HEAT TREATMENT INSTALLATION FOR FOOD PRODUCTS

Abstract

HEAT PROCESSING INSTALLATION FOR FOOD PRODUCTS The invention relates to a heat processing installation (100) with several conveyor lines (104a-b) arranged one above the other, trays (50) with two wheels and a cleat, elevators (106a-b) for raising a tray from a lower conveyor line (104a) to an upper conveyor line (104b), rails on which the trays (50) run, and transmission belts with counter-cleats cooperating with the cleats of the trays (50), where at each elevator (106a-b), each rail has a valve arranged to open when a tray (50) is raised and to close when the tray (50) is above the rail. Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: HEAT TREATMENT INSTALLATION FOR FOOD PRODUCTS Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat treatment installation for food products. PREVIOUS STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Food products must undergo various heat treatments to be heated and cooled. Different heat treatment installations are used to perform such heat treatments. Document EP-A-1 127 814 shows an installation that extends over several floors and allows trays to be transported over these different levels. The installation includes, among other things, a chain mounted between a plurality of toothed wheels that travels through all the levels. Each tray is attached to the chain by a horizontal axle, and at each change of floor, the installation includes an additional toothed wheel that engages another axle attached to the tray to raise and lower the tray while ensuring that it remains horizontal.

[0003] Even if such an installation is satisfactory, some problems remain to be solved. For example, the platters remain attached to the chain and therefore cannot be separated from it. Cleaning the installation is thus relatively complex. Indeed, it is not possible to clean each platter individually, and this cleaning must therefore be done directly on the installation. Furthermore, the chain is relatively long, and if it breaks, its repair can be complicated. Description of the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is thus to propose a heat treatment installation for food products which allows among other things to free the trays from the means ensuring their movement.

[0005] To this end, a heat treatment installation is proposed having a vertical median plane parallel to an inlet direction and comprising:

[0006] - several transport lines extending parallel to the direction of introduction stacked one above the other between an upstream zone and a downstream zone,

[0007] - at least one platform having, on either side of the vertical median plane, two wheels and a cleat,

[0008] - a downstream elevator at the level of the downstream zone and an upstream elevator at the level of the upstream zone where each elevator is arranged to move at least one platform from a lower transport line to an upper transport line,

[0009] for each pair of a lower transport line and an upper transport line:

[0010] - on either side of the vertical median plane, a lower rail and an upper rail extending parallel to the direction of entry between the upstream and downstream zones, and on which the wheels of the platforms roll, and

[0011] - on either side of the vertical median plane, an endless transmission band where Each transmission band carries a plurality of counter-cleats and has a lower strand arranged so that the counter-cleats carried by said lower strand cooperate with the cleats of the platens running on the lower transport line, and an upper strand arranged so that the counter-cleats carried by said upper strand cooperate with the cleats of the platens running on the upper transport line, where each transmission band is disposed outside relative to the wheels, and

[0012] - drive means arranged to drive each transmission band,

[0013] where at the level of the downstream elevator, each upper rail has a recess in which is disposed a lock arranged to open when a platform is transported from the lower rail over the upper rail and to close when the wheels of said platform are over the upper rail and where at the level of the upstream elevator, each lower rail has a recess in which is disposed a lock arranged to open when a platform is transported from an upper rail of the pair below, over the lower rail and to close when the wheels of said platform are over the lower rail.

[0014] Advantageously, in the vicinity of each lock, the rail concerned has a slot intended to allow the passage of a cleat of the platform during its transport from an underlying rail onto said rail concerned.

[0015] Advantageously, each lock comprises at least one gate, said at least one gate being hinged mounted on the rail concerned between an open position in which said gate is tilted to release the recess and a closed position in which said gate is tilted to close the recess.

[0016] According to a particular embodiment, each lock comprises a single gate mounted movable in rotation on the rail concerned around a horizontal axis of rotation parallel to the direction of introduction.

[0017] According to a particular embodiment, each lock has two gates, each mounted movably in rotation on the rail concerned around a horizontal axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction of introduction.

[0018] Advantageously, the door or each door is constrained towards its closed position by a tension spring installed between the door or each door and the rail.

[0019] Advantageously, each elevator comprises:

[0020] - a chassis carrying at least one sub-platter intended to receive a platter,

[0021] - a guidance system ensuring vertical guidance of the chassis,

[0022] - a motor having a rotating movable drive shaft,

[0023] - a main connecting rod having a first end mounted articulated on the chassis and a second end,

[0024] - a first secondary connecting rod having a first articulated mounted end with the second end of the main connecting rod and a second end rigidly connected to the drive shaft.

[0025] Advantageously, each elevator further comprises a second secondary connecting rod symmetrical to the first secondary connecting rod with respect to the main connecting rod and having a first mounted end articulated with the second end of the main connecting rod and a second mounted end movable in rotation about an axis of rotation coaxial with the motor shaft. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0027] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a heat treatment installation for food products according to the invention,

[0028] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of an enlargement of a downstream area II of the installation of the [Fig.1],

[0029] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of an enlargement of an upstream area III of the installation of the [Fig.1],

[0030] [Fig.4] is an enlargement of a detail of the installation of [Fig.1],

[0031] [Fig.5] is an enlargement of a detail of the installation of [Fig.1],

[0032] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of an elevator for the installation of the [Fig.1],

[0033] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the elevator in [Fig.6],

[0034] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the elevator in [Fig.6],

[0035] [Fig.9] is an enlargement of a detail of the installation of [Fig.1],

[0036] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of a lock in the closed position,

[0037] [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of the lock of [Fig. 10] in the open position, and

[0038] [Fig. 12] is a view similar to [Fig.9] for an alternative embodiment.

[0039] DETAILED STATEMENT OF IMPROVEMENTS

[0040] Figure 1 shows a heat treatment installation 100 enabling by An example of heating or cooling food products arranged on trays 50 that pass through the heat treatment unit 100 is shown below. The heating or cooling system is not shown in the figures for simplicity, but it could, for example, take the form of nozzles spraying heat or cold water onto the food products.

[0041] The heat treatment unit 100 comprises a frame 102 fixed to the ground, which here includes a plurality of arches 101 aligned one after the other parallel to a horizontal inlet direction T. The heat treatment unit 100 extends between an inlet 102a through which the trays 50 enter the heat treatment unit 100 and an outlet 102b through which the trays 50 leave the heat treatment unit 100.

[0042] The introduction direction T is oriented from the inlet 102a to the outlet 102b and the heat treatment installation 100 has a vertical median plane P parallel to the introduction direction T.

[0043] The heat treatment installation 100 comprises several transport lines 104a-b extending parallel to the inlet direction T one above the other between an upstream zone III in the vicinity of the inlet 102a and a downstream zone II in the vicinity of the outlet 102b.

[0044] The heat treatment installation 100 also includes at least one tray 50 on which the food products are placed and, as shown more clearly in [Fig. 5], each tray 50 has, on either side of the vertical median plane P, two wheels 50a and a lug 50b. Here, the tray 50 has a perforated base 51 to allow, among other things, the passage of fluids.

[0045] In the downstream zone II, the heat treatment installation 100 includes a downstream elevator 106a, and in the upstream zone III, the heat treatment installation 100 includes an upstream elevator 106b, where each elevator 106a-b lifts the platform 50 of a lower transport line 104a to an upper transport line 104b directly above it. Each elevator 106a-b is fixed to the frame 102.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows the downstream zone II and Fig. 3 shows the upstream zone III. Fig. 4 shows two transport lines 104a-b.

[0047] For each pair consisting of a lower transport line 104a and an upper transport line 104b arranged above the lower transport line 104a, the heat treatment installation 100 comprises, on either side of the vertical median plane P, a lower rail 108a corresponding to the lower transport line 104a and an upper rail 108b corresponding to the upper transport line 104b. The rails 108a-b are fixed to the frame 102. The rails 108a-b extend parallel to the introduction direction T between the upstream zone III and the downstream zone II and they are arranged so that the wheels 50a of the 50 plates roll on them.

[0048] For each transport line 104a-b, there are thus two parallel rails 108a-b at the same height and the platforms 50 move along each transport line 104a-b.

[0049] Similarly, for each pair of transmission lines 104a-b, the heat treatment installation 100 comprises, on either side of the vertical median plane P, an endless transmission band 110 forming a loop. Thus, there are two transmission bands 110 for each pair of transmission lines 104a-b.

[0050] Each transmission belt 110 has a lower strand 110a arranged along the lower transport line 104a and an upper strand 110b arranged along the upper transport line 104b. The strands HOa-b are thus parallel to the feed direction T. Each transmission belt 110 is here stretched between two pulleys 113a (only one is visible in [Fig. 3]) mounted for rotation on the frame 102 and is driven in motion by suitable drive means 150, such as, for example, a motor 115 carrying the second pulley for each transmission belt 110. It is also possible to provide that the same motor drives several transmission belts 110 via idler belts.

[0051] Each transmission band 110 can be a toothed belt or a chain and each pulley is then a toothed pulley.

[0052] There are thus two transmission bands 110 per pair of transport lines 104a-b, and a defect in a transmission band 110 will require a simpler repair than in the case of the prior art, since the transmission band 110 is shorter.

[0053] Each transmission band 110 carries a plurality of counter-lugs 111 which are oriented inwards.

[0054] The lower strand 110a is arranged so that the counter-cleats 111 that it carries cooperate with the cleats 50b of the plates 50 circulating on the lower transport line 104a associated with the lower strand 110a.

[0055] The upper strand 110b is arranged so that the counter-cleats 111 that it carries cooperate with the cleats 50b of the plates 50 circulating on the upper transport line 104b associated with the upper strand 110b.

[0056] Thus, when a counter-lug 111 moves with the transmission belt 110, it comes into contact with the lug 50b of a plate 50 and pushes it to roll said plate 50. Of course, the counter-lugs 111 are arranged so that a counter-lug 111 pushes on each lug 50b of a plate 50 to ensure an identical push on each side of the plate 50.

[0057] Each transmission band 110 is arranged outside relative to the wheels 50a of the platforms 50 so that the platform 50 is thus entirely between the transmission bands 110 and its vertical movement by the elevators 106a-b is not hindered by an interaction between the wheels 50a and the transmission bands 110. There is thus a part of each rail 108a-b which is inside relative to the transmission bands 110.

[0058] Figs. 9 to 11 show a first embodiment of the invention and [Fig. 12] shows a variant embodiment.

[0059] Thus, at the level of the downstream elevator 106a, each upper rail 108b has a recess 109 in which is disposed a lock 180 arranged to open when a platform 50 is transported from the lower rail 108a above the upper rail 108b and to close when the wheels 50a of said platform 50 are above the upper rail 108b. Thus, there is one recess 109 per wheel 50a, that is to say two on each side. When the platform 50 is on the lower rail 108a ([Fig. 10]), the lock 180 is in the closed position, and when the platform 50 is moved upwards ([Fig. 11]), each wheel 50a comes against the lock 180 and lifts it to place it in the open position and when the wheel 50a has passed over the lock 180, the latter closes by gravity to extend the upper rail 108b and close the recess 109. The platform 50 can then be placed back on the upper rails 108b.

[0060] Similarly, but with an upward offset, at the upstream elevator 106b, each lower rail 108a has a recess 109 in which is arranged a lock 180 designed to open when a platform 50 is transported from an upper rail 108b of the pair below, over the lower rail 108a, and to close when the wheels 50a of said platform 50 are over the lower rail 108a. The lower rail 108a of the lowest transport line pair 104a-b does not have a lock because the platforms 50 arrive through the inlet 102a and not from below.

[0061] Each recess 109 is located inside with respect to the transmission bands 110.

[0062] The operation of the heat treatment installation 100 is then as follows for a tray 50, given that the trays 50 move one after the other. A loaded tray 50 arrives through the entrance 102a where it is taken over by passing under the upstream elevator 106b, following the lower rails 108a of the lowest pairs. Upon arrival at the downstream elevator 106a, the tray 50 is lifted onto the upper rails 108b of the same pair and the tray 50 is moved towards the upstream elevator 106b. Upon arrival at the upstream elevator 106b, the tray 50 is lifted onto the lower rails 108a of the pair above and the tray 50 is moved towards the downstream elevator 106a. The zigzag movement continues until reaching the top floor, which consists solely of lower rails 108a that guide platform 50 towards the exit 102b passing over the downstream elevator 106a and platform 50 then leaves the heat treatment installation 100. Each elevator 106a-b descends after each ascent to return to its lower position and wait for the next platform 50.

[0063] In the embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig. 1], the heat treatment installation 100 includes a handling system 103 which ensures the movement of the platform 50 downwards and which can take any shape known to a person skilled in the art.

[0064] Thus, each platform 50 passes over each transport line 104a-b between the elevators 106a-b.

[0065] In addition, the trays 50 are therefore not rigidly attached to the transmission bands 110 and they can be easily removed from the heat treatment unit 100 for washing, replacement, etc.

[0066] The counter-cleats 111 are arranged so that when the platform 50 rises, the counter-cleat 111 of the departure transport line 104a-b is on the other side of the cleat 50b relative to the counter-cleat 111 of the arrival transport line 104b-a because the direction of movement of the platform 50 changes direction between the two transport lines 104a-b.

[0067] In the vicinity of each lock 180, the rail 108a-b concerned by said lock 180 has a slot 182 which is arranged to allow the passage of a cleat 50b of the plate 50 when it is transported from an underlying rail onto said rail 108a-b concerned, so the cleat 50b passes through the slot 182. The width of the slot 182 parallel to the direction of introduction T is less than the diameter of the wheels 50a to prevent the latter from passing through the slots when they roll on them.

[0068] To avoid the formation of slots 182, it is possible to mount the cleats 50b on pivot links around axes parallel to the direction of introduction T where the pivot link includes a return element, such as a spring, which returns the cleat 50b to its position of cooperation with the counter-cleats 111.

[0069] In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 9 to 11, each lock 180 comprises a single gate 180a.

[0070] The door 180a is mounted hinged on the rail 108a-b concerned between an open position ([Fig. 11]) in which the door 180a is tilted, here upwards, to free the recess 109 and allow the passage of the wheel 50a, and a closed position ([Fig. 10]) in which the door 180a is tilted, here downwards, to close the recess 109.

[0071] The gate 180a is free to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation X parallel to the direction of feed T. Thus, when the wheel 50a is under the gate 180a and the plate 50 is lifted, the wheel 50a comes into contact with the gate 180a and tilts it upwards to free the recess 109 and allow the passage of the Wheel 50a. Once wheel 50a has passed, gate 180ab closes under the action of gravity back to its starting position. Platform 50 can then be lowered to place the wheels on gate 180a, which extends rail 108a-b and closes recess 109.

[0072] The starting position is materialized by a stop system 183 between the door 180a and the rail 108a-b.

[0073] To assist the return of the door 180a to the closed position, a tension spring 185 can be installed between the door 180a and the rail 108a-b.

[0074] In the embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig. 12], each lock 180 comprises two gates 180a-b.

[0075] Each door 180a-b is mounted hinged on the relevant rail 108a-b between an open position in which the door 180a-b is tilted, here upwards, to free the recess 109 and allow the passage of the wheel 50a, and a closed position in which the door 180a-b is tilted, here downwards, to close the recess 109.

[0076] Each gate 180a-b is free to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction of insertion T. Thus, when the wheel 50a is under the gates 180a-b and the platform 50 is lifted, the wheel 50a comes into contact with the gates 180a-b and tilts them upwards to free the recess 109 and allow the passage of the wheel 50a. Once the wheel 50a has passed, the gates 180a-b close under the action of gravity back to their starting position. The platform 50 can then be lowered to rest the wheels on the gates 180a-b, which extend the rail 108a-b and close the recess 109.

[0077] The starting position is materialized by a stop system 183 between each door 180a-b and the rail 108a-b.

[0078] As before, to assist the return of each door 180a-b to the closed position, a tension spring can be installed between each door 180a-b and the associated rail 108a-b.

[0079] Thus, in general, each lock 180 has at least one gate 180a-b, said at least one gate 180a-b being mounted hinged on the rail 108a-b concerned between the open position in which said gate 180a-b is tilted to release the recess 109 and the closed position in which said gate 180a-b is tilted to close the recess 109.

[0080] Figs. 6 to 8 show different views of the downstream elevator 106a, but the structure of the upstream elevator 106b is similar and the following description therefore applies to both. The downstream elevator 106a is mounted vertically relative to the frame 102.

[0081] The downstream elevator 106a has a chassis 200 carrying at least one sub-platform 202 which is intended to receive a platform 50. Here there are three sub-platforms 202 because there are three pairs of transport lines 104a-b. Each sub-platform 202 thus receives a platform 50 and when the downstream elevator 106a is raised, the platforms 50 are unloaded.

[0082] The downstream elevator 106a also includes a guidance system 204 which ensures vertical guidance of the chassis 200 when going up and down.

[0083] In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the guide system 204 comprises two slides 204a which are fixed vertically to the frame 102 and, for each slide 204a, four rollers 204b fixed in pairs on either side of the slide 204a to grip it. Each roller 204b is mounted on the chassis 200, which rotates about a horizontal axis. Thus, when the chassis 200 moves up or down along the slides 204a, the rollers 204b roll along the associated slide 204a.

[0084] The drive of the downstream elevator 106a is provided by a motor 206 fixed to the frame 102 and having a drive shaft 206a which is therefore free to rotate about a horizontal axis. Here, the drive shaft 206a has an angle of 90° with respect to the axis of the motor 206 by means of a direction-change system.

[0085] The rotational guidance of the motor shaft 206a is ensured here by two bearings 205 fixed to the frame 102.

[0086] The downstream elevator 106a also has a main connecting rod 208 having a first end mounted articulated on the frame 200 and a second end. The articulation of the first end of the main connecting rod 208 is a rotation about an axis parallel to the drive shaft 206a.

[0087] The downstream elevator 106a also has a first secondary connecting rod 210a having a first mounted end articulated with the second end of the main connecting rod 208, also rotating about an axis parallel to the drive shaft 206a, and a second end rigidly connected to the drive shaft 206a, here through one of the bearings 205.

[0088] Thus, when the drive shaft 206a rotates, it drives the first secondary connecting rod 210a in rotation, the first end of which shifts, driving the second end of the main connecting rod 208, and when the secondary connecting rod 210a makes a complete turn, the main connecting rod 208 rises and then falls, driving the chassis 200 in the same direction.

[0089] The downstream elevator 106a is thus relatively simple to implement using a connecting rod system.

[0090] For reasons of force balancing, the downstream elevator 106a further comprises a second secondary connecting rod 210b which is symmetrical to the first secondary connecting rod 210a with respect to the main connecting rod 208 and which has a first mounted end articulated with the second end of the main connecting rod 208 and a second mounted end movable in rotation about an axis of rotation coaxial with the drive shaft 206a.

[0091] The second end of the second secondary connecting rod 210b is mounted articulated on the frame 102 by means of a bearing 205 fixed to the frame 102.

Claims

1. Demands Heat treatment installation (100) having a vertical median plane (P) parallel to an inlet direction (T) and comprising: - several transport lines (104a-b) extending parallel to the direction of introduction (T) one above the other between an upstream zone (III) and a downstream zone (II), - at least one platform (50) having on either side of the vertical median plane (P), two wheels (50a) and a cleat (50b), - a downstream elevator (106a) at the level of the downstream zone (II) and an upstream elevator (106b) at the level of the upstream zone (III) where each elevator (106a-b) is arranged to move at least one platform from a lower transport line (104a) to another higher transport line (104b), for each pair of a lower transport line (104a) and an upper transport line (104b): - on either side of the vertical median plane (P), a lower rail (108a) and an upper rail (108b) extending parallel to the infeed direction (T) between the upstream zone (III) and the downstream zone (II) and on which the wheels (50a) of the platforms (50) run, and - on either side of the vertical median plane (P), an endless transmission belt (110) where each transmission belt (110) carries a plurality of cleats (111) and has a lower strand (110a) arranged so that the cleats (111) carried by said lower strand (110a) cooperate with the cleats (50b) of the platforms (50) running on the lower transport line (104a) and an upper strand (110b) arranged so that the cleats (111) carried by said upper strand (110b) cooperate with the cleats (50b) of the platforms (50) running on the upper transport line (104b), where each transmission band (110) is arranged outside relative to the wheels (50a), and - drive means (150) arranged to drive each transmission band (110), where at the level of the downstream elevator (106a), each upper rail (108b) has a recess (109) in which is disposed a lock (180) arranged to open when a platform (50) is transported from the lower rail (108a) above the upper rail (108b) and to close when the wheels (50a) of said platform (50) are above the upper rail (108b) and where at the level of the upstream elevator (106b), each lower rail (108a) has a recess (109) in which is disposed a lock (180) arranged to open when a platform (50) is transported from an upper rail (108b) of the underlying pair, above the lower rail (108a) and to close when the wheels (50a) of said platform (50) are above the lower rail (108a).

2. Heat treatment installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the vicinity of each lock (180), the rail (108a-b) concerned has a slot (182) intended to allow the passage of a cleat (50b) of the plate (50) during its transport from an underlying rail onto said rail (108a-b) concerned.

3. Heat treatment installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each lock (180) comprises at least one gate (180a-b), said at least one gate (180a-b) being hinged mounted on the rail (108a-b) concerned between an open position in which said gate (180a-b) is tilted to release the recess (109) and a closed position in which said gate (180a-b) is tilted to close the recess (109).

4. Heat treatment installation (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that each lock (180) comprises a single gate (180a) mounted movable in rotation on the relevant rail (108a-b) about a horizontal axis of rotation (X) parallel to the infeed direction (T).

5. Heat treatment installation (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that each lock (180) has two gates (180a-b), each mounted movable in rotation on the rail (108a-b) concerned about a horizontal axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction of introduction (T).

6. Heat treatment installation (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the door or each door (180a-b) is constrained towards its closed position by a tension spring (185) installed between the door or each door (180a-b) and the rail (108a-b).

7. Heat treatment installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each elevator (106a-b) comprises: - a chassis (200) carrying at least one sub-platform (202) intended to receive a platter (50), - a guidance system (204) ensuring vertical guidance of the chassis (200), - a motor (206) having a motor shaft (206a) movable in rotation, - a main connecting rod (208) having a first end mounted articulated on the chassis (200) and a second end, - a first secondary connecting rod (210a) having a first end mounted articulated with the second end of the main connecting rod (208) and a second end rigidly linked to the motor shaft (206a).

8. Heat treatment installation (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that each elevator (106a-b) further comprises a second secondary connecting rod (210b) symmetrical to the first secondary connecting rod (210a) with respect to the main connecting rod (208) and having a first mounted end articulated with the second end of the main connecting rod (208) and a second mounted end movable in rotation about an axis of rotation coaxial with the drive shaft (206a).

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