EP2457869A1 - Device and method for tempering and storing a viscous substance (as a fluid) - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus (100) has outer container (130) for receiving heat transfer fluid (101), and inner container (140) for receiving material which is to be tempered to viscous substance (141). The inner container is arranged in outer container and comprised with reversibly deformable wall portion that separates viscous substance and the fluid. The heating and/or cooling device (110') is provided to heat exchange with the fluid during operation of the device. A circulation device (120') adapted to generate a flow in the fluid and/or viscous substance. An independent claim is included for method for controlling temperature of viscous substance.

Description

The invention relates to apparatus and methods for storing substantially liquid substances, ie substances containing at least one liquid, e.g. in the form of foods, or beverages or liquid-containing foods to be stored in a state of very low viscosity.

In many technical fields, substances which essentially have the behavior of a liquid are frequently to be stored in corresponding containers, wherein mixing of the substance is frequently to be achieved or preserved and at the same time the substance is to be brought to or maintained at a desired temperature, which often deviates from the ambient temperature. In the following, such substances, which essentially correspond in their behavior of a liquid to be called viscous substances, ie, as substances whose predominant component is a liquid, but also solid substances, such as in the form of suspended particles, larger solid food fractions and The same may be admixed and in which also in addition to or as an alternative to solid suspended particles and gases may be added. In particular, such viscous substances are found in the food industry and the food industry in the form of beverages, soups, and the like. Frequently, the corresponding viscous substance must be dispensed in a metered manner, for which corresponding output devices or "dispensers" are available. For example, in these technical fields, beverage dispensers or dispensers are used in which the viscous substance, for example in the form of a beverage, is kept at or brought to a desired temperature level in order to be able to remove corresponding metered quantities in a controlled manner. For this purpose, containers are often used which are brought into thermal contact with a cooling device, so that over the container wall, which is often provided as a thermally highly conductive material at least in the contact area with the heat sink, an efficient temperature exchange can take place.

On the one hand to improve the temperature distribution within the beverage and on the other hand to achieve a thorough mixing, which is often advantageous when, for example, to store fruit pulp containing beverages, a mechanical stirring device is usually provided in the container. Since stringent hygienic requirements must be met, especially in the field of food technology, a mechanical decoupling of the agitator from the actual Drive device often accomplished that, for example, magnetically coupled stirrers are provided in the beverage container. Although the separation of the actual drive region from the mechanical agitator achieves an improvement in terms of hygiene and there is also a higher degree of flexibility in the use of suitable drive systems, but nevertheless the mechanical agitator is in direct contact with the viscous substance, ie the beverage liquid and The like, so that depending on the composition of the viscous substance appropriate cleaning operations are necessary, which in turn, however, in addition to the corresponding high effort, the risk that by the cleaning process itself a contamination of the container interior and thus also to be stored in the viscous substance.

In view of the aforementioned situation, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a simplified mechanical structure for the storage and temperature control of viscous substances, in particular of foods in substantially liquid form. Also in terms of hygiene, an improved situation should be achieved.

The object is achieved according to one aspect of the invention by a device for controlling the temperature of a viscous substance, which has an outer container for receiving a heat transfer fluid. Furthermore, the device comprises an inner container for receiving the viscous substance to be tempered, wherein the inner container is arranged in the outer container and has at least one reversibly deformable container wall region which separates the viscous substance from the heat transfer liquid. Furthermore, the device comprises a heating and / or cooling device, which can be thermally coupled to the heat exchange fluid during operation for heat exchange. Furthermore, the device comprises a circulation device, which is designed to generate a movement or flow in the heat transfer fluid and / or the viscous substance to be tempered.

The invention is based on the idea of storing a viscous substance, that is to say a very easily deformable substance, in a suitable container which has at least one resiliently deformable wall region and thus enables a mechanical action through this wall region on the viscous substance. At least this wall region also serves for thermal coupling of the heat transfer fluid to the viscous substance, so that in a mechanical movement, in particular a flow, in one of the two liquid-like Substances (heat transfer fluid and viscous substance) also causes a corresponding movement or flow in the other substance.

In this context, the term "tempering" is to be understood as meaning that the viscous substance for heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid should be kept at a desired temperature or within a predetermined range or brought to this temperature, of which conceptually also Cooling or heating of the viscous substance is detected. The tempering thus takes place by a thermal coupling of the viscous substance over at least the reversibly (yielding) deformable region, wherein preferably a correspondingly small wall thickness is used, so that even with relatively low thermal conductivity of the deformable material takes place an efficient coupling to the heat transfer fluid.

As a reversibly deformable material is to be understood that when exposed to an external force to a deflection of at least one millimeter and preferably several millimeters to several centimeters in a position, so that a mechanical movement of the fluid for heat transfer in the form of a successful flow upon impact on the reversibly deformable partition a corresponding displacement of the viscous substance with the partition wall is possible without irreversible damage to the deformable material occurs.

For example, an elastic material in the form of a membrane may be considered as a reversibly deformable material, as long as it is provided in a state and composition of material allowing for a corresponding mechanical deflection. Also substantially non-elastic materials which are not dimensionally stable can also be considered as reversibly deformable materials. For example, a bag as set forth in claim 9 is to be understood as a container having wall portions which are reversibly deformable, wherein the base material of the bag may be elastic or inelastic.

In particularly advantageous embodiments, the viscous substance is a foodstuff, a beverage or another liquid-based foodstuff, wherein the device according to the invention can be used for efficient mixing and tempering, as also stated above. In particular, the advantages of a missing mechanism within the inner container for circulating the viscous substance can be particularly advantageous, since high hygienic requirements must be met in this sector. By avoiding a mechanical component for the circulation of the food and eliminates the Cleaning of mechanical components, such as those used in conventional beverage and other food storage containers, so that the risk of possible contamination is significantly reduced. The substance is only in contact with the inner walls of the inner container.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the inner container has an output device in order to dispense the viscous substance in a metered manner. For example, the device can be used as a dispenser for liquid based foods or the like, with particular emphasis on the benefits of good mixing of the substance and its good thermal coupling to the heat transfer fluid.

In further advantageous embodiments, the heating and / or cooling device has a heat transfer surface arranged in the outer container. With this arrangement, a very good thermal coupling of the heat transfer surface is ensured to the heat transfer medium, so that, for example, with appropriate insulation of the outer container is a very energy-efficient temperature control of the viscous substance. For example, corresponding heating and / or cooling surfaces can be produced by large surfaces within the container in the form of loops laid in loops, by corresponding cooling or heating vanes, and also suitably designed surface areas of the container itself can serve as efficient heat transfer surfaces. Advantageously, the heat transfer surface is designed so that it does not obstruct the flow within the heat transfer fluid unnecessarily, so that on the one hand an efficient mixing of the heat transfer fluid itself takes place and also the flow generated by the circulation and thus the mechanical interaction with moldable wall areas is not unnecessarily reduced.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the circulation device is arranged within the outer container. In this embodiment, therefore, a very compact mechanical structure can be achieved, since, for example, the circulation device can be provided in the form of known components, for example by a pump wheel which is driven by a drive unit driven outside the container, while in other embodiments also the complete drive unit within the outer container may be provided, provided that the drive is sealed and is also designed for the temperatures, with which the circulated heat transfer fluid is applied.

Preferably, the circulation device is designed such that a circulation of the heat transfer fluid is generated around at least a part of the inner container, since in this case it has been found within the scope of the invention that surprisingly a very efficient thermal coupling results and also the degree of mixing in the viscous substance is sufficiently high, so that even emulsion-like substances or liquids with larger proportions of solids remain well mixed. A suitable circulation is accomplished inter alia also by the fact that the dimensions of the inner and the outer container are coordinated so that a sufficiently large gap is always available, so that a relatively unobstructed flow can build up under the action of the circulating device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the heating and / or cooling device has at least one heat transfer surface, which is mounted outside the outer container. In this way, for example, the inner structure of the outer container with a high degree of flexibility can be given and about the desired dimensions of the inner container or the degree of deformation during the discharge of the viscous substance, if the inner container in the form of an output device for Liquid-like substances used to be adjusted, so that due to the improved flow conditions, the thermal and mechanical coupling to the viscous substance can be improved. Furthermore, if appropriate, a simpler internal structure, which may also be advantageous when loading the outer container, ie. during insertion of the inner container, and the like. On the other hand, a suitable circulating means may be provided outside the container, for example in the form of a pump and the like, wherein at the same time the application of heat or cold can take place, due to the modularity of the container system on the one hand and the drive and heating / cooling components on the other hand, a high Degree of flexibility is ensured for the configuration of the system. For example, different containers with the same circulation and heating / cooling system can be operated simultaneously if necessary.

In further advantageous embodiments, a holding device is provided in the outer container, which is designed to fix the position of the inner container in the form of a bag within the outer container within predefined limits. This provides stable operating conditions even in the event that the inner container is provided as a bag. On the other hand, the holding device is designed so that a good mechanical and thermal coupling of the heat transfer fluid to the surfaces of the bag is guaranteed. For this purpose, for example, designed as a grid frame or a corresponding basket is suitable.

In further advantageous embodiments, the heating and / or cooling device is designed to keep the heat transfer fluid at a temperature in a range of -20 ° C to 100 ° C. Cooling temperatures below 15 ° C or below 10 ° C and above 1 ° C are preferred.

This design results in many types of applications for the device according to the invention, especially in the field of food. For example, it is possible in this temperature range of the heat transfer fluid to cool almost all beverage-like substances or to stockpile and also to dispense in a hot state, so that immediate consumption at a desired temperature is possible. Further, in this temperature range, many types of heat transfer fluids may be used, such as water, with appropriate antifreeze added, so that, in principle, a single agent and corresponding additives can cover the entire temperature range. In this case, the heating and / or cooling device can also be designed accordingly, so that they can be operated only in a predetermined sub-interval, for example in the form of cooling, when generally cooled liquid-like substances are to be stored.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device further comprises a reservoir, which can be coupled to the outer container with a fluid connection for temporarily receiving the heat transfer fluid. In this way, the accessibility of the outer container can be achieved as needed, since the heat transfer fluid can be suitably stored in the other container, wherein the demand can maintain the current temperature substantially by a corresponding heating and / or cooling device for the further container is provided or in which this container is sufficiently isolated, so that only a very slow temperature change takes place in the other container. Thus, however, the heat transfer fluid can be recycled back into the outer container when needed without requiring a large amount of energy to set the desired temperature of the heat transfer fluid. Also, the outer container can be suitably isolated to reduce the losses. In the same way, in appropriate supply lines, such as when circulating device and / or the heating and cooling device are provided externally, the corresponding losses can be reduced by suitable insulation measures.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned object is achieved by a method for controlling the temperature of a viscous substance. The tempering of the viscous substance is effected by indirect thermal and mechanical coupling of a heat transfer fluid to the viscous substance via a suitable deformable partition wall or membrane, e.g. in the form of a bag, so that there is always an area at least even with changing volume of the viscous substance, which serves to separate the heat transfer fluid and the viscous substance and yet makes the indirect contact for thermal and mechanical coupling.

The generation of a movement, in particular flow (as movement of a volume fraction in the heat transfer fluid and / or in the viscous substance) leads on the one hand to an efficient temperature compensation within the heat transfer fluid, which is coupled to a heat reservoir, and on the other hand to a corresponding efficient temperature distribution in the viscous substance, at the same time given by the mechanical coupling and a good mixing.

Preferably, as already mentioned, the method is applied to food substances which are more preferably to be stored at a temperature different from the ambient temperature.

Fig. 1

zeigt schematisch eine Querschnittsdarstellung einer ersten Vorrichtung nach einem Beispiel der Erfindung.

Fig. 2

zeigt eine Schnittzeichnung einer bevorzugten weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung, in der ein Beutel zur Bevorratung eines Getränkes verwendet wird, womit eine effiziente Kühlung des Getränkes in dem Beutel ohne das Vorsehen einer mechanischen Komponente in dem Beutel erreicht wird.

Fig. 3

zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform, welche die Umwälzung der Wärmeübertragungsflüssigkeit und/oder die Temperierung außerhalb eines externen Behälters veranschaulicht.

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a first device according to an example of the invention.

Fig. 2

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred further embodiment of the invention in which a bag is used to stock a beverage, thus providing efficient cooling of the beverage in the bag without the provision of a mechanical component in the bag.

Fig. 3

shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment, which illustrates the circulation of the heat transfer fluid and / or the temperature outside an external container.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a device 100, which serves for the storage and optionally also for the metered dispensing of a viscous substance 141, which in preferred embodiments is a (liquid) food. For this purpose, an outer container 130 is provided, which is for controlling the temperature of the viscous substance 141 with a heat transfer fluid 101, z. As water, optionally with suitable additives, or other liquids can be filled. For this purpose, the outer container 130 is suitably dimensioned to receive a corresponding amount of the heat transfer fluid 101 at a desired storage volume for the viscous substance 141.

The outer container has rigid walls 131, which in advantageous embodiments are provided with an insulating material 132, so that the thermal losses during operation of the device 100 can be kept small.

For insulation 132, known insulating materials may be used. As part of the device 100, there is provided a schematically illustrated circulation device 120, which is designed to initially generate a movement, in particular a flow (as movement of a volume fraction) in the heat transfer fluid 101 and / or the viscous substance 141.

In the illustrated embodiment, this is shown schematically as a flow 102 within the heat transfer fluid 101.

Via a reversibly deformable wall region 145 of the inner container 140, there is a mechanical coupling of a movement of the heat transfer liquid 101 to the viscous substance 141, which is thus likewise set in motion. This mechanical coupling via the wall region 145 is also referred to as indirect mechanical coupling, since the wall region 145 serves as a transmitter of the mechanical movement from the liquid 101 to the substance 141 and vice versa. For this purpose, the wall region 145 is suitable over a correspondingly large portion of the inner container 140 away formed so that a deflection 144 results in a size of at least 1 mm and advantageously several millimeters or even in the centimeter range with a corresponding mechanical action on the wall portion 145th For example, by the heat transfer fluid 101.

This type of deformation of the wall portion 145 is also referred to as reversibly deformable in the sense previously defined.

This type of mechanical coupling between the liquid 101 for heat transfer and the viscous substance 141, an efficient circulation of both substances, so that an efficient temperature distribution results in both substances, especially if both are aqueous or have water as the main component.

Furthermore, in Fig. 1 schematically shown a heating and / or cooling device 110 which is thermally coupled with the heat transfer fluid, so that the heat transfer fluid 101 can be maintained at a suitable temperature level or can be brought to this temperature level after a certain exposure time. For this purpose, the device 110 comprises suitable cooling and / or heating means, as also described in more detail below.

Thus, at least via the reversibly deformable wall region 145, an efficient thermal coupling to the substance 141 also occurs, so that, in cooperation with the flow 102, a desired temperature level is also achieved in the substance 141.

For example, in this way drinks or other liquid-like food substances, for. In the form of soups, etc., can be efficiently stored at a desired temperature and, if necessary, via a Output device 142 metered, about a corresponding valve means 143, are output. In this way, the function of a dispenser can be realized.

During operation of the device 100, the circulation 102 in advantageous embodiments initiates a corresponding circulation of the heat transfer liquid 101 around the inner container 140, which on the one hand ensures efficient heating of the substance 141 and, on the other hand, ensures thorough mixing, so that mechanical components can be omitted within the container 140. In order to enable a corresponding circulation, in particular the circulation device 120 is suitably designed so that the desired flow is generated with a suitable volume flow, which on the one hand transports the required thermal power but also the required 'mechanical' power.

The configuration and the size ratios of the containers 130 and 140 are suitably selected so that the caused circulation can be properly formed. In this case, distances between the inner container 140 and the walls 131 of the outer container 130 are provided, for. B. in the range 5 to 20 cm, depending on the total volume of the container 130 and 140th

If necessary, suitable turbulence generating elements, for. B. the wall surfaces 121 itself or other body provided, if this proves to be an improvement of the mixing and mechanical coupling of the particular system considered suitable.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an advantageous embodiment of the device 100. In the embodiment shown, the inner container 140 is provided in the form of a bag, the z. B. receives a drink, so that over extensive surface areas 141 a of the container 140 away the previously described reversibly deformable partition between the substance 141, z. B. as a beverage, and the heat transfer fluid 101 is present.

Furthermore, a corresponding support 134 is provided, which serves for the mechanical separation of the container 140 from the device 110 ', which is provided in the following example as a cooling device, wherein a heat transfer surface 111' is directly in contact with the liquid 101 within the container 130. The circulation device 120 'is provided in the form of a pump wheel in the volume defined by the holder 134.

A fluid coupling of the liquid 101 to the circulation device 120 'and the cooling device 110' is given. Properly dimensioned passages in the support 134, which is provided, for example, in the form of a grid, have support function for the bag 140 and permeability to the liquid 101.

The inner container 140 is connected to the dispenser 142, which is provided approximately as an extension of the bag, for. B by welding a tube to the remainder of the bag, with a corresponding seal to the outer container 120 via suitable seals 146, which may be provided directly in the form of the material of the bag by suitable structuring of a portion of the dispenser 142. In other cases, a suitable additional seal may be provided instead of or in addition to the region 146.

In the embodiment shown, a fluid coupling 133 is provided, which can temporarily connect the outer container 130 with another container 150, so that if necessary, the heat transfer fluid 101 can be passed into the other container 150 and stored, for. B. to perform maintenance, insert the inner container 140, and the like.

Preferably, the further container 150 is also designed to cause as little losses as possible in the storage of the liquid 101, which is achieved by suitable insulation, etc. If required, a decoupling to a corresponding heating and / or cooling device can take place, so that the heat transfer fluid can be kept constantly at the desired temperature range. An efficient temperature control immediately after refilling the container 130 can be continued.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a further embodiment of the device 100, in which the circulating device 120 and also the heating and / or cooling device 111 are provided outside the container 130. For this purpose, a suitable fluid line 136 is provided, which is preferably correspondingly insulated, so that no unnecessary losses occur in the fluid line 136. In this way, the heat transfer fluid 101 can be circulated in a suitable manner within the container 130, so that the efficient coupling to the substance 141 takes place. Also shown in this embodiment is a retainer 135 that holds the inner container 140 in place within a range defined by the retainer 135, regardless of the extent to which the inner container 140 has its volume during operation of the device as the volume of the substance 141 decreases changed (by output). The holder 135 is designed so that an efficient

Fluid coupling of the heat transfer fluid 101 is ensured to the inner container. For example, this can be provided as a cage resting on supports 135a.

In general, tempered storage is made possible by the thermal and mechanical coupling of the heat transfer fluid to the viscous substance, without mechanical components having to be introduced into the inner container 140. This results in a significant advantage in terms of the mechanical structure of the device 100 as a whole as well as with regard to the handling of the substance 141, for example with regard to the cleaning and hygienic aspects, which is particularly important for the storage of food of crucial importance.

The installation of the inner container 140 can also take place in advantageous embodiments such that first the dispensing device in the form of a tube with a seal is pressed into a corresponding dispensing opening of the outer container and thus sealed. Then, the filling of the inner container, which is provided approximately in the form of a bag, take place, whereupon the filling of the heat transfer fluid takes place, which is already filled in preferred embodiments in an at least pre-tempered state. In particular, when designing the containers 130 and 140 in such a way that due to the circulation device 120 or 120 ', a free circulation around the inner container 140 is formed around, a particularly pronounced thermal coupling is achieved.

List of Reference Numerals (excerpt)

100

Device for tempering

101

Heat transfer fluid

102

Flow or movement of the heat transfer fluid

110

Heating and / or cooling device

120

circulation

130

outer container

131

container wall

132

thermal insulation

133

Fluid line for heat transfer fluid

134

Bracket (support)

135

Bracket (cage)

136

fluid line

140

inner container

141

liquid-like or viscous substance, especially as a beverage

142

Issue for viscous substance

144

deflection

145

reversible deformable wall area

146

poetry

Claims (15)

Device for controlling the temperature of a viscous substance, the device having an outer container (130) for receiving a heat transfer fluid (101), and with
an inner container (140) for receiving the
tempering viscous substance (141), with the inner
Container (140) is arranged in the outer container (130) and
at least one reversibly deformable container wall portion (145) separating the viscous substance (141) from the heat transfer fluid (101);
a heating and / or cooling device (110, 110 '), the
Heat exchange with the liquid (101) during a
Operation of the device is thermally coupled to the liquid (101);
a circulation device (120, 120 ') designed to generate a movement or flow (102) in the liquid (101) and / or the viscous substance (141) to be tempered. The device of claim 1, wherein the viscous substance is a food, in particular a liquid juice beverage. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner container (140) has an output device (142) for metered dispensing of the viscous substance (141). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heating and / or cooling device (110 ') has a heat transfer surface (111') arranged in the outer container (130). Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the circulation device (120) within the outer container (130) is arranged. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the circulation means (120) is adapted to generate a circulation (102) of the heat transfer fluid (101) around at least a part of the inner container (140). Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heating and / or cooling means (110) comprises at least one heat transfer surface (111) mounted outside the outer container (130). Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the circulation means (120) is disposed outside the outer container (130). Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner container (140) is a flexible bag. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising holding means (134, 135) in the outer container (130) adapted to define the position of the bag (140) within the outer container (130) in a predefined volume. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating and / or cooling device (110) is adapted to keep the heat transfer fluid at a temperature in a range of -20 ° C to 100 ° C, in particular below 15 ° C and above 1 ° C. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a reservoir (150) connectable to the outer container (130) with a fluid connection (133) for temporarily receiving the heat transfer fluid (101). A method for controlling the temperature of an at least viscous substance (141) with the steps Circulating the viscous substance (141) in a container (140) by generating a movement or flow (102) in a heat transfer fluid (101), which is indirectly connected to the viscous substance via a reversibly deformable partition wall (145) of the container (140). 141) is in thermal and mechanical contact; - Temperieren the heat transfer fluid (101) by thermal contact with a heat source (110) or a heat sink (110 '). The method of claim 13, wherein the viscous substance (141) is a particular liquid foodstuff. The method of claim 13 or 14, comprising metering the viscous substance (141) through an output conduit (142) fluidly coupled to the container (140).

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