EP0035452B1 - Continuous fast refrigerating or freezing cell - Google Patents

Continuous fast refrigerating or freezing cell Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0035452B1
EP0035452B1 EP19810400310 EP81400310A EP0035452B1 EP 0035452 B1 EP0035452 B1 EP 0035452B1 EP 19810400310 EP19810400310 EP 19810400310 EP 81400310 A EP81400310 A EP 81400310A EP 0035452 B1 EP0035452 B1 EP 0035452B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
refrigerating
freezing cell
chamber
support means
cell
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19810400310
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0035452A2 (en
EP0035452A3 (en
Inventor
Marcel Barjot
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Bonnet SA
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Bonnet SA
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0035452A2 publication Critical patent/EP0035452A2/en
Publication of EP0035452A3 publication Critical patent/EP0035452A3/en
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Publication of EP0035452B1 publication Critical patent/EP0035452B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D13/00—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms
    • F25D13/06—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms with conveyors carrying articles to be cooled through the cooling space
    • F25D13/065—Articles being submerged in liquid coolant

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a continuous rapid cooling or freezing cell.
  • the aim of the present invention is to avoid these drawbacks, and makes it possible to produce an economical, autonomous cell, easily movable, ensuring continuous refrigeration or freezing, products and easily adjustable or adaptable to fill a large number of operating variants both in terms of cold production and mechanical means of transport and handling of products subject to treatment.
  • Another characteristic of the invention is that the cell makes it possible, for a given degree of cold, supplied by own means of producing cold, to regulate the speed of treatment of the products and thus to obtain either freezing or refrigeration.
  • a continuous refrigeration or freezing cell for processing products packaged in sealed or non-sealed trays comprising a thermally insulated enclosure divided into at least two parts and clean and autonomous means for producing cold
  • the enclosure comprises means for supporting these products, forming an endless system with a single vertical loop, adjustable in position relative to its upper wall and thermally insulating partitioning means, retractable in the passage areas of these support means and dividing its interior space into two vertically superimposed parts.
  • the refrigeration cell shown comprises clean, autonomous means for producing cold 6 and an insulated refrigeration enclosure 8, divided internally into two parts by thermally insulating partitioning means.
  • the first part of this enclosure, or part 1 of the inlet comprises access means allowing the introduction of the products to be cooled and the outlet thereof from this enclosure after treatment.
  • the second part of this enclosure, or part 2 of the treatment provides a refrigeration treatment proper. These parts are vertically superimposed.
  • a suitably conditioned product is deposited in the inlet part 1, on support means 3, driven by drive or motor means 4.
  • the product passes from part 1 to part 2 through partitioning means 5 partly retractable, preferably retractable only in the areas of passage of the product subjected to the treatment.
  • the support means 3 in the form, for example, of an endless system, comprises a chain 7 in a simple, vertical, closed loop which carries trays or grids 17 constantly maintained horizontally by known techniques.
  • the chain 7 is set in motion by drive or motor means 4 to produce a continuous movement of the products subjected to the treatment; following arrows C and D.
  • the cell has a front face and a rear face.
  • the front face has an opening 18 allowing the introduction of the packaged product into a tray 19 for example.
  • the arrow A indicates the direction of introduction of the tray 19.
  • the following introduction movement A is synchronized with a passage at this level of a grid or plate 17, the support means 3 moving in continuous scrolling according to the arrows C and D.
  • the opening 18 can be closed by a curtain, not shown, which retracts when a tray 19 is introduced.
  • the inlet part 1 of the enclosure also has on its rear face outlet means 14 comprising an opening 13. This latter opening can also be closed by a curtain which retracts when leaving a tray 19 following arrow B.
  • the entry part 1 also includes in its upper part a opening 15 whose edge located on the side of the front face has an inclined slope in the form of a bevel 16.
  • Part 2 of the enclosure includes cooling means.
  • These cooling means comprise an evaporator 22 in the form of a heat exchange coil 27, this evaporator forming part of the cold production means 6 for bringing the products packaged in trays 19 to the desired degree of cold, during the treatment time allowed.
  • the heat exchange agent 27 is a liquid chosen from water, sodium chloride brine, etc. This liquid is brought through a float valve-circulation circuit 9 assembly, in part 2, to a predetermined level. Zone 11, located between this level of liquid and the partitioning means 5, constitutes a drainage zone and the tray 19 containing the product is sealed.
  • the cell When the heat exchange liquid is water, the cell is limited in its treatment to a use of refrigeration.
  • the heat exchange agent When the heat exchange agent is a gas or air, it is either pulsed by one or more fans not shown or projected by one or more known spraying devices not shown.
  • the own independent means of producing the cold 6 mainly comprise a motor-compressor 26, a condenser 23, a fan 24 and its motor 25.
  • the cooling means arranged in the processing part 2 include the evaporator 22, supplied with refrigerant by the circuit of these cold production means 6, and the heat exchange agent 27.
  • This evaporator 22 is an evaporator of the fin coil type or with thermal transmission plates.
  • the cell according to the invention can be mechanical or entirely manual loading and unloading.
  • the support means 3 comprise grids or plates 17 with or without retaining edge 17b and constantly maintained in their horizontal position by means of known type. These support means 3 are vertically adjustable and placed at a predetermined distance below the upper wall of the enclosure 8 to allow unloading either by the outlet along E, that is to say the opening 15 or by the opening 13, i.e. through opening 18.
  • the loading can be done by a not shown loader which places the trays 19 on the grids or trays 17, through the opening 18.
  • the unloading can be done by a unloader which grabs the treated trays 19 and takes them out by the opening 13.
  • loading and unloading are carried out manually, through the single opening 18, the grid or tray 17 discharged being immediately recharged by a new tray 19 to be cooled.
  • a single opening 18 is open during loading-unloading.
  • the other two openings 15 and 13 are closed by doors or shutters not shown.
  • the loading by the opening 18 and the unloading by outlet E are fully automatic.
  • Loading means cause trays 19 to be treated in the inlet part 1 through the opening 18 according to arrow A, in synchronism with passages of the grids 17.
  • the grids 17, mounted as previously on the support means 3, comprise, a bottom 17a and at least one edge 17b placed opposite the side of introduction of the tray 19 pushed by the loading means according to arrow A.
  • This edge 17b allows on the one hand to limit the stroke of the tray 19 introduced along A and on the other hand, the grid 17 having completed its complete course in the enclosure 8, to remove the tray 19 from the enclosure 8 by pushing it from behind according to arrow E on the beveled edge 16 of the opening 15.
  • the support means 3 must in this example be mounted near the upper wall of the enclosure 8 so that each grid or plate 17 passes just under the bevel 16 of the opening 15, and that the bevelled edge 16 can be introduced under the tray 19 to take it out and push it into means of transport such as a treadmill not shown, mounted outside the enclosure 8, which moves it away from the cell.
  • the two openings 15 and 18 are open at least during loading or unloading.
  • the opening 13 is closed by a shutter or door not shown.
  • the openings 15 and 18, in order to limit the loss of cold, may include flexible closing flaps or retractable doors when the trays 19 pass.
  • the grid or tray 17 may or may not have an edge 17b. If the grid 17 has an edge 17b, the unloading means comprise gripping members for lifting the tray 19 and moving it away from the cell. If the grid 17 does not have an edge 17b, the unloading means can, for example comprise a conveyor belt and a lever, or arm which pushes the tray 19 along arrow B, the conveyor belt moving the tray 19 away from the cell.
  • the partitioning means 5 comprise retractable doors when the grids 17 pass: the door 20 retractable in the direction of the arrow C and the door 12 retractable in the direction of the arrow D.
  • These doors can be constituted by flexible or flexible or sliding shutters which return to their closed position, once the grid 17 has passed.
  • the cell according to the invention can comprise a cold enclosure 8 having more than two parts 1 and 2.
  • successive parts or compartments of cold can be operative to carry out a sequence of successive refrigerating treatments in cascade each having its own characteristics. They may or may not be separated by parts of compartments such as the inlet part 1 which allow access to the trays 19 during refrigeration treatment, for example to add a product being cooled.
  • the user of the cabinet has several possibilities for adjusting the treatment.
  • the first possibility consists in playing on the means for producing the cold 6 in a known manner, for example with an adjustable regulating thermostat placed on the electric circuit of the motor-compressor 26.
  • Another possibility consists in adjusting the treatment speed by supplying more or less the motor means 4 of the support means 3.
  • the refrigeration treatment time is regulated and, on the other hand, the rate of entry of the treated product.
  • a combination of these two adjustment possibilities makes it possible, depending on the heat exchange agent 27 chosen, to obtain freezing or refrigeration of the trays 19 introduced at will.
  • the support means 3 are placed in a position clearly below the upper wall of the enclosure 8.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne une cellule de réfrigération ou de congélation rapide en continu.The present invention relates to a continuous rapid cooling or freezing cell.

Dans l'art antérieur, il est connu de congeler ou de réfrigérer des produits. On utilise pour cela des installations dans lesquelles les produits sont, par charges successives, emmagasinés d'une façon statique et congelés ou réfrigérés. Il est également connu des installations où les produits à congeler sont portés par des bandes roulantes qui se déplacent horizontalement. Ces installations occupent habituellement une grande surface et fréquemment alimentées en froid par une installation annexe de production de froid qui se trouve à leur extrémité. Ces installations sont généralement fixes, complexes dans leur structure et coûteuses.In the prior art, it is known to freeze or refrigerate products. For this purpose, installations are used in which the products are, by successive charges, stored in a static manner and frozen or refrigerated. It is also known installations where the products to be frozen are carried by rolling belts which move horizontally. These installations usually occupy a large area and are frequently supplied with cold by an auxiliary cold production installation which is at their end. These installations are generally fixed, complex in structure and costly.

Dans le document FR-A-1 593 069 est décrite une installation économique compacte de réfrigération réalisée sous forme d'une tour verticale dans laquelle une bande sans fin commandée par deux systèmes parallèles à chaines et pignons est montée à poste fixe pour présenter par ses brins descendant et montant des plateaux chargés de produits à refroidir au travers d'un écoulement gazeux réfrigérant créé par des ventilateurs et traversant un évaporateur alimenté par des tuyauteries d'entrée et de sortie d'un réfrigérant. Cette installation, comme la plupart des installations connues, est solidement implantée dans le sol. Son exploitation exige en plus une installation annexe de production de froid pour une alimentation de son évaporateur en réfrigérant. La solidité de son implantation et la dépendance de son alimentation en réfrigérant d'une installation annexe rendent cette installation difficilement déplaçable. La fixité du montage de sa bande sans fin de transport de produits à refroidir rend l'installation difficilement adaptable à une modification relative à la manutention de ces produits.In the document FR-A-1 593 069 is described a compact economic installation of refrigeration produced in the form of a vertical tower in which an endless belt controlled by two parallel systems with chains and sprockets is mounted at a fixed station to present by its strands descending and rising from the trays loaded with products to be cooled through a refrigerant gas flow created by fans and passing through an evaporator supplied by refrigerant inlet and outlet pipes. This installation, like most known installations, is firmly established in the ground. Its operation also requires an additional cold production installation to supply refrigerant to its evaporator. The solidity of its installation and the dependence on its supply of refrigerant from an additional installation make this installation difficult to move. The fixed mounting of its endless belt for transporting products to be cooled makes the installation difficult to adapt to a modification relating to the handling of these products.

La présente invention ayant pour but d'éviter ces inconvénients, permet de réaliser une cellule économique, autonome, facilement déplaçable, assurant une réfrigération ou une congélation en continu, des produits et facilement réglable ou adaptable pour remplir un grand nombre de variantes de fonctionnement tant sur le plan de la production du froid que sur les moyens mécaniques de transport et de manutention des produits soumis au traitement.The aim of the present invention is to avoid these drawbacks, and makes it possible to produce an economical, autonomous cell, easily movable, ensuring continuous refrigeration or freezing, products and easily adjustable or adaptable to fill a large number of operating variants both in terms of cold production and mechanical means of transport and handling of products subject to treatment.

Une autre caractéristique de l'invention est que la cellule permet, pour un degré de froid donné, fourni par des moyens propres de production de froid, de régler la vitesse de traitement des produits et d'obtenir ainsi soit une congélation soit une réfrigération.Another characteristic of the invention is that the cell makes it possible, for a given degree of cold, supplied by own means of producing cold, to regulate the speed of treatment of the products and thus to obtain either freezing or refrigeration.

Selon l'invention, une cellule de réfrigération ou de congélation en continu pour traitement de produits conditionnés en barquettes étanches ou non, comprenant une enceinte thermiquement isolée divisée en au moins deux parties et des moyens propres et autonomes de production du froid est principalement caractérisée en ce que l'enceinte comprend des moyens de support de ces produits, formant un système sans fin à une seule boucle verticale, réglables en position par rapport à sa paroi supérieure et des moyens thermiquement isolants de cloisonnement, escamotables dans les zones de passage de ces moyens de support et divisant son espace intérieur en deux parties verticalement superposées.According to the invention, a continuous refrigeration or freezing cell for processing products packaged in sealed or non-sealed trays, comprising a thermally insulated enclosure divided into at least two parts and clean and autonomous means for producing cold is mainly characterized by that the enclosure comprises means for supporting these products, forming an endless system with a single vertical loop, adjustable in position relative to its upper wall and thermally insulating partitioning means, retractable in the passage areas of these support means and dividing its interior space into two vertically superimposed parts.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide d'un exemple de réalisation décrit ci-après et illustré schématiquement dans une figure unique ci-annexée.The invention will be better understood with the aid of an exemplary embodiment described below and illustrated schematically in a single figure attached.

La cellule frigorifique représentée comprend des moyens propres, autonomes de production du froid 6 et une enceinte frigorifique 8 isolée, divisée intérieurement en deux parties par des moyens de cloisonnement thermiquement isolants. La première partie de cette enceinte ou partie 1 d'entrée, comporte des moyens d'accès permettant l'introduction des produits à refroidir et la sortie de ceux-ci de cette enceinte après traitement. La seconde partie de cette enceinte, ou partie 2 de traitement, assure un traitement frigorifique proprement dit. Ces parties sont verticalement superposées.The refrigeration cell shown comprises clean, autonomous means for producing cold 6 and an insulated refrigeration enclosure 8, divided internally into two parts by thermally insulating partitioning means. The first part of this enclosure, or part 1 of the inlet, comprises access means allowing the introduction of the products to be cooled and the outlet thereof from this enclosure after treatment. The second part of this enclosure, or part 2 of the treatment, provides a refrigeration treatment proper. These parts are vertically superimposed.

Un produit convenablement conditionné, est déposé dans la partie 1 d'entrée, sur des moyens de support 3, entraînés par des moyens d'entraînement ou moteur 4. Le produit passe de la partie 1 à la partie 2 à travers des moyens de cloisonnement 5 en partie escamotables de préférence escamotables uniquement dans les zones de passage du produit soumis au traitement.A suitably conditioned product is deposited in the inlet part 1, on support means 3, driven by drive or motor means 4. The product passes from part 1 to part 2 through partitioning means 5 partly retractable, preferably retractable only in the areas of passage of the product subjected to the treatment.

Les moyens de support 3, sous forme, par exemple, d'un système sans fin, comporte une chaîne 7 en une boucle simple, verticale, fermée qui porte des plateaux ou grilles 17 constamment maintenus à l'horizontal par des techniques connues. La chaîne 7 est mise en mouvement par des moyens d'entraînement ou moteur 4 pour réaliser un défilement continu des produits soumis au traitement; suivant les flèches C et D.The support means 3, in the form, for example, of an endless system, comprises a chain 7 in a simple, vertical, closed loop which carries trays or grids 17 constantly maintained horizontally by known techniques. The chain 7 is set in motion by drive or motor means 4 to produce a continuous movement of the products subjected to the treatment; following arrows C and D.

La cellule comporte une face avant et une face arrière. Au niveau de la partie 1 de l'enceinte 8, la face avant comporte une ouverture 18 permettant l'introduction du produit conditionné dans une barquette 19 par exemple. La flèche A indique le sens d'introduction de la barquette 19. Le mouvement d'introduction suivant A est synchronisé avec un passage à ce niveau d'une grille ou plateau 17, les moyens de support 3 se déplaçant en défilement continu suivant les flèches C et D. L'ouverture 18 peut être fermée par un rideau non représenté qui s'escamote lors d'une introduction d'une barquette 19.The cell has a front face and a rear face. At the level of part 1 of the enclosure 8, the front face has an opening 18 allowing the introduction of the packaged product into a tray 19 for example. The arrow A indicates the direction of introduction of the tray 19. The following introduction movement A is synchronized with a passage at this level of a grid or plate 17, the support means 3 moving in continuous scrolling according to the arrows C and D. The opening 18 can be closed by a curtain, not shown, which retracts when a tray 19 is introduced.

La partie 1 d'entrée de l'enceinte comporte aussi sur sa face arrière des moyens de sortie 14 comprenant une ouverture 13. Cette dernière ouverture peut être également fermée par un rideau qui s'escamote lors d'une sortie d'une barquette 19 suivant la flèche B. La partie 1 d'entrée comporte aussi dans sa partie supérieure une ouverture 15 dont le bord situé du côté de la face avant, présente une pente inclinée en forme de biseau 16.The inlet part 1 of the enclosure also has on its rear face outlet means 14 comprising an opening 13. This latter opening can also be closed by a curtain which retracts when leaving a tray 19 following arrow B. The entry part 1 also includes in its upper part a opening 15 whose edge located on the side of the front face has an inclined slope in the form of a bevel 16.

La partie 2 de l'enceinte comporte des moyens de refroidissement. Ces moyens de refroidissement comprennent un évaporateur 22 en forme de serpentin d'échange thermique 27, cet évaporateur faisant partie des moyens de production de froid 6 pour porter les produits conditionnés en barquette 19 au degré de froid désiré, pendant le temps de traitement imparti.Part 2 of the enclosure includes cooling means. These cooling means comprise an evaporator 22 in the form of a heat exchange coil 27, this evaporator forming part of the cold production means 6 for bringing the products packaged in trays 19 to the desired degree of cold, during the treatment time allowed.

Quand l'agent d'échange thermique 27 est un liquide choisi parmi l'eau, la saumure de chlorure de sodium, etc. Ce liquide est amené à travers un ensemble robinet à flotteur-circuit de circulation 9, dans la partie 2, jusqu'à un niveau prédéterminé. La zone 11, située entre ce niveau de liquide et les moyens de cloisonnement 5, constitue une zone d'égouttage et la barquette 19 contenant le produit est étanche.When the heat exchange agent 27 is a liquid chosen from water, sodium chloride brine, etc. This liquid is brought through a float valve-circulation circuit 9 assembly, in part 2, to a predetermined level. Zone 11, located between this level of liquid and the partitioning means 5, constitutes a drainage zone and the tray 19 containing the product is sealed.

Quand le liquide d'échange thermique est de l'eau, la cellule est limitée dans son traitement à une utilisation de réfrigération.When the heat exchange liquid is water, the cell is limited in its treatment to a use of refrigeration.

Quand l'agent d'échange thermique est un gaz ou l'air, il est soit pulsé par un ou plusieurs ventilateurs non représentés soit projeté par un ou plusieurs dispositifs de pulvérisation connu non représentés.When the heat exchange agent is a gas or air, it is either pulsed by one or more fans not shown or projected by one or more known spraying devices not shown.

Représentés en dessous de l'enceinte 8, les moyens propres autonomes de production du froid 6 comprennent principalement un moto-compresseur 26, un condenseur 23, un ventilateur 24 et son moteur 25. Les moyens de refroidissement disposés dans la partie 2 de traitement comprennent l'évaporateur 22, alimenté en fluide frigogène par le circuit de ces moyens de production du froid 6, et l'agent d'échange thermique 27. Cet évaporateur 22 est un évaporateur du type à serpentin à ailettes ou à plaques de transmission thermique.Represented below the enclosure 8, the own independent means of producing the cold 6 mainly comprise a motor-compressor 26, a condenser 23, a fan 24 and its motor 25. The cooling means arranged in the processing part 2 include the evaporator 22, supplied with refrigerant by the circuit of these cold production means 6, and the heat exchange agent 27. This evaporator 22 is an evaporator of the fin coil type or with thermal transmission plates.

La cellule selon l'invention peut être à chargement et déchargement mécanique ou entièrement manuel.The cell according to the invention can be mechanical or entirely manual loading and unloading.

Les moyens de support 3 comportent des grilles ou plateaux 17 avec ou sans bord de retenue 17b et maintenus constamment dans leur position horizontale par des moyens de type connu. Ces moyens de support 3, sont verticalement réglables et placés à une distance prédéterminée en dessous de la paroi supérieure de l'enceinte 8 pour permettre un déchargement soit par la sortie selon E c'est-à-dire l'ouverture 15 soit par l'ouverture 13, soit par l'ouverture 18.The support means 3 comprise grids or plates 17 with or without retaining edge 17b and constantly maintained in their horizontal position by means of known type. These support means 3 are vertically adjustable and placed at a predetermined distance below the upper wall of the enclosure 8 to allow unloading either by the outlet along E, that is to say the opening 15 or by the opening 13, i.e. through opening 18.

Le chargement peut se faire par un chargeur non représenté qui place les barquettes 19 sur les grilles ou plateaux 17, à travers l'ouverture 18. Le déchargement peut se faire par un déchargeur qui saisit les barquettes traitées 19 et les fait sortir par l'ouverture 13.The loading can be done by a not shown loader which places the trays 19 on the grids or trays 17, through the opening 18. The unloading can be done by a unloader which grabs the treated trays 19 and takes them out by the opening 13.

Dans une autre variante de réalisation, le chargement et le déchargement sont effectués manuellement, à travers la seule ouverture 18, la grille ou plateau 17 déchargée étant immédiatement rechargée par une nouvelle barquette 19 à refroidir. Dans ce cas, une seule ouverture 18 est ouverte pendant le chargement-déchargement. Les deux autres ouvertures 15 et 13 sont fermées par des portes ou volets non représentés.In another alternative embodiment, loading and unloading are carried out manually, through the single opening 18, the grid or tray 17 discharged being immediately recharged by a new tray 19 to be cooled. In this case, a single opening 18 is open during loading-unloading. The other two openings 15 and 13 are closed by doors or shutters not shown.

Dans un autre exemple de réalisation, le chargement par l'ouverture 18 et le déchargement par sortie E sont entièrement automatiques. Des moyens de chargement amènent des barquettes 19 à traiter dans la partie 1 d'entrée par l'ouverture 18 selon la flèche A, en synchronisme avec des passages des grilles 17. Les grilles 17, montées comme précédemment sur les moyens de support 3, comportent, un fond 17a et au moins un bord 17b placé à l'opposé du côté d'introduction de la barquette 19 poussée par les moyens de chargement selon la flèche A. Ce bord 17b permet d'une part de limiter la course de la barquette 19 introduite suivant A et d'autre part, la grille 17 ayant accomplie son parcours complet dans l'enceinte 8, de sortir la barquette 19 de l'enceinte 8 en la poussant par derrière selon la flèche E sur le bord en biseau 16 de l'ouverture 15. Les moyens de support 3 doivent dans cet exemple être montés près de la paroi supérieure de l'enceinte 8 de sorte que chaque grille ou plateau 17 passe juste sous le biseau 16 de l'ouverture 15, et que le bord en biseau 16 puisse s'introduire sous la barquette 19 pour la sortir et la pousser dans des moyens de transport tel qu'un tapis roulant non représenté, monté à l'extérieur de l'enceinte 8, qui l'éloigne de la cellule.In another exemplary embodiment, the loading by the opening 18 and the unloading by outlet E are fully automatic. Loading means cause trays 19 to be treated in the inlet part 1 through the opening 18 according to arrow A, in synchronism with passages of the grids 17. The grids 17, mounted as previously on the support means 3, comprise, a bottom 17a and at least one edge 17b placed opposite the side of introduction of the tray 19 pushed by the loading means according to arrow A. This edge 17b allows on the one hand to limit the stroke of the tray 19 introduced along A and on the other hand, the grid 17 having completed its complete course in the enclosure 8, to remove the tray 19 from the enclosure 8 by pushing it from behind according to arrow E on the beveled edge 16 of the opening 15. The support means 3 must in this example be mounted near the upper wall of the enclosure 8 so that each grid or plate 17 passes just under the bevel 16 of the opening 15, and that the bevelled edge 16 can be introduced under the tray 19 to take it out and push it into means of transport such as a treadmill not shown, mounted outside the enclosure 8, which moves it away from the cell.

Dans cette variante, les deux ouvertures 15 et 18 sont ouvertes au moins pendant le chargement ou le déchargement. L'ouverture 13 est fermée par un volet ou porte non représenté. Les ouvertures 15 et 18, pour limiter les déperditions de froid, peuvent comporter des volets de fermeture souples ou des portes escamotables au passage des barquettes 19.In this variant, the two openings 15 and 18 are open at least during loading or unloading. The opening 13 is closed by a shutter or door not shown. The openings 15 and 18, in order to limit the loss of cold, may include flexible closing flaps or retractable doors when the trays 19 pass.

Dans une variante de réalisation, le déchargement automatique est effectué suivant la flèche B par l'ouverture 13. Dans ce cas, la grille ou plateau 17 peut ou non comporter un bord 17b. Si la grille 17 comporte un bord 17b, les moyens de déchargement, comprennent des organes pré- hensifs pour soulever la barquette 19 et l'éloigner de la cellule. Si la grille 17 ne comporte pas de bord 17b, les moyens de déchargement peuvent, par exemple comporter un tapis roulant et un levier, ou bras qui pousse la barquette 19 suivant la flèche B, le tapis roulant éloignant la barquette 19 de la cellule.In an alternative embodiment, automatic unloading is carried out along arrow B through the opening 13. In this case, the grid or tray 17 may or may not have an edge 17b. If the grid 17 has an edge 17b, the unloading means comprise gripping members for lifting the tray 19 and moving it away from the cell. If the grid 17 does not have an edge 17b, the unloading means can, for example comprise a conveyor belt and a lever, or arm which pushes the tray 19 along arrow B, the conveyor belt moving the tray 19 away from the cell.

Dans les variantes de réalisation décrites ci- dessus, les moyens de cloisonnement 5 comportent des portes escamotables au passage des grilles 17: la porte 20 escamotable dans le sens de la flèche C et la porte 12 escamotable dans le sens de la flèche D. Ces portes peuvent être constituées par des volets souples ou flexibles ou coulissant qui reviennent à leur position fermée, une fois la grille 17 passée.In the variant embodiments described above, the partitioning means 5 comprise retractable doors when the grids 17 pass: the door 20 retractable in the direction of the arrow C and the door 12 retractable in the direction of the arrow D. These doors can be constituted by flexible or flexible or sliding shutters which return to their closed position, once the grid 17 has passed.

La cellule selon l'invention peut comprendre une enceinte froide 8 ayant plus de deux parties 1 et 2.The cell according to the invention can comprise a cold enclosure 8 having more than two parts 1 and 2.

Plusieurs parties ou compartiments de froid successifs peuvent être opérants pour réaliser une séquence de traitements frigorifiques successifs en cascade présentant chacun des caractéristiques propres. Ils peuvent être séparés ou non par des parties de compartiments comme la partie 1 d'entrée qui permettent des accès aux barquettes 19 en cours de traitement frigorifique, par exemple pour ajouter un produit en cours de refroidissement.Several successive parts or compartments of cold can be operative to carry out a sequence of successive refrigerating treatments in cascade each having its own characteristics. They may or may not be separated by parts of compartments such as the inlet part 1 which allow access to the trays 19 during refrigeration treatment, for example to add a product being cooled.

Dans les exemples décrits, l'utilisateur de l'armoire a plusieurs possibilités de réglage du traitement. La première possibilité consiste à jouer sur les moyens de production du froid 6 d'une manière connue, par exemple avec un thermostat régulateur réglable placé sur le circuit électrique du moto-compresseur 26. Une autre possibilité consiste à régler la vitesse de traitement en alimentant plus ou moins les moyens moteur 4 des moyens de support 3. On règle ainsi d'une part le temps de traitement frigorifique et d'autre part, la cadence d'entrée du produit traité. Une combinaison de ces deux possibilités de réglage permet, en fonction de l'agent d'échange thermique 27 choisi, d'obtenir à volonté une congélation ou une réfrigération des barquettes 19 introduites.In the examples described, the user of the cabinet has several possibilities for adjusting the treatment. The first possibility consists in playing on the means for producing the cold 6 in a known manner, for example with an adjustable regulating thermostat placed on the electric circuit of the motor-compressor 26. Another possibility consists in adjusting the treatment speed by supplying more or less the motor means 4 of the support means 3. Thus, on the one hand, the refrigeration treatment time is regulated and, on the other hand, the rate of entry of the treated product. A combination of these two adjustment possibilities makes it possible, depending on the heat exchange agent 27 chosen, to obtain freezing or refrigeration of the trays 19 introduced at will.

Dans un chargement manuel, pour que la barquette 19 ne soit pas gênée par le bord en biseau 16, les moyens de support 3 sont mis dans une position nettement en dessous de la paroi supérieure de l'enceinte 8.In manual loading, so that the tray 19 is not hampered by the bevelled edge 16, the support means 3 are placed in a position clearly below the upper wall of the enclosure 8.

Claims (12)

1. A continuous refrigerating or freezing cell for treating products packed in optionally sealed boats (19), comprising a thermally insulated chamer (8) subdivided into at least two parts, and comprising a self-contained refrigerating apparatus (6) of its own, characterized in that the chamber (8) inculdes support means (3) for said products forming an endless system with a single vertical loop with the position of said support means relative to the top wall of the chamber being adjustable, the chamber further including a thermally insulating sectioning means (5) adapted to be moved away in the zones through which said support means (3) passes and partitioning the interior of the chamber into two vertically superposed parts.
2. Refrigerating or freezing cell as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the chamber (8) includes an interior space adapted to be subdivided into more than two parts for effecting a cascade-type refrigerating treatment and/or the supply of products in the course of the treatment.
3. Refrigerating or freezing cell as claimed in any of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the refrigerating device includes an evaporator (22) forming part of the refrigerating apparatus, and a heat-exchange medium (27).
4. Refrigerating or freezing cell as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the heat-exchange medium is a liquid selected from among water or brine, the level of said liquid being controlled by an assembly (9) formed of a float and a circulating circuit.
5. Refrigerating or freezing cell as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the part (2) of the chamber (9) used for refrigerating treatment is provided above the level of the liquid used as heat-exchange medium and beneath the sectioning means (5) with a dripping zone (11) for the boats (19).
6. Refrigerating or freezing cell as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the heat-exchange medium is a gas circulated by a fan.
7. Refrigerating or freezing cell as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sectioning means (5) includes removable doors (12, 20) respectively opening in advancing direction (D, C) of the support means (3).
8. Refrigerating or freezing cell as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the chamber (8) in its entry part (1) includes three access means to the support means (3), each of said access means comprising openings (18, 15, 13) provided with a removable curtain.
9. Refrigerating or freezing cell as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that one of said openings (15) is formed in the top wall of the entry part (1) of the chamber (8) and has a bevelled edge (16).
10. Refrigerating or freezing cell as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that two of the openings (13, 18) of said access means are formed laterally in the front and rear face of the entry part (1) of the chamber (8).
11. Refrigerating or freezing cell as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the support means (3) includes gratings or plates (17) which have a bottom (17a) and an edge (17b) positioned on the side opposite to the side of entry of the boat (19).
12. Refrigerating or freezing cell as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that loading and unloading of the boats (19) is manually performed within the chamber (8) through a single opening (18).
EP19810400310 1980-02-29 1981-02-27 Continuous fast refrigerating or freezing cell Expired EP0035452B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8004604A FR2477273A1 (en) 1980-02-29 1980-02-29 FAST CONTINUOUS REGRIGERATION OR FREEZING CELL
FR8004604 1980-02-29

Publications (3)

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EP0035452A2 EP0035452A2 (en) 1981-09-09
EP0035452A3 EP0035452A3 (en) 1982-10-13
EP0035452B1 true EP0035452B1 (en) 1984-06-06

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EP19810400310 Expired EP0035452B1 (en) 1980-02-29 1981-02-27 Continuous fast refrigerating or freezing cell

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EP (1) EP0035452B1 (en)
DE (1) DE3163936D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2477273A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1972874B1 (en) 2007-03-20 2019-02-13 Liconic Ag Automated substance warehouse
US9995525B2 (en) 2009-01-19 2018-06-12 Liconic Ag Low-temperature automated storage for laboratory samples with automated access
DK2470458T3 (en) * 2009-08-28 2015-02-23 Klaus Peter Bak A device for conditioning the vareemners temperature, method of operating the device
EP2743614B1 (en) 2012-12-12 2019-10-02 Liconic Ag Storage cartridge for laboratory objects

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US1898758A (en) * 1930-09-11 1933-02-21 Vogt Instant Freezers Inc Refrigerating apparatus for packaged goods
US2196643A (en) * 1937-01-15 1940-04-09 Reeh Johannes Plant for freezing and storing fish on ships
DE678784C (en) * 1937-02-18 1939-07-21 Fritz Wilhelm Fechner Device for freezing food
FR897969A (en) * 1942-07-17 1945-04-06 Teves Gmbh Alfred Rosary refrigerator for products requiring intensive cooling
US3022636A (en) * 1960-02-29 1962-02-27 Liquefreeze Company Inc Method and apparatus for freezing cooked foods
US3114248A (en) * 1961-10-20 1963-12-17 Willard L Morrison Method and apparatus for freezing hot cooked food
US3228206A (en) * 1964-02-24 1966-01-11 Lockerby W Lee Food freezing apparatus
US3300993A (en) * 1964-02-25 1967-01-31 Alfred H Schlemmer Freezing apparatus and method
DE1451088A1 (en) * 1964-08-14 1969-07-10 Hoppe & Krooss Gmbh Maschinenf Continuously working deep freezer for fish products filled in bowls
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GB1287325A (en) * 1970-06-03 1972-08-31 British Oxygen Co Ltd Apparatus for cooling a series of workpieces

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2477273B1 (en) 1984-05-18
FR2477273A1 (en) 1981-09-04
DE3163936D1 (en) 1984-07-12
EP0035452A2 (en) 1981-09-09
EP0035452A3 (en) 1982-10-13

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