Food product spray circuit and food product spray assembly comprising such a circuit

Abstract

A circuit (1) for spraying a food product propelled by means of compressed air onto a surface, the circuit (1) comprising: a spray gun (2) including at least one circulation channel (3) for the food product extending from a food inlet (4), a circulation channel (5) for compressed air extending from an air inlet (6) and an air chamber (7) extending to a spray outlet (8); an air compressor (12) fluidly connected to the air inlet (6) of the gun (2) and including internal walls in contact with the air; the circuit (1) being characterized in that the circulation channel (3) for the food product, the circulation channel (5) for compressed air, the air chamber (7) and the internal walls of the compressor (12) each include at least one anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer. Figure for the summary: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Food product spraying circuit and food product spraying assembly comprising such a circuit. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of presentation of culinary preparations, or food decoration, and more specifically to the field of spraying a food product. technological BACKGROUND

[0002] In the food production sector, it is known to spray a product in order, for example, to impart color, texture, and / or flavor to a culinary preparation. This is particularly used in pastry making, where aesthetics are of particular importance. The product can also be sprayed directly onto a surface to form, after hardening, a decorative element that will be incorporated into the culinary preparation. The sprayed product must be a food product intended for consumption. Examples include chocolate, cream, coulis, sugar, oil, or even edible glitter.

[0003] For this purpose, a compressed air-powered spray gun is generally used to spray the food product. This is the same type of gun as those found in the painting industry. Thus, the gun comprises a compressed air inlet, which is connected to a compressor, a food product inlet, which is connected to a container of the food product to be sprayed, and an outlet nozzle through which a mixture of air and food product is ejected, the food product being sprayed in the form of droplets.

[0004] Now, it will be easily understood that the application to the food sector implies more restrictions, particularly in terms of hygiene, than in the field of painting.

[0005] Document US2659628 thus proposes a food product spray gun that can be easily disassembled in order to make all internal surfaces accessible for cleaning, in accordance with hygiene requirements.

[0006] However, such a solution is only partial. Indeed, cleaning the spray gun is necessarily carried out after the food product has been sprayed, and therefore after impurities have accumulated in the gun. Cleaning is thus a reactive solution, as impurities have time to accumulate in the gun and are therefore sprayed along with the food product. Even frequent cleaning, which requires stopping the spraying and therefore results in a loss of time, It does not eliminate impurities, but only reduces their concentration.

[0007] Furthermore, if attempts are made to adapt a spray gun for use in the food industry, a user of this gun must acquire the other necessary equipment, such as an air compressor, and connect it to the gun itself. The user is generally a cook or pastry chef, not a technician in the field of product spraying. Therefore, they must assemble a system for spraying a food product and adjust each piece of equipment themselves.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a new solution for spraying a food product that overcomes, in particular, the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0009] The invention thus aims in particular to provide a complete solution to the problem of hygiene for the spraying of a food product.

[0010] According to a first aspect, the invention thus proposes a spraying circuit with hygiene adapted to food.

[0011] According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a spray circuit that does not require frequent cleaning.

[0012] According to a third aspect, the invention proposes a spray circuit adapted to the field of pastry making.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect, the invention proposes a spray circuit that does not unacceptably increase costs.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect, the invention proposes a spraying circuit that can be easily adjusted according to the needs of its users. Summary of the invention

[0015] Thus, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a spray circuit for a food product propelled by compressed air onto a surface. The surface is, for example, the surface of a food preparation or a support. The circuit includes, in particular: • a spray gun comprising at least one circulation channel for the food product extending from a so-called food inlet, a circulation channel for compressed air extending from a so-called air inlet and an air chamber extending to a so-called spray outlet; • an air compressor fluidly connected to the air inlet of the gun and comprising internal walls in contact with the air.

[0016] More specifically, the circulation channel for the food product, the circulation channel for the compressed air, the air chamber and the internal walls of the compressor each include at least one anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer, so as to make them suitable for use in the food industry.

[0017] Indeed, by considering hygiene across the entire system, that is, all the components used to spray the food product, and not just the spray gun which represents only a part of the system, and in particular by taking into account the compressed air, and especially the compressed air compressor, the quantity of pollutants that can be harmful to health is drastically reduced, or even eliminated, when the food product is sprayed. The level of hygiene is therefore very high.

[0018] Depending on different aspects, it is possible to foresee one and / or the other of the characteristics below taken alone or in combination.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer of the food product circulation channel can be made, at least in part, by a polytetrafluoroethylene coating. Such a coating limits the risk of food product adhering to the walls of the circulation channel, while producing few, if any, particles that could contaminate the food product when sprayed.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer of the food product circulation channel can be made, at least in part, of anodized aluminum. The layer thus formed reduces the risk of oxidation in the circulation channel, and therefore limits, or even eliminates, the presence of particles that could detach from the walls of the circulation channel and contaminate the sprayed food product.

[0021] In one embodiment, the compressor may include at least one tank. The anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial coating on the internal walls of the compressor may then be achieved, at least in part, by an epoxy coating on the internal walls of the tank. Alternatively, or in combination, the compressor may be oil-free and is classified as 0 with regard to the presence of oil according to ISO 8573-1:2010. As a result, the compressed air entering the gun is perfectly clean.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the circuit may further include, between the compressor and the air inlet of the spray gun, an air heater for heating the compressed air to a predetermined temperature. This reduces the risk of solidifying the food product before spraying, which is particularly useful when dealing with chocolate.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the fluidic connections are made using connectors suitable for food contacts.

[0024] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a food product spraying assembly comprising at least one circuit as shown above and at least one extraction hood. The extraction hood comprises at least one support for a surface onto which the food product is intended to be sprayed. By generating a Adjustable depression above the support, the presence of pollutants in the sprayed product and on the food preparation on which the food product is sprayed is drastically reduced, or even zero, ensuring a very high level of hygiene. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, briefly described below:

[0026] [Fig-1] represents a diagram of a spray assembly comprising a circuit spraying according to a method of embodiment.

[0027] [Fig.2] represents a partial cross-sectional diagram of an example embodiment of a spray gun of the whole of [Fig.1].

[0028] In the drawings, identical references designate identical or similar objects. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The invention relates to a spray circuit 1 for a food product.

[0030] The term "food product" here refers to a product intended to be consumed by a human being.

[0031] In order to obtain a complete spraying circuit 1 adapted to the food sector, the invention proposes to identify all surfaces likely to introduce impurities during spraying.

[0032] The circuit 1 includes at least one food product spray gun 2. The gun 2 includes in particular a food product circulation channel 3 extending from a food inlet 4, a compressed air circulation channel 5 extending from an air inlet 6 and an air chamber 7 extending to a spray outlet 8.

[0033] More specifically, the spray gun 2 comprises a gun body 9 which is provided with a connection device for a cup (not shown in [Fig. 2]) containing the food product to be sprayed, and forming the food inlet 4. The material of the cup is suitable for containing a food product. Preferably, the food product is liquid or granular, so that it can flow, by gravity, from the cup into the food product circulation channel 3. Similarly, the gun body 9 comprises a fluid connection device for a compressed air supply which forms the air inlet 6. For example, the external surface of the air inlet 6 is threaded, to be connected to a clamping sleeve at the end of a hose and to provide a tight seal between the air inlet 6 and the hose.

[0034] We will now describe a general example of the realization of pistol 2.

[0035] The spray outlet 8 is generally formed by a nozzle mounted on the The gun body 9 may include an outlet orifice through which the product to be sprayed exits. The number, shape, and / or dimensions of the nozzle outlet orifices 8 may vary depending on the food product to be sprayed, particularly its viscosity. The nozzle 8 may have horns 81, typically two, with openings for air exhaust in addition to the outlet orifice. The nozzle 8 may be removably mounted on the gun body 9 so that it can be easily removed and replaced with another nozzle 8.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the nozzle is a 1.8 PR nozzle from Spray Gun Import, meaning that the outlet orifice has a diameter of 1.8 mm (millimeter) and the nozzle lacks air exhaust vents on the cap. This nozzle 8 increases the air pressure at the spray outlet 8 for product bursting. Such a 1.8 PR nozzle is particularly suitable for cocoa butter and other chocolate-based products because it prevents the food product from solidifying inside the gun 2.

[0037] According to another embodiment, the nozzle is a 3.0 HV nozzle from Spray Gun Import, which allows for the fine application of a thick product. In particular, the diameter of the outlet orifice is 3 mm, and shortened horns 81 allow the nozzle 8 to more finely atomize a thick food product, i.e., one with high viscosity.

[0038] The gun 2 may also include a trigger 10 for activating the spray. The trigger 10 is connected to a needle 11 inside the gun 2, which moves relative to the gun body 9 when the trigger 10 is activated, in order to allow the product to be sprayed to exit by adjusting the spray rate.

[0039] The air chamber 7 is located between the nozzle 8 and the gun body 9, and is connected to both the food product circulation channel 3 and the compressed air circulation channel 5. When compressed air enters the air chamber 7, for example by actuation of a valve, a vacuum is created and draws the food product into the air chamber 7. The mixture of food product and air in the air chamber 7 forms a cloud of particles. By activating the trigger 10, the released pressure propels the food product and air mixture through the nozzle orifice 8.

[0040] The spray gun 2 may further include an adjustment system for controlling the product flow rate, the shape of the spray pattern, and / or the compressed air pressure used. The adjustment system may, for this purpose, include, for example, buttons and / or dials and / or a digital or analog display accessible to the user of the spray gun 2.

[0041] Circuit 1 further includes an air compressor 12. The term "compressor" refers to This refers to all equipment that provides compressed air to power the spray gun 2. In one example, the compressor may include a motor driving the rotation of a piston or turbine-type device which, as it rotates, draws in ambient air, compresses it, and stores it in an air tank 13. The tank 13 includes an air outlet with a regulator to control the compressed air pressure at this outlet, specifically to ensure compatibility with the spray gun 2.

[0042] The air outlet of the compressor 12 is fluidly connected to the air inlet 6 of the spray gun 2. More specifically, according to one embodiment, an air heating device 14, for example a heater, is placed between the air outlet of the compressor 12 and the air inlet 6 of the spray gun 2. The heater 14 can control the temperature of the air entering the spray gun 2, in order to prevent, in particular, the food product from solidifying when the air is too cold. Such a heater 14 is particularly useful when the product to be sprayed is chocolate, which can harden at room temperature. By controlling the temperature of the air entering the spray gun, flow of the product to be sprayed is ensured between its reservoir and the nozzle 8 of the spray gun 2.

[0043] Thus, according to this embodiment, the circuit 1 comprises a first fluid connector 15 between the outlet of the compressor 12 and an inlet of the heater 14, and a second fluid connector 16 between an outlet of the heater 14 and the air inlet 6 of the gun 2. The fluid connectors 15, 16 are, for example, of the flexible type. Their connections to the compressor 12, the heater 14, and the gun 2 are sealed.

[0044] According to the invention, the surfaces likely to introduce impurities during spraying do not only concern the gun 2, but it has been understood that the compressed air itself is an important source of impurities, which end up in the air chamber 7 of the gun and are therefore sprayed, regardless of the cleaning of the gun 2. It has also been taken into account that all the connectors for the compressed air must also meet hygiene requirements.

[0045] Thus, in the spray circuit 1, the food product circulation channel 3, the compressed air circulation channel 5, the air chamber 7 and the internal walls of the compressor 12 each include at least one anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer, so as to be suitable for use in the food industry.

[0046] Thus, according to one embodiment, the anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer of the food product circulation channel 3 is made at least in part by a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating, known in particular for its non-stick properties and suitable for use in the food industry. In particular, the anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer of the circulation channel 3 The product for the food product complies with Regulation (EC) No 1935 / 2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 October 2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. Alternatively, or in combination with other products, the anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial coating of the food product circulation channel 3 complies with the US Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and in particular with 21 CFR 175.00 of the Code of Federal Regulations. For example, the PTFE coating extends throughout the food product channel 3 into the air chamber 7, from the food product inlet 4 to the spray outlet 8.

[0047] Alternatively or in combination, the anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer of the food product circulation channel 3 is made at least in part of anodized aluminum. For example, the gun body 9 is made of aluminum that is anodized on its exterior and interior surfaces. The PTFE coating can then be added to the food product circulation channel 3 and the air chamber 7.

[0048] Alternatively or in combination, the nozzle 8 and the needle 11 are made of stainless steel at least on their part in contact with the food product and / or compressed air.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer of the internal walls of the compressor 12 is at least partially achieved by an epoxy coating. More specifically, the internal walls of the tank 13 of the compressor 12 comprise such an anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer. More precisely, the internal walls of the tank 13 of the compressor 12 can be coated with a powder coating based on hardened saturated polyester and carboxylate resins. The corrosion resistance properties of such an epoxy coating are tested, for example, by applying the coating to iron phosphate bonding plates, in accordance with ISO 6270 (exposure to humidity), ISO 22479 (accelerated corrosion KESTERNICH), and ISO 9227 (salt spray). The results are given in the table below: Humidity exposure: No change after 500 hours. Accelerated corrosion: KESTERNICH - No loss of adhesion after 10 cycles. Salt spray: After 1000 hours: penetration < 1 millimeter [Table 1]

[0050] Furthermore, it has been determined that when the compressor 12 is classified as 0 with regard to Regarding the presence of oil, referred to as total oil purity, according to ISO 8573-1:2010, the quality of the sprayed product is suitable for food use, being completely free of oil from compressor 12. Indeed, when oil from a compressor is sprayed with the food product, food hygiene is no longer guaranteed. For example, compressor 12 is an oil-free piston compressor, specifically designed for applications requiring an oil-free environment. Compressor 12 is, for example, a BREVA4-90MS or BREVA8-500TS compressor from the BREVA brand.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the compressor 12 can be combined with a dryer to reduce or even eliminate any water potentially present in the air. In any case, the absence of oil and the treatment of the compressor 12 tank ensure that any water present in the tank 13 remains clean and does not contaminate the compressed air. Furthermore, the compressor 12 can be equipped with a device for draining water from the tank 13. In addition, the compressor 12 can also be combined with a filtration device, for example, an activated carbon filter, to remove any solid particles.

[0052] According to one embodiment, all the connectors, and in particular the flexible hoses 15 and 16, are certified according to current regulations as being suitable for food contact. These are, for example, APU-16GR hoses from the POLYHOSE brand, comprising an inner layer of PU (polyurethane), an intermediate layer of a PU and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) blend, and an outer layer of a PV and thermoplastic blend. A reinforcing textile may be placed between the intermediate and outer layers.

[0053] To enable a user to have complete equipment for spraying a food product, the invention further proposes a spraying assembly 100. The assembly 100 includes, in particular, at least one spraying circuit 1 as described above, and at least one extraction hood 101 in which the spraying is carried out. For this purpose, the hood 101 may include a support 102 for a surface onto which the food product can be sprayed. The surface may be directly a surface of the support 102 itself, or a surface of a culinary preparation 103, for example a pastry, placed on the support 102 and onto which the product is sprayed using the spray gun 2. The hood 101 includes a ventilation system for regulating and maintaining negative pressure under the hood 101 and ensuring a highly hygienic environment during spraying.The ventilation system also allows control of airflow under the hood 16, in order to limit ambient air currents that can disrupt spraying by the gun 2, to the detriment of the expected final result.

[0054] The complete 100-piece spray set is supplied to a user, who is by For example, a cook or pastry chef, so they no longer need to purchase each piece of equipment separately. The 100 spray set guarantees optimal hygiene, suitable for spraying food products.

[0055] The spraying unit thus formed also allows for relevant adjustment points for the user, all other points being pre-set. Therefore, the spraying unit can be delivered, for example, to the user's premises and assembled there by the supplier to enable the spraying of the food product. In particular, the fluid connectors are installed between the compressor 12, the heater 14, and the spray gun 2. Assembly by the supplier ensures that precautions are taken to maintain a high level of hygiene. For example, a cleaning step can be planned for each component of the spraying unit before assembly.A pre-setting step allows the supplier to adjust parameters that do not require user intervention, such as the compressed air flow rate at the outlet of the compressor 12's tank 13, the setpoint temperature of the heater 14, or the negative pressure created under the hood 101. These pre-setting parameters can be specified by the supplier or developed in consultation with the user, according to their needs. In particular, the pre-setting can take into account the viscosity of the product to be sprayed, as determined by the user, and the temperature of the product to be sprayed in the cup.

[0056] The 100 spray set can also allow the user to freely adjust all or part of the adjustment points himself.

Claims

Demands

1. A circuit (1) for spraying a food product propelled by means of compressed air onto a surface, the circuit (1) comprising: • a spray gun (2) comprising at least one circulation channel (3) for the food product extending from a food inlet (4), a circulation channel (5) for compressed air extending from an air inlet (6) and an air chamber (7) extending to a spray outlet (8); • an air compressor (12) fluidly connected to the air inlet (6) of the gun (2) and comprising internal walls in contact with the air; the circuit (1) being characterized in that the circulation channel (3) for the food product, the circulation channel (5) for compressed air, the air chamber (7) and the internal walls of the compressor (12) each comprise at least one anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer.

2. Circuit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer of the food product circulation channel (3) is made at least in part by a polytetrafluoroethylene coating.

3. Circuit (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer of the food product circulation channel (3) is made at least in part from anodized aluminum.

4. Circuit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compressor comprises at least one tank (13), the anti-corrosion and / or antibacterial layer of the internal walls of the compressor (12) is achieved at least in part by an epoxy coating on the internal walls of the tank (13).

5. Circuit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compressor (12) is in category 0 with respect to the presence of oil according to ISO 8573-1: 2010.

6. Circuit according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising, between the compressor (12) and the air inlet (6) of the gun (2), an air heater (14) for heating compressed air to a predetermined temperature.

7. Circuit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluidic connections are made using (15, 16) connectors suitable for food contacts.

8. Food product spraying assembly (100) comprising at least one circuit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one extraction hood (101), the extraction hood (101) comprising at least one support (102) for a surface on which the food product is intended to be sprayed.