Continuous cooking machine for seafood and other sea products

Abstract

The invention relates to a continuous cooking machine for seafood and other sea products, said machine comprising a frame (1) inside which the different elements of the machine are housed, including a conveyor belt (2) that moves the products from the entrance (17) of the machine to its exit (18), characterised in that it comprises: - a hot-water shower device (3), comprising a hot-water outlet (4), at least one perforated plate (5) through the holes (13) of which the hot water falls onto the conveyor belt (2) carrying the products, - a steam bath device (6) comprising first steam nozzles (11) with outlet holes (14) through which the steam exits, first fans (7) that send the steam towards a dissipating grid (15) that directs the steam in different directions onto the conveyor belt (2) carrying the products, - water-heating means (10), located in the lower part of the machine and leading the hot water and / or steam through a pipe (9) to the outlet (4), the operation of the hot-water shower device (3) and the steam bath device (6) being independent of each other.

Description

[0001] Continuous cooking machine for seafood and other seafood products.

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] A continuous cooking machine for shellfish and other seafood products, of the type comprising a chassis housing the various machine components, and including a conveyor belt that transfers the products from the machine's inlet to its outlet, characterized in that it comprises: - a hot water shower device, comprising a hot water outlet, at least one perforated plate through which the hot water falls onto the conveyor belt with the products, - a steam bath device, comprising first steam lancets with outlet holes through which the steam exits, first fans that direct the steam towards a dissipating grid that directs the steam in different directions onto the conveyor belt with the products, - water heating means,located at the bottom of the machine and which conduct hot water and / or steam through a pipe to the outlet; the operation of the hot water shower device and the steam bath device being independent of each other.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In the state of the art, different machines for cooking seafood are known.

[0006] Thus, the Utility Model No. 200601792 (ES1063547) “CONTINUOUS COOKER FOR SEAFOOD AND SIMILAR” belongs to the state of the art, in the name of OPTIMAR FODEMA, SA, from the year 2006, which refers to a continuous cooking facility for seafood and similar products, characterized in that it includes a series of fixed stations in line, where the different operations of loading, defrosting, cooking, cooling to positive temperature, freezing in brine, or applying the different thermal treatments are carried out, the product to be cooked being arranged in baskets that advance on a carousel-type conveyor defined by two parallel endless chains with redirect pinions that mark the path of the route and between whose even links there are rods or shafts supporting the baskets that are suspended horizontally, advancing along the lower branch and descending to enter each of the stations, rising again when leaving them and so on until the last process where it rises and turns 180° in the unloading area, returning empty to the starting point.

[0007] Spanish Patent No. 0423304, "STEAM AND HOT AIR COOKER," issued in 1974 by the JUAN DE LA CIERVA SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION, describes a steam or hot air cooking chamber. For steam cooking, the valve is opened, allowing steam to enter. The steam passes through the coil and, with the valve still open, reaches the perforated pipe through which it is distributed throughout the chamber. Condensed water can drain through this pipe. For hot air cooking, the valve is closed and then opened; the suction pump draws air through the wall vents. The air, after being heated in the coil, enters through the tunnel. Simultaneous use of both systems is also possible.

[0008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention falls within the sector of food machinery for cooking food and products that come from the sea, especially seafood.

[0010] The closest document is Spanish Patent No. 0423304. This patent solves the problem of being able to perform two different types of cooking, direct steam cooking and hot air cooking, through the use of a single cooker.

[0011] On the other hand, it has the drawback that not all products require the use of air vapor.

[0012] The present invention solves the problem of improving the cooking of these foods by using hot water and steam. In this way, the hot water pre-cooks the food, and then the steam completes the cooking process, preventing the food from only being cooked on the outside.

[0013] Furthermore, the special configuration of the machine allows for great versatility and flexibility of work, since it allows for either a single cooking by hot water shower or a single cooking by direct steam or combining cooking by hot water shower and by steam at the same time.

[0014] This is achieved because the machine has been configured in such a way that it allows the steam supply means and the hot water shower means to operate independently, so that, depending on the product, only one device (hot water shower) can be applied, or only the devices (steam shower), or both devices combined (hot water shower and steam).

[0015] An object of the present invention is a continuous cooking machine for shellfish and other seafood products, of the type comprising a chassis in which the different elements of the machine are housed, and comprising a conveyor belt that transfers the products from the machine's inlet to its outlet, characterized in that it comprises: - a hot water shower device, comprising a hot water outlet, at least one perforated plate through whose holes the hot water falls onto the conveyor belt with the products, - a steam bath device, comprising first steam lancets with outlet holes through which the steam exits, first fans that direct the steam towards a dissipating grid that directs the steam in different directions onto the conveyor belt with the products, - water heating means,located at the bottom of the machine and which conduct hot water and / or steam through a pipe to the outlet; the operation of the hot water shower device and the steam bath device being independent of each other.

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to facilitate the explanation, this document is accompanied by four sheets of drawings in which a practical embodiment has been represented, which is cited as an example, not limiting the scope of the present invention:

[0018] Figure 1 is a general view of the present invention, in perspective. Figure 2 is a cut through line ll-ll of Figure 1.

[0019] Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the machine that is the subject of the present invention without the upper cover of the machine's inlet area and middle area, and

[0020] Figure 4 is a view of a steam lancet.

[0021] CONCRETE REALIZATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0022] Thus, in Figure 1, a chassis 1 is illustrated with its lifting means 16, a hot water shower device 3, a steam bath device 6, water heating means 10, an inlet 17, an outlet 18, a first motor 24 and a second motor 25.

[0023] Figure 2 reproduces the chassis 1, a conveyor belt 2, the hot water shower device 3, the steam bath device 6, the water heating means 10, the inlet 17 and the outlet 18, some steam inlets 23 (for the steam bath device 6), the first motors 24 and the second motors 25.

[0024] Figure 3 shows the conveyor belt 2, with its first section 2a and its second section 2b, an outlet 4, a perforated plate 5, first fans 7 driven by the first motors 24, second fans 8 driven by the second motors 25, a dissipating grid 15, a pipe 9, a hot water tank 20, first steam lancets 11 with their outlet holes 14, second steam lancets 12, a steam intake for water heating 28, filters 21, means for the injection of water vapor 22, and the product inlet 17 and outlet 18.

[0025] Finally, Figure 4 shows the first section 2a and the second section 2b of the conveyor belt, the hot water shower device 3 with the outlet 4, the perforated plate 5 with its holes 13, the first fans 7 driven by the first motors 24, the steam bath device 6 with the second fans 8 driven by the second motors 25 and the dissipating grid 15, the pipe 9, the hot water tank 20, an agitator 30, the first steam lancets 11, a plenum box 31, the second steam lancets 12, and the product inlet 17.

[0026] Thus, the machine of the present invention is formed by a chassis 1 inside which the different elements of the machine are housed, comprising a conveyor belt 2 that moves the products from the machine's entrance 17 to its exit 18.

[0027] To access the interior of chassis 1, it is opened by means of lifting means 16 that raise and separate chassis 1 and leave the interior of the machine visible.

[0028] It also includes a hot water shower device 3, comprising a hot water outlet 4, which supplies hot water to at least one perforated plate 5, the hot water falling through the holes 13 of said perforated plate 5 onto the conveyor belt 2 carrying the products to be precooked. In this way, the seafood products can be precooked.

[0029] One of the possibilities for pumping this hot water is by means of an agitator 30, which avoids having to install pre-filters in the machine.

[0030] It also has a steam bath device 6, comprising first steam lancets 11 with outlet holes 14 through which the steam comes out, first fans 7, driven by first motors 24, which send the steam towards a dissipating grid 15, which is arranged above the conveyor belt 2 to dissipate the steam onto the products on the conveyor belt in all directions.

[0031] In other words, the hot water shower device 3 pre-cooks and the steam bath device 6 cooks it.

[0032] It also comprises water heating means 10, located at the bottom of the machine and which conduct hot water or steam through the steam intake for water heating 28 and tubes (not painted) to a pipe 9 and from there to the outlet 4. A hot water tank 20 could be configured which could also supply hot water and steam.

[0033] The operation of the hot water shower device 3 and the operation of the steam bath device 6 are independent of each other, so that one can be used without the other, giving the machine great versatility, since if only pre-cooking is desired, the steam bath device 6 will not be used, or if pre-cooking is not required, the hot water shower device 3 will not be used, and if both pre-cooking and cooking are desired, the whole machine will be used for this purpose.

[0034] To facilitate the separation between devices 3,6, it has been provided that the conveyor belt 2 can optionally comprise two independent sections, a first section 2a located below the hot water shower device 3 and a second section 2b located below the steam bath device 6.

[0035] It has also been optionally planned that the first section 2a is located above the second section 2b, taking the horizontal plane as a reference, to allow the product to jump and help with its subsequent cooking.

[0036] Similarly, it could be configured so that the first section 2a and the second section 2b go at different speeds, because it is desirable for the product to spend more time in one of the sections.

[0037] From a structural standpoint, it is possible that at least one perforated filter 21 is located beneath conveyor belt 2. This filter 21 has a dual function: firstly, it retains any product residue that might fall from conveyor belt 2; and secondly, its perforation allows for the recovery of condensed water and the release of any steam generated beneath it.

[0038] Within the versatility of the machine, it could be configured so that the hot water shower device 3 uses water vapor.

[0039] The steam bath device 6 could be configured to include means for injecting steam 22 into the second section 2b below the filter 21. In this way, the steam would pass through the perforations of the filter 21 and reach the products on the conveyor belt 2, cooking them from the bottom.

[0040] Another construction option involves the perforated plate 5, which is at least one (in Figure 3 two perforated plates 5 are shown), being removable, thus converting the hot water shower device 3 into a steam bath device 6.

[0041] To improve the dissipation of hot water, the holes 13 are arranged in different orientations along the perforated plates 5.

[0042] Finally, it would also be possible to configure the machine in such a way that the hot water shower device 3 comprises second steam lancets 12, with outlet holes, which emit steam onto the conveyor belt 2 with the products, and second fans 8 which dissipate said steam onto said conveyor belt 2 with products.

[0043] Thus, it would be possible to control the internal temperature using the fans, and even to have different controlled temperatures inside the machine. In one specific implementation, the operator would turn on the machine. Once boiler 20 has reached an appropriate steam level, the products would be fed into the machine via inlet 17 onto conveyor belt 2.

[0044] Next, the steam will exit through the steam inlet 28 until it reaches the steam pipe 9 which will heat the water at outlet 4. This water flows over the perforated plates 5 which allow the uniform fall of the hot water onto the product located in the first section 2a of the conveyor belt 2.

[0045] The operator, depending on the pre-cooking time required, will regulate the speed of the first section 2 a of the conveyor belt 2.

[0046] Next, the product, when it finishes its journey in section 2a, is transferred to section 2b where steam cooking will take place.

[0047] Thus, the water vapor leaves the tank 20 through the steam inlets 23 which are connected to the first steam lancets 11, through which the water vapor passes and exits through the outlet holes 14 above the product located in the second section 23.

[0048] The first 7 fans help dissipate water vapor inside a plenum box 31 comprising heat sinks 15.

[0049] If it consists of means for the injection of water steam 22, the cooking will also be carried out from the bottom of the product.

[0050] Finally, the product leaves through exit 18 where it is collected.

[0051] As explained above, the hot water shower device 3 can also be converted into a steam bath device 6, since it also comprises a second set of fans 8 as well as a second set of steam lancets 12.

[0052] The present invention describes a novel continuous cooking machine for shellfish and other seafood products. The examples mentioned herein are not limiting to the present invention, and therefore it may have different applications and / or adaptations, all within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 Continuous cooking machine for shellfish and other seafood products, of the type comprising a chassis (1) inside which the different elements of the machine are housed, comprising a conveyor belt (2) that transfers the products from the machine's inlet (17) to its outlet (18), characterized in that it comprises: - a hot water shower device (3), comprising a hot water outlet (4), at least one perforated plate (5) through whose holes (13) the hot water falls onto the conveyor belt (2) with the products, - a steam bath device (6), comprising first steam lancets (11) with outlet holes (14) through which the steam exits, first fans (7) that send the steam towards a dissipating grid (15) that directs the steam in different directions over the conveyor belt (2) with the products, - water heating means (10), located at the bottom of the machine and which conduct hot water and / or steam through a pipe (9) to the outlet (4), the operation of the hot water shower device (3) and the steam bath device (6) being independent of each other. 2.- Machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor belt (2) comprises two independent sections, a first section (2a) located below the hot water shower device (3) and a second section (2b) located below the steam bath device (6). 3.- Machine, according to claim 2, characterized in that the first section (2a) is located above the second section (2b) taking the horizontal plane as a reference. 4.- Machine, according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the speed of the first section (2a) is different from the speed of the second section (2b). 5.- Machine, according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that below the conveyor belt it comprises at least one perforated filter (21). 6.- Machine, according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the hot water shower device (3) uses water vapor. 7.- Machine, according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the steam bath device (6) comprises means for injecting water vapor (22) into the second section (2b) below the filter (21). 8.- Machine, according to claim 7 characterized in that the means for the injection of water vapor (22) comprise at least one plenum box (31) with dissipative grids (15). 9.- Machine, according to claim 6, characterized in that the perforated plate (5), which is at least one, is removable. 10.- Machine, according to claim 1 or 9 characterized in that the holes (13) are arranged in different orientations to dissipate the hot water. 11.- Machine, according to claim 6, characterized in that the hot water shower device (3) comprises: - a second set of steam lancets (12), with outlet holes, which emit steam onto the conveyor belt (2) carrying the products, and - a few second fans (8) that dissipate said vapor over said conveyor belt (2) with products. 12.- Machine, according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises an agitator (30) for pumping water.

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