Treatment system, such as a dryer or roaster

Abstract

Treatment system (1) configured to treat material (3), comprising a conveyor (10) configured to convey material (3) in a conveying direction (X) between an infeed point (4) and a discharge point (5), and a treatment means (6), configured to treat the material between the infeed point and the discharge point; wherein the conveyor (10) is provided with a plurality of supporting surfaces (120) and a plurality of corresponding lids (110), each lid (110) being configured to be placed between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the supporting surface (120) and the corresponding lid (110) delimit a corresponding volume configured to encase an amount of material; and wherein in the open position, the amount of material can be fed on the supporting surface in the corresponding volume at the infeed point (4) and can be discharged from the corresponding volume at the discharge point (5).

Description

[0001] TREATMENT SYSTEM, SUCH AS A DRYER OR ROASTER FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of thermal treatment systems, in particular dryers and roasters and conveyors therefore.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] Although the process of roasting and drying particulate material is used in large industrial plants, it remains an extremely delicate operation, requiring a particular expertise. A treatment system, such as a thermal treatment apparatus, operating using a so-called continuous method can comprise a tunnel in which the product is inserted and moved along by a transporting means, such as for example a conveyor belt, as well as a treatment means, for example comprising a chamber, a fan, a burner or heater and thermal, pressure and humidity sensors.

[0005] The processes of roasting and drying are usually achieved by generating and directing a gas and / or vapor flow at the product to roast or dry the material, such as cacao beans, coffee beans or malt. Because particulate material can be made of small and / or light particles, the gas and / or vapor flows directed at these particles may have the undesired effect of blowing the particulate material off of the conveyor belt. The gas and / or vapor flows may also have the undesired effect of blowing dust that is included in or with the material.

[0006] This can cause a wide range of issues, especially since the material and the dust may be burnt or even burning, such that it may lead to health or safety hazards for the workers of these industrial plants, e.g. burns, respiratory difficulties, to safety hazard, e.g. fires and to malfunctions of the whole system, which reduces the productivity of these systems. This also means that the system needs to be cleaned more regularly, to remove the material and / or the dust that escapes the conveyor belt. Technical improvements are therefore required in this area.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] The object of embodiments is to provide with a safer, cleaner and more productive treatment system that solves the issues raised above.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a treatment system configured to treat material, comprising a conveyor and a treatment means. The conveyor is configured to conveymaterial in a conveying direction between an infeed point and a discharge point. The treatment means is configured to treat the material between the infeed point and the discharge point. The conveyor is provided with a plurality of supporting surfaces and a plurality of corresponding lids, each lid being configured to be placed between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the supporting surface and the corresponding lid delimit a corresponding volume configured to encase an amount of material. In the open position, the amount of material can be fed on the supporting surface in the corresponding volume at the infeed point and can be discharged from the corresponding volume at the discharge point.

[0010] In other words, the first aspect relates to a treatment system, for example for roasting and / or drying material, such as cacao beans, malt, etc., in which the material is fed into a closable volume linked to a conveyor, said closable volume being delimited by a supporting surface, e.g. a surface of the conveyor itself or a supporting wall linked to the conveyor, and a lid, and transported from an infeed point to a treatment means, e.g. one or more roasters and / or one or more dryers, and then transported further to a discharge point.

[0011] By having a conveyor provided with closable lids, the material is encased in a volume from which it cannot exit during transportation nor before it has been treated by the treatment means. It is thereby avoided that material, can escape. This therefore improves the safety and productivity of the treatment system and warrants a precise residence time for all material.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the plurality of lids is pivotable around an axis, preferably hinged around an axis. For example, the lid may comprise or be attached to a hinge, that allows the lid to be pivoted between the open and the closed position. Pivot movements are relatively simple movements that do not require complex parts and thus improve the lifetime of the system. Preferably, the axis is substantially parallel to a transverse direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0013] Other types of lids are however also possible. For example, the pivoting axis may be parallel to the conveying direction instead, e.g. a hinge may be on one first side of the conveyor or on a second side of the conveyor opposite the first side in the transverse direction. The lid may also be divided into two parts, each comprising or being attached to a hinge, e.g. one first hinge cooperating with the first part of the lid being located on one first side of the conveyor and one second hinge cooperating with the second part of the lid and being located on a second side opposite the first side in the transverse direction. This two-parts-lid may then be opened or closed by pivoting one or both parts of the lid around a first axis and / or a second axis on the first and second sides of the conveyor. In another embodiment, the lids may slide open and close.According to a further developed embodiment, the treatment system comprises a driving means configured to drive the conveyor. In this way, the treatment system can better control the treatment of the material, by driving the conveyor at the desired speed.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, each supporting surface is delimited by one or more bottom peripheral walls delimiting a compartment. Alternatively or additionally, each lid may be provided with one or more lid peripheral walls delimiting a compartment. In other words, the volume into which the material is fed in is delimited by the supporting surface, e.g. at the bottom, the lid, e.g. on top, and by the one or more bottom peripheral walls and / or the one or more lid peripheral walls joining the latter two and that closes the volume. In this way, a compartment is formed. Note that the compartment may be an open or a closed compartment in the sense that the one or more peripheral walls may extend along a closed perimeter or may for example only be arranged at two opposite lateral sides.

[0015] Having a compartment may be advantageous as the material can be fluidized within the compartment and its residence time can be precisely controlled. In drying and roasting systems, but not only in those types of systems, fluidizing the material is advantageous as it improves the heat transfer between the gas and / or vapor flow and the material. In conventional fluidized roasters and dryers however, fluidizing the material decreases the control one can have on the time actually spent drying and roasting by each particle of the material. On the contrary, here, as the volume, and therefore the material therein, is conveyed at a known speed, the control is improved.

[0016] Also, some materials have a tendency to burn, e.g. the roasting of malt becomes exothermal above a given temperature. To reduce this risk, the temperature to which the material is exposed is preferably controlled. A compartmentalized transport makes it possible to control the temperature to which the material is exposed in an improved manner throughout the process.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the plurality of supporting surfaces and the plurality of lids are perforated to allow for the passage of vapor and / or gas through the corresponding volumes. Preferably, the perforations are such that the material cannot escape the volume delimited by the supporting surfaces and the lids.

[0018] Preferably, the treatment means comprises a vapor and / or gas generating and / or circulating means configured to treat the material between the infeed point and the discharge point by circulating a vapor and / or gas flow through the perforated supporting surfaces and through the perforated lids. Typically, the treatments means will comprise any one or more of the following: a fan, a heat exchanger, a burner or heater, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor.In this way, the material may be treated by a gas and / or vapor flux while still being encased in the volumes between the supporting surfaces and the lids.

[0019] For example, the treatment means may be treatment means as described in any one of the following patent specifications in the name of the applicant which are included herein by reference: WO 2021 / 043915 Al, WO 2020 / 070048 Al, WO 2019 / 219666 Al.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, when in use, the conveyor comprises a lower section having a lower surface facing the ground and an upper section having an upper surface facing a direction opposite the ground. The lids are configured to open under the force of gravity when in the lower section of the conveyor. Preferably, the lids may be configured to close under the force of gravity when in the upper section of the conveyor.

[0021] For example, when the lid is in the upper section of the conveyor, it may face up as compared to the supporting surface of the conveyor. By the force of gravity, the lid is thus naturally pushed down, i.e. towards the supporting surfaces linked to the conveyor. The lid is thus in a closed position. When in the lower section of the conveyor, the situation is inverted. Instead, the lid faces down as compared to the supporting surface of the conveyor. The force of gravity then tends to naturally push the lid down, towards the ground, i.e. away from the supporting surfaces of the conveyor. The lid is thus in an open position. This may be achieved in multiple ways, for example with lids that are configured to open by pivoting.

[0022] When in the open position, since this position is achieved “by default” and is stable, it allows for an easier cleaning of the volume, since no additional means are needed to keep it open. For example, a cleaning means may be installed such as to clean the volume when in the lower section of the conveyor, e.g. using air pressure, waterjets or mechanically, e.g. using brushes.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the treatment system comprises an opening means upstream of the infeed point configured to open any lid passing in range of the opening means, in order to put the lid in an open position. In this way, it is ensured that the lid is open and thus the volume can be filled with material when passing by the infeed point.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the treatment system comprises a closing means downstream of the infeed point configured to close any lid passing in range of the closing means, in order to bring the lid in the closed position. In this way, it is ensured that the lid is closed after material has been fed in the volume.

[0025] Preferably, the lid comprises a protruding part configured to cooperate with the opening means to open the lid and / or with the closing means to close the lid.According to a preferred embodiment, the conveyor is a chain conveyor with a first chain and a second chain separated from the first chain in the transverse direction. The conveyor comprises a plurality of compartments, wherein each compartment is attached on a first end to the first chain and on a second end opposite the first end to the second chain. Each compartment comprises a supporting surface of the plurality of supporting surfaces and a corresponding lid of the plurality of lids.

[0026] In other words, the conveyor may comprise compartments, for example individual containers, that are attached on one side and the other side of the conveyor. As mentioned above, some materials have a tendency to burn, e.g. the roasting of malt becomes exothermal past a given temperature. The burning of material may propagate in an uncontrolled way through the material on the conveyor. By compartmenting, the burning of the material is contained to the given compartment and thus controlled. A controlled burning may even be desirable to achieve organoleptic characteristics.

[0027] Also, by having compartments that may be individual, it is possible to replace one compartment without affecting the other compartments. If one of the compartments is malfunctioning, e.g. it has a hole, the hinge is blocked, etc., it can be removed from the conveyor, cleaned, repaired, and placed again without needing to work on the whole conveyor.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a treatment system configured to treat material comprising a lower conveyor and an upper conveyor. The lower conveyor is configured to be moved in a conveying direction between an infeed point and a discharge point. The upper conveyor is configured to be moved in the conveying direction above the lower conveyor. The infeed point is configured to feed material between the lower and the upper conveyors. The treatment system comprises a treatment means, configured to treat the material between the infeed point and the discharge point. The lower and upper conveyor are configured to transport material between the lower and upper conveyor.

[0029] Preferably, the lower and upper conveyors comprise perforated belts to allow the treatment of the material.

[0030] In this aspect of the invention, the upper conveyor has a similar role as the lid in the first aspect of the invention. Similarly to the above, the upper conveyor is configured to encase the material between a supporting surface, e.g. a belt of the lower conveyor, and a belt of the upper conveyor, which both delimit a corresponding volume.

[0031] The skilled person will understand that the advantages of this second aspect are similar to those of the first aspect, mutatis mutandis and will not be repeated. The skilled person will understand thatthe advantages of the preferred embodiments of the first aspect also apply to the preferred embodiment of the second aspect. These advantages will thus not be repeated.

[0032] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0033] The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate presently preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments of devices of the present invention. The above and other advantages of the features and objects of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figs. 1A and IB are schematic perspective views of an embodiment of a treatment system according to the first aspect, with different types of lids.

[0035] Fig. 2 illustrates schematic perspective views of an embodiment of lids and / or compartments according to the first aspect.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a treatment system according to the first aspect.

[0037] Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a treatment system according to the first aspect comprising individual compartments.

[0038] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a conveyor with individual compartments.

[0039] Fig. 6A is a schematic view of an opening means and a closing means for pivotable lids.

[0040] Fig. 6B is a perspective view of an embodiment of a conveyor according to the first aspect at the infeed point.

[0041] Fig. 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a treatment system according to the second aspect.

[0042] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0043] Whilst the principles of the invention will be set out in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that this description is merely made by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of protection which is determined by the appended claims.

[0044] Figs. 1A and IB are perspective views of a treatment system according to the first aspect of the invention, with different types of lids.

[0045] In Fig. 1A, a treatment system 1 configured to treat material 3 is illustrated. The treatment system comprises a conveyor 10 with rollers 2. The conveyor 10 is configured to convey material 3, preferably a particulate material, in a conveying direction X between an infeed point 4 and adischarge point 5. For example, the material may comprise particulate material such as cacao beans, coffee beans, malt, silica gel granules, granulates, glass powder, sand, animal food, bulk agricultural produce, bulk waste materials, etc.

[0046] The treatment system further comprises a treatment means configured to treat the material 3 between the infeed point 4 and the discharge point 5. The treatment means is not illustrated here but generally comprises a means of generating and directing a gas and / or vapor flow at the material 3, e.g. to roast or to dry or to chemically treat it. The gas flow may be for example a hot and / or dry gas flow.

[0047] The treatment system may comprise a driving means configured to drive the conveyor 10. For example, one or both of the rollers 2 may be powered by the driving means, moving the conveyor and the material on supporting surfaces 120 linked to the conveyor 10 forward.

[0048] The conveyor 10 is provided with a plurality of supporting surfaces 120 and a plurality of corresponding lids 110. In Figs. 1 A and IB only a couple of supporting surface are illustrated but it will be understood that supporting surfaces 120 and corresponding lids 110 may be arranged along the entire length of the conveyor. In Figs. 1A and IB the supporting surfaces 120 are illustrated as surfaces linked to the conveyor 10, e.g. the conveyor may comprise two chains and the supporting surface may be a portion of a metal plate or metal tray extending between the two chains, see also Fig. 5 discussed below. In another embodiment, the conveyor 10 may comprise a belt and the supporting surfaces 120 may be the surface of the belt. In yet another embodiment the conveyor 10 may comprise slats, e.g. metal slats, and a supporting surface 120 may be formed by a plurality of slats. More generally, the conveyor 10 may comprise any element, such as plates, trays, slats, a belt, etc. that can form supporting surfaces 120.

[0049] Each lid 110 is configured to be placed between a closed position, e.g. the lid 110 on the right side, closer to the discharge point 5 in Fig. 1 A, and an open position, e.g. the lid 110 on the left closer to the infeed point 4 in Fig. 1A. In the closed position, the supporting surface 120 and the corresponding lid 110 delimit a corresponding volume configured to encase an amount of material 3. In the open position, the amount of material 3 can be fed on the supporting surface in the corresponding volume at the infeed point 4. Once the material 3 has been treated and reaches the discharge point 5, it can be discharged from the corresponding volume at the discharge point 5 when the lid 110 is in the open position. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1A, before reaching the roller 2 at the end of the conveyor 10, the supporting surface 120 is facing up and the lid 110 is closed. When reaching the roller 2, the supporting surface 120 tips downwards as the conveyor 10 rotates. With the lid 110 in the open position and the supporting surface 120 facing at least partly down, the material 3 contained in the encased volume then falls off the conveyor 10 and is discharged.The plurality of lids 110 may be pivotable around an axis P. For example, each lid 110 may comprise or be attached to a hinge that allows the lid to be pivoted between the open and the closed position. As illustrated in the embodiments of Fig. 1 A and IB, the axis P may be substantially parallel to a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the conveying direction. This is further illustrated in Fig.

[0050] 2, which illustrates lids 110 in an open position, in the upper portion of Fig. 2, and in a closed position in the lower portion of Fig. 2.

[0051] In Fig. 2, from left to right, the first, second, third and fourth embodiments, are shown to comprise a lid 110 that pivots around an axis P, while the fifth embodiment on the far right is shown to slide between the open and the closed position.

[0052] In the first embodiment of Fig. 2, each supporting surface 120 is delimited by a bottom peripheral wall 1200 defining a compartment. The lid 110 is flat, and is configured to close the compartment by pivoting around the axis P until contact with the peripheral wall 1200 is made. The pivoting may be achieved by the lid 110 comprising or being attached to a hinge. For example, the hinge may be attached to the peripheral wall 1200 on the one hand and to the lid 110 on the other hand.

[0053] The second embodiment of Fig. 2 is similar to the first but differs in that the lid 110 is separated into two portions. A first portion, e.g. to the left in Fig. 2, is configured to pivot, while the other, e.g. to the right in Fig. 2, is configured not to. For example, a hinge may be attached in the middle portion of the lid 110 such that a limited opening is made to pour the material into the encased volume.

[0054] The third and fourth embodiments of Fig. 2, corresponding to the first and second embodiments, respectively, differ from them in that a lid peripheral wall 1100 is provided to the lid 110 instead of the supporting surface 120. In a similar way as above for the first and second embodiments, the lid 110 is configured to close the compartment by pivoting around the axis P, this time until contact between the lid peripheral wall 1100 and the supporting surface 120 is made.

[0055] The fifth embodiment of Fig. 2 is an embodiment in which the opening and closing of the lid 110 is obtained by sliding the lid 110. Like in the first embodiment of Fig. 2, the fifth embodiment illustrated here is such that each supporting surface 120 is delimited by a bottom peripheral wall 1200 defining a compartment.

[0056] It is noted that the axis P around which the lid 110 pivots is illustrated as being substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y in the first to fourth embodiments of Fig. 2. However, this is not necessarily so. For example, the pivoting axis P may be parallel to the conveying direction X instead, e.g. a hinge may be on one first side of the conveyor or on a second side of the conveyor opposite the first side in the transverse direction Y. The lid 110 may also be divided into two parts,each comprising or being attached to a hinge, e.g. one first hinge cooperating with the first part of the lid being located on one first side of the conveyor 10 and one second hinge cooperating with the second part of the lid and being located on a second side opposite the first side in the transverse direction Y. This two-parts-lid may then be opened or closed by pivoting one or both parts of the lid around a first axis and / or a second axis on the first and second sides of the conveyor 10.

[0057] It is noted that the bottom peripheral walls 1200 and the lid peripheral walls 1100 may comprise only front and rear lateral walls, i.e. without the walls that are dashed and extending in the YZ plane in Fig. 2. In that way, the adjacent encasing volumes may be interconnected.

[0058] As illustrated in Figs. 1A, IB and 2, the plurality of supporting surfaces 120 and the plurality of lids 110 may be perforated to allow the passage of vapor and / or gas through the corresponding volume for treating the material 3 that is contained in the encased volume. Preferably, the perforations are such that the material 3 cannot escape this volume, e.g. the size of the holes is smaller than the size of the particles in the particulate material, e.g. the beans.

[0059] The treatment means 6 is illustrated in Fig. 3. Preferably, the treatment means 6 comprises a vapor and / or gas generating and / or circulating means configured to treat the material 3 between the infeed point 4 and the discharge point 5 by circulating a vapor and / or gas flow F through the perforated supporting surfaces 120 and through the perforated lids 110. For example, the vapor and / or gas flow F may be perpendicular to the conveyor 10, in a direction Z (from bottom to top) or in a direction opposite-Z (from top to bottom), or even both, depending on the position on the conveyor 10. For example, there may be provided different zones with different vapor and / or gas flows F, e.g. flows having a different temperature and / or a different gas and / or vapor composition, depending on the position between the infeed point 4 and he discharge point 5. The treatment means 6 may be configured to fluidize the material within the compartment delimited by the lid 110 and the supporting surface 120.

[0060] The treatment system illustrated in Figs. 1 A, IB and 3 is such that when in use, the conveyor 10 comprises a lower section (L) having a lower surface facing the ground and an upper section (U) having an upper surface facing a direction opposite the ground.

[0061] As illustrated in Fig. 1 A and 3, the lids 110 may be configured to open in the open position under the force of gravity when in the lower section L of the conveyor 10. The conveyor 10 is configured such that once the material has been treated and the encasing volume reaches the discharge point 5, the lid 110 opens and the material is discharged. For example, for a discharge point 5 located at the end of the conveyor 10, near the end roller 2, when the encased volume approaches the discharge point 5, the supporting surface 120 tips over towards the ground. Due tothe force of gravity, the lid 110 may pivot such as to open the compartment. As the supporting surface 120 also tips towards the ground, the material contained in the encased volume then falls off the conveyor 10 and is discharged. Similarly, the lids 110 may be configured to close or to remain in the closed position under the force of gravity when in the upper section U of the conveyor 10.

[0062] In the lower section L of the conveyor 10, the lids 110 may stay in the open position due to the force of gravity. Although not illustrated here, a cleaning means may be installed such as to clean the empty volume when in the lower section L of the conveyor 10. For example, water or pressurized air jets may be directed towards the lid 110 and the supporting surface 120 to clean the interior of the encasing volume, or a mechanical means of cleaning, such as a brush, may be used on the return section of the conveyor 10.

[0063] It is noted that although the lids 110 may be configured to open in the open position under the force of gravity when in the lower section L of the conveyor 10, these are not necessarily open during the whole “return trip” of the lower section L. As illustrated in Fig. IB, when the discharge point 5 is located further in the path of the conveyor 10, for example in the lower section L at the end of the “return trip”, the lids 110 may be configured to stay closed until they reach the discharge point 5. This also allows the treatment means 6 to treat the material twice, i.e. once when on the upper section U of the conveyor 10, and one when on the lower section L thereof. For example a treatment means 6 such as the one of Fig. 3 may also be installed to surround the lower section L of the conveyor 10. Alternatively, the treatment means 6 may generate the vapor and / or gas flow F through both the upper section U of the conveyor 10 and the lower section L thereof.

[0064] In order to open and close the lids when desired, the treatment system may comprise an opening means 140 upstream of the infeed point 4 and configured to open any lid 110 passing in range of the opening means 140 in the open position. Alternatively or additionally, the treatment system may comprise a closing means 150 downstream of the infeed point 4 configured to close any lid 110 passing in range of the closing means 150 in the closed position. The opening means and closing means 150 are discussed in more details in Figs. 5 and 6A-6B.

[0065] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a treatment system according to the first aspect of the invention comprising individual compartments. The treatment system of Fig. 4 is similar to the ones of Figs.

[0066] 1A and IB but shows the conveyor 10 in more detail in the form of a chain conveyor 10 with a first chain 20 and a second chain 30 separated from the first chain 20 in the transverse direction Y. The conveyor 10 comprises a plurality of compartments 40, wherein each compartment 40 is attached on a first end to the first chain 20 and on a second end opposite the first end to the second chain 30. Each compartment 40 comprises one supporting surface 120 of the plurality of supporting surfacesand one corresponding lid 110 of the plurality of lids. The compartments 40 may be individual containers that are attached on one side and the other of the conveyor 10, for example made of metal.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the compartments 40 may be such that they remain oriented in the same direction during the “return trip”, i.e. the supporting surfaces 120 are oriented towards the Z direction in the upper section U of the conveyor 10 as well as in the lower section L of the conveyor 10. For example, the compartments 40 may be attached to the chains with the help of a pivoting means R, that allows the rotation of the compartment.

[0068] Although not illustrated in Figs. 1A, IB, and 3, such feature of the compartments remaining in the same orientation on the upper and lower sections is also possible for the embodiments of Figs.

[0069] 1A, IB and 3 and is not limited to conveyors being chain conveyors with two chains.

[0070] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a conveyor 10 with individual compartments 40. As illustrated therein, the lid 110 may comprise a protruding part 1140 configured to cooperate with the opening means 140 to open the lid and / or with the closing means 150 to close the lid. For example, the protruding part 1140 may be a knob comprising a neck.

[0071] An exemplary embodiment of an opening means 140 and a closing means 150 are illustrated in Fig. 6A and 6B, in which they are two portions of a same element, e.g. a guiding rail mechanism. The guiding rail mechanism may comprise two rails 160a, 160b, for example extending in a plane comprising the conveying direction X and the Z direction. The rails 160a, 160b may be separated in the Z direction by a distance sufficiently large to receive the neck of the knob 1140, but sufficiently small to constrain the movement of the knob 1140 in the transverse direction Y. During the movement of the conveyor 10 in the conveying direction X, the neck of the knob 1140 of a lid 110 is configured to follow the rails 160a, 160b at a location near the infeed point. Due to the conveyor 10 advancing in the conveying direction X, the knob 1140 is forced to follow the shape of the guiding rails 160a, 160b. The lid 110 is thus forced to open or close to allow the movement of the knob 1140.

[0072] For a guiding rail mechanism having the shape such as the one of Fig. 6A, i.e. with a first portion raising gradually in the Z direction, then reaching a maximum and then lowering in the -Z direction, the lid 110 is thus forced to first open, reach the open position, and then to close, until the knob 1140 reaches the other extremity of the guiding rail mechanism and exits the latter. This is illustrated in Fig. 6B, wherein an opening means 140 and a closing means 150 such as the one illustrated in Fig. 6A is schematically drawn at the infeed point 4. Note that there may be also be two guiding rail mechanisms, for example one at each side of the lids 110.

[0073] Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a treatment system according to the second aspect of the invention. The treatment system 1 is configured to treat material 3 and comprises a lower conveyor belt 10 and anupper conveyor belt 10’. The lower conveyor belt 10 is configured to be moved in a conveying direction X between an infeed point 4 and a discharge point 5. The upper conveyor belt 10’ is configured to be moved in the conveying direction above the lower conveyor belt. The infeed point 4 is configured to feed material between the lower and the upper conveyor belts. The treatment system comprises a treatment means 6, configured to beat the material between the infeed point and the discharge point. The conveyor belts 10, 10’ are perforated to allow the treatment of the material.

[0074] The upper conveyor belt 10' has a similar role as the lid 110 of the first aspect of the invention, i.e. similarly to the above, the upper conveyor is configured to encase the material between a supporting surface 120, e.g. the lower conveyor belt 10, and the upper conveyor belt 10’, which cooperate to delimit a corresponding volume.

[0075] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the lower conveyor belt 10 may be provided with upwardly extending walls 105, which, similarly to the peripheral walls of the first aspect, are configured to delimit compartments on the lower conveyor belt 10. Additionally or alternatively, the upper conveyor belt 10’ may be provided with similar walls 105’.

[0076] Although the distance between the belts 10, 10’ will depend on the type of material 3, the bed of material 3, for example coffee beans, on the conveyor belt usually has a thickness between 20 mm and 60 mm. In such an embodiment, preferably, the distance between the two belts 10, 10’ is between 80 mm and 120 mm. The upper belt 10’ may be set to move lower, such as to touch the material 3 on the lower conveyor belt 10. However, it is not necessarily so.

[0077] In another non-illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower conveyor belts 10, 10’ could be slat conveyors.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Treatment system (1) configured to treat material (3), comprisinga conveyor (10) configured to convey material (3) in a conveying direction (X) between an infeed point (4) and a discharge point (5), anda treatment means (6), configured to treat the material between the infeed point and the discharge point;wherein the conveyor (10) is provided with a plurality of supporting surfaces (120) and a plurality of corresponding lids (110), each lid (110) being configured to be placed between a closed position and an open position,wherein in the closed position, the supporting surface (120) and the corresponding lid (110) delimit a corresponding volume configured to encase an amount of material; and wherein in the open position, the amount of material can be fed on the supporting surface in the corresponding volume at the infeed point (4) and can be discharged from the corresponding volume at the discharge point (5).

2. Treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lids is pivotable around an axis (P), wherein preferably the axis (P) is substantially parallel to a transverse direction (Y) perpendicular to the conveying direction.

3. Treatment system according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising a driving means configured to drive the conveyor (10).

4. Treatment system according to any one of the previous claims, wherein each supporting surface (120) is delimited by one or more bottom peripheral walls (1200) delimiting a compartment.

5. Treatment system according to any one of the previous claims, wherein each lid (110) is provided with one or more lid peripheral walls (1100) delimiting a compartment.

6. Treatment system according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the plurality of supporting surfaces (120) and the plurality of lids (110) are perforated to allow for the passage of vapor and / or gas through the corresponding volume.

7. Treatment system according to the previous claim, wherein the treatment means comprises a vapor and / or gas generating and / or circulating means configured to treat the material between the infeed point and the discharge point by circulating a vapor and / or gas flow through the perforated supporting surfaces and through the perforated lids.

8. Treatment system according to claim 2, wherein when in use, the conveyor comprises a lower section having a lower surface facing the ground and an upper section having an upper surface facing a direction opposite the ground,wherein the lids (110) are configured to open in the open position under the force of gravity when in the lower section of the conveyor.

9. Treatment system according to the previous claim, wherein the lids (110) are configured to close in the closed position under the force of gravity when in the upper section of the conveyor.

10. Treatment system according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising an opening means (140) upstream of the infeed point (4) configured to open any lid passing in range of the opening means (140) in the open position.

11. Treatment system according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising a closing means (150) downstream of the infeed point (4) configured to close any lid passing in range of the closing means (150) in the closed position.

12. Treatment system (1) according to claim 10 and / or 11, wherein the lid comprises a protruding part (1140) configured to cooperate with the opening means (140) to open the lid and / or with the closing means (150) to close the lid.

13. Treatment system (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the conveyor is a chain conveyor with a first chain (20) and a second chain (30) separated from the first chain in the transverse direction,wherein the conveyor comprises a plurality of compartments (40), wherein each compartment is attached on a first end to the first chain and on a second end opposite the first end to the second chain, andwherein each compartment comprises one supporting surface of the plurality of supporting surfaces and one corresponding lid of the plurality of lids.1514. Treatment system (1) configured to treat material (3) comprisinga lower conveyor (10) configured to be moved in a conveying direction (X) between an infeed point (4) and a discharge point (5), andan upper conveyor (10’) configured to be moved in the conveying direction above the lower conveyor;wherein the infeed point (4) is configured to feed material between the lower and the upper conveyor;and further comprising atreatment means (6), configured to treat the material between the infeed point and the discharge point;wherein the lower and upper conveyor are configured to transport material (3) between the lower and upper conveyor.

15. Treatment system according to claim 14, wherein the lower and upper conveyor comprise perforated belts or slats to allow for the passage of vapor and / or gas.

16. Treatment system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the lower conveyor and / or the upper conveyor are provided with protruding walls (105, 105’) configured to extend between the lower and upper conveyor, when moving between the infeed point and the discharge point, so as to create compartments between the infeed point and the discharge point.

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