Machine for processing liquid or semi-liquid food products and method for food processing base food mixture in said machine

Abstract

To provide a machine for the thermal treatment of food products, having a fan of an air condenser suppressed in noise.SOLUTION: There is provided a machine 1 for processing liquid or semi-liquid food products, including: a container 2 which holds the food product and is provided with a dispenser 3; a stirrer 4, located inside the container, the stirrer rotating about a mixing axis to mix the food product; an actuator 5 connected to the stirrer to set the stirrer in rotation about the mixing axis; a refrigeration system, comprising: a closed circuit 101 configured to circulate a primary heat exchanger fluid, an evaporator 102 associated with the container, a compressor 103, a first air condenser 104 and a throttle element 105; a control unit; a second condenser 106; regulating means 107 for regulating the flow of the primary heat exchanger fluid and operating on the first condenser and / or on the second condenser to regulate the flow of fluid in the first condenser and / or in the second condenser, respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for processing liquid or semi-liquid foods, particularly a machine for heat-treating foods, and a method for food processing of a base food mixture with such a machine.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to devices such as batch freezers, pasteurizers, crushed ice beverage makers, and the like.

Background Art

[0003] The machine includes a product housing element, and the product is housed therein and stirred by a stirrer. These machines also include a refrigeration system integrated into the machine to enable heat treatment of the supplied product.

[0004] There is a prior art refrigeration system in which a heat exchange fluid circulates internally. Generally speaking, the refrigeration system includes a compressor that raises the pressure of the heat exchange fluid, a heat exchanger that extracts heat from the heat exchange fluid by exchanging heat with the external environment, an element for reducing the pressure of the heat exchange fluid (for example, a throttle valve), and an evaporator that extracts heat from the supplied food and transfers the heat to the heat exchange fluid.

[0005] The cooling capacity of the refrigeration system is affected by the temperature of the surrounding environment.

[0006] When the external ambient temperature is high, the heat exchanger can exchange a limited amount of heat with the external environment in the evaporator.

[0007] The refrigeration system generally includes a fan or a turbine, and a fan or a turbine equipped with a heat exchanger for cooling it. The heat exchanger thus formed is called an air condenser.

[0008] The fan (or turbine) of the air condenser ensures the operation of the machine and enables heat exchange between the heat exchange fluid and the air.

[0009] However, air condensers can have several drawbacks, particularly in high-temperature external environments.

[0010] In fact, when the external environment is hot, the fan of the air condenser needs to operate at a higher speed to allow the heat exchange fluid to exchange heat properly with the external environment, and therefore can be very noisy.

[0011] A further drawback is represented by the heat released by the air condenser into the room where the condenser is located.

[0012] The main drawback of using an air condenser when exposed to high external temperatures is a significant decrease in the performance of the refrigeration unit. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a machine for processing liquid and semi-liquid foods and a method for processing food using said machine, which overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0014] More specifically, the object of this disclosure is to provide a machine for processing liquid and semi-liquid foods that can function efficiently under all ambient conditions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] The technical features of the present invention relating to the above-mentioned objectives are clearly stated in the following claims, and its advantages are more evident from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 1] An embodiment of a machine for processing liquid or semi-liquid foods according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] Another embodiment of a machine for processing liquid or semi-liquid foods is shown. [Figure 3] Further embodiments of a machine for processing liquid or semi-liquid foods are shown. [Figure 4]Figures 1, 2, and 3 show schematic diagrams of closed-circuit embodiments of the refrigeration system of the machine. [Figure 5-6] Schematic diagrams of some different embodiments of a closed circuit with a series condenser configuration are shown. [Figure 7-8] Schematic diagrams of some different embodiments of the closed circuit shown in Figure 4, which has a parallel condenser configuration, are shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Referring to the attached drawings, number 1 shows a machine for manufacturing and supplying liquid or semi-liquid food products according to the present invention.

[0017] Machine 1 may enable the production of various types of liquid or semi-liquid products, such as ice cream, sherbet, yogurt, and custard.

[0018] Machine 1 is, A container 2 that holds the supplied product and is equipped with a dispenser 3 for the product, A stirrer 4 is placed inside the container 2, and the stirrer 4 rotates around a mixing axis A to mix the supplied product, An actuator 5 is connected to the agitator 4 in order to rotate the agitator 4 around the mixing shaft A, The refrigeration system 100 comprises a closed circuit (101) configured to circulate a primary heat exchange fluid, an evaporator (102) associated with a container (2), a compressor (103), at least one first air condenser (104), and a throttle element (105) (defined by at least one narrow section of the circuit or at least one valve configured to generate a head loss to the primary heat exchange fluid that reduces the pressure).

[0019] The primary heat exchange fluid passes through the closed circuit 101 in the following order: evaporator 102, compressor 103, at least one first air condenser 104, and throttle element 105.

[0020] Machine 1 further comprises a control unit U.

[0021] According to the present invention, the refrigeration system 100 of machine 1 comprises at least one second condenser 106 arranged downstream of the compressor 103, and means 107 for adjusting the flow rate, i.e., the flow of the primary heat exchange fluid acting on the first condenser 104 and / or the second condenser 106, means 107 for adjusting the flow of the fluid in the first condenser 104 and / or the second condenser 106 respectively.

[0022] According to the present invention, the control unit U is configured to operate the adjusting means 107 so as to adjust the flow of the primary heat exchange fluid in the first and second condensers 104, 106 as a function of the operating parameters of machine 1.

[0023] The adjusting means 107 is indicated by the symbol "butterfly" in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and by small circles in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8.

[0024] It should be noted that in the closed circuit 101, the primary heat exchange fluid passes continuously, i.e., passes continuously through the evaporator 102, the compressor 103, at least one first air condenser 104 and the throttle element 105. According to this circulation direction, the expression "upstream" means everything preceding a given point / element in the circuit, and the expression "downstream" means everything following a given point / element in the circuit.

[0025] It should be noted that the expression "adjusting means" is used to mean an element that enables the flow of the primary heat exchange fluid to be varied (continuously, discretely, or in an on-off type, i.e., between two boundary values of zero flow rate and maximum flow rate).

[0026] According to one embodiment, the adjusting means 107 is arranged upstream of the first condenser 104.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the adjustment means 107 is located downstream of the first condenser 104.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the adjustment means 107 is located upstream of the first condenser 106.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the adjustment means 107 is located downstream of the second condenser 106.

[0030] According to a particular embodiment, the regulating means 107 is located upstream of both the first condenser 104 and the second condenser 106.

[0031] According to another specific embodiment, the regulating means 107 is located downstream of both the first condenser 104 and the second condenser 106.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the adjustment means 107 includes at least one two-way valve.

[0033] According to another embodiment, the adjustment means 107 includes at least one three-way valve.

[0034] Advantageously, the adjustment means 107 allows the refrigeration system 100 to operate in three different ways. That is, The flow of the primary heat exchange fluid circulates only inside the first condenser 104. The flow of the primary heat exchange fluid circulates only inside the second condenser 106. The flow of the primary heat exchange fluid circulates (simultaneously) choked inside both the first condenser 104 and the second condenser 106.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the evaporator 102 is operably coupled to the container 2, thereby enabling heat exchange between the primary heat exchange fluid and the product being processed in the container 2.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the evaporator 102 and the housing element 2 have a common partition wall 12. In particular, the partition wall 12 has a surface that comes into contact with the primary heat exchange fluid and a further surface that comes into contact with the supplied product.

[0037] In this configuration, the wall of container 2 is closest to the evaporator 102 and therefore may be exposed to ice formation.

[0038] Preferably, the agitator 4 has blades designed to prevent ice formation on the inner surface of the container 2. In practice, the blades are designed to rub against the inner surface of the container 2 while the agitator 4 is rotating.

[0039] In another embodiment, the agitator 4 is a screw feeder.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the first air condenser 104 is equipped with a fan 9.

[0041] The first condenser 104 also includes a fin structure coupled to the closed circuit 101, the fin structure being designed to increase the heat exchange surface between the primary heat exchange fluid and the ambient air.

[0042] Fan 9 is rotated by an electric motor (not shown).

[0043] The purpose of fan 9 is to cool the primary heat exchange fluid passing through the first condenser 104, thereby increasing the amount of heat exchanged between the primary heat exchange fluid and the environment.

[0044] The refrigeration system 100 of machine 1 includes a second condenser 106 that operates with a secondary heat exchange fluid (e.g., water or a water mixture). This type of condenser allows heat exchange to occur between the primary and secondary heat exchange fluids. The heat exchange between the primary and secondary heat exchange fluids occurs without direct contact between the two fluids, as they circulate in separate circuits. In particular, the primary and secondary heat exchange fluids may flow in the same direction or in the opposite direction.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the second condenser 106 is a plate heat exchanger.

[0046] According to another embodiment, the second condenser 106 is a shell heat exchanger.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the second condenser 106 is a concentric tube heat exchanger.

[0048] The secondary heat exchange fluid used in the second condenser 106 may circulate through the secondary circuit 201 (shown in Figure 4) so ​​as to be recirculated and cooled so as to continue exchanging heat with the primary heat exchange fluid in the closed circuit 101. In particular for this purpose, the second condenser 106 may be coupled to at least one cooling tower 202 (natural or forced circulation, i.e., with a fan to facilitate heat exchange between the secondary heat exchange fluid and the ambient air).

[0049] Advantageously, the use of a condenser operating with a secondary heat exchange fluid ensures better thermodynamic efficiency compared to the use of an air condenser alone.

[0050] Furthermore, advantageously, the use of a second condenser 106 operating with a secondary heat exchange fluid significantly reduces noise caused by the air condenser fan, especially when the fan is operating under overload conditions.

[0051] Preferably, the control unit U is connected to one or more of the following components of machine 1 (for commanding and / or controlling them): Actuator 5, Stirrer 4, Dispenser 3, Closed circuit 101 of refrigeration system 100, Compressor 103, Laminated element 105, Fan 9 of the first air condenser 104, It is connected to one or more of the adjustment means 107.

[0052] Control unit U is programmed to generate, receive, and process control signals.

[0053] The control unit U is programmed to generate drive signals as a function of control signals.

[0054] The control unit U is programmed to transmit the control signals to the components of machine 1, and is designed to be connected to and controlled by the control unit U.

[0055] To describe the control mode of machine 1 in more detail, it should be noted that the control unit U is configured to rotate the agitator 4 around the mixing axis A by controlling the actuator 5. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator 5 is an electric motor.

[0056] The control unit U is configured to operate the adjustment means 107 to adjust the flow of primary heat exchange fluid in the first and second condensers 104 and 106 as a function of the operating parameter O of the machine 1.

[0057] In particular, the term "operating parameters" is used to mean any machine state or operating parameters that may be associated with a process (e.g., parameters related to the state of components, materials, and / or products).

[0058] Preferably, the operating parameters are parameters related to the state of the material and / or product, or parameters related to the state of the refrigeration system (preferably the state of the primary heat exchange fluid at one or more points in the system). The control unit U enables the machine 1 to be controlled in an optimal manner according to the operating parameters O.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the control unit U may be configured to adjust the rotational speed of the fan 9 of the first air condenser 104 as a function of the operating parameter O.

[0060] By adjusting the rotation speed of the air condenser fan, optimal operation of the air condenser is ensured.

[0061] In one embodiment, the control unit U is configured to operate the adjustment means 107 so that the primary heat exchange fluid circulates within the first condenser 104 and / or the second condenser 106 as a function of the product type.

[0062] In one embodiment, the machine 1 includes a user interface 16.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the user interface 16 is connected to a control unit U and allows the user to input values ​​for operating parameters O (related to the state of components, materials, and / or products).

[0064] According to one embodiment, a user interface 16 connected to a control unit U allows the user to insert the type of product so as to adjust the adjustment means 107.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the machine 1 includes at least one sensor 6 capable of measuring an operating parameter O.

[0066] Advantageously, by detecting the operating parameter O using sensor 6, it becomes possible to continuously monitor machine 1.

[0067] Another advantage of detecting the operating parameter O using sensor 6 is that it automates the control of machine 1.

[0068] The operating parameter O detected by sensor 6 may be as follows: The temperature of the primary heat exchange fluid upstream of the throttle element 105, and / or Ambient temperature, and / or Product temperature, and / or The temperature of the primary heat exchange fluid downstream of the compressor 103, and / or The temperature of the primary heat exchange fluid upstream of the evaporator 102, and / or The temperature of the primary heat exchange fluid downstream of the evaporator 102, and / or The pressure of the primary heat exchange fluid upstream of the throttle element 105, and / or The pressure of the primary heat exchange fluid downstream of the compressor 103, and / or The pressure of the primary heat exchange fluid upstream of the evaporator 102, and / or This could be the pressure of the primary heat exchange fluid downstream of the evaporator 102.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the machine 1 includes at least two sensors 6 designed to measure different operating parameters O.

[0070] In one embodiment, the control unit U is configured to operate the adjustment means 107 so that the primary heat exchange fluid circulates only within the first condenser 104 when the temperature or pressure detected by the sensor 6 is lower than a first predetermined value.

[0071] Preferably, when the first predetermined value is a temperature value, the first predetermined value is between 25°C and 35°C.

[0072] More preferably, if the first predetermined value is a temperature value, the first predetermined value is between 27.5°C and 32.5°C (preferably 30°C).

[0073] Advantageously, by activating only the first condenser 104 when the detected temperature or pressure is lower than a first predetermined value, it is ensured that the refrigeration operates in an optimal manner. Advantageously, for these temperature and / or pressure values, the energy consumption of the first condenser 104 is lower than that of the second condenser 106.

[0074] In one embodiment, the control unit U is configured to operate the adjustment means 107 so that the primary heat exchange fluid circulates only within the first condenser 106 when the temperature or pressure detected by the sensor 6 is lower than a first predetermined value.

[0075] Preferably, when the second predetermined value is a temperature value, the second predetermined value is between 35°C and 45°C.

[0076] More preferably, if the second predetermined value is a temperature value, the second predetermined value is between 37.5°C and 42.5°C (preferably 40°C).

[0077] Advantageously, by activating only the second condenser 106 when the detected temperature is higher than a second predetermined value, the second condenser 106, which has higher thermal efficiency than the first condenser 104, enables more efficient heat exchange under these conditions, thus ensuring that the refrigeration system operates in an optimal manner.

[0078] In one embodiment, the control unit U is configured to operate the adjustment means 107 to choke (i.e., subdivide) the primary heat exchange fluid in the first condenser 104 and the second condenser 106 when the temperature detected by the sensor 6 is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value and less than or equal to a second predetermined value.

[0079] Preferably, the choke is a function of temperature. In practice, if the temperature detected by the sensor 6 is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value and less than or equal to a second predetermined value, the control unit U is configured to control the adjustment means 107 to choke (i.e., divide) the flow of the primary heat exchange fluid in the first condenser 104 and the second condenser 106 according to a ratio equal to the difference between the temperature / pressure value detected by the sensor 6 and the first predetermined temperature / pressure value divided by the difference between the second predetermined temperature / pressure value and the first predetermined temperature / pressure value.

[0080] In other words, according to the aforementioned criteria, when the temperature is close to a first predetermined value, the choking of the heat exchanger fluid means that a larger volume of fluid circulates within the first condenser. Conversely, when the temperature / pressure is close to a second predetermined value, the choking of the heat exchange fluid means that a larger volume of fluid flows into the second condenser 106. In one embodiment, the adjustment means 107 allows a flow of primary heat exchange fluid into the second condenser 106 that is proportional to the temperature or pressure detected by the sensor 6.

[0081] Advantageously, by simultaneously activating the first condenser 104 and the second condenser 106 when the detected temperature or pressure is above a first predetermined value and below a second predetermined value, it is ensured that the refrigeration system operates optimally. This is because it allows the use of the positive aspects of both types of condensers, which are optimal under specific conditions.

[0082] In the case where the detected parameter is the pressure value at the outlet from the first and second condensers (104, 106), according to one embodiment, the adjustment means 107 is configured to adjust the flow of the primary heat exchange fluid in the first and second condensers (104, 106) as a function of the detected pressure value, as follows: If the detected pressure value is equal to or greater than the first predetermined pressure value, the second condenser 106 is activated (to enable the circulation of the heat exchange fluid within the relevant section of the circuit). If the detected pressure value is less than or equal to a second predetermined pressure value (the second pressure value is smaller than the first pressure value), the operation of the second condenser 106 is stopped (circulation of the heat exchange fluid in the relevant section of the circuit is prohibited).

[0083] When the primary heat exchange fluid is an HFO refrigerant such as R-452A, the first pressure value is 23 bar (2.3 MPa) and the second pressure value is 19 bar (1.9 MPa).

[0084] More generally, it should be noted that if the primary heat exchange fluid is a refrigerant other than R-452A, the first and second pressure values ​​may differ from those shown.

[0085] In one embodiment, the control unit U is configured to operate the adjustment means 107 so that the primary heat exchange fluid circulates within the first condenser 104 and / or the second condenser 106 as a function of the product type.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the sensor 6 detects the type of product to be processed by the machine 1 so as to adjust the adjustment means 107.

[0087] In another embodiment, the product type is introduced by the user interface 16 (i.e., communicated to the control unit U).

[0088] Advantageously, by adjusting the flow of the primary heat exchange fluid in the first condenser 104 and / or the second condenser 106 as a function of the product type, it is ensured that the desired product will have optimal characteristics. In practice, based on the characteristics and specific features of the product being processed, it is possible to proactively use the first condenser 104 and / or the second condenser 106 in the refrigeration system in advance.

[0089] In another embodiment, the control unit U is configured to operate the adjustment means 107 so that the primary heat exchange fluid circulates within the first condenser 104 and / or the second condenser 106 as a function of the operating steps of the machine 1.

[0090] The term "operational step" refers to the processing time and / or type of processing performed on the finished product. For example, the term "operational step" could mean a mixing step, a (simultaneous) mixing and cooling step, etc.

[0091] According to one embodiment of the refrigeration system 100 of machine 1, The second condenser 106 is positioned parallel to the first air condenser 104.

[0092] Advantageously, the parallel configuration of the first and second condensers 104 and 106 allows the two condensers to operate simultaneously under predetermined operating conditions, enabling the necessary heat exchange to ensure optimal operation of the refrigeration system.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the closed circuit 101 includes a first section 7 and a second section 8.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the first condenser 104 is located in the first section 7.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the second condenser 106 is located in the second section 8.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the first section 7 is arranged in parallel with the second section 8.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the first section 7 is arranged in series with the second section 8.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the closed circuit 101 in series configuration of sections 7 and 8 includes a first bypass section 10 (associated with section 7) that allows the primary heat exchange fluid to pass over the first condenser 104 and to flow only within the second condenser 106.

[0099] According to another embodiment, the closed circuit 101 in series configuration of sections 7 and 8 includes a first bypass section 10 that allows the primary heat exchange fluid to pass over the first condenser 104, and a second bypass section 11 (associated with section 8) that allows the primary heat exchange fluid to pass over the second condenser 106.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the closed circuit 101, which is configured in series with sections 7 and 8, includes a second bypass section 11 that allows the primary heat exchange fluid to pass over the second condenser 106.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the adjustment means 107 includes at least one valve that allows adjustment of the flow of primary heat exchange fluid in the first condenser 104 and / or the second condenser 106.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the adjustment means 107 includes at least one two-way valve and / or three-way valve.

[0103] The term "two-way valve" refers to a valve that consists of a valve body (with an inlet and an outlet) and a shutter, whose movement adjusts the internal passage and chokes the flow of the primary heat exchange fluid through it.

[0104] The term "three-way valve" refers to a valve that has a valve body and a shutter that regulates the flow of the primary heat exchange fluid inside it. These three-way valves may be partially open or closed, and may have one inlet and two outlets, or two inlets and one outlet.

[0105] According to one embodiment (Figure 5), considering the series arrangement of the first section 7 and the second section 8, the adjustment means 107 includes a three-way valve v1 located upstream or downstream (not shown) of the first condenser 104 and a three-way valve v2 located upstream or downstream (not shown) of the second condenser 106.

[0106] According to a further embodiment (Figure 6), considering a series arrangement of the first section 7 and the second section 8, the adjustment means 107 includes a two-way valve v3 located in the first section 7 upstream or downstream (not shown) of the first condenser 104, a two-way valve v4 located in the first bypass section 10, a two-way valve v5 located in the second section 8 upstream or downstream (not shown) of the second condenser 106, and a two-way valve v6 located in the second bypass section 11.

[0107] According to one embodiment (not shown), considering a series arrangement of the first section 7 and the second section 8, the adjustment means 107 includes a three-way valve located upstream or downstream of the first condenser 104, a two-way valve located in the second section 8 upstream or downstream of the second condenser 106, and a two-way valve located in the second bypass section 11.

[0108] According to one embodiment (not shown), considering a series arrangement of the first section 7 and the second section 8, the adjustment means 107 includes a two-way valve located in the first section 7 upstream or downstream of the first condenser 104, a two-way valve located in the first bypass section 10, and a three-way valve upstream or downstream of the second condenser 106.

[0109] According to one embodiment, considering the parallel arrangement of the first section 7 and the second section 8, the adjustment means 107 includes a three-way valve v1 upstream (shown in Figure 7) or downstream (not shown) of the first and second condensers (104, 106).

[0110] According to one embodiment, considering the parallel arrangement of the first section 7 and the second section 8, the adjustment means 107 includes a two-way valve v3 for the first section 7 and a two-way valve v5 for the second section 8, which are located upstream (as shown in Figure 8) or downstream (not shown) of the first condenser 104 and the second condenser 106, respectively.

[0111] Referring particularly to Figures 2 and 3, according to one embodiment, the container 2 is a heat treatment tank 2A. In this embodiment, the machine 1 includes a supply duct 13. The supply duct 13 is configured to connect the heat treatment tank 2A ​​to a dispenser 3.

[0112] According to one embodiment shown in Figure 3, the machine 1 includes a further container 14. The further container 14 is connected to the container 2 by a filling duct 15. The further container 14 is in contact with a further evaporator 102A.

[0113] In this embodiment, machine 1 comprises a second actuator 5A. According to this embodiment, machine 1 comprises a second agitator 4A. The second actuator 5A is connected to the second agitator 4A and rotates the second agitator 4A to mix the product contained in the further container 14. According to this embodiment, machine 1 also preferably includes a pump for transferring the product from the further container 14' to container 2.

[0114] The control unit U is configured to rotate the second agitator 4A around a further mixing axis B by controlling the second actuator 5A. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for food processing of food mixtures, in particular a pasteurization method, is also defined.

[0115] According to one embodiment, this method includes the step of preparing a base mixture.

[0116] According to one embodiment, this method includes the step of heating the base mixture (preferably inside the container 2 and / or heat treatment tank 2A) for a predetermined heating time. According to the first embodiment, the heating occurs at 60°C and 85°C. Preferably, the heating time is 30 minutes or more.

[0117] According to one embodiment, the step of heating the base mixture includes alternating heating between the container 2 and the heat treatment tank 2A.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the method includes a step of cooling the base mixture (preferably inside the container 2 and / or heat treatment tank 2A) to be subjected to the remaining steps.

[0119] According to one embodiment, the base mixture is cooled to a temperature between 2°C and 6°C.

[0120] According to the present invention, during the heating step, the first heat exchange fluid is made to flow through the second condenser 106.

[0121] According to the present invention, during the step of cooling the base mixture, the first heat exchange fluid circulates within the second condenser 106.

[0122] In other words, the first heat exchange fluid begins to flow through the second condenser 106 before the step of cooling the base mixture.

[0123] The flow of the first heat exchange fluid in the second condenser 106 is interrupted when the base mixture reaches the desired temperature.

[0124] Advantageously, a second condenser 106, which has a greater effect, is thus used during the more critical steps of the pasteurization process.

[0125] In this embodiment, the adjustment means 107 adjusts the flow of primary heat exchange fluid in the first and second condensers (104, 106) as a function of the processing time step.

Claims

Claim 1 A machine (1) for treating liquid or semi - liquid food, comprising: a container (2) for holding the food to be supplied and having a dispenser (3) for the food; a stirrer (4) disposed inside the container (2), the stirrer (4) rotating about a mixing axis (A) for mixing the food to be supplied; an actuator (5) connected to the stirrer (4) for rotating the stirrer (4) about the mixing axis (A); a refrigeration system (100) comprising a closed circuit (101) configured to circulate a primary heat - exchange fluid, an evaporator (102) associated with the container (2), a compressor (103), at least one first air condenser (104), and a throttle element (105), wherein the primary heat - exchange fluid flows continuously along the closed circuit (101) through the evaporator (102), the compressor (103), the at least one first air condenser (104), and the throttle element (105); a control unit (U); and the refrigeration system (100) further comprises: at least one second condenser (106) configured to allow the primary heat - exchange fluid and a secondary heat - exchange fluid to circulate and to enable heat exchange between the primary heat - exchange fluid and the secondary heat - exchange fluid, the second condenser (106) being disposed downstream of the compressor (103); adjusting means (107) acting on the first condenser (104) and / or the second condenser (106) for adjusting the flow of the primary heat - exchange fluid and for adjusting the flow of the fluid in each of the first condenser (104) and / or the second condenser (106), wherein the control unit (U) is configured to operate the adjusting means (107) so as to adjust the flow of the primary heat - exchange fluid in the first condenser (104) and in the second condenser (106) as a function of the operating parameters (O) of the machine (1). Claim 2 The machine (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor (6) configured to detect the operating parameters (O) of the machine (1). Claim 3 The sensor (6) is configured to detect at least one of the following operating parameters (O) of the machine (1), namely, the temperature of the primary heat exchange fluid upstream of the throttle element (105), the ambient temperature, the temperature of the food, the temperature of the primary heat exchange fluid downstream of the compressor (103), the temperature of the primary heat exchange fluid upstream of the evaporator (102), and the temperature of the primary heat exchange fluid downstream of the evaporator (102). The machine (1) according to claim 2.

4. The sensor (6) is configured to detect at least one of the following operating parameters (O) of the machine (1), namely, the pressure of the primary heat exchange fluid upstream of the throttle element (105), the pressure of the primary heat exchange fluid downstream of the compressor (103), the pressure of the primary heat exchange fluid upstream of the evaporator (102), and the pressure of the primary heat exchange fluid downstream of the evaporator (102). The machine (1) according to claim 2.

5. When the temperature or the pressure detected by the sensor (6) is lower than a first predetermined value, the control unit (U) is configured to operate the adjusting means (107) so as to enable the primary heat exchange fluid to circulate only within the first condenser (104). The machine (1) according to claim 3 or 4.

6. When the temperature or the pressure detected by the sensor (6) is greater than a second predetermined value, the control unit (U) is configured to operate the adjusting means (107) so as to enable the primary heat exchange fluid to circulate only within the second condenser (106). The machine (1) according to claim 3 or 4.

7. When the temperature or the pressure detected by the sensor (6) is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value and the temperature or the pressure detected by the sensor (6) is equal to or less than the second predetermined value, the control unit (U) is configured to operate the adjusting means (107) so that the primary heat exchange fluid circulates within the first condenser (104) and the second condenser (106). The machine (1) according to claim 5.

8. The mechanical device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the adjusting means (107) enables the primary heat exchange fluid to flow into the second condenser (106) in proportion to the temperature or the pressure detected by the sensor (6).

9. The mechanical device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit (U) is configured to operate the adjusting means (107) so as to enable the primary heat exchange fluid to circulate in the first condenser (104) and / or in the second condenser (106) as a function of the type of food.

10. The mechanical device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit (U) is configured to operate the adjusting means (107) so as to enable the primary heat exchange fluid to circulate in the first condenser (104) and / or in the second condenser (106) as a function of the steps in the operation of the mechanical device (1).

11. The mechanical device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second condenser (106) is arranged in parallel with the first air condenser (104).

12. The mechanical device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the closed circuit (101) comprises a first section (7) and a second section (8), the first section (7) being parallel to the second section (8), the first condenser (104) being arranged in the first section (7), and the second condenser (106) being arranged in the second section (8).

13. The mechanical device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adjusting means (107) comprises at least one valve (v1; v2; v3; v4; v5; v6) capable of adjusting the flow of the primary heat exchange fluid in the first condenser (104) and / or in the second condenser (106).

14. The mechanical device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the secondary heat exchange fluid is water or a water mixture.

15. A method for food processing a food mixture based on the mechanical device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: preparing a base mixture; heating the base mixture; cooling the base mixture, wherein at least the step of heating the base mixture includes circulating the primary heat exchange fluid through the second condenser (106).

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of cooling the base mixture further comprises circulating the primary heat exchange fluid through the second condenser (106).

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