EP1110042A1 - Method for continuously cooling products and corresponding cooling device - Google Patents

Method for continuously cooling products and corresponding cooling device

Info

Publication number
EP1110042A1
EP1110042A1 EP99940245A EP99940245A EP1110042A1 EP 1110042 A1 EP1110042 A1 EP 1110042A1 EP 99940245 A EP99940245 A EP 99940245A EP 99940245 A EP99940245 A EP 99940245A EP 1110042 A1 EP1110042 A1 EP 1110042A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
enclosure
products
atmosphere
cryogenic fluid
path
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99940245A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Michel USIMECA BERNARD
Olivier Pouchain
Alain Pecot
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
LAir Liquide SA a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, LAir Liquide SA a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP1110042A1 publication Critical patent/EP1110042A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25D29/001—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for cryogenic fluid systems
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
    • A23B4/00—General methods for preserving meat, sausages, fish or fish products
    • A23B4/06—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
    • A23B4/062—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling the materials being transported through or in the apparatus with or without shaping, e.g. in the form of powder, granules or flakes
    • A23B4/064—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling the materials being transported through or in the apparatus with or without shaping, e.g. in the form of powder, granules or flakes with packages or with shaping in the form of blocks or portions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
    • A23B4/00—General methods for preserving meat, sausages, fish or fish products
    • A23B4/06—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
    • A23B4/08—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling with addition of chemicals or treatment with chemicals before or during cooling, e.g. in the form of an ice coating or frozen block
    • A23B4/09—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling with addition of chemicals or treatment with chemicals before or during cooling, e.g. in the form of an ice coating or frozen block with direct contact between the food and the chemical, e.g. liquid N2, at cryogenic temperature
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L3/00—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs
    • A23L3/36—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
    • A23L3/361—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling the materials being transported through or in the apparatus, with or without shaping, e.g. in form of powder, granules, or flakes
    • A23L3/362—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling the materials being transported through or in the apparatus, with or without shaping, e.g. in form of powder, granules, or flakes with packages or with shaping in form of blocks or portions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L3/00—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs
    • A23L3/36—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
    • A23L3/37—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling with addition of or treatment with chemicals
    • A23L3/375—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling with addition of or treatment with chemicals with direct contact between the food and the chemical, e.g. liquid nitrogen, at cryogenic temperature
    • 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
    • F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/04—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by conveyors
    • 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
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/10—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air
    • F25D3/11—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air with conveyors carrying articles to be cooled through the cooling space

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process for continuously cooling products in an enclosure, in which the products are circulated along a path connecting an inlet and an outlet of said enclosure.
  • the invention applies in particular to the crusting of food products.
  • Crusting a product is an operation consisting in surface freezing at least one of the faces of the product in order to facilitate its subsequent preparation.
  • This technique is used in particular to facilitate the slicing of ham bars and pork loin, but is also applicable to other food products which have to be cut, for example cheeses or fish.
  • the refrigeration transfer means generally comprise means for introducing a cryogenic fluid into the corresponding tunnel and means for stirring the atmosphere inside this tunnel.
  • a crusting device has a first drawback which is its large size on the ground.
  • the products enter and leave the tunnel at a constant frequency. If an incident occurs, for example, on a slicing unit arranged downstream of the tunnel, this incident requiring a prolonged stop of this slicing unit, the conveyor of the cooling tunnel is stopped, so that the products remain for a period extended inside the tunnel.
  • the products are thus cooled for an excessive period of time, so that they undergo an excessive freezing, and can in particular undergo a deep freezing.
  • excessive freezing can lead, when restarting the cooling tunnel and the slicing unit, to damage to the blades of the slicing unit and to slicing irregularities in the whole production.
  • the intensity of the mixing of the atmosphere inside the cooling tunnel and the injection of cryogenic fluid into the tunnel are simultaneously reduced in the event of an incident.
  • Such a simultaneous reduction makes it possible to reduce the transfers of frigories towards the products, but does not make it possible to finely and satisfactorily control the crusting of the products.
  • the object of the invention is to solve these problems by providing an improved process for continuously cooling products, which makes it possible to crust products by means of cooling devices with a smaller footprint and also to better control the crusting of products, in particular in the event of prolonged stay of the products in the cooling enclosure, for example in the event of an incident.
  • the subject of the invention is a process for cooling, in particular crusting, continuously of products in an enclosure, in which the products are continuously circulated along a path connecting an inlet and an outlet of said enclosure, characterized in which is caused to circulate substantially vertically said products on at least part of their path.
  • the method can include one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or according to all technically possible combinations:
  • a cryogenic fluid in particular CO, is introduced into said enclosure to cool said products;
  • the invention also relates to a cooling device, in particular crusting, for the implementation of a method as defined above, comprising an enclosure provided with means for supplying cold to the products and with conveying means. of products along a path between an inlet and an outlet of said enclosure, characterized in that at least part of the conveying path is substantially vertical.
  • the device can include one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or according to all technically possible combinations:
  • the path of the products comprises at least two substantially vertical parts, and one of these parts corresponds to an upward movement of the products and another of these parts corresponds to a downward movement of the products;
  • the conveying means comprise at least one endless conveyor disposed substantially vertically and carrying product support swings;
  • the means for supplying cold to the products comprise means for introducing a cryogenic fluid, in particular CO 2 , into said enclosure;
  • the means for bringing cold to the products comprise means for stirring the atmosphere of the enclosure;
  • the device comprises means for controlling means for supplying cold to the products which are means for independent control over time of means for injecting cryogenic fluid and means for mixing the atmosphere in the enclosure;
  • the means for controlling the means for supplying cold to the products are suitable for, in the event of a prolonged stay of the products in the enclosure, reducing the intensity of the mixing of the atmosphere of the enclosure before reducing the injection cryogenic fluid;
  • the means for controlling the means for supplying cold to the products are suitable for, after stopping these means, controlling the restarting of the means for injecting cryogenic fluid into the enclosure, then the restarting of the means for mixing the 'atmosphere of the enclosure.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a plant for producing sliced ham comprising a crusting device according to the invention
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic elevation views, with parts broken away, of the crusting device, taken respectively according to arrows II and III of FIG. 1, and
  • FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the control of the cold transfer means of the crusting device in the event of the slicing unit of the installation of FIG. 1 being stopped.
  • FIGS. 1 to 3 schematically illustrate an installation 1 for producing sliced ham which essentially comprises:
  • the crusting device 2 comprises an enclosure 10, substantially parallelepipedal and erected on the ground 11 of the site of the installation 1, means 12 for conveying the bars 5 of ham inside the enclosure 10, and means 13 supply of cold, or transfer of frigories, to the bars 5.
  • the conveying means 12 comprise two endless chains 15, each stretched vertically between a driving pinion 16 and a driven sprocket 17.
  • One of the chains 15 extends near and parallel to a vertical side wall 18 of the enclosure 10, and the other chain 15 extends near and parallel to the vertical side wall 19 of the enclosure 10 opposite the wall 18.
  • the two chains 15 are parallel and spaced from one another.
  • the two driving pinions 16 are carried by a common drive shaft 20 mechanically connected to the output of a motor 21 for driving in rotation.
  • Each chain 15 permanently comprises, between the corresponding sprockets 16 and 17, a first vertical strand 22, located on the side of the conveyor 4, and a second vertical strand 23, located on the side of the conveyor 6.
  • each swing 25 an upright 27 is articulated on a chain 15 and the other upright 27 is articulated on the other chain 15.
  • the swings 25 are regularly spaced from each other along the chains 15, all the plates 26 being horizontal and all the uprights 27 being vertical and directed upwards from the plates 26.
  • the means 13 for transferring frigories comprise means 30 for injecting CO 2 into the enclosure 10 and means 31 for stirring the atmosphere of this enclosure 10.
  • the means 30 for injecting CO into the enclosure 10 comprise a source 32 of liquid CO 2 stored at 20 bars and a distribution solenoid valve 33, which connects the source 32 to four pipes 34 each passing through the wall 18 of the enclosure 10 and opening into the interior thereof.
  • the stirring means 31 comprise four fans 36 carried by the wall 18 and whose rotors 37 are located inside the enclosure 10.
  • the pipes 34 and the fans 36 are arranged one above the other in a vertical line alternately. Note that in Figure 1 a single pipe 34 and a single fan 36 have been shown, horizontally offset from one another for clarity.
  • An extractor 38 is connected to the upper wall 39 of the enclosure 10.
  • a substantially rectangular loading opening 40 is formed, at a lower level, in a vertical lateral wall 41 of the enclosure 10.
  • the vertical wall 41 which connects the walls 18 and 19, is located near the strands 22 of the chains 15.
  • a substantially rectangular unloading opening 42 is provided, at a level slightly higher than that of the loading opening 40, in the vertical wall 43 opposite the wall 41 of the enclosure 10. This vertical wall 43 is close to the strands 23 chains 15.
  • the conveyor 4 extends along the wall 41 with its upper surface substantially at the same level as the lower edge 44 for loading the opening.
  • a guide plate 45 carried by the wall 41 extends this lower edge 44 horizontally towards the inside of the enclosure, substantially up to the level of the plates 26 of the swings 25 carried by the vertical strands 22.
  • the conveyor 6 extends along the wall 43 with its upper surface substantially at the same level as the lower edge 46 of the unloading opening.
  • a guide plate 47 extends this edge 46 horizontally towards the inside of the enclosure 10, substantially up to the level of the plates 26 of the swings 25 carried by the vertical strands 23 of the chains 15.
  • the installation 1 also includes a device 50 for loading the ham bars 5 into the swings 25, and a device 51 for unloading the bars 5 from the swings 25.
  • the loading device 50 comprises a push arm 52 carrying at one of its ends a pusher 53.
  • the arm 52 is movable in translation perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor 4 between a retracted position (FIGS. 1 and 3), where the pusher 53 is disposed next to the conveyor 4, and an elongated position, where the arm 52 extends through the conveyor 4 and through the opening 40 for loading the enclosure 10, the pusher 53 being substantially at the level from the inner edge of the guide plate 45.
  • the unloading device 51 comprises a traction arm 54 at one end of which a flap 55 is articulated.
  • the arm 54 is movable between a retracted position (FIG. 1), where the end of the arm 54 carrying the flap 55 is disposed outside of the enclosure 10, and an elongated position (FIG. 3) in which the same end is located inside the enclosure 10 between the swings 25 carried respectively by the vertical strands 22 and 23 of the chains 15.
  • the installation 1 further comprises an electronic control unit 57, itself comprising a suitably programmed microprocessor, a sensor
  • the motor 21, the electro-distribution valve 33, the fans 36, the loading device 50, the unloading device 51 and the sensors 58 and 59 are electrically connected to the electronic control unit 57, as shown in phantom in Figures 1 to 3.
  • the conveyor 4 transports bars 5 of ham regularly spaced from one another towards the loading opening 40 of the crusting device 2, as shown diagrammatically by the arrow 60 in FIG. 1.
  • the bars 5 are aligned according to the direction of the arrow 60, that is to say in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 4.
  • the electronic control unit 57 controls, in synchronization with the operation of the motor 21, the operation of the means 50 for loading so that they load the bar 5 detected in a swing 25.
  • This bar 5 loaded in a swing 25 undergoes inside the enclosure 10 a displacement along an inverted U path.
  • a first vertical part of this path corresponds to the vertical strands 22 of the chains 15.
  • the bars 5 move upwardly on this part of the path, as shown diagrammatically by the arrow 62 in FIG. 3.
  • a second vertical part of this path corresponds to the vertical strands 23 of the chains 15.
  • the bars 5 move downwards on this part of the path, as shown schematically by the arrow 63 in FIG. 3.
  • gaseous CO 2 from the source 32 is introduced into the enclosure 10, where under the effect of expansion, it partially vaporizes and partially solidifies, thus forming a source of frigories.
  • the fans 36 then ensure the mixing of the atmosphere in the enclosure 10. This mixing improves the convective transfers between the atmosphere of the enclosure 10 and the bars 5 transported by the swings 25 and therefore the cooling of the bars 5.
  • the extractor 38 simultaneously discharges part of the atmosphere of the enclosure 10.
  • the flap 55 being folded up to be aligned with the arm 54 in the retracted position, the arm 54 and the flap 55 penetrate inside the enclosure 10, passing over the bar 5 to be discharged until the arm 54 is in the extended position. Then, the flap 55 is folded down and the arm 54 brought back to its retracted position, carrying with it the bar 5. This first slides on the guide plate 47, which is at the same level as the plate 26 which supported the bar 5 due to the above synchronization. Finally, the bar 5 is placed on the conveyor 6 when the arm 54 reaches its retracted position. This unloading movement is shown diagrammatically by the arrow 64 in FIG. 1.
  • the conveyor 6 transports the bars 5 regularly spaced towards the slicing unit 3, as shown diagrammatically by the arrow 66 in FIG. 1.
  • the bars 5 are then aligned in the direction of the arrow 66, that is to say say in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 6.
  • the size on the ground of the crusting device 2 is small thanks to the vertical conveying of the products.
  • the device 2 makes it possible to crust products with a high flow rate and is easily integrated into a manufacturing installation thanks to the use of sensors 58 and 59, specific to the device 2, to control the operation of the device 2. Thus , no connection is necessary with the devices located upstream and downstream to control the crusting device 2.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the evolution over time of the operation of the installation 1 in the event of an incident, for example in the slicing unit 3.
  • the curve in strong lines schematically represents the speed of rotation ⁇ of the fans 36
  • the curve in dashed lines schematically represents the concentration ç of CO 2 gas in the atmosphere of the enclosure 10
  • the dotted curve schematically represents the temperature T of the atmosphere of the enclosure 10.
  • the quantities ⁇ , ç and T have substantially constant predetermined values, fixed as a function of the slicing parameters, of the dimensions of the bars 5 and of the operating parameters of the installation 1, in particular of the conveyors 4 and 6 and of the crusting device 2.
  • the electronic control unit 57 then triggers the regular decrease in the speed of rotation ⁇ of the fans 36.
  • the concentration ç and the temperature T then remain substantially constant for a certain time.
  • the stop of the conveyor 6 extending, at an instant t2 the control unit 57 controls the complete stop of the CO 2 injection.
  • the speed ⁇ , the concentration ç and the temperature T then decrease regularly until an instant t3 where T is substantially equal to the ambient temperature outside the enclosure, and ç and ⁇ are substantially zero.
  • a vacuum is created inside the enclosure 10 due to the cessation of the injection of CO 2 while the extractor 38 and the fans 36 are still operating. This depression then causes a rapid rise in the temperature of the atmosphere of the enclosure 10 due to the total replacement of the atmosphere present in the enclosure 10 before t2 with air at ambient temperature.
  • the control unit 57 controls the resumption of CO 2 injection then in t5 restarting of fans 36. This restarting and resumption of injection is relatively quick.
  • the magnitudes ⁇ , ç and T have returned to their predetermined operating values.
  • the control mode chosen makes it possible to relatively finely regulate the crusting of the bars 5 present in the enclosure 10 in the event of an incident in the installation 1.
  • the CO 2 injection can be decreased and resumed gradually rather than suddenly, the rates of decrease and increase of ⁇ and of the CO 2 injection depend more generally on the parameters of the desired crusting, on the nature of the product to be crusted and the characteristics of the installation 1 used.

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for continuously cooling products in a chamber (10) wherein in the products (5) are circulated along a path connecting an intake (40) to an outlet (42) of said chamber. The method consists in causing said products to be substantially vertically circulated over at least part (22, 23) of their travel. The injection of cryogenic fluid and atmosphere stirring in the chamber are time-controlled independently by means of ventilating units for controlled cooling of the products (5) in the chamber (10).

Description

PROCEDE DE REFROIDISSEMENT EN CONTINU DE PRODUITS ET DISPOSITIF DE REFROIDISSEMENT CORRESPONDANT CONTINUOUS COOLING PROCESS FOR PRODUCTS AND CORRESPONDING COOLING DEVICE
La présente invention concerne un procédé de refroidissement en continu de produits dans une enceinte, dans lequel on fait circuler les produits selon un trajet reliant une entrée et une sortie de ladite enceinte.The present invention relates to a process for continuously cooling products in an enclosure, in which the products are circulated along a path connecting an inlet and an outlet of said enclosure.
L'invention s'applique en particulier au croûtage de produits alimentaires.The invention applies in particular to the crusting of food products.
Le croûtage d'un produit est une opération consistant à congeler superficiellement au moins l'une des faces du produit en vue de faciliter sa préparation ultérieure.Crusting a product is an operation consisting in surface freezing at least one of the faces of the product in order to facilitate its subsequent preparation.
Cette technique est utilisée en particulier pour faciliter le tranchage des barres de jambon et des longes de porc, mais est également applicable à d'autres produits alimentaires devant subir une découpe, par exemple les fromages ou les poissons.This technique is used in particular to facilitate the slicing of ham bars and pork loin, but is also applicable to other food products which have to be cut, for example cheeses or fish.
Jusqu'à présent, les dispositifs de croûtage en continu connus sont des tunnels de refroidissement munis de moyens d'apport de froid, ou de transfert de frigories, aux produits, dans lesquels les produits défilent horizontalement en continu, grâce à des convoyeurs sans fin qui supportent les produits.Until now, known continuous crusting devices have been cooling tunnels provided with means for supplying cold, or transferring frigories, to the products, in which the products pass horizontally continuously, by means of endless conveyors. who support the products.
Les moyens de transfert de frigories comprennent généralement des moyens d'introduction d'un fluide cryogénique dans le tunnel correspondant et des moyens de brassage de l'atmosphère à l'intérieur de ce tunnel. Un tel dispositif de croûtage présente un premier inconvénient qui est son fort encombrement au sol.The refrigeration transfer means generally comprise means for introducing a cryogenic fluid into the corresponding tunnel and means for stirring the atmosphere inside this tunnel. Such a crusting device has a first drawback which is its large size on the ground.
Par ailleurs, en fonctionnement normal, les produits entrent et sortent du tunnel à une fréquence constante. Si un incident se produit, par exemple, sur une unité de tranchage disposée en aval du tunnel, cet incident nécessitant un arrêt prolongé de cette unité de tranchage, le convoyeur du tunnel de refroidissement est arrêté, de sorte que les produits séjournent pendant une durée prolongée à l'intérieur du tunnel.In addition, during normal operation, the products enter and leave the tunnel at a constant frequency. If an incident occurs, for example, on a slicing unit arranged downstream of the tunnel, this incident requiring a prolonged stop of this slicing unit, the conveyor of the cooling tunnel is stopped, so that the products remain for a period extended inside the tunnel.
Les produits sont ainsi refroidis pendant une durée excessive, si bien qu'ils subissent une congélation trop importante, et peuvent en particulier subir une congélation à coeur. Une telle congélation excessive peut conduire, lors du redémarrage du tunnel de refroidissement et de l'unité de tranchage, à un endommagement des lames de l'unité de tranchage et à des irrégularités de tranchage dans l'ensemble de la production. Pour pallier cet inconvénient, on diminue, en cas d'incident, simultanément l'intensité du brassage de l'atmosphère à l'intérieur du tunnel de refroidissement et l'injection de fluide cryogénique dans le tunnel. Une telle diminution simultanée permet de réduire les transferts de frigories vers les produits, mais ne permet pas de contrôler finement et de manière satisfaisante le croûtage des produits. L'invention a pour but de résoudre ces problèmes en fournissant un procédé amélioré de refroidissement en continu de produits, qui permet de croûter des produits grâce à des dispositifs de refroidissement de plus faible encombrement au sol et également de mieux contrôler le croûtage des produits, notamment en cas de séjour prolongé des produits dans l'enceinte de refroidissement, par exemple en cas d'incident.The products are thus cooled for an excessive period of time, so that they undergo an excessive freezing, and can in particular undergo a deep freezing. Such excessive freezing can lead, when restarting the cooling tunnel and the slicing unit, to damage to the blades of the slicing unit and to slicing irregularities in the whole production. To overcome this drawback, the intensity of the mixing of the atmosphere inside the cooling tunnel and the injection of cryogenic fluid into the tunnel are simultaneously reduced in the event of an incident. Such a simultaneous reduction makes it possible to reduce the transfers of frigories towards the products, but does not make it possible to finely and satisfactorily control the crusting of the products. The object of the invention is to solve these problems by providing an improved process for continuously cooling products, which makes it possible to crust products by means of cooling devices with a smaller footprint and also to better control the crusting of products, in particular in the event of prolonged stay of the products in the cooling enclosure, for example in the event of an incident.
A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un procédé de refroidissement, notamment de croûtage, en continu de produits dans une enceinte, dans lequel on fait circuler continûment les produits selon un trajet reliant une entrée et une sortie de ladite enceinte, caractérisé en ce qu'on fait circuler sensiblement verticalement lesdits produits sur au moins une partie de leur trajet.To this end, the subject of the invention is a process for cooling, in particular crusting, continuously of products in an enclosure, in which the products are continuously circulated along a path connecting an inlet and an outlet of said enclosure, characterized in which is caused to circulate substantially vertically said products on at least part of their path.
Selon des modes particuliers de réalisation, le procédé peut comprendre l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes, prises isolément ou selon toutes les combinaisons techniquement possibles :According to particular embodiments, the method can include one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or according to all technically possible combinations:
- on fait circuler sensiblement verticalement lesdits produits sur au moins deux parties de leur trajet, et on fait circuler les produits de manière ascendante sur une de ces parties et de manière descendante sur une autre de ces parties ;- Circulating said products substantially vertically over at least two parts of their path, and circulating the products upwardly on one of these parts and downwardly on another of these parts;
- on introduit un fluide cryogénique, notamment du CO , dans ladite enceinte pour refroidir lesdits produits ;- A cryogenic fluid, in particular CO, is introduced into said enclosure to cool said products;
- on brasse l'atmosphère dans l'enceinte ; - on commande indépendamment dans le temps l'injection de fluide cryogénique et le brassage de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte pour contrôler le refroidissement des produits dans l'enceinte ;- we stir the atmosphere in the enclosure; - The injection of cryogenic fluid and the stirring of the atmosphere of the enclosure are controlled independently over time to control the cooling of the products in the enclosure;
- en cas de séjour prolongé des produits dans l'enceinte, on diminue l'intensité du brassage de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte avant de diminuer l'injection de fluide cryogénique dans l'enceinte ; et- In the event of prolonged stay of the products in the enclosure, the intensity of the mixing of the atmosphere of the enclosure is reduced before decreasing the injection of cryogenic fluid into the enclosure; and
- après un arrêt de l'injection de fluide cryogénique et du brassage de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte, on recommence à injecter du fluide cryogénique dans l'enceinte, puis on recommence à brasser l'atmosphère de l'enceinte. L'invention a également pour objet un dispositif de refroidissement, notamment de croûtage, pour la mise en oeuvre d'un procédé tel que défini ci-dessus, comprenant une enceinte munie de moyens d'apport de froid aux produits et de moyens de convoyage de produits selon un trajet entre une entrée et une sortie de ladite enceinte, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une partie du trajet de convoyage est sensiblement verticale.- After stopping the injection of cryogenic fluid and stirring of the atmosphere of the enclosure, it begins to inject cryogenic fluid into the enclosure, then it begins to stir the atmosphere of the enclosure. The invention also relates to a cooling device, in particular crusting, for the implementation of a method as defined above, comprising an enclosure provided with means for supplying cold to the products and with conveying means. of products along a path between an inlet and an outlet of said enclosure, characterized in that at least part of the conveying path is substantially vertical.
Selon des modes particuliers de réalisation, le dispositif peut comprendre l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes, prises isolément ou selon toutes les combinaisons techniquement possibles :According to particular embodiments, the device can include one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or according to all technically possible combinations:
- le trajet des produits comprend au moins deux parties sensiblement verticales, et une de ces parties correspond à un déplacement ascendant des produits et une autre de ces parties correspond à un déplacement descendant des produits ;- The path of the products comprises at least two substantially vertical parts, and one of these parts corresponds to an upward movement of the products and another of these parts corresponds to a downward movement of the products;
- les moyens de convoyage comprennent au moins un convoyeur sans fin disposé sensiblement verticalement et portant des balancelles de support des produits ;- The conveying means comprise at least one endless conveyor disposed substantially vertically and carrying product support swings;
- les moyens d'apport de froid aux produits comprennent des moyens d'introduction d'un fluide cryogénique, notamment du CO2, dans ladite enceinte ;the means for supplying cold to the products comprise means for introducing a cryogenic fluid, in particular CO 2 , into said enclosure;
- les moyens d'apport de froid aux produits comprennent des moyens de brassage de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte ;the means for bringing cold to the products comprise means for stirring the atmosphere of the enclosure;
- le dispositif comprend des moyens de commande des moyens d'apport de froid aux produits qui sont des moyens de commande indépendante dans le temps des moyens d'injection de fluide cryogénique et des moyens de brassage de l'atmosphère dans l'enceinte ;the device comprises means for controlling means for supplying cold to the products which are means for independent control over time of means for injecting cryogenic fluid and means for mixing the atmosphere in the enclosure;
- les moyens de commande des moyens d'apport de froid aux produits sont adaptés pour, en cas de séjour prolongé des produits dans l'enceinte, diminuer l'intensité du brassage de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte avant de diminuer l'injection de fluide cryogénique ; etthe means for controlling the means for supplying cold to the products are suitable for, in the event of a prolonged stay of the products in the enclosure, reducing the intensity of the mixing of the atmosphere of the enclosure before reducing the injection cryogenic fluid; and
- les moyens de commande des moyens d'apport de froid aux produits sont adaptés pour, après un arrêt de ces moyens, commander le redémarrage des moyens d'injection de fluide cryogénique dans l'enceinte, puis le redémarrage des moyens de brassage de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte.the means for controlling the means for supplying cold to the products are suitable for, after stopping these means, controlling the restarting of the means for injecting cryogenic fluid into the enclosure, then the restarting of the means for mixing the 'atmosphere of the enclosure.
L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple, et faite en se référant aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels :The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
- la figure 1 est une vue schématique de dessus d'une installation de production de jambon tranché comprenant un dispositif de croûtage selon l'invention,FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a plant for producing sliced ham comprising a crusting device according to the invention,
- les figures 2 et 3 sont des vues schématiques en élévation, avec arrachement, du dispositif de croûtage, prises respectivement selon les flèches II et III de la figure 1, etFIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic elevation views, with parts broken away, of the crusting device, taken respectively according to arrows II and III of FIG. 1, and
- la figure 4 est un graphe illustrant la commande des moyens de transfert de frigories du dispositif de croûtage en cas d'arrêt de l'unité de tranchage de l'installation de la figure 1.FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the control of the cold transfer means of the crusting device in the event of the slicing unit of the installation of FIG. 1 being stopped.
Les figures 1 à 3 illustrent schématiquement une installation 1 de production de jambon tranché qui comprend essentiellement :FIGS. 1 to 3 schematically illustrate an installation 1 for producing sliced ham which essentially comprises:
- un dispositif de croûtage 2, - une unité de tranchage 3,- a crusting device 2, - a slicing unit 3,
- un convoyeur sans fin 4 d'amenée de barres 5 de jambon vers le dispositif de croûtage 2, etan endless conveyor 4 for feeding ham bars 5 to the crusting device 2, and
- un convoyeur sans fin 6 de transfert de barres 5 croûtées depuis le dispositif de croûtage 2 vers l'unité de tranchage 3. Le dispositif de croûtage 2 comprend une enceinte 10, sensiblement parallélépipédique et érigée sur le sol 11 du site de l'installation 1, des moyens 12 de convoyage des barres 5 de jambon à l'intérieur de l'enceinte 10, et des moyens 13 d'apport de froid, ou de transfert de frigories, aux barres 5. Comme on le voit sur les figures 2 et 3 grâce aux arrachements, les moyens 12 de convoyage comprennent deux chaînes sans fin 15, tendues verticalement chacune entre un pignon menant 16 et un pignon mené 17. Une des chaînes 15 s'étend à proximité et parallèlement à une paroi latérale verticale 18 de l'enceinte 10, et l'autre chaîne 15 s'étend à proximité et parallèlement à la paroi latérale verticale 19 de l'enceinte 10 opposée à la paroi 18. Ainsi, les deux chaînes 15 sont parallèles et espacées l'une de l'autre.- an endless conveyor 6 for transferring crusty bars 5 from the crusting device 2 to the slicing unit 3. The crusting device 2 comprises an enclosure 10, substantially parallelepipedal and erected on the ground 11 of the site of the installation 1, means 12 for conveying the bars 5 of ham inside the enclosure 10, and means 13 supply of cold, or transfer of frigories, to the bars 5. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 thanks to the cut-outs, the conveying means 12 comprise two endless chains 15, each stretched vertically between a driving pinion 16 and a driven sprocket 17. One of the chains 15 extends near and parallel to a vertical side wall 18 of the enclosure 10, and the other chain 15 extends near and parallel to the vertical side wall 19 of the enclosure 10 opposite the wall 18. Thus, the two chains 15 are parallel and spaced from one another.
Les deux pignons menants 16 sont portés par un arbre d'entraînement commun 20 relié mécaniquement à la sortie d'un moteur 21 d'entraînement en rotation.The two driving pinions 16 are carried by a common drive shaft 20 mechanically connected to the output of a motor 21 for driving in rotation.
Chaque chaîne 15 comprend en permanence, entre les pignons 16 et 17 correspondants, un premier brin vertical 22, situé du côté du convoyeur 4, et un deuxième brin vertical 23, situé du côté du convoyeur 6.Each chain 15 permanently comprises, between the corresponding sprockets 16 and 17, a first vertical strand 22, located on the side of the conveyor 4, and a second vertical strand 23, located on the side of the conveyor 6.
Des balancelles 25, comprenant chacune un plateau horizontal 26 et deux montants verticaux 27 bordant ce plateau, sont montées entre les chaînes 15.Swings 25, each comprising a horizontal plate 26 and two vertical uprights 27 bordering this plate, are mounted between the chains 15.
Ainsi, pour chaque balancelle 25, un montant 27 est articulé sur une chaîne 15 et l'autre montant 27 est articulé sur l'autre chaîne 15. Les balancelles 25 sont espacées les unes des autres régulièrement le long des chaînes 15, tous les plateaux 26 étant horizontaux et tous les montants 27 étant verticaux et dirigés vers le haut depuis les plateaux 26.Thus, for each swing 25, an upright 27 is articulated on a chain 15 and the other upright 27 is articulated on the other chain 15. The swings 25 are regularly spaced from each other along the chains 15, all the plates 26 being horizontal and all the uprights 27 being vertical and directed upwards from the plates 26.
Comme illustré par les figures 1 et 2, les moyens 13 de transfert de frigories comprennent des moyens 30 d'injection de CO2 dans l'enceinte 10 et des moyens 31 de brassage de l'atmosphère de cette enceinte 10.As illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, the means 13 for transferring frigories comprise means 30 for injecting CO 2 into the enclosure 10 and means 31 for stirring the atmosphere of this enclosure 10.
Les moyens 30 d'injection de CO dans l'enceinte 10 comprennent une source 32 de CO2 liquide stocké sous 20 bars et une électrovanne de distribution 33, qui relie la source 32 à quatre conduites 34 traversant chacune la paroi 18 de l'enceinte 10 et débouchant à l'intérieur de celle-ci. Les moyens 31 de brassage comprennent quatre ventilateurs 36 portés par la paroi 18 et dont les rotors 37 sont situés à l'intérieur de l'enceinte 10.The means 30 for injecting CO into the enclosure 10 comprise a source 32 of liquid CO 2 stored at 20 bars and a distribution solenoid valve 33, which connects the source 32 to four pipes 34 each passing through the wall 18 of the enclosure 10 and opening into the interior thereof. The stirring means 31 comprise four fans 36 carried by the wall 18 and whose rotors 37 are located inside the enclosure 10.
Comme cela apparaît sur la figure 2, les conduites 34 et les ventilateurs 36 sont disposés les uns au-dessus des autres en ligne verticale de manière alternée. On notera que sur la figure 1 une seule conduite 34 et un seul ventilateur 36 ont été représentés, de manière décalée horizontalement l'un par rapport à l'autre pour plus de clarté.As shown in Figure 2, the pipes 34 and the fans 36 are arranged one above the other in a vertical line alternately. Note that in Figure 1 a single pipe 34 and a single fan 36 have been shown, horizontally offset from one another for clarity.
Un extracteur 38 est relié à la paroi supérieure 39 de l'enceinte 10.An extractor 38 is connected to the upper wall 39 of the enclosure 10.
Comme illustré par les figures 1 et 3, une ouverture de chargement 40 sensiblement rectangulaire est ménagée, à un niveau inférieur, dans une paroi latérale verticale 41 de l'enceinte 10. La paroi verticale 41, qui relie les parois 18 et 19, est située à proximité des brins 22 des chaînes 15.As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, a substantially rectangular loading opening 40 is formed, at a lower level, in a vertical lateral wall 41 of the enclosure 10. The vertical wall 41, which connects the walls 18 and 19, is located near the strands 22 of the chains 15.
Une ouverture de déchargement 42 sensiblement rectangulaire est ménagée, à un niveau légèrement supérieur à celui de l'ouverture de chargement 40, dans la paroi verticale 43 opposée à la paroi 41 de l'enceinte 10. Cette paroi verticale 43 est proche des brins 23 des chaînes 15.A substantially rectangular unloading opening 42 is provided, at a level slightly higher than that of the loading opening 40, in the vertical wall 43 opposite the wall 41 of the enclosure 10. This vertical wall 43 is close to the strands 23 chains 15.
Le convoyeur 4 s'étend le long de la paroi 41 avec sa surface supérieure sensiblement au même niveau que le bord inférieur 44 de chargement de l'ouvertureThe conveyor 4 extends along the wall 41 with its upper surface substantially at the same level as the lower edge 44 for loading the opening.
40. Une plaque de guidage 45 portée par la paroi 41 prolonge ce bord inférieur 44 horizontalement vers l'intérieur de l'enceinte, sensiblement jusqu'au niveau des plateaux 26 des balancelles 25 portées par les brins verticaux 22.40. A guide plate 45 carried by the wall 41 extends this lower edge 44 horizontally towards the inside of the enclosure, substantially up to the level of the plates 26 of the swings 25 carried by the vertical strands 22.
Le convoyeur 6 s'étend le long de la paroi 43 avec sa surface supérieure sensiblement au même niveau que le bord inférieur 46 de l'ouverture de déchargementThe conveyor 6 extends along the wall 43 with its upper surface substantially at the same level as the lower edge 46 of the unloading opening.
42. Une plaque de guidage 47 prolonge ce bord 46 horizontalement vers l'intérieur de l'enceinte 10, sensiblement jusqu'au niveau des plateaux 26 des balancelles 25 portées par les brins verticaux 23 des chaînes 15.42. A guide plate 47 extends this edge 46 horizontally towards the inside of the enclosure 10, substantially up to the level of the plates 26 of the swings 25 carried by the vertical strands 23 of the chains 15.
L'installation 1 comprend également un dispositif 50 de chargement des barres 5 de jambon dans les balancelles 25, et un dispositif 51 de déchargement des barres 5 depuis les balancelles 25. Le dispositif 50 de chargement comprend un bras de poussée 52 portant à une de ses extrémités un poussoir 53. Le bras 52 est mobile en translation perpendiculairement à la direction de convoyage du convoyeur 4 entre une position rétractée (figures 1 et 3), où le poussoir 53 est disposé à côté du convoyeur 4, et une position allongée, où le bras 52 s'étend au travers du convoyeur 4 et à travers l'ouverture 40 de chargement de l'enceinte 10, le poussoir 53 se trouvant sensiblement au niveau du bord intérieur de la plaque 45 de guidage.The installation 1 also includes a device 50 for loading the ham bars 5 into the swings 25, and a device 51 for unloading the bars 5 from the swings 25. The loading device 50 comprises a push arm 52 carrying at one of its ends a pusher 53. The arm 52 is movable in translation perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor 4 between a retracted position (FIGS. 1 and 3), where the pusher 53 is disposed next to the conveyor 4, and an elongated position, where the arm 52 extends through the conveyor 4 and through the opening 40 for loading the enclosure 10, the pusher 53 being substantially at the level from the inner edge of the guide plate 45.
Le dispositif 51 de déchargement comprend un bras de traction 54 à une extrémité duquel un volet 55 est articulé. Le bras 54 est mobile entre une position rétractée (figure 1), où l'extrémité du bras 54 portant le volet 55 est disposée à l'extérieur de l'enceinte 10, et une position allongée (figure 3) dans laquelle la même extrémité est située à l'intérieur de l'enceinte 10 entre les balancelles 25 portées respectivement par les brins verticaux 22 et 23 des chaînes 15.The unloading device 51 comprises a traction arm 54 at one end of which a flap 55 is articulated. The arm 54 is movable between a retracted position (FIG. 1), where the end of the arm 54 carrying the flap 55 is disposed outside of the enclosure 10, and an elongated position (FIG. 3) in which the same end is located inside the enclosure 10 between the swings 25 carried respectively by the vertical strands 22 and 23 of the chains 15.
L'installation 1 comprend en outre une unité électronique de pilotage 57, comportant elle-même un microprocesseur convenablement programmé, un capteurThe installation 1 further comprises an electronic control unit 57, itself comprising a suitably programmed microprocessor, a sensor
58 de détection de la présence d'une barre 5 sur le convoyeur 4 en regard de l'ouverture de chargement 40, et un capteur 59 de la présence d'une barre 5 sur le convoyeur 6 en regard de l'ouverture de déchargement 42.58 for detecting the presence of a bar 5 on the conveyor 4 facing the loading opening 40, and a sensor 59 for the presence of a bar 5 on the conveyor 6 facing the unloading opening 42 .
Le moteur 21, l'électro vanne de distribution 33, les ventilateurs 36, le dispositif 50 de chargement, le dispositif 51 de déchargement et les capteurs 58 et 59 sont reliés électriquement à l'unité électronique de pilotage 57, comme représenté en trait mixte sur les figures 1 à 3.The motor 21, the electro-distribution valve 33, the fans 36, the loading device 50, the unloading device 51 and the sensors 58 and 59 are electrically connected to the electronic control unit 57, as shown in phantom in Figures 1 to 3.
En fonctionnement normal, le convoyeur 4 transporte des barres 5 de jambon régulièrement espacées les unes des autres vers l'ouverture de chargement 40 du dispositif de croûtage 2, comme schématisé par la flèche 60 sur la figure 1. Les barres 5 sont alignées selon la direction de la flèche 60, c'est-à-dire selon la direction longitudinale du convoyeur 4.In normal operation, the conveyor 4 transports bars 5 of ham regularly spaced from one another towards the loading opening 40 of the crusting device 2, as shown diagrammatically by the arrow 60 in FIG. 1. The bars 5 are aligned according to the direction of the arrow 60, that is to say in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 4.
Lorsque le capteur 58 détecte la présence d'une barre 5 devant l'ouverture de chargement 40, l'unité électronique de pilotage 57 commande, en synchronisation avec le fonctionnement du moteur 21, le fonctionnement des moyens 50 de chargement pour qu'ils chargent la barre 5 détectée dans une balancelle 25. Le bras 52 passant de sa position rétractée à sa position allongée, le poussoir 53 des moyens 50 de chargement vient alors pousser, comme schématisé par la flèche 61 sur la figure 1, la barre 5 détectée jusqu'au plateau 26 d'une balancelle 25, lequel plateau 26 est placé au même niveau que la plaque de guidage 45, grâce à la synchronisation précitée.When the sensor 58 detects the presence of a bar 5 in front of the loading opening 40, the electronic control unit 57 controls, in synchronization with the operation of the motor 21, the operation of the means 50 for loading so that they load the bar 5 detected in a swing 25. The arm 52 passing from its retracted position to its extended position, the pusher 53 of the loading means 50 then pushes, as shown by arrow 61 on the Figure 1, the bar 5 detected to the plate 26 of a swing 25, which plate 26 is placed at the same level as the guide plate 45, thanks to the above synchronization.
Cette barre 5 chargée dans une balancelle 25 subit à l'intérieur de l'enceinte 10 un déplacement selon un trajet en U inversé. Une première partie verticale de ce trajet correspond aux brins verticaux 22 des chaînes 15. Les barres 5 se déplacent de manière ascendante sur cette partie du trajet, comme schématisé par la flèche 62 sur la figure 3. Une deuxième partie verticale de ce trajet correspond aux brins verticaux 23 des chaînes 15. Les barres 5 se déplacent de manière descendante sur cette partie du trajet, comme schématisé par la flèche 63 sur la figure 3.This bar 5 loaded in a swing 25 undergoes inside the enclosure 10 a displacement along an inverted U path. A first vertical part of this path corresponds to the vertical strands 22 of the chains 15. The bars 5 move upwardly on this part of the path, as shown diagrammatically by the arrow 62 in FIG. 3. A second vertical part of this path corresponds to the vertical strands 23 of the chains 15. The bars 5 move downwards on this part of the path, as shown schematically by the arrow 63 in FIG. 3.
Simultanément, du CO2 gazeux de la source 32 est introduit dans l'enceinte 10, où sous l'effet d'une détente, il se vaporise partiellement et se solidifie partiellement en formant ainsi une source de frigories.Simultaneously, gaseous CO 2 from the source 32 is introduced into the enclosure 10, where under the effect of expansion, it partially vaporizes and partially solidifies, thus forming a source of frigories.
Les ventilateurs 36 assurent alors le brassage de l'atmosphère dans l'enceinte 10. Ce brassage améliore les transferts convectifs entre l'atmosphère de l'enceinte 10 et les barres 5 transportées par les balancelles 25 et donc le refroidissement des barres 5.The fans 36 then ensure the mixing of the atmosphere in the enclosure 10. This mixing improves the convective transfers between the atmosphere of the enclosure 10 and the bars 5 transported by the swings 25 and therefore the cooling of the bars 5.
Le refroidissement des barres 5 tout au long de leur trajet entre l'ouverture de chargement ou entrée 40 et l'ouverture de déchargement ou sortie 42 assure le croûtage de ces barres 5. L'extracteur 38 assure simultanément l'évacuation d'une partie de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte 10. Lorsqu'une barre 5 portée par une balancelle 25 arrive en regard de l'ouverture de déchargement 42, et si le capteur 59 n'a pas détecté la présence d'une barre 5 devant cette ouverture 42 sur le convoyeur 6, l'unité de pilotage 57 commande le fonctionnement des moyens 51 de déchargement, en synchronisation avec le fonctionnement du moteur 21, pour que ces moyens 51 déchargent la barre 5 sur le convoyeur 6. Pour ce faire, le volet 55 étant replié vers le haut pour être aligné avec le bras 54 en position rétractée, le bras 54 et le volet 55 pénètrent à l'intérieur de l'enceinte 10, en passant au-dessus de la barre 5 à décharger jusqu'à ce que le bras 54 soit en position allongée. Puis, le volet 55 est replié vers le bas et le bras 54 ramené vers sa position rétractée en entraînant avec lui la barre 5. Celle-ci glisse d'abord sur la plaque 47 de guidage, qui est au même niveau que le plateau 26 qui supportait la barre 5 du fait de la synchronisation précitée. Enfin, la barre 5 vient se placer sur le convoyeur 6 lorsque le bras 54 atteint sa position rétractée. Ce mouvement de déchargement est schématisé par la flèche 64 sur la figure 1.The cooling of the bars 5 all along their path between the loading opening or inlet 40 and the unloading opening or outlet 42 ensures the crusting of these bars 5. The extractor 38 simultaneously discharges part of the atmosphere of the enclosure 10. When a bar 5 carried by a swing 25 arrives opposite the unloading opening 42, and if the sensor 59 has not detected the presence of a bar 5 in front of this opening 42 on the conveyor 6, the control unit 57 controls the operation of the unloading means 51, in synchronization with the operation of the motor 21, so that these means 51 unload the bar 5 on the conveyor 6. To do this, the flap 55 being folded up to be aligned with the arm 54 in the retracted position, the arm 54 and the flap 55 penetrate inside the enclosure 10, passing over the bar 5 to be discharged until the arm 54 is in the extended position. Then, the flap 55 is folded down and the arm 54 brought back to its retracted position, carrying with it the bar 5. This first slides on the guide plate 47, which is at the same level as the plate 26 which supported the bar 5 due to the above synchronization. Finally, the bar 5 is placed on the conveyor 6 when the arm 54 reaches its retracted position. This unloading movement is shown diagrammatically by the arrow 64 in FIG. 1.
Ensuite, le convoyeur 6 transporte les barres 5 régulièrement espacées vers l'unité 3 de tranchage, comme schématisé par la flèche 66 sur la figure 1. Les barres 5 sont alors alignées selon la direction de la flèche 66, c'est-à-dire selon la direction longitudinale du convoyeur 6.Then, the conveyor 6 transports the bars 5 regularly spaced towards the slicing unit 3, as shown diagrammatically by the arrow 66 in FIG. 1. The bars 5 are then aligned in the direction of the arrow 66, that is to say say in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 6.
L'encombrement au sol du dispositif de croûtage 2 est faible grâce au convoyage vertical des produits. De plus, le dispositif 2 permet de croûter des produits avec un débit important et s'intègre facilement dans une installation de fabrication grâce à l'utilisation des capteurs 58 et 59, propres au dispositif 2, pour piloter le fonctionnement du dispositif 2. Ainsi, aucune liaison n'est nécessaire avec les appareils situés en amont et en aval pour piloter le dispositif de croûtage 2.The size on the ground of the crusting device 2 is small thanks to the vertical conveying of the products. In addition, the device 2 makes it possible to crust products with a high flow rate and is easily integrated into a manufacturing installation thanks to the use of sensors 58 and 59, specific to the device 2, to control the operation of the device 2. Thus , no connection is necessary with the devices located upstream and downstream to control the crusting device 2.
La figure 4 illustre l'évolution dans le temps du fonctionnement de l'installation 1 en cas d'incident, par exemple dans l'unité de tranchage 3. La courbe en trait fort représente schématiquement la vitesse de rotation ω des ventilateurs 36, la courbe en trait mixte représente schématiquement la concentration ç en CO2 gazeux dans l'atmosphère de l'enceinte 10, et la courbe en pointillés représente schématiquement la température T de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte 10. En fonctionnement normal, les grandeurs ω, ç et T ont des valeurs prédéterminées sensiblement constantes, fixées en fonction des paramètres de tranchage, des dimensions des barres 5 et des paramètres de fonctionnement de l'installation 1, en particulier des convoyeurs 4 et 6 et du dispositif 2 de croûtage.FIG. 4 illustrates the evolution over time of the operation of the installation 1 in the event of an incident, for example in the slicing unit 3. The curve in strong lines schematically represents the speed of rotation ω of the fans 36, the curve in dashed lines schematically represents the concentration ç of CO 2 gas in the atmosphere of the enclosure 10, and the dotted curve schematically represents the temperature T of the atmosphere of the enclosure 10. In normal operation, the quantities ω , ç and T have substantially constant predetermined values, fixed as a function of the slicing parameters, of the dimensions of the bars 5 and of the operating parameters of the installation 1, in particular of the conveyors 4 and 6 and of the crusting device 2.
A l'instant tl, un incident s'est produit dans l'unité 3 de tranchage entraînant l'arrêt du convoyeur 6, une barre 5 étant placée sur le convoyeur 6 en regard de l'ouverture de déchargement 42 alors qu'une barre 5 devrait normalement être déchargée de l'enceinte 10.At time tl, an incident occurred in the slicing unit 3 causing the conveyor 6 to stop, a bar 5 being placed on the conveyor 6 opposite from the discharge opening 42 when a bar 5 should normally be discharged from the enclosure 10.
L'unité électronique de pilotage 57 déclenche alors la diminution régulière de la vitesse de rotation ω des ventilateurs 36. La concentration ç et la température T restent alors sensiblement constantes pendant un certain temps.The electronic control unit 57 then triggers the regular decrease in the speed of rotation ω of the fans 36. The concentration ç and the temperature T then remain substantially constant for a certain time.
L'arrêt du convoyeur 6 se prolongeant, à un instant t2 l'unité de pilotage 57 commande l'arrêt complet de l'injection de CO2. La vitesse ω, la concentration ç et la température T diminuent alors régulièrement jusqu'à un instant t3 où T est sensiblement égale à la température ambiante à l'extérieur de l'enceinte, et ç et ω sont sensiblement nulles. En effet, après t2, une dépression se crée à l'intérieur de l'enceinte 10 du fait de l'arrêt de l'injection du CO2 alors que l'extracteur 38 et les ventilateurs 36 fonctionnent encore. Cette dépression entraîne alors une remontée rapide de la température de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte 10 du fait du remplacement total de l'atmosphère présente dans l'enceinte 10 avant t2 par de l'air à température ambiante.The stop of the conveyor 6 extending, at an instant t2 the control unit 57 controls the complete stop of the CO 2 injection. The speed ω, the concentration ç and the temperature T then decrease regularly until an instant t3 where T is substantially equal to the ambient temperature outside the enclosure, and ç and ω are substantially zero. Indeed, after t2, a vacuum is created inside the enclosure 10 due to the cessation of the injection of CO 2 while the extractor 38 and the fans 36 are still operating. This depression then causes a rapid rise in the temperature of the atmosphere of the enclosure 10 due to the total replacement of the atmosphere present in the enclosure 10 before t2 with air at ambient temperature.
A l'instant t4, l'unité de tranchage 3 ayant repris un fonctionnement normal, et le convoyeur 6 ayant redémarré et évacué la barre 5 qui était placée devant l'ouverture de déchargement 42, l'unité de pilotage 57 commande alors la reprise de l'injection de CO2 puis en t5 la remise en marche des ventilateurs 36. Cette remise en marche et cette reprise de l'injection sont relativement rapides. Ainsi, à l'instant t6 relativement proche de t4, les grandeurs ω, ç et T ont retrouvé leurs valeurs prédéterminées de fonctionnement.At time t4, the slicing unit 3 having resumed normal operation, and the conveyor 6 having restarted and evacuated the bar 5 which was placed in front of the unloading opening 42, the control unit 57 then controls the resumption of CO 2 injection then in t5 restarting of fans 36. This restarting and resumption of injection is relatively quick. Thus, at time t6 relatively close to t4, the magnitudes ω, ç and T have returned to their predetermined operating values.
On constate que le mode de pilotage choisi, avec une commande indépendante dans le temps de l'injection de CO2 et de la vitesse de rotation ω des moyens 31 de ventilation, permet de réguler relativement finement le croûtage des barres 5 présentes dans l'enceinte 10 en cas d'incident dans l'installation 1. Ainsi, il est possible d'atteindre une standardisation satisfaisante du croûtage des barres 5, même en cas d'incident. En outre, il n'est pas nécessaire d'évacuer les produits du dispositif 2 de croûtage en cas d'incident. Selon des variantes, l'injection de CO2 peut être diminuée et reprise progressivement plutôt que brutalement, les vitesses de diminution et d'augmentation de ω et de l'injection de CO2 dépendant plus généralement des paramètres du croûtage souhaité, de la nature du produit à croûter et des caractéristiques de l'installation 1 utilisée. It can be seen that the control mode chosen, with independent control over time of the injection of CO 2 and of the speed of rotation ω of the ventilation means 31, makes it possible to relatively finely regulate the crusting of the bars 5 present in the enclosure 10 in the event of an incident in the installation 1. Thus, it is possible to achieve satisfactory standardization of crusting of the bars 5, even in the event of an incident. In addition, it is not necessary to evacuate the products from the crusting device 2 in the event of an incident. According to variants, the CO 2 injection can be decreased and resumed gradually rather than suddenly, the rates of decrease and increase of ω and of the CO 2 injection depend more generally on the parameters of the desired crusting, on the nature of the product to be crusted and the characteristics of the installation 1 used.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Procédé de refroidissement, notamment de croûtage, en continu de produits (5) dans une enceinte (10), dans lequel on fait circuler continûment les produits selon un trajet reliant une entrée (40) et une sortie (42) de ladite enceinte, caractérisé en ce qu'on fait circuler sensiblement verticalement lesdits produits sur au moins une partie (22, 23) de leur trajet.1. A method of continuously cooling, in particular crusting, products (5) in an enclosure (10), in which the products are continuously circulated along a path connecting an inlet (40) and an outlet (42) of said enclosure , characterized in that said products are made to circulate substantially vertically over at least part (22, 23) of their path.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'on fait circuler sensiblement verticalement lesdits produits (5) sur au moins deux parties (22, 23) de leur trajet, et en ce qu'on fait circuler les produits de manière ascendante (62) sur une de ces parties (22) et de manière descendante (63) sur une autre de ces parties (23).2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said products (5) are made to circulate substantially vertically over at least two parts (22, 23) of their path, and in that products are made to circulate upwardly. (62) on one of these parts (22) and downwardly (63) on another of these parts (23).
3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce qu'on introduit un fluide cryogénique, notamment du CO2, dans ladite enceinte pour refroidir lesdits produits (5).3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a cryogenic fluid, in particular CO 2 , is introduced into said enclosure to cool said products (5).
4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce qu'on brasse l'atmosphère dans l'enceinte (10).4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the atmosphere is stirred in the enclosure (10).
5. Procédé selon les revendications 3 et 4 prises ensemble, caractérisé en ce qu'on commande indépendamment dans le temps l'injection de fluide cryogénique et le brassage de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte pour contrôler le refroidissement des produits (5) dans l'enceinte (10). 5. Method according to claims 3 and 4 taken together, characterized in that independently controls over time the injection of cryogenic fluid and the mixing of the atmosphere of the enclosure to control the cooling of the products (5) in the enclosure (10).
6. Procédé selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que, en cas de séjour prolongé des produits (5) dans l'enceinte (10), on diminue (en tl) l'intensité du brassage de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte avant de diminuer (en t2) l'injection de fluide cryogénique dans l'enceinte (10).6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that, in the event of prolonged stay of the products (5) in the enclosure (10), the intensity of stirring of the atmosphere of the enclosure is reduced (in tl) before decreasing (in t2) the injection of cryogenic fluid into the enclosure (10).
7. Procédé selon la revendication 5 ou 6, caractérisé en ce que, après un arrêt de l'injection de fluide cryogénique et du brassage de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, after stopping the injection of cryogenic fluid and stirring of the atmosphere of the enclosure
(10), on recommence à injecter du fluide cryogénique dans l'enceinte (en t4), puis on recommence (en t5) à brasser l'atmosphère de l'enceinte.(10), we start again to inject cryogenic fluid into the enclosure (at t4), then we start again (at t5) to stir the atmosphere of the enclosure.
8. Dispositif de refroidissement, notamment de croûtage, pour la mise en oeuvre d'un procédé selon la revendication 1, comprenant une enceinte (10) munie de moyens (13) d'apport de froid aux produits et de moyens (12) de convoyage de produits selon un trajet entre une entrée (40) et une sortie (42) de ladite enceinte, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une partie (22, 23) du trajet de convoyage est sensiblement verticale.8. Cooling device, in particular crusting, for implementing a method according to claim 1, comprising an enclosure (10) provided with means (13) for supplying cold to the products and means (12) for conveying products along a path between an inlet (40) and an outlet (42) of said enclosure, characterized in that at least a part (22, 23) of the conveying path is substantially vertical.
9. Dispositif selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que le trajet des produits comprend au moins deux parties (22, 23) sensiblement verticales, et en ce qu'une de ces parties (22) correspond à un déplacement ascendant (62) des produits et une autre de ces parties (23) correspond à un déplacement descendant (63) des produits.9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the path of the products comprises at least two parts (22, 23) substantially vertical, and in that one of these parts (22) corresponds to an upward movement (62) of the products and another of these parts (23) corresponds to a downward movement (63) of the products.
10. Dispositif selon la revendication 8 ou 9, caractérisé en ce que les moyens (12) de convoyage comprennent au moins un convoyeur sans fin (15) disposé sensiblement verticalement et portant des balancelles (25) de support des produits.10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the conveying means (12) comprise at least one endless conveyor (15) disposed substantially vertically and carrying swings (25) for supporting the products.
11. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 10, caractérisé en ce que les moyens (13) d'apport de froid aux produits (5) comprennent des moyens11. Device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the means (13) for supplying cold to the products (5) comprise means
(30) d'introduction d'un fluide cryogénique, notamment du CO2, dans ladite enceinte (10).(30) for introducing a cryogenic fluid, in particular CO 2 , into said enclosure (10).
12. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 11, caractérisé en ce que les moyens (13) d'apport de froid aux produits (5) comprennent des moyens12. Device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the means (13) for supplying cold to the products (5) comprise means
(31) de brassage de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte.(31) for mixing the atmosphere of the enclosure.
13. Dispositif selon les revendications 1 1 et 12 prises ensemble, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens (57) de commande des moyens (13) d'apport de froid aux produits (5) qui sont des moyens de commande indépendante dans le temps des moyens (30) d'injection de fluide cryogénique et des moyens (31) de brassage de l'atmosphère dans l'enceinte.13. Device according to claims 1 1 and 12 taken together, characterized in that it comprises means (57) for controlling means (13) for supplying cold to the products (5) which are independent control means in the time of the means (30) for injecting cryogenic fluid and the means (31) for stirring the atmosphere in the enclosure.
14. Dispositif selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en ce que les moyens (57) de commande des moyens (13) d'apport de froid aux produits (5) sont adaptés pour, en cas de séjour prolongé des produits (5) dans l'enceinte (10), diminuer (en tl) l'intensité du brassage de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte avant de diminuer (en t2) l'injection de fluide cryogénique.14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the means (57) for controlling the means (13) for supplying cold to the products (5) are suitable for, in the event of prolonged stay of the products (5) in the 'enclosure (10), decrease (in tl) the intensity of the mixing of the atmosphere of the enclosure before decreasing (in t2) the injection of cryogenic fluid.
15. Dispositif selon la revendication 13 ou 14, caractérisé en ce que les moyens (57) de commande des moyens (13) d'apport de froid aux produits (5) sont adaptés pour, après un arrêt de ces moyens (13), commander (en t4) le redémarrage des moyens (30) d'injection de fluide cryogénique dans l'enceinte, puis (en t5) le redémarrage des moyens (31) de brassage de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte. 15. Device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the means (57) for controlling the means (13) for supplying cold to the products (5) are adapted for, after stopping these means (13), controlling (in t4) the restarting of the means (30) for injecting cryogenic fluid into the enclosure, then (in t5) the restarting of the stirring means (31) the atmosphere of the enclosure.
EP99940245A 1998-09-02 1999-08-27 Method for continuously cooling products and corresponding cooling device Withdrawn EP1110042A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9810965A FR2782786B1 (en) 1998-09-02 1998-09-02 CONTINUOUS COOLING PROCESS FOR PRODUCTS AND CORRESPONDING COOLING DEVICE
FR9810965 1998-09-02
PCT/FR1999/002056 WO2000014461A1 (en) 1998-09-02 1999-08-27 Method for continuously cooling products and corresponding cooling device

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EP1110042A1 true EP1110042A1 (en) 2001-06-27

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EP (1) EP1110042A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2002524717A (en)
CA (1) CA2341576A1 (en)
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WO (1) WO2000014461A1 (en)

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EP1543277A4 (en) * 2002-08-16 2010-07-21 Boc Group Inc Method and apparatus for surface crust freezing of food products
NL1029933C2 (en) 2005-09-12 2007-03-13 Stork Townsend Bv Device for treating elongated food products with a conditioned air stream.
DE102008019903A1 (en) 2008-04-21 2009-10-22 Airinotec Gmbh Cooling tunnel and method of operating such
TR201511620A2 (en) * 2015-09-17 2016-02-22 Ertan Zengin Constructing a cabinet with multiple swivel shelves
CN110540001B (en) * 2018-05-29 2021-06-08 郝荣华 Medicine taking mechanism
CN110575028B (en) * 2018-06-07 2021-03-12 郝荣华 Improved structure of medicine taking mechanism
CN113246837B (en) * 2021-07-14 2021-09-21 徐州德高电动车科技有限公司 Electric motor car cold chain transport carriage

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CA2341576A1 (en) 2000-03-16
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FR2782786A1 (en) 2000-03-03
JP2002524717A (en) 2002-08-06

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