DE102009012186B3 - Apparatus and method for the automatic heat treatment of piece-shaped food products - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for the automatic heat treatment of piece-shaped food products, in particular for automatic baking, comprising a cell (12) which is enclosed from the outside in a touch-proof manner, with at least one lock (44, 46) for introducing and removing product carriers into the A cell (12) and cell (12) having at least one oven (38), an output unit (39) which allows output of products (32) from the cell (12) to the outside and removal by a customer , and with a handling device (18) for handling product carriers (24, 42) and / or products (32), which is designed to charge the oven (28), and for transferring products (32) to the dispensing unit (30). (Fig. 1).

Description

The The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for automatic Heat treatment of piece-shaped food products, especially for automatic baking.

A device and a method for the storage, treatment and dispensing of food are known from DE 10 2005 012 536 A1 known.

in this connection are several sections, in particular a Zuführspeicher, a continuous oven and an output memory provided between which arranged on carriers Food by means of conveyors be transported. Here is a closed transport cycle, the carrier, between the sections provided. Furthermore, a structural separation with a connection opening arranged at least between two sections.

From the DE 102 28 500 A1 Another apparatus for automatic baking is known, comprising a plurality of modules, with at least one automatic feeding module for automatic feeding of products to be treated, with a manual feed module for manual feeding of products and at least one furnace module for continuous or intermittent heat treatment of products. The modules are accommodated in a common housing module or are housed in individual housing modules that can be modularly coupled together. Here, a furnace is used, which is suitable for continuous or intermittent baking of products and having at least one endless, circulating conveyor member, are provided on the driver for carrying product carriers for receiving products, the product carriers are hinged to the conveyor member and by means the driver are movable in a substantially horizontal operating position. According to another variant, the products are continuously baked in an oven having a plurality of support surfaces extending spirally around a central core, and which products progressively traverse the helical configuration during the baking process.

such versions are basically but are very suitable for automatic baking of products inflexible, especially when processing various products should be.

In front In this background, the invention is based on the object Device and a method according to the aforementioned type to improve such that a flexible possibility for heat treatment created by products, and in particular a relatively large and possibly changing Part variety can be processed.

• – einem Gehäuse, das die Zelle vollständig umschließt,
• – mindestens einer Schleuse zum Ein- und Ausschleusen von Produktträgern in die Zelle und aus der Zelle,
• – mindestens einem Backofen,
• – einer Ausgabeeinheit, die eine Ausgabe von Produkten aus der Zelle nach außen und eine Entnahme durch einen Kunden erlaubt und
• – einer Handlingeinrichtung zur Handhabung von Produktträgern und/oder Produkten, die zur Beschickung des Backofens ausgebildet ist, sowie zur Übergabe von Produkten an die Ausgabeeinheit.

This object is achieved by a device for the automatic heat treatment of piece-shaped food products, in particular for automatic baking, with a contact-safe enclosed cell, with

• A housing that completely encloses the cell,
• At least one lock for the introduction and removal of product carriers into and out of the cell,
• - at least one oven,
• An output unit that allows output of products from the cell to the outside and removal by a customer, and
• - A handling device for handling product carriers and / or products, which is designed to charge the oven, and for the transfer of products to the output unit.

• – Einschleusen von Rohprodukten auf Produktträgern in eine durch ein Gehäuse vollständig nach außen berührungssicher umschlossene Zelle,
• – Einführen von Produktträgern innerhalb der Zelle mittels einer Handlingeinrichtung in einen Backofen,
• – Backen von Rohprodukten auf den Produktträgern zur Herstellung von fertig gebackenen Produkten,
• – Entnehmen von Produktträgern aus dem Backofen mittels der Handlingeinrichtung und
• – Übergeben von Fertigprodukten an eine Ausgabeeinheit.

With regard to the method, the object is achieved by a method for the automatic heat treatment of piece-shaped food products, in particular for automatic baking, with the following steps:

• Introduction of crude products on product carriers into a cell which is completely enclosed by a housing so as to be safe from contact with the outside,
• Introducing product carriers inside the cell by means of a handling device into an oven,
• Baking of raw products on the product carriers for the production of ready-baked products,
• - Remove product carriers from the oven by means of the handling device and
• - Passing finished products to an output unit.

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

By providing a tamper-evident cell into which products can be introduced on product carriers and discharged again after heat treatment, the entire treatment process within the cell can be automated using a furnace and handling equipment. Any number of different products may be used and appropriately treated and handled within the cell with the assistance of the handling device. This results in a very flexible treatment of products, the respective requirements changes can be coordinated and yet can run fully automatically.

In Advantageous development of the invention, the device a picking device having a receptacle of a plurality of product carriers allowed with different products, as well as a handover the product carrier to the oven and remove the product carrier from the oven.

in this connection the picking device can in the simplest case a frame comprise, which is adapted to receive a plurality of product carriers is and can be moved in and out of the oven.

By these measures it is possible to have different To introduce products into the oven practically at the same time or to be taken from this. In this way, the opening hours of the oven door kept very low and reduced energy losses.

According to one further execution The invention is an additional Lock for empty product carrier intended.

On this way the feeder can of full product carriers with raw products on the one hand and the removal of empty product carriers on the other be decoupled, so a higher To allow throughput.

According to one further execution The invention is a buffer for crude products within the cell intended.

On This way, a usually sufficient number of raw products be stored within the cell to meet changing customer needs to be able to react.

According to one further execution The invention has a buffer ready within the cell baked products (finished products) provided.

On this way you can Finished goods in sufficient quantity before their issue on request cached by a customer. Also, the buffer for adequate Cooling the finished products are used before the issue.

According to one Another embodiment of the invention is the buffer for crude products at least partially air conditioned.

On this way you can Crude products last longer which increases the flexibility of the plant and not All raw products must be processed within a day.

According to one Another embodiment of the invention, a control is provided over the a subsequent baking of products, especially of different products, dependent on controlled by a withdrawal of finished products from the output unit is.

On this way, the flexibility the plant increased and facilitates automatic operation of the plant.

In additional Further development of the invention, a control is provided over the a subsequent baking of products, especially of different products, and / or a request for raw products, preferably by means of a self-learning algorithm as a function of at least one influencing variable controllable is that selected from the group is the season, the time of day, the day of the week, the outside temperature, the current inventory within the cell, the current customer requirements and the customer requirements of the past.

On This way, the automatic operation of the plant can be largely done optimally adapted to customer requirements, which in dependence can be controlled by a variety of factors and especially empirically adjusted based on past experience can be each one as possible Optimized delivery of finished products to customer requirements to ensure and on the other hand, the replenishment of raw products in a suitable manner adapt or automatically organize.

For this The controller can provide an interface for outputting files, in particular for requesting raw products. This can be used for example, every day to print a list requesting raw products, or for example, automatically enter a request for raw products suitable communication means, e.g. As the Internet, to an external computer system transferred to.

According to one further execution According to the invention, the handling device comprises a robot.

Since robots have recently been available very cost-effectively in numerous designs, this creates a particularly flexible and cost-effective solution for fully automatic operation of the handling device. However, it is understood that the handling device can also be constructed in other ways, or that one or more robots of a different kind handling can be supplemented.

According to one Another embodiment of the invention is the handling device for handling product carriers educated. This is a particularly simple and cost-effective way to Handling of products created. In addition, it is conceivable that the handling device also for handling individual products is trained. As a result, the flexibility of the system is further increased. In addition, can in this case also an automatic loading of product carriers with Help the handling device are made.

According to one Another embodiment of the invention, the cell is at least partially air-conditioned.

hereby will be the fulfillment the special requirements that apply to the processing of food be made easier. Also can in an air conditioning individual parts of the plant or the entire cell has better durability the food is guaranteed even with changing outside temperatures become.

According to one Another embodiment of the invention is an outside cell accessible buffer for receiving product carriers provided with raw products, from the product carrier with raw products by means of the handling device in the cell are einschleusbar.

hereby the flexibility increases the plant. The outside accessible Buffer can be formed simultaneously as a lock. About these Lock or this buffer can if necessary, empty products can be discharged again. However, you can these too over a separate lock be ejected from the cell, so Total availability to increase the plant and reduce downtime or handling times.

According to one Further development of the method according to the invention become product carriers with different raw products by means of the handling device before the feeder picked in the oven. They are then preferably after their picking jointly introduced into the oven.

hereby will the flexibility of the procedure increases, and at the same time the opening times for the oven minimized.

According to one Another embodiment of the invention are the finished products before cached and cooled in the output unit.

hereby is also the flexibility the plant increased. Furthermore can be easily ensured that no too hot products to be issued to a customer.

According to one further execution the method according to the invention be product carriers with Transfer raw products to a buffer after transferring them to the cell or to the feeder provided in the oven.

On This way, depending on the needs of a product carrier immediately be used for baking or if not currently current There is a need to cached in the buffer.

In Another embodiment of the method according to the invention are with product carriers Raw products in one of outside accessible to the cell Input buffer supplied and introduced from this by means of the handling device in the cell.

On this way, the flexibility the plant further increased.

By doing empty product carriers over one separate lock or over The input buffer will be ejected from the cell either the handling times shortened or a particularly cost-effective Structure of the system allows.

As already mentioned above, can be a baking of products, especially of different ones Products, and / or a request for raw products at least dependent on controlled by at least one influencing variable which is selected from the group that the season, the time of day, the day of the week, the outside temperature, the current one Inventory within the cell, the current customer requirements and the customer requirements of the past, preferably a self-learning algorithm can be used.

On this way can be one as possible Optimized adaptation of the post baking of products to the respective ones Customer requirements under consideration from empirical data.

in this connection In addition, a request for raw products can automatically be sent to one Issued output unit and / or to an external memory, z. B. by means of a communication medium, such as the Internet, transmitted become.

In this way, the need for Rohpro automatically recorded in order to ensure delivery of the required raw materials just-in-time.

It it is understood that the above and the following yet to be explained features not only in the specified combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without to leave the scope of the present invention.

Further Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following Description of a preferred embodiment with reference on the drawing.

The only 1 shows a device according to the invention for the automatic heat treatment of piece-shaped food products in a simplified representation.

In 1 is a device according to the invention in total with the numeral 10 designated. The device 10 is shown using the example of a device for automatic baking of various baked goods, which at the request of a customer via an output unit 30 can be issued to the outside.

It is conceivable, such a device, for example, in a To integrate sales room or to set up adjacent to this.

The device 10 includes a cell sealed off to the outside 12 , which in the present case of a housing 14 is completely enclosed.

The cell 12 may be connected to a ventilation system or be partially or fully air-conditioned. The cell 12 is through a wall 34 from a sales room 36 separated. In the cell 12 are one or more ovens 38 intended. Furthermore, the oven is 38 a picking device 40 assigned whose purpose will be explained in more detail below. On the back of the wall 34 there is a buffer 26 for finished baked products (finished products), as well as a separate buffer 28 for raw products. Inside the cell 12 is also an automatic handling device 18 provided, which is preferably one or more robots. In the case shown is on the handling device 18 an arm 20 with a gripper attached 22 provided a product carrier 24 takes action and moves straight to this, for example, in one of the various recording places 27 of the buffer 26 to introduce for finished products.

Products are always on product carriers 24 respectively. 42 picked up, transported, baked and to the output unit 30 to hand over.

In the case shown, the oven is 38 designed as an automatically operating oven, which is provided with an automatically closable door. The oven 38 upstream is the picking device 40 comprising a frame into which a plurality of product carriers 24 respectively. 42 are insertable. On the rack of the picking device 40 can product carrier 24 . 42 be taken with different or similar products and after their picking together in the oven 38 retracted and taken out of this after completion of the baking process.

On this way, the opening hours for the door will be on Minimum reduced, resulting in a corresponding energy savings results and downtime due to reheating the furnace largely be reduced.

The products that exemplify the output unit 30 can be of different types and sizes. Exemplary are at the output unit 30 Baguettes with the numeral 32 designated. Instead or in addition, any other baked goods can be used, such as. As bread rolls, certain breads, pretzels, etc. The products are usually delivered as raw products in boxes, which may be partially pre-baked goods or even frozen goods. At a workplace 48 outside the cell 12 The raw products can be removed manually from a carton and on a parts carrier 42 to be placed. Immediately adjacent to the workplace 48 is inside the cell 12 a lock 44 which also serves as an input buffer for a variety of product carriers 42 serves. After fitting the lock 44 with one or more product carriers 42 can z. B. the front door, which can be designed as a sliding door, are closed, so that then the product carrier 42 inside the cell 12 by means of the handling device 18 automatically out of the lock 44 can be removed and either directly to the picking 40 can be passed or in the buffer 28 can be cached for raw products. Adjacent to the lock 44 may optionally be another buffer 50 be provided as an intermediate buffer, in turn, in turn, a second lock 46 connected, in which a plurality of empty product carriers can be accommodated and independent of the first lock 44 out of the cell 12 can be discharged.

It is understood that access to the locks 44 respectively. 46 by a suitable sensor is monitored to ensure that not just from the outside in one of the locks 44 . 46 is intervened while inside the cell 12 the handling device 18 on the lock in question 44 . 46 accesses.

In the simplest case, the handling device 18 only for the handling of product carriers 24 respectively. 42 educated.

However, the handling device 18 also be designed to handle individual products. In this case, instead of a manual picking or loading of product carriers 42 outside the cell 12 only raw z. B. in boxes or already on appropriately prepared product carriers in the cell 12 be supplied. Inside the cell 12 could then by means of the handling device 18 for example, removal from the boxes and transfer to the product carrier 24 respectively. 42 through the handling device 18 respectively.

Outside the cell 12 there is also an input / output unit 52 about which the device 10 can be controlled and / or that of a person in the workplace 48 can be displayed, which type of raw products in which number on each product carrier 42 are to implement and in the lock 44 are to introduce.

The buffer 26 for finished products serves to accommodate a sufficient number of different finished products, these at the request of a customer on the output unit 30 to spend. It is understood that the output unit 30 equipped with appropriate sensors or with appropriate monitoring devices to ensure that once removed products 32 can not be covered again. In addition, the necessary food safety measures have been taken.

Preferably, a central controller 54 for the entire device 10 provided with the input / output unit 52 and another unit, e.g. As a touch screen, in the area of the output unit 30 is coupled for customer input. The output of finished products 32 on customer request is from the central control 54 released or registered. Ideally, it is ensured by appropriate measures that the current inventory of finished products and of raw products within the cell 12 and in the area of the output unit 30 is monitored. The central control 54 For example, it may be equipped with a self-learning algorithm, depending on various parameters, such as the season or the date, the time of day, the day of the week, the outside temperature, the current inventory within the cell 12 To provide the current customer requirements and customer requirements in the past, respectively, the optimal amount of finished products or nachzubacken in time. Also, the requirement of raw products of the respective type and the intermediate storage of raw products in the storage locations 29 of the buffer 28 , the transfer of finished products from the oven 38 or the picking device 40 to the buffer 26 and the output to the output unit 30 is suitably monitored or controlled.

In addition, the controller 54 be configured to print a request for the supply of raw products about automatically at certain times or automatically transfer to an external computer system.

The oven 38 can be equipped with an automatic cleaning device in the used product carrier can be cleaned with, including downtime or z. B. night time can be used.

Furthermore, parts can be inside the cell 12 be air conditioned, for example, to cache raw products overnight. It is sufficient, for example, a subregion of the buffer 28 to air-condition.

An entrance into the cell 12 For reasons of safety at work, it is preferable to have an external door via an inspection door only when the system is shut down 16 possible.

Claims (23)

Device for the automatic heat treatment of piece-shaped food products, in particular for automatic baking, with a cell which is protected against contact with the outside ( 12 ), with - a housing ( 14 ) that the cell ( 12 ) completely encloses, - at least one lock ( 44 . 46 ) for introducing and removing product carriers into the cell ( 12 ) and out of the cell ( 12 ), - at least one oven ( 38 ), - an output unit ( 30 ), which is an issue of products ( 32 ) from the cell ( 12 ) to the outside and a removal by a customer allowed and - a handling device ( 18 ) for handling product carriers ( 24 . 42 ) and / or products ( 32 ) used to load the oven ( 38 ), as well as for the transfer of products ( 32 ) to the output unit ( 30 ). Apparatus according to claim 1, with a picking device ( 40 ), which is a recording of a Plurality of product carriers ( 24 . 42 ) with different products ( 32 ) and a transfer of the product carriers ( 24 . 42 ) in the oven ( 38 ) and removal of the product carriers ( 24 . 42 ) from the oven ( 38 ). Device according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the order picking device ( 40 ) comprises a rack adapted to receive a plurality of product carriers ( 24 . 42 ) is formed and in the oven ( 38 ) is retractable and retractable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which an additional lock ( 46 ) for empty product carriers ( 24 . 42 ) is provided. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein within the cell ( 12 ) a buffer ( 28 ) is intended for crude products. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which within the cell ( 12 ) a buffer ( 26 ) for ready baked products ( 32 ) is provided. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the buffer ( 28 ) is at least partially conditioned for crude products. Device according to one of the preceding claims, with a controller ( 54 ), on the re-baking of products, in particular of different products, depending on a withdrawal of finished products ( 32 ) from the output unit ( 30 ) is controllable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, with a controller ( 54 ), via which postbaking of products, in particular of different products, and / or a request for raw products is preferably controllable by means of a self-learning algorithm as a function of at least one influencing variable selected from the group consisting of the season, the time of day, the day of the week, the outside temperature, the current inventory within the cell ( 12 ), which includes current customer requirements and customer requirements of the past. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the controller ( 54 ) comprises an interface for outputting files, in particular for requesting raw products. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the handling device ( 18 ) comprises a robot. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the handling device ( 18 ) for handling product carriers ( 24 . 42 ) and / or individual products ( 32 ) is trained. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cell ( 12 ) is at least partially air-conditioned. Device according to one of the preceding claims, with one from outside the cell ( 12 ) accessible buffer ( 50 ) for receiving product carriers ( 24 ) with crude products, from the product carrier ( 42 ) with crude products by means of the handling device ( 18 ) are infiltrated into the cell. Process for the automatic heat treatment of piece-shaped food products, in particular for automatic baking, comprising the following steps: - introduction of raw products onto product carriers ( 24 . 42 ) in a through a housing ( 14 ) completely outwardly touch-safe enclosed cell ( 12 ), - introduction of product carriers ( 24 . 42 ) within the cell ( 12 ) by means of a handling device ( 18 ) in an oven ( 38 ), - baking of raw products on the product carriers ( 24 . 42 ) for the production of ready-baked products ( 32 ), - removal of product carriers ( 24 . 42 ) from the oven ( 38 ) by means of the handling device ( 18 ) and - transfer of finished products ( 32 ) to an output unit ( 30 ). The method of claim 15, wherein the product carrier ( 24 . 42 ) with different raw products by means of the handling device ( 18 ) before feeding into the oven ( 38 ) are picked. Process according to claim 16, in which the product carriers ( 24 . 42 ) after being picked in the oven ( 38 ). Process according to one of Claims 15 to 17, in which the finished products ( 32 ) before output in the output unit ( 26 ) are cached and cooled. Method according to one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the product carrier ( 42 ) with crude products after introduction into the cell ( 12 ) to a buffer ( 28 ) or for feeding into the oven ( 38 ) to be provided. Method according to one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the product carrier ( 42 ) with crude products in one from outside the cell ( 12 ) accessible input buffer and from this by means of the handling device ( 18 ) into the cell ( 12 ) one be smuggled. Method according to one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the empty product carrier ( 24 . 42 ) via a separate lock ( 46 ) or via the input buffer from the cell ( 12 ) are discharged. Method according to one of claims 15 to 21, in which a post baking of products ( 32 ), in particular of different products, and / or a requirement of raw products is controlled at least as a function of at least one influencing variable selected from the group consisting of the season, the time of day, the day of the week, the outside temperature, the current inventory within the cell which includes current customer requirements and customer requirements of the past, preferably by means of a self-learning algorithm. The method of claim 22, wherein a request for raw products is automatically sent to an output unit ( 52 ) and / or is transmitted to an external memory.