Machinery for processing liquid and / or semi-liquid type foods

Abstract

The present invention provides a machine for processing liquid and / or semi-liquid type foods that can effectively manage fluctuations in thermal load, avoid adverse effects associated with excessive cooling of the compressor, accurately monitor relevant thermal parameters of system components, and proactively intervene in the operating status of the cooling system when fluctuations in thermal load occur. [Solution] The machine 1 comprises at least one processing container 2 intended for containing and processing food, and a heat treatment unit 3 separate from the processing container. The machine is provided with a cooling system 4 configured to cool the processing container and / or the heat treatment unit by a circuit through which a heat conduction fluid moves. The circuit comprises a compressor with an inlet and an outlet. A temperature sensor is located upstream of the compressor with respect to the flow direction of the heat conduction fluid in the circuit and is configured to detect temperature information of the fluid at the compressor inlet. A drive and control unit is connected to the temperature sensor to receive temperature information. The cooling system further comprises a bypass duct connecting the compressor outlet to its inlet. A valve operably connected to the drive and control unit is located in the bypass duct. The drive and control unit is configured to actuate the valve based on temperature information detected by the temperature sensor, allowing the heat conduction fluid to pass through the bypass duct.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of machines for preparing food.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to machines for liquid and / or semi-liquid types of food.

Background Art

[0003] In the field of machines for liquid and / or semi-liquid foods, such as machines for ice cream production, confectionery production, etc., in order to obtain a finished liquid or semi-liquid food by executing a preset recipe, it is known to heat-treat (i.e., cool and / or heat) the base food.

[0004] In the field of preparing liquid and / or semi-liquid types of food, the existence of machines provided with one or more temperature-controlled containers for receiving and processing such foods is known.

[0005] To date, such machines are equipped with a cooling system for cooling one or more components of the machine, such as the processing container and / or a separate heat treatment unit for the food itself.

[0006] In known solutions, the cooling system consists of a closed circuit for a heat transfer fluid, comprising at least one compressor, condenser, expansion member and heat exchanger. In some machines, multiple heat utilization devices that can operate independently or in combination and require different heat outputs may be used.

[0007] In relation to machines for processing liquid and / or semi-liquid types of food that employ multiple heat utilization devices with different operating requirements, the prior art solutions have various drawbacks. In particular, when the heat utilization devices operate alternately and there is a large difference in the heat output required by each heat utilization device, the cooling system of the machine operates under a very fluctuating heat load situation.

[0008] Such situations are often not optimally managed by existing machinery designed to operate within specific load ranges. When only a single heat-utilizing device with low heat demands is in operation, the cooling system may operate in a suboptimal manner. As a result, the heat conduction fluid, particularly at the compressor inlet, may be overcooled, causing the air in contact with the compressor walls to reach its dew point, and the compressor surface temperature to drop until vapors present in the air surrounding the compressor walls condense. This phenomenon can lead to the formation of undesirable water droplets, which can accumulate on the outer walls of the circuit or on components of the system, especially the compressor.

[0009] As just explained, the compressor's supercooling phenomenon, which occurs under reduced thermal load conditions, is related to a change in the overall system operation. Due to the lack of dynamic adaptation to the actual thermal conditions, such machines lose durability over time, thus increasing the need for maintenance and the risk of operational interruptions, as well as generating condensation water near the machine itself due to air condensation. [Overview of the project]

[0010] In this regard, the fundamental technical problem of the present invention is to propose a machine for processing liquid and / or semi-liquid type foods that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0011] In particular, the objective of this invention is to provide a machine for processing liquid and / or semi-liquid type foods that can effectively manage fluctuations in thermal load and avoid adverse effects associated with excessive cooling of the compressor.

[0012] A further objective of this invention is to provide a machine for processing liquid and / or semi-liquid type foods that can accurately monitor the relevant thermal parameters of the system's components and actively intervene in the operating conditions of the cooling system when fluctuations in the thermal load occur.

[0013] The identified technical problems and objectives are substantially achieved by a machine for processing liquid and / or semi-liquid type food products having the technical features described in one or more of the claims of the utility model registration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and, therefore, from the non-exclusive description, which exemplifies several preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of a machine for processing liquid and / or semi-liquid type foods. [Figure 1] A schematic front view of a machine for liquid or semi-liquid food according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the cooling system, which is part of the machine shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] In Figure 1, a machine for processing liquid and / or semi-liquid type foods according to the present invention is indicated by reference numeral 1, and hereafter, for the sake of simplicity, this machine will be referred to as Machine 1.

[0016] Machine 1 is a machine for processing hot or cold, liquid or semi-liquid foods, such as ice cream, soft serve ice cream, yogurt, chocolate, sorbet, soup, and other similar foods.

[0017] In particular, the present invention relates to a machine 1 for cooling at least one processing container 2 that contains liquid or semi-liquid type food.

[0018] According to this invention, the machine 1 comprises at least one processing container 2 intended for containing and processing liquid and / or semi-liquid type foods.

[0019] The processing container 2 can be of any type, such as a cylinder or a tank.

[0020] The processing container 2 includes a first cooling chamber 2a.

[0021] The first cooling chamber 2a is defined by a heat insulating wall.

[0022] The first cooling chamber 2a is configured to maintain food at a controlled temperature, preferably within a predetermined temperature range, thereby ensuring temporary storage of the food itself and enabling execution of processing steps that require a low-temperature situation.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, the processing container 2 includes a stirrer 11 for processing liquid or semi-liquid food. The stirrer 11 is disposed at least inside the first cooling chamber 2a and rotates therein.

[0024] The stirrer 11 enables movement and homogenization of the food contained in the first cooling chamber 2a.

[0025] The stirrer 11 includes one or more rotating elements, such as blades, propellers, or other mechanical members, driven by a motor, to ensure effective mixing of the material contained in the first cooling chamber 2a.

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the machine 1 includes a second cooling chamber 3a for processing liquid or semi-liquid food.

[0027] The second cooling chamber 3a is different from the first cooling chamber 2a in terms of structure and function.

[0028] The first cooling chamber 2a and the second cooling chamber 3a operate in parallel, that is, they perform operations for processing food in an independent manner without directly passing food from one chamber to the other.

[0029] The machine 1 includes a heat treatment unit 3 separate from the processing container 2.

[0030] According to one aspect of the present invention, the heat treatment unit 3 includes a cabinet 30.

[0031] Preferably, the flexible container 13 (for a liquid or semi-liquid base food) can be placed inside the cabinet 30.

[0032] The cabinet 30 is configured to house flexible containers 13, preferably bag-in-box type, for storing liquid or semi-liquid food products.

[0033] The cabinet 30 is equipped with a pump 12. The pump 12 is configured to draw food from the container 13 and transfer it to a subsequent processing stage.

[0034] The pump 12 is configured to draw liquid or semi-liquid food from the container 13 of the heat treatment unit 3 and transfer it to the processing container 2.

[0035] The pump 12 constitutes part of the heat treatment unit 3. The pump 12 enables the controlled supply of food to the processing container 2.

[0036] The pump 12 of the heat treatment unit 3 is preferably a positive displacement pump, and more preferably a peristaltic pump.

[0037] Advantageously, pump 12 was selected due to its suitability for use in the food industry and its suitability for transferring liquid or semi-liquid food products.

[0038] The flexible container 13 is equipped with a discharge valve that can be connected to the pump 12 of the heat treatment unit 3 to allow for controlled suction of liquid or semi-liquid food.

[0039] The heat treatment unit 3 is structurally separate from the processing container 2, but is functionally connected to the processing container 2 by a food transfer duct 20.

[0040] The duct 20 for transporting the food can consist of a flexible or rigid pipe through which the food, once removed from container 13, is sent to container 2 for subsequent processing steps.

[0041] The pump 12 is positioned along the transfer duct 20.

[0042] Thus, although the heat treatment unit 3 and the treatment container 2 are physically separated, they operate sequentially within the same manufacturing process.

[0043] Machine 1 includes a cooling system 4 configured to cool the processing container 2 and / or the heat treatment unit 3.

[0044] The cooling system 4 includes a circuit 5 through which a heat-conducting fluid circulates.

[0045] The cooling system 4 comprises at least one compressor 6, a condenser 14, an expansion member 15, and a heat exchanger 16. These components are arranged along the circuit 5.

[0046] The compressor 6 is equipped with an inlet I6 and an outlet U6 for the heat conduction fluid. Inside the compressor 6 is a casing that houses a compression member that acts on the heat conduction fluid and an electric motor.

[0047] The condenser 14 has an inlet I14 and an outlet U14 for the heat-conducting fluid. The inlet I14 of the condenser 14 is connected to the outlet U6 of the compressor 6. Thus, the condenser 14 accepts fluid under high temperature and high pressure conditions determined by the compression process.

[0048] The heat-conducting fluid is cooled inside the condenser 14 while maintaining a substantially constant pressure (so-called high pressure). Cooling is preferably carried out through heat exchange by (natural or forced) convection with the ambient air. Heat exchange is preferably of the forced type and is carried out by a forced ventilation fan or by natural convection generated by simple natural circulation of air passing through the condenser 14.

[0049] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the condenser 14 is water-cooled by a water circulation circuit that can be provided outside the cooling system 4 itself.

[0050] The outlet U14 of the condenser 14 is connected to the expansion member 15.

[0051] The expansion member 15 has an inlet I15 connected to the outlet U14 of the condenser 14 and an outlet U15 connected to the inlet I16 of the heat exchanger 16.

[0052] The expansion member 15 is configured to reduce the pressure of the heat-conducting fluid at the outlet of the condenser 14, located in front of the inlet of the heat exchanger 16.

[0053] The heat exchanger 16 is associated with at least one cooling chamber 2a, 3a and modifies the temperature of the food contained within it.

[0054] According to one aspect of the present invention, the heat exchanger 16 is associated with the cooling chamber 2a and the processing unit 3.

[0055] According to one aspect of the present invention, the heat exchanger 16 is associated with the cooling chamber 3a and the processing unit 3.

[0056] The cooling system 4 can be configured to operate according to various modes. That is, - This makes it possible to cool chambers 2a and 3a simultaneously. Alternatively, it is possible to cool one of the two chambers 2a, 3a and the processing unit 3, which includes the cabinet 30 and the bag-in-box container 13. - Or, it can cool only one of the two chambers 2a, 3a. Alternatively, it may be possible to cool only the processing unit 3.

[0057] The cooling system 4 of this invention is equipped with a temperature sensor 7.

[0058] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the temperature sensor 7 is located upstream of the compressor 6.

[0059] The temperature sensor 7 is positioned upstream of the compressor 6 with respect to the flow direction of the heat conduction fluid in the circuit.

[0060] The temperature sensor 7 is positioned close to the inlet I6 of the compressor 6.

[0061] The temperature sensor 7 is configured to detect the temperature information of the fluid at the inlet of the compressor 6.

[0062] Machine 1 includes a drive and control unit 8.

[0063] The drive and control unit 8 is connected to the temperature sensor 7 to receive the aforementioned temperature information of the fluid at the inlet of the compressor 6.

[0064] The cooling system 4 includes a bypass duct 9 that connects the outlet U6 of the compressor 6 to the inlet I6 of the compressor 6.

[0065] The bypass duct 9 is configured to return the high-temperature and high-pressure heat-conducting fluid from the outlet U6 of the compressor 6 to the inlet I6 of the compressor 6.

[0066] The bypass duct 9 establishes a direct connection between the outlet U6 and inlet I6 of the compressor 6.

[0067] The cooling system 4 includes a valve 10 located in the bypass duct 9. The valve 10 is operably connected to the drive and control unit 8 and is operable to allow the flow of heat conduction fluid in the bypass duct 9.

[0068] The drive and control unit 8 is configured to operate the valve 10 in accordance with the temperature information detected by the sensor 7.

[0069] When valve 10 is activated, some of the heat-conducting fluid flowing out of compressor 6 through bypass duct 9 is reintroduced to the compressor 6 inlet I6, thus helping to raise the temperature of the fluid entering compressor 6.

[0070] In other words, the bypass duct 9 allows some of the hot heat-conducting fluid, which is taken directly from the outlet U6 of the compressor 6, to be reintroduced into the compressor 6 in order to prevent the fluid at the inlet I6 of the compressor 6 from becoming excessively cold.

[0071] This function is particularly useful when the cooling system 4 acts on only one of two heat-utilizing devices that require different cooling outputs (for example, only cooling chamber 2a or 3a, or only heat treatment unit 3).

[0072] In this situation, the overall reduction in cooling load leads to excessive cooling of the heat conduction fluid returning to the compressor 6. When the temperature of the heat conduction fluid at the inlet of the compressor 6 decreases, undesirable condensation occurs on the walls of the compressor 6, resulting in potential problems with the efficiency and durability of the compressor 6.

[0073] To prevent the aforementioned problems, this invention proposes a food processing machine 1 equipped with a cooling system 4 that includes a bypass duct 9 forming a connection between the outlet U6 and inlet I6 of a compressor 6. The bypass duct 9 is equipped with a valve 10 that is controlled according to the temperature detected by a sensor 7 located upstream of the inlet of the compressor 6.

[0074] When the sensor 7 detects a preset temperature of the heat conduction fluid at the inlet of the compressor 6, for example, a temperature below a predetermined threshold, the drive and control unit 8 activates the valve 10, which allows the heat fluid (so-called hot gas) to be circulated from the outlet U6 of the compressor 6 to its inlet I6 through the bypass duct 9.

[0075] This makes it possible to maintain the fluid at the inlet I6 of the compressor 6 at an optimal temperature, thereby avoiding excessive cooling and the formation of condensation on the walls of the compressor 6 (due to reaching the dew point temperature of the air outside the compressor 6).

[0076] In another embodiment, the drive and control unit 8 is configured to activate the valve 10 when the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 7 corresponds to a detected temperature lower than a preset temperature.

[0077] In another embodiment, machine 1 includes a memory configured to store a preset temperature.

[0078] Advantageously, the machine 1 according to this invention ensures the correct operation of the compressor 6 even under conditions where the heat load is unbalanced among the various equipment being used.

[0079] The above-described invention makes it possible to stabilize the temperature of the heat conduction fluid at the inlet of the compressor 6, prevent condensation from forming on its walls, improve the overall efficiency of the cooling system 4, and extend the service life of its components, particularly the components of the compressor 6.

Claims

1. A machine (1) for processing liquid and / or semi-liquid type foods, - At least one processing container (2) intended for containing and processing liquid and / or semi-liquid type food products, - A heat treatment unit (3) separate from the processing container (2), - A cooling system (4) configured to cool the processing container (2) and / or the heat treatment unit (3), comprising a circuit (5) through which a heat-conducting fluid circulates, and at least the following components arranged along the circuit (5), namely, - A compressor (6) equipped with an inlet (I6) and an outlet (U6) for a heat conduction fluid, - A cooling system (4) comprising: a temperature sensor (7) positioned upstream of the compressor (6) with respect to the flow direction of the heat conduction fluid in the circuit (5) and configured to detect temperature information of the heat conduction fluid at the inlet of the compressor (6); - A drive and control unit (8) connected to the temperature sensor (7) and receiving the temperature information of the heat conduction fluid at the inlet of the compressor (6), The cooling system (4) is - A bypass duct (9) connecting the outlet (U6) of the compressor (6) to the inlet (I6) of the compressor (6), - A machine (1) comprising a valve (10) positioned in the bypass duct (9), which is operably connected to the drive and control unit (8) and is operable to allow the heat conduction fluid to flow through the bypass duct (9), wherein the drive and control unit (8) is configured to operate the valve (10) in accordance with the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor (7).

2. The machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the processing container (2) comprises a first cooling chamber (2a), and the machine comprises a first stirrer (11) disposed inside the first cooling chamber (2a) for processing the liquid or semi-liquid food.

3. The machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a second cooling chamber (3a) for processing the liquid or semi-liquid food, and a second stirrer disposed inside the second cooling chamber (3a) for processing the liquid or semi-liquid food.

4. The machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat treatment unit (3) comprises a cabinet (30).

5. The machine (1) according to claim 4, wherein the cabinet (30) is equipped with a pump (12) configured to allow, when in use, to draw out and transfer the liquid or semi-liquid food from a liquid or semi-liquid food container (13) located inside the cabinet (30) to the processing container (2).

6. The machine (1) according to claim 5, wherein the pump (12) of the heat treatment unit (3) is a positive displacement pump.

7. The machine (1) according to claim 5, wherein the flexible food container (13) is equipped with a discharge valve that can be connected to the pump (12) of the heat treatment unit (3) to enable controlled suction of the liquid or semi-liquid food.

8. The machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cooling system (4) comprises a condenser (14) having an inlet (I14) and an outlet (U14) for the heat conduction fluid, and the inlet (I14) of the condenser (14) is connected to the outlet (U6) of the compressor (6).

9. The machine (1) according to claim 8, wherein the condenser (14) is air-cooled by a forced fan or natural air circulation.

10. The machine (1) according to claim 8, wherein the condenser (14) is water-cooled by an external water circulation circuit.

11. The machine (1) according to claim 8, wherein the cooling system (4) comprises an expansion member (15) having an inlet (I15) connected to the outlet (U14) of the condenser (14) and an outlet (U15) connected to the inlet (I16) of the heat exchanger (16).

12. The machine (1) according to claim 11, wherein the expansion member (15) is configured to reduce the pressure of the heat conduction fluid at the outlet of the condenser (14) in front of the inlet (I16) of the heat exchanger (16).

13. The machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive and control unit (8) is configured to operate the valve (10) so as to open the bypass duct (9) when the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor (7) corresponds to a detected temperature lower than a preset temperature.

14. The machine (1) according to claim 13, comprising a memory configured to store the aforementioned preset temperature.

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