EP1827113A1

EP1827113A1 - Carrier for products

Info

Publication number: EP1827113A1
Application number: EP04808725A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lothar Pasch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-19
Filing date: 2004-11-19
Publication date: 2007-09-05
Also published as: WO2006054887A1

Abstract

Carrier (1) for products (10), such as dough products or bakery products, comprising supporting surface parts (3, 5) for supporting the food products (10) according to a supporting surface (A), wherein at least a portion of the supporting surface parts (4) is movable in upward direction (b) out of the supporting surface (A) in order to release the products (10). The said portion of the supporting surface parts (4) is spring loaded to a position in one plane or in line with the supporting surface (A) and connected to the carrier (1) in a hinging or bendable manner.

Description

Carrier for products

The invention relates to a carrier for products, for instance food products, such as dough products or bakery products, or other food products such as for instance slaughtered poultry, or for instance ceramic products, in particular for use in a production line in which products are subjected to a treatment such as for instance proving, coating, icing/glazing, baking and/or cooling/freezing.

During treatment the products can be supported on a carrier, such as for instance a plate or a belt. During treatment a connection may be formed between the product and the carrier, which connection is hard to break, at least not without damaging the product.

For instance in case of freezing dough products or bakery products a frozen layer of moisture is formed between the product and the carrier, which layer is hard to break. To that end insertion tools have been developed, which are inserted from aside between the product and the carrier. Thus the products may get damaged by the tools. Breaking off the ice layer may also result in the product breaking off as well.

A comparable problem occurs in coating dough products with for instance chocolate or egg yolk. The coating sags down into the slit- shaped transitional area of product-carrier and after setting forms a thickening there. When breaking said thickening the dough (that may or may not be baked) and/or the coating may get damaged.

A comparable problem occurs in the case of glazed ceramic products.

It was furthermore attempted to break the connection by supplying heat, however, this results in a risk of contaminating the (food) products and a sticking effect may furthermore occur.

Another solution has been looked for in having the carriers vibrate, yet the noise generated in the process often reaches an unacceptable level with respect to working conditions.

It is an object of the invention to improve on this.

From one aspect the invention to that end provides a carrier for products, comprising supporting surface parts for supporting the products according to a supporting surface, wherein at least a portion of the supporting surface parts is movable in upward direction out of the supporting surface.

With the carrier according to the invention the product can be lifted by moving a portion of the surface on which it supports upwards by pushing up the supporting surface. As a result the connection can easily be broken and without causing damage.

The push-up forces may optionally also be directly active at locations situated within the contour of the contact surface between the carrier and the product. The motion of the supporting surface parts can be realised using simple means that do not hinder working people or cannot damage the products.

Preferably the said portion of the supporting surface parts is biassed or spring loaded to a position substantially in one plane or in line with the supporting surface at that location, so that after detaching the products the supporting surface parts return again to a condition in which the product is stably supported by the original supporting surface.

In a possible further embodiment the said portion of the supporting surface parts is hinged to the carrifer.

In an alternative embodiment the motion takes place by deformation, when the said portion of the supporting surface parts is connected to the carrier in a bendable manner. In case of the spring load it can be realised by the material of the supporting surface parts themselves.

In a first further development of the carrier according to the invention the supporting surface adjacent to the said supporting surface parts is substantially closed and the said supporting surface parts are formed by lips in the supporting surface. The lips can be disposed in various ways, and have various shapes, such as rectangular, oval, circular, etcetera.

Preferably the lips extend substantially parallel to each other, as a result of which the operation mechanism can be simple.

If a number of lips extend in a direction opposite to another number of lips, a horizontal balance can be reached in the lifting forces exerted on the product. If so desired a dense occupation of the lips can be achieved by having a number of lips in the main direction of the lips lie offset with respect to another number of lips.

The carrier can have a main axis wherein the lips extend substantially in a direction parallel to the main axis.

If the lips themselves also form substantially closed supporting surface parts, they can easily be formed by cutting them out, for instance using a laser, from the carrier.

In a further development the supporting surface has a length, and the said portion of the supporting surface parts is movable out of the supporting surface while preserving the length.

The supporting surface may be substantially flat, such as a flat plate or flat belt. The supporting surface may furthermore be substantially straight extended, wherein at least a portion of the supporting surface parts are movable in upward direction out of the straight extended supporting surface.

In a possible embodiment the supporting surface parts form an - optionally profiled (for instance for French bread)- plate, that can be handled separately.

In a possible embodiment the supporting surface parts form links of a so-called hinge plate belt. In that case there is question of a continuous belt having a substantially closed surface.

However, it is also possible that the supporting surface formed by the supporting surface parts is substantially open. Such carriers are used in among others freezer tunnels for meat products or poultry. The problem of the connection to be broken also occurs here, even though the contact surface often is smaller. In case of larger products, such as whole chickens, the overall bond strength can be considerable. In this case as well measures according to the invention may offer a solution.

In a frequently occurring embodiment the supporting surface parts form wires of a link belt having transverse pins between the links. The wires may extend between each time two consecutive transverse pins, wherein the said movable supporting surface parts are formed by wires extending from a transverse pin to at least near the next transverse pin.

In a possible further embodiment thereof the said supporting surface parts all extend in the same belt direction.

Stabilisation in horizontal direction during lifting is enhanced if the said supporting surface parts alternately extend in the one belt direction and in the opposite belt direction. This effect can also be achieved with smaller products if each time from two consecutive transverse pins the said supporting surface parts extend in opposite direction of each other, preferably like fingers engaging into each other.

In a further development of a wire belt the said supporting surface parts can extend over all wires extending between the transverse pins, wherein the transverse pins are connected to each other at the ends. The entire supporting surface thus is movable by operation, wherein the transverse pins can remain stationary. From a further aspect the invention provides a device for treating products, having a room for subjecting the products to a treatment, particularly proving, coating, icing/glazing, cooling, freezing, baking etcetera, the device comprising one or more carriers according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for exerting an upward pressure force on the said portion of the supporting surface parts.

In a further development of the carrier and/or the device according to the invention the upwardly movable supporting surface parts are connected to the rest of the supporting surface, particularly forming one unity therewith.

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:

Figures 1 A and 1 B show a schematic top view and a schematic side view, respectively, of a first embodiment of a plate-shaped carrier according to the invention;

Figures 2A and 2B show a schematic top view and a schematic side view, respectively, of a second embodiment of a carrier according to the invention;

Figures 3A and 3B show a schematic top view and a schematic side view, respectively, of a third embodiment of a carrier according to the invention;

Figures 4A and 4B show a schematic top view and a schematic side view, respectively, of a fourth embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, as a belt structure; Figures 5A and 5B show a schematic top view and a schematic side view, respectively, of a fifth embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, as a belt structure;

Figures 6A and 6B show a schematic top view and a schematic side view, respectively, of a sixth embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, as a belt structure.

The carrier 1 shown in the figures 1 A and 1 B is formed by a -in this example flat- plate 2, having a substantially closed supporting surface, formed by surface parts 3 and surface parts 5. Surface parts 5 are formed by lips 4 formed by incisions 6.

The material of the carrier plate 1 may be metal or synthetic, wherein in the metal embodiment the top surface may be provided with a Teflon coating or the like.

In the condition of use, shown schematically in figure 1 B, there are a number of products 10, in this example buns subjected to a freezing treatment, on the carrier 1 . With their lower surface 1 1 the buns 10 are lying on the surface parts 3 and 5 which form an extended supporting surface A. Between the lower surface 1 1 and surface parts 3 and 5 a layer of ice 12 has been formed, as a result of which the buns are attached to the plate 1 .

For further treatment of the buns 10 it is necessary that they become released from the carrier 1 , which however is prevented by the ice layer 12. The lips 4 that are upwardly movable out of the extended supporting surface A, however, are capable of breaking the connection while leaving the buns 10 intact. To that end, in this example, the carrier 1 is conveyed in the direction B in a device that is not further shown above and over a number of push-up pins 7, which by means of operation means 8 can be moved upwards in the direction C in a synchronised manner. The pins 7 then press against the lower surface of the lip 4 in question, after which the lip 4 bends out or hinges in the direction D, wherein the surface parts 5 move out of the surface A in which the surface parts 3 are situated and remain so. Due to the lifting forces exerted on the lower surface 1 1 of the buns 10 they are lifted, as schematically shown in figure 1 B. The ice connection 12 is broken thereby. The operation of the pins 7 can take place at a standstill of the carrier, wherein for instance the entire supporting surface can be operated with pins or the like distributed over the supporting surface. However, it is also possible to operate the pins in continuous conveyance of the plate 1 in the direction B. The pins 7 will then have been moved back prior to arriving at the level of the fixed lip ends.

After that the push-up pins 7 can be moved downwards again, after which the buns 10 rest on the surface parts 3 and 5 again with their entire lower surface 1 1 . The buns 10 can then be discharged to a next treatment station such as for instance a packaging station, by means of a simple sliding or tilting motion.

It is noted that instead of push-up pins 7 other push-up mechanisms can be provided as well, for instance in the form of rollers provided with cams. Said rollers are particularly suitable in an arrangement having a permanent rotatabfe roller and a carrier that moves over it.

It is furthermore noted that the connection 12 can be of various natures, for instance formed by a layer of chocolate of a coating, or a layer of egg yolk icing. In the figures 2A and 2B a plate-shaped carrier V is shown, which substantially corresponds to the one of figures 1 A and 1 B, yet the lips 4 are not all oriented in the same direction, but per series alternately opposite. As can be seen in figure 2B the buns 10 can be supported more stably after lifting.

In the figures 3A and 3B a further alternative is shown by way of plate- shaped carrier 1 ", wherein the lips 4', now in consecutive series, are disposed shifted over half a length with respect to each other. The stability of the product 10 in the lifted condition can be increased in this way as well.

In the figures 4A and 4B a wire belt 20 is shown, which is for instance used for the support of frozen poultry carcasses. Said carcasses are only schematically shown by 10'. It will be understood that other products as well can be supported on the wire belt 20.

In this example the wire belt 20 is among other things built up from transverse pins 21 , which at their ends are connected to each other by means of connection plates 22. Supporting parts 23 formed from wire are attached on the pins 21 at regular intervals, and alternatively extending in the one direction and the other direction. In this example the supporting parts 23 form a U-shaped surface part 24. The supporting parts 23 are attached to the transverse rods 21 by means of helical springs 25 that form a unity therewith, and namely such that they are biassed to a position within the extended supporting surface A (figure 4B).

With their supporting surfaces 24, the supporting parts 23 define almost the entire actual supporting surface for the products 10'. In order to break the connection 12' between the lower surface 1 1 ' and the supporting surface 24, the supporting parts 23 can be rotated upwards out of the surface A, counter to the biassing force of the spring element 25, by means of push-up means, comparable to those according to figures 1 A and 1 B.

After lifting the products 10' the external push-up force can be ended, after which the supporting parts 23 spring back again into their initial position. Said initial position can be secured in downward direction by means of a stop, that is not further shown, on the transverse pins 21 .

In the figures 5A and 5B an embodiment of the carrier is shown in the form of a so-called hinge plate belt 30, having hinge plates 32 extending over the transverse direction, which hinge plates are connected to each other by means of hinge pins 31 . In the hinge plates 32 lips 34 have been formed by means of incisions 36, which lips define supporting surface parts 35. The lips 34 may be hinging or bending out of the supporting surface A, in a manner comparable to the one according to figures 1 A and 1 B.

Figures 6A and 6B show an alternative hinge plate belt 30', wherein the lips 34' are alternately opposite, more or less corresponding to the alternative embodiment of the figures 2A and 2B.

Claims

1 . Carrier for products, comprising supporting surface parts for supporting the products according to a supporting surface, wherein at least a portion of the supporting surface parts is movable in upward direction out of the supporting surface.

2. Carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the said portion of the supporting surface parts is biassed or spring loaded to a position substantially in one plane or in line with the supporting surface at that location.

3. Carrier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the said portion of the supporting surface parts is hinged to the carrier.

4. Carrier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the said portion of the supporting surface parts is connected to the carrier in a bendable manner.

5. Carrier according to any one of the claims 1 -4, wherein the supporting surface adjacent to the said portion of the supporting surface parts is substantially closed and the said supporting surface parts are formed by lips in the supporting surface.

6. Carrier according to claim 5, wherein the lips extend substantially parallel to each other.

7. Carrier according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a number of lips extend in a direction opposite to another number of lips.

8. Carrier according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein a number of lips in the main direction of the lips lie shifted with respect to another number of lips.

9. Carrier according to any one of the claims 5-8, wherein the carrier has a main axis and wherein the lips extend substantially in a direction parallel to the main axis.

10. Carrier according to any one of the claims 5-9, wherein the lips form substantially closed supporting surface parts.

1 1 . Carrier according to any one of the claims 5-10, wherein the supporting surface parts form a plate.

12. Carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting surface has a length, and wherein the said portion of the supporting surface parts is movable in upward direction out of the flat supporting surface while preserving the length of the supporting surface.

13. Carrier according to any one of the claims 5-1 1 , wherein the supporting surface parts form links of a hinge plate belt.

14. Carrier according to any one of the claims 1 -4, wherein the supporting surface formed by the supporting surface parts is substantially open.

15. Carrier according to claim 14, wherein the supporting surface parts form wires of a link belt having transverse pins between the links.

16. Carrier according to claim 15, wherein the wires extend between each time two consecutive transverse pins, wherein the said movable supporting surface parts are formed by wires extending from a transverse pin to at least near the next transverse pin.

17. Carrier according to claim 16, wherein the said supporting surface parts all extend in the same belt direction.

18. Carrier according to claim 16, wherein the said supporting surface parts alternately extend in the one belt direction and in the opposite belt direction.

19. Carrier according to claim 18, wherein each time from two consecutive transverse pins the said supporting surface parts extend in opposite direction of each other, preferably like fingers engaging into each other.

20. Carrier according to any one of the claims 15-19, wherein the said supporting surface parts extend over all wires extending between the transverse pins, wherein the transverse pins are connected to each other at the ends.

21 . Carrier for products, comprising supporting surface parts for support of the products according to a substantially straight extended supporting surface, wherein at least a portion of the supporting surface parts is movable in upward direction out of the straight extended supporting surface.

22. Carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upwardly movable supporting surface parts are connected to the rest of the supporting surface, particularly forming one unity therewith.

23. Device for treating products, having a room for subjecting the food products to a treatment, particularly proving, coating, icing/glazing, cooling, freezing, baking, the device comprising one or more carriers according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising lifting means for exerting an upward pressure force on the said portion of the supporting surface parts.

24. Device according to claim 23, wherein the lifting means are adapted and positioned divided over the entire supporting surface of the preferably plate-shaped carrier, for joint activation in case of the carrier standing still.

25. Device according to claim 23, wherein the lifting means are adapted and positioned for activation in case of relative movement of the carrier.

26. Device according to claim 23, 24, or 25, wherein the upwardly movable supporting surface parts are connected to the rest of the supporting surface, particularly forming one unity therewith.

27. Carrier provided with one or more of the characterising measures described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

28. Assembly provided with one or more of the characterising measures described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

29. Method comprising one or more of the characterising steps described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.