (3) in the initial section thereof.

4. The indexing system for frozen food products according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the band (1) is arranged and enabled for the linear and cyclical movement and displacement of the surface thereof by means of a roller system (2) installed on a frame (21).

5. The indexing system for frozen food products according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pushers (3) have a semi-circle or crescent geometry.

6. The indexing system for frozen food products according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the initial section of the path of the pushers (3) that corresponds to the hopper system (4) is arranged at a lower height than the rest of the path of the pushers (3), so the path of the pushers (3) on the band (1) rises before reaching the positioning system (5).

7. The indexing system for frozen food products according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the quality control system (6) comprises a detection bridge (61) enabled to detect metallic particles in the product arranged on each pusher (3), and also comprises at least one artificial vision camera (62).

8. The indexing system for frozen food products according to claim 7, wherein the artificial vision camera (62) is enabled to establish the presence or absence of product on each pusher (3), and / or to establish the specific geometry of the product arranged on each pusher (3), and / or the presence or absence of irregularities and / or foreign bodies on the surface of the product arranged on each pusher (3).

9. The indexing system for frozen food products according to claim 7, wherein the rejection system (7) comprises transfer means arranged at the outlet of said products from the pushers (3).

10. The indexing system for frozen food products according to any of the preceding claims, which incorporates a product stacking system (8) arranged after the rejection system (7), which is enabled for positioning and stacking (9) the products in a predetermined number of units.

11. The indexing system for frozen food products according to claim 10, wherein the stacking system is in the form of a unitary transfer (81) or roller, with the ability to move the stack (9) of products vertically by means of a push means (92).

12. The indexing system for frozen food products according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit incorporates a quality control algorithm or programme, enabled to determine and point out by means of the data communicated from the quality control system (6) those products on the pushers (3) that do not meet pre-established quality standards.

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