Plant and method for measuring the consistency of a food product

Abstract

Plant (1) for producing a food product (101) comprising a measurement section (20) for measuring the consistency of the food product (101). The measurement section (20) comprises a containment body (21) comprising a loading chamber (22) and a measurement chamber (23) divided by a separation wall (25). A connection / disconnection device (50) is, furthermore, provided that is arranged to move from a hydraulic connection configuration to feed a sample (105) of treated food product (101) in the loading chamber (22). The separation wall (25) moves from a closed position, where the sample (105) is confined inside the loading chamber (22), to an open position, where the sample (105) is free to flow outside the loading chamber (22) inside the measurement chamber (23) forming an advancement front (14). A detection group (70) is, furthermore, provided that is arranged to detect the position (P) of at least one point (Pi) of the advancement front (14) of the sample (105) inside the measurement chamber (23) at a predetermined instant (t*).

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] PLANT AND METHOD FOR MEASURING THE CONSISTENCY OF A FOOD PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to the food field and, in particular, it relates to a plant for measuring the consistency of a food product, in particular of vegetable or animal origin.

[0005] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for measuring the consistency of a food product, in particular, but not exclusively in a plant for producing puree-based products and / or juice-based products starting from a food product .

[0006] Description of the prior art

[0007] As known, in the food industry many typologies of plants exist which, through a series of treatments, transform a starting food product, in particular of vegetable type, such as fruits or vegetables, but also of animal type, in a final food product . This is, normally, introduced by the producer, or by one or more entities responsible for its distribution, into containers or packages for food products, in order to be placed on the market .

[0008] The final food product, according to different needs, has, normally, to have a determined consistency, that means that it has to be more or less creamy. Therefore, in order to guarantee that the final food product has the consistency pre-established by the requestedspecifications, it is necessary to take samples of food product manually by an operator, at determined time intervals, at one or more points of the production line . If the measured consistency value differs from the desired value, "corrective" operations are, then, performed.

[0009] One of the most common corrective actions, if the measured consistency is higher than the desired consistency, provides to dilute the food product with water, or another substance . Vice versa, if the measured consistency is lower than the desired consistency, the food product is added with thickening or binding agents .

[0010] Another solution of prior art to bring the consistency of the food product to the desired value provides, instead, to directly act on the apparatuses of the production line in such a way to increase, or decrease, depending on the needs, the solid fraction, or the liquid fraction, which is produced downstream of the apparatus itself . For example, in the apparatuses which provide the use of a rotor to apply a determined mechanical energy to the food product, the rotation speed of the rotor is, normally, adjusted. In this way, for example in the case of apparatuses such as rough extractors and refiner extractors, which are normally used for extracting puree and / or juice, the speed of rotation of the rotor can be increased for increasing the friction against the sieve which is produced inside the machine and, therefore, to carry out a homogenization of the processed food product . This because working in this way the size of a significant portion of the waste fraction comprising skins, seeds and stalks, which are present in the treated product is reduced so that they can pass through the sieve thus increasing the consistency of thefinal product . On the contrary, if it is desired to have a product exiting the apparatus, for example an apparatus for extracting puree or juice, with a consistency lower than the measured one, the speed of rotation of the rotor is decreased. This kind of consistency adjustment can be carried out both in the case of apparatuses such as rough extractors and refiner extractors, which are used for extracting juice and puree, and in the case of different apparatuses which, analogously, provide to rotate a rotor inside a containment body, having or not a sieve, as for example a softening machine .

[0011] Instead, in other cases, if the production line of the food product provides one or more concentration apparatuses and / or evaporation apparatuses, it is possible to adjust the consistency of the exiting product by adjusting the vacuum degree, and / or increasing or decreasing the thermal power supplied to these apparatuses and, therefore, the amount of evaporated water.

[0012] However, as mentioned above, for measuring the consistency of the treated food product, in particular before packaging and wrapping the same, the aforementioned sampling of food product is performed manually by an operator. He / she provides to introduce the sample of food product of which the consistency has to be measured, inside a measurement device, the most common of which is known as Bostwick consistometer . Therefore, the currently performed consistency measurement operations involve long times and considerable costs, in addition to the fact that their accuracy heavily depends on the operator' s skill and expertise . Furthermore, nowadays, if the measured consistency value deviates from the desired value, in orderto be able to carry out the aforementioned corrective actions, it is necessary to stop the production plant . However, from the moment of measurement of the consistency of the food product to the moment when the corrective action is effective a long time may pass leading, therefore, to the need of wasting the out-of-specification food product with great loss of raw materials and energy consumption .

[0013] Another drawback of the plants of prior art is that the aforementioned measurement operation cannot be carried out many times during a production campaign and, therefore, it can happen that the out-of-specification final product may be recalled and disposed, with consequent further loss of raw materials, final product, production costs and times .

[0014] Other examples of plants of prior art and related methods with the aforementioned drawbacks are, for example, described in W02021 / 021514, W02011 / 106022, WO2016 / 176293 and W02008 / 058835 .

[0015] Summary of the invention

[0016] It is, therefore, an obj ect of the present invention to provide a plant for treating a food product, in particular for producing puree-based products and / or juice-based products, starting from a starting food product, which allows to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art .

[0017] It is, in particular, an obj ect of the present invention to provide a plant for treating a food product, in particular for producing puree-based products and / or juice-based products, starting from a food product which allows to guarantee that the produced food product meetsthe required specifications of consistency and / or viscosity and, therefore, with a desired content of fibres .

[0018] It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide a plant for treating a food product, in particular for producing puree-based products and / or juice-based products, starting from a food product, which is highly versatile and, therefore, able to work different typologies of food products of vegetable or animal type .

[0019] It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide a plant for treating a food product, in particular for producing puree-based products and / or juice-based products, starting from a food product, which allows to considerably reduce the amount of waste product generated and discharged from the plant same with respect to similar plants of prior art .

[0020] It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide a method for treating a food product, in particular for producing puree-based products and / or juice-based products, starting from a food product, having analogous advantages .

[0021] These and other objects are achieved by a plant, according to the invention, for producing a food product comprising :

[0022] - at least one treatment section configured to treat a food product introduced through at least one inlet obtaining a treated food product which exits through an outlet;

[0023] whose main characteristic is that said plant comprises :

[0024] - a measurement section configured to measure the consistency of the treated food product, saidmeasurement section comprising a containment body provided with a loading chamber and a measurement chamber separated by a separation wall;

[0025] - a connection / disconnection device arranged to move between a hydraulic connection configuration, where it is arranged to hydraulically connect the outlet of the treatment section and the loading chamber of the measurement section to allow the introduction of a sample of the treated product inside the loading chamber, and a hydraulic disconnection configuration, where it is arranged to impede the treated product exiting from the treatment section to reach the loading chamber;

[0026] that the aforementioned separation wall is configured to move from a closed position, where the sample is confined inside the loading chamber, to an open position, where the aforementioned sample is free to flow from the loading chamber to the measurement chamber forming an advancement front;

[0027] and that a detection group is, furthermore, provided arranged to detect the position (P) of at least one point of the advancement front of the sample inside the measurement chamber at a predetermined instant (t* ) .

[0028] Other technical characteristics of the invention and related embodiments of the same are defined by the dependent claims .

[0029] In particular, the aforementioned position P (t* ) corresponds to a determined value of consistency of the puree and / or juice . More in particular, the aforementioned position P (t* ) can be sent to a control unit arranged to elaborate the position P (t* ) to derive a correspondingvalue of consistency of the treated product .

[0030] In particular, a displacement group is, furthermore, provided that is configured to cause the separation wall to move between the closed position and the open position.

[0031] Advantageously, a removal group is, furthermore, provided that is configured to remove the examined sample from the containment body, in such a way to arrange the same to measure the consistency of a successive sample .

[0032] In particular, the removal group can comprise an inj ection device to introduce into the aforementioned containment body a washing fluid at a predetermined pressure, in such a way to carry out the washing of the same by removing an examined sample at the end of a measurement of consistency. More in particular, the removal group can, furthermore, comprise a drying device for removing residues of the washing fluid which has been used for the washing step and of the residual examined sample if present .

[0033] For example, the drying device can comprise a blowing device arranged to blow a determined drying fluid into the aforementioned containment body, for example hot air at a determined temperature, at the end of the aforementioned washing step carried out by the washing fluid, in such a way to dry the containment body.

[0034] In particular, a leveller device, for example a skimmer member, can be, furthermore, provided that is configured to level the sample of the product which is discharged inside the loading chamber before moving the separation wall from the closed position to the open position, in such a way to have a predetermined volume of sample to be examined, that means to subj ect to ameasurement of consistency.

[0035] In an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned detection group can be configured to measure, at the aforementioned predetermined instant i* , a distance d of the advancement front of the sample, or at least of a point Pr of this, from a reference surface inside the measurement chamber .

[0036] In particular, the measurement chamber has a base surface provided with a graduated scale . More in particular, the aforementioned base surface has a plurality of transverse indentations .

[0037] In an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned measurement section can comprise a digital camera arranged to acquire, at the aforementioned predetermined instant i* and, in particular, at the aforementioned instant i* , at least one image of the advancement front in order to individuate its position with respect to the graduated scale and, advantageously, to send the acquired image to a control unit .

[0038] In an embodiment of the invention, the base surface of the containment body, for example a containment tank, in particular at least at the measurement chamber, can have a predetermined inclination in order to help the sample to slide inside the measurement chamber .

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned containment body is provided with at least one inlet hydraulically connected to the aforementioned inj ection device in order to introduce the washing fluid inside . In particular, the aforementioned containment body is, furthermore, preferably provided with at least one outlet to discharge the washing fluid once that this latter hasremoved the sample of food product subj ected to measurement .

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the treating plant can comprise an extraction section configured to divide the food product in a main product comprising the puree and / or the juice which is discharged through a first outlet toward a first discharging path and in a waste product which is discharged through a second outlet toward a second discharging path.

[0041] In particular, the aforementioned connection / disconnection device can be positioned along the aforementioned first discharging path.

[0042] In an embodiment of the invention, a temperature adjustment device can be, furthermore, provided that is configured to adjust the temperature of the sample of food product, in particular puree and / or juice, by heating or cooling the same, in such a way to heat or cool the same to a predetermined temperature T* , or however within a predetermined range of temperature, before introducing the same into the loading chamber .

[0043] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for measuring the consistency of a food product, in particular but not exclusively a puree-based food product and / or a juice-based food product, comprises the steps of :

[0044] - treating inside a treatment section a food product introduced through at least one inlet obtaining a treated food product;

[0045] - providing a measurement section for measuring the consistency of the treated food product, said measurement section comprising a containment body provided with a loading chamber and a measurementchamber separated by a separation wall;

[0046] - sending a sample of said treated product inside said loading chamber by hydraulically connecting by a connection / disconnection device said treatment section and said loading chamber;

[0047] - operating said separation wall to cause the same to move from a closed position, where said sample is confined inside said loading chamber, to an open position, where said sample is free to flow from said loading chamber inside said measurement chamber forming an advancement front;

[0048] - detecting the position P (t) of at least one point Pi of said advancement front of said sample inside said measurement chamber at a predetermined instant (i* ) , said detecting step being carried out by a detection group, said position P (t* ) corresponding to a determined value of consistency of said treated food product ;

[0049] - removing said sample from said containment body at the end of said detecting step .

[0050] Brief description of the drawings

[0051] The invention will now be shown with the following description of its exemplary embodiments, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which :

[0052] Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows a first embodiment of the plant, according to the invention, for treating a food product, in particular but not exclusively a plant for producing a puree-based product and / or a juice-based product, starting from a starting foodproduct ;

[0053] Fig. 2 diagrammatically shows a front perspective view of an embodiment according to the invention for the section for measuring the consistency of the food product ;

[0054] Figures from 3 to 5 diagrammatically show partially sectioned elevation side views of some operating steps of the plant according to the invention;

[0055] Fig. 6 diagrammatically shows a plan view of a part of figure 5 to highlight some technical characteristics ;

[0056] Fig. 7 diagrammatically shows a front perspective view of an operating step of the measurement section;

[0057] Figures 8 and 9 diagrammatically show partially sectioned side elevation views of further operating steps of the plant according to the invention;

[0058] Fig. 10 diagrammatically shows a partially sectioned elevation side view of an alternative embodiment of the plant according to the invention;

[0059] Fig. 11 diagrammatically shows a partially exploded elevation side perspective view of an embodiment according to the invention for the measurement section;

[0060] Fig. 12 diagrammatically shows a partially sectioned side elevation view of another alternative embodiment of the plant according to the invention for producing food products;

[0061] Fig. 13 diagrammatically shows an elevation side perspective view of the measurement section of figure 12 to highlight some technical characteristics;

[0062] Fig. 14 shows a possible scheme of the plant which uses 2 measurement sections according to the inventionfor measuring the consistency of a food product;

[0063] Fig. 15 diagrammatically shows in a longitudinal section view of a possible treatment section which can be used in the plant according to the invention for treating the food product .

[0064] Detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention

[0065] As diagrammatically shown in figure 1, a plant 1, according to the invention, for producing a food product, in particular but not exclusively a food puree-based product and / or juice, provides a treatment section 10 having an inlet 11 for introducing a food product 100 and an outlet 12 to discharge the treated product 101.

[0066] The plant 1, furthermore, comprises a measurement section 20, in particular arranged downstream of the or each treatment section 10, configured to measure the consistency of the treated food product 101. In particular, the measurement section 20 comprises a containment body 21, advantageously a box-shaped containment body, for example a containment tank, provided with a loading chamber 22 and a measurement chamber 23 between which a separation wall 25 is positioned. The plant 1, furthermore, provides a connection / disconnection device 50, for example a three-way valve, arranged to move between a hydraulic connection configuration, where it is arranged to hydraulically connect the treatment section 10, in particular the outlet 12, and the loading chamber 22 of the measurement section 20 to allow the introduction of a sample 105 of the treated product 101 inside the loading chamber 22, and a hydraulic disconnectionconfiguration, where the connection / disconnection device 50 is arranged to prevent the treated product 101 from reaching the loading chamber 22.

[0067] The separation wall 25 is adapted to move from a closed position, where the loading chamber 22 is separated from the measurement chamber 23 and the sample 105 is confined inside the loading chamber 22, to an open position, where the sample 105 of the treated food product 101 is free to flow from the loading chamber 22 inside the measurement chamber 23 forming an advancement front 14. In particular, with "advancement front" it is to be intended the leading edge of the wave, that means the line which passes through the foremost contiguous points of the sample flowing inside the loading chamber 22. A detection group 70 is, furthermore, provided that is arranged to detect the position P of at least one point Pi of the advancement front 14 of sample 105 inside the measurement chamber 23 at a predetermined instant i* . In particular, the aforementioned detection group 70 can be arranged to send the position P (t* ) detected by a control unit 300, arranged to associate to the detected position P (t* ) a determined value of consistency of the treated food product 101 .

[0068] In an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned detection group 70 comprises at least one detection sensor, advantageously an optical fiber sensor, or an array of optical fibres . More precisely, the or each detection sensor can be mounted on a support 71.

[0069] The plant 1, furthermore, provides a removal group for removing the sample 105 subj ected to the aforementioned consistency measurement from the containment body 21 atthe end of the measurement and to predispose the same to a successive consistency measurement of food product .

[0070] In an embodiment of the invention, the removal group 60 comprises an inj ection device 61, for example a pump, configured to introduced a washing fluid in the containment body 21 for removing the sample 105 at the end of a consistency measurement operation and for preparing the containment body 21 to a successive measurement of the treated food product along the production line . For example, the washing fluid can be water, or a mixture of water and a determined detergent for assisting the removal of the sample 105 of treated product from the containment body 21. Advantageously, the removal group 60 comprises, furthermore, a drying device 65 arranged to dry the containment body 21, in particular by completely removing the washing fluid. As diagrammat ically shown in figure 9, the outlet 27 can be in hydraulic communication with the suction of a pumping device 66 in order to help the washing liquid and / or the sample 105 to flow outside the containment body 21 at the end of the washing step and / or the drying step 66.

[0071] The removal group 60 can be also of mechanical type and can, for example, comprise a removal device such as a blade, or a squeegee, which is moved to push the sample 105 which is in the containment body 21 toward a discharge zone . This solution is not shown in the figure for clarity reasons .

[0072] As diagrammatically shown, for example, in figure 11, a displacement group 30 is, furthermore, provided that is configured to cause the separation wall 25 to move between the closed position and the open position, for examplebetween a lowered position and a raised position. In particular, the displacement group 30 can comprise at least one actuator 31, for example a pneumatic actuator, or a hydraulic actuator, or an electric actuator, or a combination thereof . The displacement group 30 can be arranged to raise, or lower, the separation wall 25 in particular to move the same, respectively, from the closed position to the open position, or vice versa . More in particular, at least one guide member 32 can be furthermore, provided, advantageously a first and a second guide member 32a and 32b positioned, in use, at the opposite sides of the separation wall 25, configured to guide the separation wall 25 during the movement between said closed position and said open position. For example, the or each guide member 32a, 32b, can comprise a shaped groove where is adapted to slidingly engage, in operating conditions, an engagement portion 33a and 33b . In particular, the or each guide member 32a, 32b can comprise a linear guide, for example, a prismatic guide . More precisely, the aforementioned shaped grooves can be made at support columns 35a and 35b positioned, in use, at opposite sides of the containment tank 21. As still diagrammatically shown in figure 11, some valves can be provided at the ducts connected to the inlet 26 and to the or each outlet 27 to control the entering flow-rates, in particular of the washing fluid, and the exiting flowrates, in particular the washing fluid together with the sample 105 during the step for removing the sample from the containment body 21.

[0073] The aforementioned detection group 70 can be of optical type . More in particular, the detection group 70can comprise a predetermined number of optical sensors, for example 3 optical sensors 72a, 72b and 72c, for example configured to measure at the aforementioned instant i* a distance d of the at least one point Pi of the advancement front 14 of the sample 105 inside the measurement chamber 23 from a surface of reference .

[0074] In an embodiment of the invention, the measurement chamber 23 has a base surface 28 provided with a graduated scale . Preferably, the aforementioned base surface 28 can be, furthermore, provided with a plurality of transverse indentations 15. For example, the graduated scale can comprise a predetermined number of lines parallel to each other, each of which positioned at a predetermined distance d, for example 0.5 cm, from the successive one . In particular, the graduated scale can be extended for a length equal to 23 cm inside the aforementioned measurement chamber 23.

[0075] In an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned measurement section 20 can comprise a digital camera arranged to acquire at the aforementioned predetermined instant i* at least one image of the advancement front 14 to individuate the position of the at least one point Pr with respect to the graduated scale . Preferably, the aforementioned digital camera can be adapted to send the aforementioned acquired image to a control unit 300 which associates the acquired image to a value of the consistency of the treated product 101, and / or to a display device, such as a monitor .

[0076] In the case that the support 71 on which the detection group 70 is mounted on is a fixed support, the detection group 70 is configured to detect the aforementioned valueof position P (t* ) at the aforementioned predetermined instant i*, for example 30 sec. In particular, in the case that the aforementioned detection group 70, comprising advantageously at least a digital camera, or at least one optical fiber, the detection group 70, for example at least a digital camera, or at least one sensor, is operated at the aforementioned instant i* to acquire the value of position of the advancement front 14, for example by "capturing" the position of at least one point of the same with respect to the aforementioned graduated scale provided on the base surface 28 of the measurement chamber 23.

[0077] In an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned support 71 is a movable support, in particular a support moved by a positioning device 75. This can be an actuator, for example a pneumatic actuator, or a hydraulic actuator, or an electric actuator . Alternative solutions are, however, provided for the positioning device 75 such as a pinion and rack device, or a prismatic guide . In this case, the detection group 70, for example a digital camera, or one or more optical fibres, "tracks" the advancement front 14 once moved the separation wall 25 in the open position, in such a way to acquire the value P (t* ) of the position of at least one point of it at the aforementioned predetermined instant i* and to send the acquired value to the control unit 300, in particular in the shortest possible time, advantageously within a predetermined time interval At, for example less than 1 sec, that means At<l sec, preferably less than 0.1 sec, that means At<0, l sec .

[0078] In particular, the base surface 28 can have a predetermined inclination with respect to a horizontaldirection, in such a way to facilitate the sample to slide inside the measurement chamber . More in particular, the base surface 28 is arranged to form substantially a chute for the product to be examined. In particular, an adjustment group 80 can be provided arranged to adjust the aforementioned inclination of the base surface 28 with respect to the horizontal direction . In an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned adjustment group 80 can comprise a plurality of adjustable feet, for example 4 adjustable feet 81, 82, 83 and 84 acting on which it is possible to raise or lower the respective end portion of the containment body 21 for adjusting its inclination . The aforementioned adjustment group 80, in particular the aforementioned feet 81-84, can be, furthermore, configured to prevent or, at least, attenuate any vibration during the measurement steps .

[0079] The containment body 21 is, preferably, provided with at least one inlet 26 hydraulically connected to the aforementioned inj ection device 61, and, advantageously, of at least one outlet 27 to discharge the washing fluid and the sample 105 and to prepare the same to a successive measurement of the consistency of food product .

[0080] In particular, as diagrammatically shown in figure 9, a blowing device 65, for example a fan or a compressor, is, furthermore, provided arranged to feed in the containment body 21 a predetermined drying fluid at the end of the washing by the washing fluid, to remove this latter from the containment body 21. For example, the predetermined drying fluid can be air at a predetermined temperature, in particular higher than 30 °C, advantageously higher than 40 °C, for example higher than50 °C . In this way, it is possible to dry the containment body 21 and to eliminate any residual of the washing fluid used in the washing step for preparing the containment body 21 to a new measurement .

[0081] As diagrammatically shown in figure 3, the plant 1, according to the invention, can, furthermore, comprise a temperature adjustment device 40 configured to adjust the temperature of the sample 105 of the treated food product 101, in such a way to heat or cool the same to a predetermined temperature (T* ) , or anyway within a predetermined range of temperature AT* around a predetermined temperature T* , before introducing, for example by a pumping device, in the loading chamber 22. In particular, the temperature adjustment device 40 can be a heat exchanger passed through by an adjustment fluid, for example water at a predetermined temperature, in particular fed in the heat exchanger by a pumping device 41. The heat exchanger 40 can be a counterflow exchanger or a co-current heat exchanger, and the control of the temperature on the sample 105 can be carried out by a sensor of temperature 45 positioned outside the heat exchanger 40. Depending on whether the temperature of the sample 105 that is detected by the sensor of temperature 45 is higher or lower than the aforementioned predetermined desired temperature T* , the flow-rate of the temperature fluid is increased or decreased for example by acting on an adjustment valve .

[0082] In particular, in this case, the connection / disconnection device 50 can be positioned along the first discharging path 111 to allow the sample 105 of the aforementioned main product 101 to pass through thetemperature adjustment device 40, in such a way to be heated or cooled to the desired temperature T* , before reaching the aforementioned loading chamber 22 of the containment body 21 where the consistency measurement is, then, carried out . In particular, the sample 105 can be fed inside the loading chamber 22 of the measurement section 20, or inside the adjustment section of the temperature 40, by a pumping device 42, or by using a hydrostatic head. In this latter case, the height from which the sample 105 of product to be examined is fed from the treatment line will be higher than the height at which the measurement section 20 is positioned.

[0083] Preferably, as diagrammatically shown in figures 5, 8, 10 and 12, in the case that the temperature adjustment device 40 is present, a supplementary connection / disconnection device 50' is provided positioned downstream of the temperature adjustment device 40 same . In particular, in this case, the control unit 300 can be, advantageously, arranged to operate the supplementary connection / disconnection device 50' in such a way to discharge the food product through the discharge branch 51' , until the desired temperature T* is reached, for example 20 °C . Once that the desired temperature T* is reached, the control unit 300 provides, therefore, to operate the supplementary connection / disconnection device 50' in such a way to feed the food product in the measurement section 20 through the feeding branch 52' .

[0084] In particular, the extraction section 10 can be a cold extraction section, or a hot extraction section. In addition or alternatively to the extraction section, the plant 1 can comprise a different treatment section 10. Inparticular, the treatment section 10 can be selected among a softening section arranged to soften the food product 100 by a series of pulses in quick succession obtaining a softened product, or a grinding section arranged to grind the food product introduced inside, or a chopping section arranged to chop the food product 100, or still a section where the vegetable food product 100 is divided into pieces of predetermined size, in particular through a cut by a cutting device . The plant 1, according to the invention, can also comprise any combination of the aforementioned treatment sections 10. For example, upstream of the extraction section 10 a treatment section 10' can be provided that is selected among the aforementioned cutting, softening, sections, etc .

[0085] Plant 1 can, furthermore, comprise a heating section, not shown in the figures for simplicity, configured to transmit to a food product which is introduced inside, a predetermined thermal power Pt sufficient to cause the same to be heated from a first temperature Tl, for example comprised between 0 °C and 40 °C, to a second temperature T2 higher than the first temperature Tl in such a way to obtain a hot food product 104, for example at a temperature T2 comprised between 40 °C and 90 °C . In particular, the aforementioned heating section can transmit to the product introduced inside a thermal power Pt* sufficient to cause an enzymatic inactivation, whereby, when exits the heating section, a product which is enzymatically inactivated is obtained. In this case, the second temperature T2 can be higher than 80 °C, for example comprised between 85 °C and 95 °C .

[0086] Even though in the figures from 1 to 11, thecontainment body 21 of the measurement section 20 is shown "open", as diagrammatically shown in the figures 12 and 13 the containment body 21 can be also a "closed" containment body, in particular a closed box-shaped containment body. In particular, the closed containment body 21 can be provided with a slot 29 through which it is possible to move, for example translate, the separation wall 25 to move the same from the open position to the closed position and vice versa.

[0087] In an embodiment of the invention, the containment body 21 can be provided with at least a wall 21' made of a transparent material, in such a way that it is possible to inspect the inside from the outside . In particular, the aforementioned containment body 21 can comprise a main portion and one or more secondary portions arranged to removably engage with the main portion, for example in order to simplify the ordinary and extraordinary maintenance interventions on the measurement section 20.

[0088] As diagrammatically shown in the embodiment di figure 14, the plant 1 can comprise a plurality of measurement sections, for example at least a first and a second measurement section 20a and 20b . These are, advantageously, connected to the same control unit 300 in order to send respective detected values related to the consistency of the food product at respective points of the production line of the food product, in particular downstream of the first treatment section 10a and the second treatment section 10b, respectively. More in particular, the control unit 300, on the basis of the aforementioned detected values of consistency is arranged to act on at least one of the treatment sections lOa-lOcwhich are present, in order to correct the value of consistency of the treated food product along the line . For example, the control unit 300 can be arranged to adjust the amount of a dilution flow, for example water, which is present in a reservoir 5 in hydraulic communication with the measurement section 20a, or with the water supply network, acting on a valve 6. In this way, it is possible to adjust the flow-rate of dilution flow which is mixed with the food product in such a way to decrease or increase the consistency. In another case which is foreseen, the control unit 300 can be arranged to increase or decrease the thermal power Pt supplied at another treatment section 10c, for example an evaporation and / or concentration device, arranged upstream of the treatment section 10a and inside of which the food product is more or less concentrated also in this case for increasing or decreasing the consistency of the food product, on the basis of the detected value of consistency at the measurement section 20a and / or the measurement section 20b, and of the desired value of consistency. The possibility to act on a discharging pump 7, which introduces the concentrated food product in the treatment section 10c toward the treatment section 10a, is also provided, or still to adjust the vacuum degree by acting on the device for generating vacuum 8, for example a vacuum pump .

[0089] In still another embodiment which is provided, the control unit 300, on the basis of the detected value of consistency at the at least one measurement section 20, for example the measurement section 20b, can be arranged to adjust the number of rounds of the rotor of the treatmentsection 10b, for example a softening section, or an extraction section, in such a way to adjust the consistency of the treated food product exiting the treatment section 10b accordingly. The possibility to have a combination of the aforementioned adjustment mode of the consistency by the control unit 300 is also provided, case which is diagrammatically shown in figure 14.

[0090] As diagrammatically shown in figure 10, before causing the movement of the separation wall 25 in the open position, the food product of which the consistency has to be measured, once introduced in the loading chamber 22 can be subjected to a levelling operation, in particular to "level" its uppermost surface . In particular, a leveller device 90 can be provided, for example a skimmer member, configured to level the sample 105 of the loaded food product, in such a way to have a predetermined volume V* of food product of which the consistency has to be measured, inside the loading chamber 22.

[0091] In an embodiment of the invention, diagrammatically shown in figure 15, at least one or the treatment section 10 of plant 1 for producing a food product, according to the invention, can be an extraction section configured to divide the food product 100 introduced inside through an inlet 11 into a main product 101 comprising the puree and / or juice which is discharged from the extraction section 10 through a first outlet 12 toward a first discharging path 111 and into a waste product 102 which is, instead, discharged from the extraction section through a second outlet 13, in particular positioned downstream of the first outlet 12 with respect to the advancement direction of the treated product inside the extractionsection 10, toward a second discharging path 112. More precisely, the extraction section 10 can comprise a hollow body 18 inside of which a sieve 16 is positioned, in particular cylindrical-shaped, or f rustoconical-shaped, provided with a plurality of holes 17. The extraction section 10 provides, furthermore, a rotor 15 which is mounted inside the sieve 16 and that is operatively connected to a motor group 150 by a motor shaft 155 to cause the same to rotate around a first rotation axis 115. The rotor 15, for example provided with a plurality of blades, can be positioned coaxially to the sieve 16. More in detail, as known, the food product 100, due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotor 15 around the rotation axis 115, is moved against the sieve 16 which, as known, provides to divide the same in the first main food product 101, which passes through the holes 17 of the sieve 16 and is discharged through the outlet 12, and in the waste product 102, in particular comprising the most fibrous part of the food product, such as skins, seeds, etc. , which, instead, does not pass through the holes 17 of the sieve 16 and is discharged through the second outlet 13.

[0092] In particular, the measurement section 20 can be positioned downstream of an extraction section, advantageously downstream of a hot extraction section. In addition or alternatively, the measurement section 20 can be positioned at the end of the process line upstream of a final packaging section. In addition or alternatively, the measurement section 20 can be positioned downstream of a working section and / or a section for mixing the treated food product with at least one ingredient adapted tomodify the value of the measured consistency.

[0093] The foregoing description exemplary embodiments of the invention will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and / or adapt for various applications such embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and, accordingly, it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments . The means and the materials to realize the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology that is employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Plant ( 1 ) for producing a food product comprising at least a treatment section ( 10 ) configured to treat a food product ( 100 ) which is introduced through at least one inlet ( 11 ) obtaining a treated food product ( 101 ) which exits through an outlet ( 12 ) , said plant ( 1 ) being characterized in that it furthermore comprises :- a measurement section ( 20 ) configured to measure the consistency of said treated food product ( 101 ) , said measurement section ( 20 ) comprising a containment body ( 21 ) provided with a loading chamber ( 22 ) and a measurement chamber ( 23 ) separated by a separation wall ( 25 ) ;- a connection / disconnection device ( 50 ) configured to move between a hydraulic connection configuration, where is arranged to hydraulical ly connect said outlet ( 12 ) of said treatment section ( 10 ) and said loading chamber ( 22 ) of said measurement section ( 20 ) for introducing a sample ( 105 ) of said treated product ( 101 ) into said loading chamber ( 22 ) , and a hydraulic disconnection configuration, where is arranged to impede said treated product ( 101 ) that is discharged from said treatment section ( 10 ) to reach said loading chamber ( 22 ) ;in that said separation wall ( 25 ) is configured to move from a closed position, where said sample ( 105 ) is confined inside said loading chamber ( 22 ) , to an open position, where said sample ( 105 ) is free to flow from said loading chamber ( 22 ) into said measurementchamber (23) forming an advancement front ( 14 ) , in that a detection group (70) is, furthermore, provided arranged to detect the position (Pi) of at least one point (Pr) of said advancement front ( 14 ) of said sample ( 105) inside said measurement chamber (23 ) at a predetermined instant (i* ) , said position (P (t* ) ) corresponding to a determined value of consistency of said treated product ( 101 ) in that is, furthermore, provided a displacement group (30) configured to cause said passaggio of said separation wall (25) between said closed position and said open position and in that a removal group ( 60) is, furthermore, provided configured to remove said sample ( 105) from said containment body (21 ) at the end of the measurement of its consistency in order to prepare said containment body (21 ) to a successive consistency measurement .

2. Plant, according to claim 1, wherein said removal group ( 60) comprises an inj ection device ( 61 ) arranged to pump a washing fluid into said containment body (21 ) .

3. Plant, according to claim 2, wherein said removal group ( 60) comprises, furthermore, a drying device ( 65) configured to dry said containment body (21 ) by removing said washing fluid.

4. Plant, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said detection group (70) comprises at least one optical fiber sensor ( 72 ) which is mounted on a support (71 ) and wherein a positioning device (75) is, furthermore, provided arranged to positionsaid or each optical fiber sensor (72 ) at said advancement front ( 14 ) in said predetermined instant (1* ) •5. Plant, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said measurement chamber (23) has a base surface (28 ) provided with a graduated scale and with a plurality of transverse indentations ( 15) , and wherein said measurement section (70) comprises a digital camera arranged to acquire at said predetermined instant (i* ) at least one image of said advancement front ( 14 ) to individuate the position di said at least one point (Pi) with respect to said graduated scale and to send said acquired image to a control unit (300) arranged to associate said acquired image to a determined value of consistency of said treated food product ( 101 ) .

6. Plant, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said containment body (21 ) is provided with at least one inlet (26) hydraulically connected to said inj ection device ( 60) , and with at least one outlet (27 ) to discharge said washing fluid and said sample ( 105) , and to prepare this way said containment body (21 ) to a successive measurement of consistency.7 . Plant, according to any claim from 2 to 6, wherein said drying device comprises a blowing device ( 65) arranged to feed in said containment body (21 ) a predetermined drying fluid at the end of said washing step carried out by said washing fluid for drying said containment body (21 ) .

8. Plant, according to one or more of the previousclaims , wherein a leveller device ( 90 ) is , furthermore , provided configured to level said sample of product ( 105 ) which has been loaded in said loading chamber ( 22 ) before moving said separation wall ( 25 ) from said closed position to said open position, in such a way to have a predetermined volume (V* ) of said sample ( 105 ) inside said loading chamber ( 22 ) before subj ecting the same to a consistency measurement .

9. Plant , according to one or more of the previous claims , characterized in that said treatment section ( 10 ) is an extraction section configured to divide said food product ( 100 ) which is introduced through said inlet ( 11 ) in a main product ( 101 ) comprising puree and / or j uice which is discharged from said extraction section ( 10 ) through a first outlet ( 12 ) toward a first discharging path ( 111 ) and into a waste product ( 102 ) which is discharged from said extraction section ( 10 ) through a second outlet ( 13 ) toward a second discharging path ( 112 ) , and wherein said connection / disconnection device ( 50 ) is positioned along said first discharging path ( 111 ) .

10. Plant , according to one or more of the previous claims , wherein a temperature adj ustment device ( 40 ) is , furthermore , provided that is configured to adj ust the temperature of said sample ( 105 ) of food product in such a way to bring the same at a predetermined temperature ( T* ) , or within a predetermined range of temperature ( AT* ) , before introducing said sample ( 105 ) of food product into said loading chamber ( 22 ) .11 . Plant , according to one or more of the previousclaims, wherein said containment body (21 ) is a closed containment body.

12. Plant, according to any claim from 1 to 3, wherein said detection group (70) is mounted on a fixed support (71 ) , and wherein said detection group ( 70) is configured to be operated at said predetermined instant (i* ) to detect said value of position (P (t* ) ) .

13. Plant, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said displacement group (30) is arranged to raise said separation wall (25) in order to move said separation wall (25) from said closed position to said open position, and to lower said separation wall (25) in order to move said separation wall (25) from said open position to said closed position .

14. Plant, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said displacement group (30) comprises at least one actuator (31 ) selected among a pneumatic actuator, or a hydraulic actuator, or an electric actuator, or a combination thereof .

15. Plant, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein at least one guide member (32 ) is, furthermore, provided that is configured to guide said separation wall (25) during said movement between said closed position and said open position.

16. Plant, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said detection group (70) is of optical type .

17. Plant, according to claim 16, wherein said detectiongroup (70) comprises a predetermined number of optical sensors configured to measure at said instant (i* ) a distance (d) of said at least one point (Pi) of said advancement front ( 14 ) of said sample ( 105) inside said measurement chamber (23) from a surface of reference .

18. Plant, according to claim 5, wherein said base surface (28 ) has a predetermined inclination with respect to a horizontal direction, in such a way to form a chute for helping said sample to slide inside said measurement chamber (23) .

19. Plant, according to claim 18, wherein an adjustment group ( 80) is, furthermore, provided arranged to adjust said inclination of said base surface (28 ) with respect to said horizontal direction.

20. Plant, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said containment body (21 ) is provided with at least one wall (21' ) made of a transparent material, in such a way to be able to inspect the inside from the outside .

21. Plant, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein a plurality of measurement sections (20a, 20b) is provided connected to the same control unit (300) in order to send respective detected values which are related to the consistency of the food product at respective points of the production line of the food product, wherein a plurality of treatment sections (10a, 10b) is provided, and wherein said control unit (300) , on the basis of said detected values of consistency, is arranged to operate on atleast one treatment section ( 10a, 10b) of said plurality for correcting said value of consistency of said treated food product .22 . Method for measuring the consistency of a food product ( 101 ) characterized in that it comprises the steps of : - treating in at least a treatment section ( 10 ) a food product ( 100 ) introduced through an inlet ( 11 ) obtaining a treated food product ( 101 ) ;- providing a measurement section ( 20 ) for measuring the consistency of the treated food product ( 101 ) , said measurement section ( 20 ) comprising a containment body ( 21 ) provided with a loading chamber ( 22 ) and a measurement chamber ( 23 ) separated by a separation wall ( 25 ) ;- sending a sample ( 105 ) of said treated product ( 101 ) inside said loading chamber ( 22 ) by hydraulically connecting said treatment section ( 10 ) and said loading chamber ( 22 ) by a connection / disconnection device ( 50 ) ;- operating said separation wall ( 25 ) to cause the same to move from a closed position, where said sample ( 105 ) is confined inside said loading chamber ( 22 ) , to an open position, where said sample ( 105 ) is free to flow from said loading chamber ( 22 ) into said measurement chamber ( 23 ) forming an advancement front ( 14 ) ;- detecting the position ( P ( t ) ) of at least one point ( Pi ) of said advancement front ( 14 ) of said sample ( 105 ) inside said measurement chamber ( 23 ) at a predetermined instant ( i* ) , said detecting step being carried out by a detection group ( 70 ) , said position(P (t* ) ) corresponding to a determined value of consistency of said treated food product ( 101 ) ;- removing said sample ( 105) from said containment body (21 ) at the end of said detecting step .

23. Method, according to claim 22, wherein a levelling step is, furthermore, provided for levelling said sample of product ( 105) which is loaded in said loading chamber (22 ) before moving said separation wall from said closed position to said open position, in such a way to have a predetermined volume (V* ) of said sample ( 105) of food product inside said loading chamber (22 ) before carrying out the consistency measurement .

24. Method, according to claim 22, or 23, wherein said removal step comprises a step for washing said containment body (21 ) by a washing fluid, and a step for drying said washing fluid for removing the same from said containment body (21 ) .

25. Method, according to one or more of claims from 22 to 24, wherein said containment body (21 ) is a closed containment body.

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