DE102019108000A1 - Device and method for heat treatment of food - Google Patents

Abstract

A device and a method for the heat treatment of food are specified, with at least one heat treatment device (12), with a treatment space which is designed to accommodate a plurality of product carriers, with at least one loading carriage (24, 24 ', 24 "), the is designed to receive a plurality of product carriers and which can be positioned in an entry position in front of the heat treatment device (12) in order to allow the product carriers to be moved into the treatment room and the product carriers to be removed from the treatment room, a buffer store (11) being provided, which is designed to accommodate a plurality of loading trolleys (24, 24 ', 24 "), and that a guide device (28) is provided which is designed to transfer the loading trolleys (24) between the entry position and a waiting position and vice versa ( Fig. 3).

Description

The invention relates to a device for the heat treatment of foodstuffs, with at least one heat treatment device with a treatment space which is designed to accommodate a plurality of product carriers, with at least one loading carriage, which is designed to accommodate a plurality of product carriers and which is in an entry position in front of the heat treatment device can be positioned to allow the product carriers to be moved into the treatment room and the product carriers to be removed from the treatment room.

Such a device is from WO 2017/194403 A1 known.

In this case, drivers are provided on the heat treatment device, to which receptacles are assigned to each loading trolley, with a drive for the vertical movement of the drivers being provided in order to couple the drivers from an entry position of the loading trolley by lifting them vertically with the receptacles on the loading trolley and to couple the loading trolley further Align lifting to the driver until it reaches a defined end position in the working position, in order to then allow a transfer between the loading carriage and the treatment room of the heat treatment device.

The disadvantage of this arrangement is that the loading trolley has to be placed manually in front of the heat treatment device and has to remain in front of the heat treatment device during the heat treatment.

An automatic supply of the heat treatment device with product carriers is not possible here.

From the WO 2015/024999 A1 A further heat treatment device for baking dough pieces is known, with a continuous oven in which a conveying direction comprises at least two conveyor belts running through the oven space. Automatic baking of dough pieces can be made possible with a continuous oven, but it requires a lot of space and an expensive overall construction.

From the DE 10 2004 038 879 A1 Another device for the heat treatment of food is known, in which a larger number of unbaked products can be stored, but the number of different products is limited and there is no individual expansion option.

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of improving a device of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way that a largely automated operation of the heat treatment device is made possible. Furthermore, the most modular expansion option possible for the inclusion of product carriers is to be created. Finally, a suitable method for the heat treatment of food is to be specified, with which a largely automated operation is made possible and at the same time the greatest possible variability is given.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a device according to the type mentioned at the outset in that a buffer store is provided which is designed to accommodate a plurality of charging trolleys, and that a guide device is provided which is used for transferring the charging trolleys between the entry position and a Waiting position and vice versa is formed.

The object of the invention is completely achieved in this way.

According to the invention, a buffer store is provided which is designed to accommodate any number of loading trolleys. An automatic transfer of loading trolleys between the entry position and one or more maintenance positions and vice versa is ensured by means of a guide device. In this way, the heat treatment device can be supplied with new product carriers practically unlimitedly and finished product carriers can be removed therefrom. A largely automated operation of the heat treatment device is thus made possible. The same or different products can be provided on the product carriers.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the treatment room and each loading trolley are designed to accommodate at least one loading rack, on which a plurality of product carriers can be placed, with a loading trolley in the entry position for transferring the at least one loading rack between the loading trolley and the treatment room and vice versa is.

The use of loading racks facilitates the transfer of product carriers between the loading trolley and the treatment room and vice versa, since it is not necessary to transfer individual product carriers, but only one loading rack.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the guide device has a first linearly extending guide path and a second guide path extending transversely to the first guide path.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a drive device is provided for moving the loading trolleys along the guide device.

The drive device preferably has a driver that can be coupled to a coupling element of a loading trolley.

Here, the driver is preferably movable along the first and the second guide track and in at least one further direction.

Since the driver can thus be moved in the direction of the first and second guide tracks and in a further direction, the driver can in principle be moved in such a way that coupling to the coupling element of a loading trolley is guaranteed. Once a connection has been established between the driver and the loading trolley, the loading trolley can be moved by means of the drive device along the guide device in the desired manner in order to position a loading trolley in the entry position in order to transfer product carriers or loading racks between the loading trolley and the assigned treatment room and vice versa.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the guide device has a first, self-contained guide track and a second guide track running transversely thereto.

This is a particularly simple way of providing a buffer memory.

In this case, the guide device preferably has a first circular guide track and a second guide track running radially for this purpose.

Here, too, the driver can preferably be moved along the first and second guide tracks and in at least one further direction.

In this way, a coupling of the driver of the drive device to a coupling element of a loading trolley is made possible, so that the loading trolley can then be moved in the desired manner between the entry position and one or more waiting positions.

For this purpose, the driver can for example be arranged pivotably and / or be movable in the vertical direction.

The way in which the desired additional direction of movement is made possible is fundamentally irrelevant. In any case, a movement of the driver in at least three directions enables a coupling between the driver and the coupling element of a loading trolley and a release of the driver from the coupling element of a loading trolley.

In principle, the guide device can be designed in such a way that fixed, predetermined guide tracks are dispensed with and only a movement of the loading trolleys by means of the drive device between the entry position and one or more waiting positions is guaranteed. In order to ensure correct movement of the loading trolleys, sensor elements for detecting the position of the loading trolleys are provided, which are coupled to a control, via which a controlled movement of the drive device is ensured.

• - Bereitstellen mindestens einer Wärmebehandlungseinrichtung mit einem Behandlungsraum, der zur Aufnahme einer Mehrzahl von Produktträgern ausgebildet ist;
• - Bereitstellen einer Mehrzahl von Beschickungswagen, die jeweils zur Aufnahme einer Mehrzahl von Produktträgern ausgebildet sind, wobei jeder Beschickungswagen in einer Einfahrposition vor eine Wärmebehandlungseinrichtung positionierbar ist, in der eine Übergabe von Produktträgern zwischen dem Beschickungswagen und dem Behandlungsraum und umgekehrt ermöglicht ist;
• - Bereitstellen eines Pufferspeichers zur Aufnahme einer Mehrzahl von Beschickungswagen;
• - Überführen eines Beschickungswagens im Pufferspeicher in eine Einfahrposition vor der Wärmebehandlungseinrichtung;
• - Übergeben von Produktträgern zwischen dem Behandlungsraum und dem Beschickungswagen in der Einfahrposition;
• - Überführen des Beschickungswagens aus der Einfahrposition in eine Warteposition und
• - Überführen eines anderen Beschickungswagens in die Einfahrposition.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a method for heat treatment of food with the following steps:

• - Provision of at least one heat treatment device with a treatment space which is designed to receive a plurality of product carriers;
• - Provision of a plurality of loading trolleys each designed to receive a plurality of product carriers, each loading trolley being positionable in an entry position in front of a heat treatment device, in which a transfer of product carriers between the loading trolley and the treatment room and vice versa is made possible;
• - Provision of a buffer store for receiving a plurality of loading trolleys;
• - Transferring a loading trolley in the buffer store into an entry position in front of the heat treatment device;
• - Transfer of product carriers between the treatment room and the loading carriage in the entry position;
• - Transfer of the loading trolley from the entry position to a waiting position and
• - Transfer of another loading trolley to the entry position.

In this way, too, the object of the invention is completely achieved. It will be a largely Automated operation of the heat treatment device enables, with a regular supply of product carriers with new products to be treated and a regular removal of finished products.

In this case, the product carriers are preferably stacked on loading racks and the loading point is transferred in the approach position between the loading trolley and the treatment room and vice versa.

The use of loading racks makes handling considerably easier.

It goes without saying that the features of the invention mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the invention.

• 1 eine Teilansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Wärmebehandlung von Lebensmitteln, mit einer Wärmebehandlungseinrichtung und einem zugeordneten Pufferspeicher zur Aufnahme einer Mehrzahl von Beschickungswagen;
• 2 die Vorrichtung gemäß 1 in einer Seitenansicht;
• 3 eine Teil-Aufsicht der Vorrichtung gemäß 1;
• 4 eine perspektivische Teilansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß 1 und
• 5 eine schematische, stark vereinfachte Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. Show it:

• 1 a partial view of a device according to the invention for the heat treatment of food, with a heat treatment device and an associated buffer store for receiving a plurality of loading trolleys;
• 2 the device according to 1 in a side view;
• 3 a partial plan view of the device according to 1 ;
• 4th a perspective partial view of the device according to 1 and
• 5 a schematic, greatly simplified representation of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention.

In 1 is a device according to the invention as a whole with the number 10 designated.

The device 10 has a total of 12 designated heat treatment device with two treatment rooms arranged one above the other 14th , 16 on, in the respective product carrier 22nd on an assigned loading rack 18th , 20th are retractable. At the heat treatment facility 12 it is an oven for baking dough pieces. The heat treatment facility 12 can approximately according to the aforementioned WO 2017/194403 A1 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

For loading and unloading the heat treatment device 12 are each a plurality of product carriers 22nd on an assigned loading rack 18th , 20th of a loading trolley 24 recorded. For loading and unloading the treatment room 14th , 16 only needs the respective loading rack 18th , 20th between the treatment room 14th , 16 and the loading trolley 24 are proceeded.

According to the invention a total of 11 designated buffer storage is now provided in which a plurality of loading trolleys can be accommodated and between waiting positions, which in 1 for example with the loading trolley 24 and 24 " and a retraction position in front of the heat treatment device 12 can be proceeded. The loading trolley in question is in the entry position 24 ' to the heat treatment facility 12 coupled in a defined position, so that then a transfer of loading racks 18th , 20th between the heat treatment facility 12 and the loading trolley 24 ' and vice versa.

The loading trolleys 24 , 24 ' , 24 " are on roles 26th movable.

2 shows a side view of the arrangement according to 1 . Here is a first loading trolley 24 recognizable, which is in a waiting position, as well as a second loading trolley 24 ' , which is in the retracted position to the heat treatment device 12 is coupled. The roles 26th on which the loading trolleys 24 , 24 ' are movable are in assigned guideways 30th , 32 a guide device denoted overall by 28 can be moved.

Out 3 is the detailed structure of the guide device 28 recognizable.

The guide device 28 has a first, linear guideway 30th on, with two rails in which the loading trolleys 24 , 24 ' , 24 " with their roles 26th are led. Furthermore, the guide device 28 a second, transverse to the first guide way 30th running guideway 32 on, with a method of a loading carriage 24 across the first guide track in the direction of the treatment device 12 is made possible, so as to move a loading carriage into an entry position immediately in front of the heat treatment device 12 to allow. The relevant loading trolley is in the entry position 24 ' in a defined position in front of the heat treatment device 12 so that, starting from the entry position, the treatment room can be loaded and unloaded automatically 14th , 16 is made possible.

To now move the loading trolley 24 , 24 ' , 24 " To enable between the waiting positions and the retraction position is a drive device 34 provided the middle between the two rails 31 , 33 the first guideway 30th runs. By means of the drive device 34 is a driver 36 movable, which also allows pivoting.

Every loading trolley 24 , 24 ' , 24 " has a coupling element on its underside 38 in the form of a pin protruding downwards (cf. 4th ).

On the carrier 36 is an assigned mating coupling element 40 provided, which is C-shaped. Because the driver 36 is designed to be pivotable, it is possible to move the driver 36 by moving along the first and second guideways 30th , 32 and to proceed with additional pivoting in such a way that coupling with the mating coupling element 40 on the coupling element 38 of a loading trolley 24 , 24 ' , 24 " is made possible.

Is the driver 36 in a coupled position in which the mating coupling element 40 the pin-shaped coupling element 38 of a loading trolley 24 , 24 ' , 24 " encompasses, the loading trolley can be moved by the driver 36 along the drive device 34 on the guideways 30th , 32 be moved. After coupling the carrier 36 with its mating coupling element 40 on the coupling element 38 of a loading carriage, the loading carriage can thus be moved between the waiting positions and the entry position.

Instead of a pivoting movement of the driver 36 for coupling to a coupling element 38 A different type of movement can of course also be used for a loading trolley or for uncoupling. For example, the driver 36 be arranged vertically movable.

Furthermore, the use of guideways could in principle 30th , 32 be dispensed with, in which the loading trolley 24 , 24 ' , 24 " with their roles 26th are led. Instead, the loading trolley could move 24 , 24 ' , 24 " exclusively by means of the drive device 34 and the driver 36 respectively. Suitable sensors that are used in 3 exemplarily with the digits 42 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 50 are indicated, an exact positioning can be guaranteed.

A dedicated controller that controls the movement of the loading trolleys 24 , 24 ' , 24 " controlled and via the sensors 42 to 50 is monitored is exemplified in 3 with the number 52 indicated.

In 5 a modification of the device according to the invention is shown in simplified form and denoted as a whole by 10a. The guide device 28a does not have a linear guideway, but a circular guideway 30a , on which a plurality of product carriers 24 can be placed. In front of a heat treatment facility 12 , which is arranged within the space enclosed by the circle, a second radial guide track runs 32a that allows a heat treatment facility 24 from a waiting position on the circular path 30a over the radial guideway 32a in a retracted position 24 ' in front of the heat treatment facility 12 to convict.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2017/194403 A1 [0002, 0034]
• WO 2015/024999 A1 [0006]
• DE 102004038879 A1 [0007]

Claims (12)

Device for the heat treatment of food, with at least one heat treatment device (12) with a treatment space (14, 16) which is designed to receive a plurality of product carriers (22), with at least one loading carriage (24) which is used to accommodate a plurality of product carriers (22) and which can be positioned in an entry position in front of the heat treatment device (12) in order to move the product carriers (22) into the treatment room (14, 16) and remove the product carriers (22) from the treatment room (14, 16) ), characterized in that a buffer store is provided which is designed to accommodate a plurality of loading trolleys (24), and that a guide device (28, 28a) is provided which is used for transferring the loading trolleys (24) between the Entry position (24 ') and a waiting position (24, 24 ") and vice versa. Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the treatment room (14, 16) and each loading carriage (24) are designed to accommodate at least one loading frame (18, 20) on which a plurality of product carriers can be placed, and that a loading carriage (24) in the Entry position for transferring the at least one loading frame (18, 20) between the loading trolley (24) and the treatment room (14, 16) and vice versa. Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the guide device (28) has a first linearly extending guide path (30) and a second guide path (32) extending transversely to the first guide path (30). Device according to Claim 1 , 2 or 3 , characterized in that a drive device (34) is provided for moving the loading trolley (24) along the guide device (28). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device (34) has a driver (36) which can be coupled to a coupling element (38) of a loading trolley (24). Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the guide device (28a) has a first, self-contained guide track (30a) and a second guide track (32a) running transversely thereto. Device according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the guide device (28a) has a first, circular guide track (30a) and a second guide track (32a) extending radially to it. Device according to one of the Claims 5 to 7th , characterized in that the driver (36) can be moved along the first (30, 30a) and the second guide track (32, 32a) and in at least one further direction. Device according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the driver (36) is pivotably arranged and / or can be moved in the vertical direction. Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that a drive device (34) is provided with a driver (36) which can be coupled to a coupling element (38) of a loading trolley (24), and that sensor elements (42, 44, 46) for detecting the position of the loading trolleys (24) which are coupled to a control which is designed to control the drive device (34) in order to bring about a movement of the loading trolleys (24) between the entry position (24 ') and a waiting position (24, 24 ") and vice versa . Method for heat treatment of food, comprising the following steps: - providing at least one heat treatment device (12) with a treatment space (14, 16) which is designed to receive a plurality of product carriers (22); - Provision of a plurality of loading trolleys (24), each designed to receive a plurality of product carriers (22), each loading trolley (24) being positionable in an entry position (24 ') in front of a heat treatment device (12) in which a transfer of product carriers (22) between the Loading trolley (24) and the treatment room (14, 16) and vice versa is enabled; - Provision of a buffer store for receiving a plurality of loading trolleys (24); - Transferring a loading trolley (24) in the buffer store into an entry position in front of the heat treatment device (12); - Transfer of product carriers (22) between the treatment room (14, 16) and the loading carriage (24 ') in the entry position; - Transferring the loading trolley (24) from the retraction position into a waiting position; and - transferring another loading carriage (24) into the retraction position. Procedure according to Claim 11 , in which the product carriers are stacked on loading racks (18, 20) and the loading racks (18, 20) are transferred in the entry position between the loading trolley (24) and the treatment room (14, 16) and vice versa.

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