FR2478669A1 - Prodn. of barbecue fuel assembly - comprising charcoal briquettes in compartmented receptacle eliminates manual insertion of briquettes into assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Process and appts. are claimed for prodn. of a barbecue fuel assembly., comprising charcoal briquettes inserted, one per compartment, in a compartmented receptacle. The process comprises (a) charging a mould with a charcoal paste compsn. to produce a series of briquettes corresp. to the no. of compartments in the receptacle; (b) discharging the briquettes into the receptacle; and (c) heating the briquette receptacle assembly to harden the briquettes. The appts. comprises a stationary matrix having a series of through-cavities with top and bottom rams. The charcoal paste is fed into the cavities, pressed by the top and bottom rams, and then discharged by means of the top rams into a receptacle positioned beneath the matrix. The process is readily automated, eliminating manual insertion of the briquettes into the receptacle.

Description

PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING AND PACKAGING
OF CHARCOAL BALLS
The present invention relates to a method and a machine for the automatic manufacture and packaging of charcoal balls intended for grills of food of the barbecue type.

It is known that the ignition and combustion of a barbecue hearth poses a certain number of problems among which the safety of the users is very particularly important, in particular at the time of ignition.

Traditionally, for this kind of hearth, we have charcoal stoves which we light using a fast-burning product (liquid alcohol or solid in pellets). Liquid alcohol, for obvious safety reasons, has been prohibited by regulations. The solid alcohol pellets, on the other hand, are quite difficult to use, because you must arrange the sticks to ignite with great care and use a fairly large number of pellets
These manipulations are long and do not allow obtaining a certain ignition.

This is why we have proposed barbecue combustion assemblies consisting of a tray of flammable material in which are appropriately arranged charcoal balls made using a particular composition from charcoal powder.

This set is placed in the barbecue and it is enough to ignite the packaging (made for example of cardboard impregnated with a flammable substance) to obtain (without the use of alcohol) an ignition, then proper combustion.

The present invention relates to the manufacture of such an assembly for a barbecue type fireplace. The known ready-to-use ignition assemblies are produced in the following manner From charcoal paste, charcoal balls are produced by molding which are cooked to harden. Then, place the hardened balls in the cells of a tray.

This process which requires handling of the balls is long, expensive and involves significant waste because the balls are subject to risks of deterioration during handling.

The present invention firstly proposes a method which eliminates these drawbacks by allowing high production rates, and by practically canceling the rejects of balls. To this end, the method of the invention is characterized by the fact
that a mold is fed using the pasty composition which is formed into a series of balls corresponding to the number of cells of the tray, the balls are extracted from the mold and they are housed simultaneously under the tray, then the ball and tray assembly is subjected to a cooking operation in order to harden the balls.

Preferably, the balls are put in place in the tray by an element of the press at the end of an operating cycle thereof.

The machine for implementing the method according to the invention comprises - a fixed matrix having a series of depressions intended to receive a predetermined quantity of the composition, these depressions passing through the matrix, - two series of punches for forming balls respectively located on one side of the die, each punch of one of the series being aligned with one of the depressions, - means for moving each series of punches in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the die, - means for feeding depressions in pasty imposition, and means for automatically ensuring the positioning of the balls in the cells of a package, these means being constituted, according to a preferred aspect of the invention by one of the series of punches during a terminal phase of their displacement in the matrix.

The two series of punches move sequentially to ensure the obturation of the depressions in the matrix or their release, while means are also provided for supplying the machine with empty packages and for extracting the filled packages,
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the following description given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which - Figure 1 shows in perspective a machine according to a preferred form of the invention , - Figure 2 is an elevational view of one of the series of punches, - Figure 3 is a bottom view, according to arrow 3 of Figure 2, of a series of punches, - Figure 4 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a drawer for feeding the matrix in pasty composition, - Figure 5 is a top view, with partial cutaway, of the drawer of Figure 4, - Figures 6 to 13 are diagrams explaining the operation of the machine, FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a charcoal ball produced according to the invention and FIG. 15 is a top view of a ball and packaging assembly according to the invention,
The machine comprises a fixed seat 1 on which are fixed four vertical columns 2 held at their upper part by a fixed plate 3. In a plane transverse to the columns and approximately halfway up these, a matrix (designated by generally in 4) is mounted and immobilized relative to the columns. This fixed matrix is pierced with a series of orifices 23, which in the example shown have a rectangular section, these orifices opening onto the upper 24 and lower 25 faces of the matrix.

Above the matrix 4, the columns 2 serve as guides for a plate 5 sliding vertically according to the double arrow and the underside of which is furnished with a series of punches 6 which will be described in detail below.

Likewise, below the matrix 4, the columns 2 serve as a guide for a plate 7 sliding vertically according to the double arrow of the drawing and the upper face of which is furnished with a series of punches 6 identical to the punches of the upper plate. .

Each punch of the upper plate is aligned vertically with a punch of the lower plate and with one of the orifices 23 of the die, so that the punches can penetrate into the die as will be seen below.

The reciprocating movement of the plates 5 and 7 is obtained by jacks 9 and 10 respectively.

On the c8té of the matrix 4 there is provided a hopper 11 containing a pasty composition intended for the manufacture of balls. Under the hopper mouth is placed a drawer 12 for feeding the machine which is capable of sliding horizontally in the direction of the double arrow of the drawing, on a table 13 fixed to the matrix. This drawer 12 will be described in more detail below.

In Figures 2 and 3, there is shown the upper plate 5, it being understood that the lower plate 7 may be identical or of similar structure.

This plate comprises a rectangular part 14 provided at these four angles with sleeves 15 intended to slide on the columns 2. In the center of the plate, there is a bearing 16 in which is engaged and fixed the end of the axis 17 of the cylinder d actuation 9 (or 10).

The punches (32 in number in the example shown) are constituted by vertical rods ls fixed at 19 in the plate 14 and the free end of which carries a part 20 in the general U shape, with a horizontal bottom 21 and two inclined side portions 22. This form of punch makes it possible to produce balls of prismatic shape as shown in FIG. 14. However, it will be understood that another shape could be provided for the punches.

The drawer 17 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

This drawer coupled for its action to a jack not shown, is constituted by a frame 26 without bottom or cover, protected behind by a horizontal plate 27 which serves to close the mouth of the hopper 11 when the drawer is in the feeding position. of the matrix (see figures 7 and 8). The upper front edge of the frame-26 will advantageously be equipped with an element for cleaning the upper punches which may have the shape of a small brush 28.

Inside the drawer are provided rotating axes 29 extending in a substantially horizontal plane, these axes 29 carrying blades 30 intended, by rotating, to agitate the mass of material housed in the drawer and to allow its flow in the matrix as we will see later.

On each axis 29 is provided an ear 31 articulated at 32 on a rod 33 transverse to the axes 29 and extending, through an orifice 34 of the drawer, towards the outside of the latter. The rod is connected at 35 to the end of a rod 36 of a piston 37 of cylinder 38 articulated at 39 on a fixed part 40 of the rear plate 27 of the drawer. It is understood that the reciprocating movement of the jack causes the rotation of the axes of a portion of a tower in one direction then in the other.

The operation of the machine will now be explained with reference to the schematic drawings in FIGS. 6 to 13.

At the start of the manufacturing cycle (FIG. 6), the drawer 12 is in the retracted position under the mouth of the hopper 11 and is filled with a predetermined quantity of product. The upper plate 5 is completely raised while the punches of the lower plate 7 are fully engaged in the die 4, the orifices of which are thus closed.

The actuator of the drawer 12 is actuated (FIG. 7) which moves according to the arrow 12a in order to come to be placed above the matrix 4 while driving the quantity C of material. The mouth of the hopper ll is closed by the plate 27.

In Figure 8, we ~ woit that simultaneously performs two operations, namely a) lowering the lower plate 7 according to the arrow 7a to bring it into the position of Figure 8 where the punches although fully clearing the orifices 23 of the matrix, seal the base thereof.

b) alternating rotation of the axes 29 housed in the drawer 12 at the same time as the vibration (according to the arrows 12b) of the drawer in order to allow the descent of the dough into the orifices of the matrix.

Once the dough is distributed in the openings of the matrix (Figure 9), the drawer starts again according to arrow 12c.

Then in Figure 10, the upper plate 5 is lowered according to arrow 5a, the lower plate 7 remaining stationary. A sufficient thrust is applied to press and form the balls B, the upper plate 5 however not being at the end of the descent stroke due to the presence of the balls.

A tray E is placed on the machine and the upper plate 5 is immobilized in its position.

Then (FIG. 11), the lower plate 7 is lowered according to arrow 7b to release the matrix completely and a tray E is made to penetrate according to arrow Ea, under the matrix.

When the tray is in place, the upper plate is allowed to continue to descend slightly according to arrow 6b until it comes into abutment.

During this complementary stroke, the upper punches drive the balls out of the matrix and apply them with a certain pressure inside the cells of the tray E.

The upper plate 5 is then completely raised according to arrow 5c (FIG. 13) and the tray loaded with balls B is removed according to arrow Eb.

Due to the shape of the punches, balls are obtained which have a substantially prismatic shape shown in FIG. 14, the two end faces 50 and 51 of which are formed by the walls of the orifices in the die are approximately flat and parallel.

Likewise, the ball has two opposite lateral faces 52 and 53 which are substantially parallel and perpendicular to the faces 50 and 51, these lateral faces also being formed by the walls of the orifices in the matrix.

Indeed, in order to be certain of obtaining non-hollow and well-formed balls, it is preferable that during the formation of the balls, the lateral edges of the upper and lower punches remain separated from one another.

If they touched during the formation of the balls, it would not be certain that the material is properly pressed.

Figure 15 shows balls in place in the tray E.

Finally, we will add that the tray loaded with its balls is then routed to an oven where the balls are cooked without naturally distinguishing the tray. This can then be coated, on its bottom, with a composition facilitating its inflammation.

Claims (15)

1. Process for the manufacture and packaging of charcoal balls obtained from an appropriate pasty composition, the balls being intended to be presented in a determined series in cells of a tray of combustible material at a rate of one ball per cell, characterized in that  a mold is fed using the composition which is formed into a series of balls corresponding to the number of cells in the tray.  the balls are extracted from the mold and they are housed in the tray.  then the ball and tray assembly is subjected to a cooking operation in order to harden the balls. 2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the balls are placed in the cells of the tray by an element of the press at the end of an operating cycle thereof. 3. Machine for the manufacture and packaging of charcoal balls characterized in that it comprises. - A fixed matrix having a series of depressions intended to receive a predetermined amount of a pasty composition for the formation of balls, said depressions passing through the matrix. - A first series of movable punches located on one side of the matrix and a second series of movable punches located on the opposite side of the matrix, each punch of one of the series being aligned with one of the depressions of the matrix. - Means for moving each of the series of punches in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the matrix. - Means for supplying the depressions of the matrix in a pasty composition - and means for automatically carrying out the positioning of the balls formed in the cells of a package. 4. Machine according to claim 3 characterized in that these two series of punches move sequentially to ensure in turn the obturation of the depressions of the matrix or their release. 5. Machine according to claim 3 characterized in that it further comprises means for ensuring the introduction of empty packaging into the machine and their removal after they have been loaded. 6. Machine according to claim 3 characterized in that each series of punches is carried by a plate guided on columns so as to be able to move in translation, said plate being coupled to an actuating member, in particular a jack. 7. Machine according to claim 3 characterized in that the means for feeding the matrix in pasty composition consist of a movable drawer on the upper plane of the matrix between a position in which it is located under a feed chute for filling and a position where it covers the matrix. 8. Machine according to claim 6 characterized in that the drawer is constituted by a frame closed laterally but without bottom and a plate extending the frame on one side and intended to close the chute when the drawer is in the position of matrix feeding. 9. Machine according to claim 7 characterized in that the drawer has an internal mechanism ensuring mixing of the pasty composition contained by the drawer at least when the latter is at the level of the matrix. 10. Machine according to claim 3, the means for automatically placing the balls in the packaging are constituted by one of the series of punches driving the balls out of the matrix. 12. Machine according to any one of claims 3 to 11 characterized in that each punch has a partly prism shape. 13. A method of implementing the machine according to any one of claims 3 to 12 characterized in that the matrix being arranged horizontally and the punches animated with a vertical movement, the depressions of the matrix are closed using lower punches, the upper punches being raised to release the matrix, the feed drawer is actuated, fills with composition to bring it above the matrix, each depression of the matrix is filled with the composition, the lower punches closing off simply the basis of these depressions.  we operate a first lowering of the upper punches which engage in the depressions of the matrix and operate the molding of the balls by cooperating with the lower punches and the walls of the depressions of the matrix.  the lower punches are removed to release the matrix, a package is introduced under the base of the matrix and a complementary lowering of the upper punches is carried out to drive the balls out of the matrix and engage them in the packaging. 14. Ball obtained according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is in the form of a small log having two end faces which are approximately flat and parallel. 15. Ball according to claim 14 characterized in that it has at least two side faces substantially parallel and perpendicular to the end faces. 16. Tray assembly containing balls obtained according to the method of claim 13 characterized in that the balls are introduced under pressure into the cells of the tray before cooking.